Derek Brown 'Clashes' With Shaw; Sherry & Ham Bar Mockingbird Hill Bows Friday

SHAW -- Self-described "crazy motherfucker" Derek Brown saw the realization of a dream Wednesday evening to bring a little slice of southern Spain to the District, with the soft opening of the city's first dedicated sherry and ham bar, Mockingbird Hill.

Along with co-owner Angie Salame, head bartender (and wife) Chantal Tseng, bartender J.P. Fetherston and a half dozen other friends and family that make-up the staff of the Shaw-based venue, Brown hopes to replicate some of the memorable experiences he had while visiting the city of Jerez.

"We are truly, truly inspired by the wines of Jerez," said Brown. "Because when we spent time with the families there, we realized that it's such a special product....It's not a bullshit beverage like whipped cream vodka. It's something that...is complex and interesting."

Taking its name from the Clash song "Spanish Bombs", the reported 1,110-squarefoot space is more about snacking than dining.

While numerous kinds of ham (approximately five come Friday's grand opening), cheese, and other small bites will be available to order, Mockingbird Hill eschews offering a full blown dinner menu.

Sherry naturally takes center stage as the beverage of choice at the bar, with both pure pours of the wine and blended cocktails available. But so too is a rather novel gin-and-tonic drink, which actually is made by Brown and Fetherston's so-called "Brigade" kegged cocktail venture.

Like Brown's existing bars, The Passenger and Columbia Room, Mockingbird Hill is a decidedly friends-and-family affair. And we'll drink to that.