Sound Bites – A Festival Of Music, Food And Change

The weather looked threatening with the potential to soak the 2013 Edition of Sound Bites. However, the rain held off and attendees were treated to one of the city’s best charity food and music festivals that topped 2012’s event. Like last year’s Sound Bites, the event was held in and around the 9:30 Club with all proceeds going to a worthy cause, DC Central Kitchen. Also, like last year, there was plenty of live musical entertainment, but perhaps the threat of rain resulted in it all (except for the DJ and the always energetic Batala) being moved indoors to the 9:30’s stage. This year’s iteration, however, offered a bigger (and better) lineup of participating restaurants serving up a wider range of delicious bites. Thankfully, that also meant that there were many food offerings beyond «sliders». Food highlights… Chef Jeff Black/​Black Jack’s ceviche, Chef Victor Albisu/​Del Campo’s grilled salmon campechana, Bar Pilar’s Peruvian ceviche, Jaleo’s huge chicken and sausage paella, Rappahannock River Oysters’ Olde Salts, and Astro Doughnuts’ unique array of tasty doughnuts. Frankly, every food booth offered up tasty bites with no clunkers. I left satisfied.
This year’s cocktail competition was a battle for 14^th St. bragging rights as crack bartending teams from Bar Pilar faced off against The Gibson while Black Jack battled Birch & Barley. The finals pitted The Gibson against Birch & Barley with the all-​female team from Birch & Barley eeking out the win. Who knew Birch & Barley even served cocktails? Once again, though, samples of the competitors’ cocktails weren’t available to event attendees.
If there’s one thing that hinders Sound Bites from 5-​star status is the cost and quality of drinks. $ 4 for a bottle of water!!! $ 5 for Natty Boh!!! $ 8 for a John Daly or this blue slushie??? The 9:30 Club monopolized drink concessions. I can only hope that the proceeds from its beverage sales also went to DC Central Kitchen. Given the wealth of restaurants and bars serving amazing beers, wines, and cocktails in this city especially considering many were participating at this year’s Sound Bites, it was a shame that they weren’t able to also serve drinks. I would’ve gladly paid for them. Oh well.
Sound Bites, in my mind, is DC’s best-​kept charity food event secret. It offers great food at a great price for a great cause. Sound Bites in 2014? It’s a date!