In case you hadn’t heard, there’s a lot happening down at the Wharf, the District’s latest development, a long-overdue overhaul of D.C.’s southwest waterfront. Â It’s everything you would expect from a fancy new D.C. development, including shopping, restaurants, and even a new concert venue in the Anthem, and, most relevant to cocktail connoisseurs such as yourself, great drinks.
I had to check it out for myself, so I made it down there on a recent Friday evening. Â It was a fantastic fall day weather-wise, which I mention because one of the selling points of a waterfront is being outside; indeed, several spots on the Wharf offer outdoor seating, including the latest outpost of Hank’s Oyster Bar.
But our party was headed to the Del Mar, the new spot by Fabio Trabocchi, he of Fiola, Casa Luca, Fiola Mara, and Sfoglina fame. Â I’ve enjoyed a number of cocktails at these other establishments, but Del Mar takes it up a notch. Â Consider, for example, this gin and tonic for two:
This cocktail – the Habla de ti Gin Tonic – is presented like no other I’ve seen in the District.  And it is a triumph in substance as well as form.  It combines Gin Mare, a house made tonic, lime, cava, brine foam and bay leaf for a complex, tangy gin and tonic that doesn’t last long (especially if you are sharing).  I would love to have the recipe for that house made tonic!
The gin and tonic was a show-stopper, but the cocktail menu isn’t a one-hit wonder. Â I also had the chance to sample the Sangre de Toro, a cocktail featuring blood orange and rose infused vodka, spiced syrup, and pomegranate, a sweet and spicy drink with flavors somewhat reminiscent of Hot Tamales candies (but in a good way). Â And I couldn’t resist trying the other gin and tonic on the menu (the Estrellas Gin Tonic: Â Tanqueray No. 10, ginger, lime, tonic water, star anise, and cardamom) for comparison’s sake. Â This one was more of a traditional gin and tonic in terms of flavor, but the garnishes of star anise and cardamom added a unique aroma.
There are others on the menu (pictured below) I would like to try – all of them basically, except Tal Vez (pumpkin isn’t really my flavor when it comes to drinks) – but, in the interests of moderation, put off until next time:
The dinner was also fantastic.  As the name Del Mar would suggest, the menu has substantial raw bar and seafood offerings, a number of which we enjoyed as appetizers.  But for me the best plate of the night was one of the shared paellas, with duck breast, grilled artichokes, and Malllorcan-style spreadable joked pimentón sausage.  Simply delicious.
In short, if Del Mar isn’t on your list of new places to try, it should be!