Some good news from the sadly closed Crane & Turtle on Upshur: Anxo, the cider bar and Basque restaurant that’s had pop-ups around the area (like at Colony Club) is beginning a 10-day pop-up at the Crane & Turtle space starting May 4.
They’ll serve various ciders and Basque snacks, including various pintxos, or the Basque version of tapas. They’ll include skewers, cod fritters, and stuffed squid with ink sauce, sherry vinegar and caramelized onions. Dishes will range from $5-$15. Sounds pretty delicious. As well as cider, they’ll also have wines from the Basque region and a rotating drink list. The Post has the full story.
I’m glad to see the very nice Crane & Turtle space get some use, and I hope there are more events like this, or a new spot!
The Anxo folks are opening a proper restaurant at 300 Florida Ave NW sometime this summer.
Here’s more from Anxo’s website:
What: ANXO Cidery & Pinxtos bar is thrilled to take over Petworth’s Crane & Turtle for a ten night pintxos residency. Led by Executive Chef Alex Vallcorba, the à la carte dinner service will feature pintxos of varying sizes, including dishes like Stuffed Squid on a bed of ink sauce with sherry vinegar caramelized onions, and Cod Fritters with Vizcaína sauce.
From Chef Vallcorba: I’m from Spain and I grew up with this food. I love the simplicity of the plating– three or four ingredients in one dish that speaks for itself. It’s about spending time taking care of the ingredients. I want people to have an experience. Even if you haven’t been to Basque Country or Spain you should feel like these flavors are true to that experience.
For me, we’re family. The restaurant is family. When I was growing up my father didn’t let me leave the table until we finished our meal and also talked. It’s about bringing people together. Yes, the cider and food are important. But I want people to come to ANXO, or Crane & Turtle, and give them that experience so that they want to come back. They’re in a restaurant, but they’re also in our home.
In addition to pintxos, the pop-up’s beverage menu will include an array of Basque cider, wine, cocktails and digestifs rotating frequently (sometimes daily) from Beverage Director Tim Prendergast. The evolving selection will reflect the vast geographical representation of ANXO’s cider list.
This event, along with the 5/22 edition of Txotx at Colony Club, will be the last ANXO pop-ups ahead of our opening at 300 Florida Ave NW. We are already actively hiring in anticipation.
When: 5:00 – 10:00pm on:
Wednesday, May 4th – Sunday, May 8th &
Wednesday, May 11th – Sunday, May 15thWednesday, May 4th – Sunday, May 8th &Wednesday, May 11th – Sunday, May 15th
Where: Crane & Turtle828 Upshur St. NW, DC, 20011
Reservations: Reservations can be made Wednesday through Friday from noon to 3:00pm, effective immediately. Guests should call (202) 810-ANXO to make a reservation during those times. Reservations are for dining room seats, not the kitchen counter or patio (open weather permitting), which will be available to walk-up diners.
Details: Pinxtos will range from $5 to $15. This event is family friendly but ID must be present to purchase alcohol.
