Restaurants are famously generous. Free bread and butter, free birthday dessert. And now: discounts to furloughed federal workers, and in some cases, free food.
But with so many federal workers missing pay, it’s no surprise that spending at restaurants could be one of the first cost-cutting measures. Red’s Table in Reston reports a 10 percent dip in sales compared to last year, but the kindness continues: $20 for two-courses and a non-alcoholic drink from a menu of wings, goat cheese fritters, a burger, fried chicken sandwich and mussels.
Even more worrisome is the safety of the country’s food supply when hundreds of Food and Drug Administration inspectors are furloughed. According to The Washington Post, the FDA, “which oversees 80 percent of the food supply, has suspended all routine inspections of domestic food-processing facilities.” It’s particularly scary in light of the frequency of food-borne illnesses, like the recent ban on romaine lettuce.
Eater investigates deeper, noting everything from soft cheeses and prepared salads to infant formula is impacted by the lack of oversight. The agency is hoping to get inspectors back to work—unpaid—next week.
News, events, etc.
Marumen opens today in Sterling. [The Burn]
Do you own an air fryer yet? [New Yorker, Quartzy]
Solace Brewing Company in Dulles hosts a chili cook-off on Saturday. [Facebook]
Dunn Loring’s Inca Social is now in soft-open mode through the end of the month. [Facebook]
Old Dominion Pizza Company opens in Arlington. [Arl Now]
Black Urfa chili, black tahini, black garlic and everything that should be in your pantry now. [Bon Appetit]
Fair Winds Brewing Company’s owner and CEO Casey Jones has died. [Facebook]
