Weekend Food Guide: Negroni Week

One of the many Negroni variations offered by the Big Burrito Restaurant Group this week.

If you haven’t heard by now, it’s Negroni Week, organized by Imbibe Magazine and Campari. Negroni Week runs through September 19 as both a celebration of the delicious, classic cocktail and a chance to give back. Bars and restaurants participating in the week of festivities donate a portion of their sales to a Negroni Week-partnered charity of their choice.

We’ve been sharing at-home negroni recipes all week, but plenty of local bars and restaurants have rewritten their cocktail lists and are supporting charities through Negronis. This weekend, support a local bar and a good cause by sipping on a Negroni at one of these local spots.

Big Burrito

Five Big Burrito restaurants are participating in this year’s Negroni Week, donating $1 for every drink to No Kid Hungry, an organization dedicated to ending childhood hunger in the United States. Stop by Kaya, Alta Via, Casbah, Eleven, or Soba to get your hands on a classic Negroni or one of their house-created riffs, like the Sake Negroni (perfect to pair with a spicy tuna roll from Asian-inspired Soba) or the Mezcal Negroni. As the restaurant group says, “Remember to pace yourself – you have all week!”

Bar Botanico

Out of the three cocktails added to their Negroni Week menu, Kelsie Sinagra of Bar Botanico says the Pamplemousse Rose Sbagliato is her favorite. The variation starts like a Negorni Sbagliato with Campari, Carpano Bianco, and prosecco, but adds in Pamplemousse Rose Liqueur and rosewater for a floral edge on every sip.

Match the rose-y cocktail with a dish from Scratch & Co., currently working out of the Bar Botanico kitchen. We’ve been told a burger pairs well with a negroni – but test it out for yourself and let us know.

DiAnoia’s Eatery

Seven cocktails made the Negroni list at DiAnoia’s Eatery. Try the Old Pal, a mix of rye whiskey, Campari, and white vermouth, or the Spagliato all Fragola, which sweetens the blend of Campari, white vermouth, and sparkling wine with strawberry liquor. Or you could go vintage by swapping in the restaurant’s 1970s Campari!

Need a snack? Negronis are perfect to pair with DiAnoia’s small plates and sides. We recommend their fresh bread and whipped ricotta – it’s a light, delicious way to start a long evening of eating.

Talia

Talia has six cocktails on deck for Negroni week, including a classic (on tap!), a white Negroni featuring bitter, sweet, and citrusy Amaro Montenegro, a version incorporating coffee moonshine. Can’t decide? Order their flight of five.

Pair any variation with Talia’s menu of Italian eats. Don’t go alone: grab a few friends and snack on a plate of olives, cheese, and prosciutto – or order a pizza to share.

The Commoner

The Commoner, known for their fun, delicious, and slightly wacky cocktail creations, is holding to their style this Negroni Week. Find four versions of the cocktail on their menu, ranging from the classic, made with house-crafted sweet vermouth to the Pasta Sauce, a tomato-basil-rosemary Boulevardier featuring Larceny Bourbon and the banana-infused Waka Waka!.

Break out your at-home bartending skills and try a Commoner negroni for yourself! Fresh strawberries add a sweet touch to this simple, blender-made Strawberry Negroni Bianco.