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$75  + Tax/Tip
Tue, 2/15
5:30 PM & 7:45 PM
Dupont Circle

Gonzo

5-Course Soulful Mexican Tasting Event

Named as a tribute to the legendary Hunter S. Thompson, patron saint of gonzo journalism, this Dupont eatery, opened in October 2020, practices gonzo cooking, with the chef writing himself into the story. That chef would be none other than Nick Olivas, a California native, who cooks food that he finds delicious, drawing upon the extensive knowledge he has acquired over the years. His first Michelin Star restaurant job was at the 5th Floor in San Francisco, where he learned the ins and outs of French cuisine. Then he landed in New York, cooking at Corton, known for molecular gastronomy, which is focused on the physical and chemical processes that arise when cooking. Next came an Italian restaurant named Torrisi, and then he served as sous chef at the two-Michelin starred Pineapple and Pearls in D.C. At Gonzo, Chef Olivas turns out authentic and remarkably good Mexican food, ranging from potato tacos to posoles, carnitas, tres leches, and other favorites. (You’re also bound to find yummy street snacks like Tajin-dusted mango and corn nuts with worm salt.) It’s an adventure you won’t want to miss.

About the Host:

Nicholas Olivas

Executive Chef/Owner

Hailing from the San Gabriel Valley in SoCal, Chef Olivas attended culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale, AZ, before kicking off his professional career at San Francisco's Michelin-starred fine dining establishment The 5th Floor. Two years later, he moved to NYC, where he further honed his craft at acclaimed Italian eateries Torrisi, Carbone, Dirty French, and ZZ Clam Bar. Most recently, he served as Sous Chef at DC's esteemed Two Michelin-Starred restaurant, Pineapple & Pearls.

The Lineup

All courses will be individually plated.

  1. Red Snapper Ceviche

    with red onion, cilantro, pickled carrots, and tostada

  2. Fried Cheese & Red Country Mole

    with fried chilis and toasted sesame seed

  3. Hard Shell Potato Taco

    with green chili, shredded lettuce, guacamole, shredded cheese and salsa raja

  4. Roasted Oregano-Brined Chicken

    with frijoles de la olla, charred leeks, queso fresco, and coriander chili oil

  5. Tres Leches Cake

    with whipped cream and burnt cinnamon

Gonzo

1521 17th St NW (Astoria DC)

Washington, DC 20036

Event FAQs

Do I have to bring printed tickets to the event?
No tickets are needed.
What does the ticket price cover?
The ticket price covers the full cost of the meal.
What must I bring to the event?
Please make sure to bring a government-issued photo ID.
Do guests need to be of a certain age to attend this event?
Yes. All attendees must be 21+ to gain entry.
Can I bring guests/non-members to this event?
Yep! For this event, guest tickets are $75 + tax & tip, and you can bring up to 3 guests. Please note, guests are not allowed to attend unaccompanied by a member.
What is the event ticket cancellation/refund policy?
Restaurants purchase the food for our events 14 days before the event date, at which point we are on the hook for the cost of your ticket. As such, we are not able to offer refunds (or credits towards future events) for any cancellation requests submitted within 14 days of the event date. We will, however, issue full refunds for all cancellation requests submitted at least 14 days before the event date. All cancellation requests must be submitted via email to support@tastingcollective.com.
What qualifies as valid proof of vaccination?
To verify that you are fully vaccinated, and gain entry to the event, you must present to our event lead any one of the following forms of proof: your original physical vaccination card, a clearly legible photo of your original vaccination card, or the CLEAR Health Pass App. Please note, you will be only be considered “fully vaccinated” if it has been at least 14 days since you've received either (a) a second shot of the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, or (b) a single shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. More questions about this? Contact us at support@tastingcollective.com
What dietary restrictions/food allergies can be accommodated at this event?
At this event the chef will provide substitutions for critical food allergies/dietary restrictions but will not make menu adjustments based on food preferences (e.g distaste for specific ingredients/flavor profiles). If you have restrictions/allergies, please make sure to Update Your Dietary Restrictions within your Account Info before or after you purchase tickets, or email us at support@tastingcollective.com after you purchase tickets to let us know.

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