Category Archives: Food and Drink

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
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“You can do some serious subway flirting before you realize the guy is homeless.”

WeLoveDCDrinks

If you caught last week’s episode of 30 Rock, you probably heard Liz Lemon bemoan the winter weather. Well, we’re ready to break out of the doldrums, too.

Join We Love DC for its first event of 2010 at Wisdom Cocktail Parlour on Tuesday, February 23.  Wisdom’s owner and head bartender, Erik Holzherr, dishes about the art of the craft cocktail and matches you with the best drink for your palate.

Don’t let the snow and cold weather win. The momentum begins tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. Check back here for the details on how to get your ticket.

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
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New Lunchtime Option: Mixt Greens

Mixt Greens 3 front

Sick of Chop’t? Can’t get to Sweetgreen? Scared of Organic To Go? (So am I.) You’ve got a new option in the area: Mixt Greens. Founded in San Francisco in 2005, the shop pioneered the combination of gourmet salads and environmentally sustainable restaurant practices. They offer tossed-to-order, gourmet salads and sandwiches served on organic breads along with organic, house-made iced teas and lemonades. Did I mention it was organic? Prices from $7.95 to $11.95 for salads and $8.95 for sandwiches, which are served with a side salad of greens.

Coolest thing about Mixt Greens? Each location has what they call an “edible living wall” of seasonally rotating herbs and vegetables. The wall highlights indoor urban agriculture, a low-energy, high-yield farming technique, showcasing that sustainable, fertilizer/pesticide-free, healthy food can be grown indoors in urban environments. I dig.

The first location opened last week at 1200 19th Street, NW, and the second is opening on Tuesday at 1311 F Street, NW. Two other locations are planned at 1700 K Street, NW and 927 15th Street, NW.

Adams Morgan, Arlington, Food and Drink, Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed
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In Search of a Decent Bagel 2: The Consensus

Photo courtesy of
‘bagel – before’
courtesy of ‘staceyviera’

Did you see how good I was? I almost made an “Electric Boogaloo” reference in the header, but I restrained myself.

Anyways, the bagel question really brought out the comments, so I thought it would be worthwhile to share the reader’s consensus.  Brooklyn Bagels in Courthouse seems to be the almost universal favorite, but So’s Your Mom and Bethesda Bagels also got some significant love. I think that fairly settles it: the best bagels in DC are actually in Arlington.  Now I’ve got to get over to Brooklyn Bagels to see for myself.  I feel that this has been a useful exercise and one that I must repeat for all of the other major food groups.  Well done, readers!

Downtown, Food and Drink, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Try Barley Wine at AGAINN

Photo courtesy of
‘Barely Wine’
courtesy of ‘tswicegood’

When I profiled Elli Benchimol at AGAINN a few weeks ago, she mentioned a barley wine dinner was in the works. It’s now set for Monday, February 22 at 7pm. Reservations are required at $75 per person, which will get you four courses paired to this storied ale. The food alone sounds pretty tempting – Shallow Poached Loch Duart Salmon, Braised Hereford Beef Cheeks, Lincolnshire Poacher Cheddar Cheese, and Gianduja Chocolate Tart. Um, yes to rich deliciousness on a chilly night.

But wait, barley wine = ale? Indeed, this is one of those confusing situations like when vegetables are really fruit. Barley wine, also sometimes known as old ale, originated in nineteenth century England and can reach an alcohol strength of 8 to 12%. So it can be as strong as wine, but because it’s made from grain instead of fruit, it’s really an ale.

But don’t worry, Jeff Wells from DOPS Distributors (DC’s beer guru) will be on hand that night to help explain the pairings and the history of barley wine. Call AGAINN for reservations at 202.639.9830.

Alexandria, Food and Drink, Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed
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In Search of a Decent Bagel

Photo courtesy of
‘JOH_9103’
courtesy of ‘star5112’

I’m not a huge breakfast person, but, in my opinion, one of life’s most precious graces is the bagel. I feel like in most major cities, particularly in NYC, decent bagel shops are a dime a dozen.  There are enough that there can be significant controversy as to which shop is the best in the city, or even the best in a particular neighborhood.  Unfortunately, this is not the case in DC.  I’ve got my regular bagel shop, but my choosing it was more based on scarcity than on it actually being the best.  So, readers, am I missing something, or are decent bagels a rarity in DC?  Thus far, I’ve only found one shop that I’d call “good” and that’s Best Buns in Shirlington.  What are your favorites?

Alexandria, Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
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Friday Happy Hour: Founders’ Dirty Bastard

Photo courtesy of
’50/365′
courtesy of ‘tinney’

Welcome to the Friday Happy Hour, your single drink primer for the weekend.

On icy weekends, such as the one we’re facing, you can’t stand for a cool, fruity, refreshing drink.  It just doesn’t fit.  Instead, you need something warm and robust that will ward off the cold; something that you can sip so that the warmth lingers for as long as possible.  There are a few beverages that accomplish this, but I’m going to recommend Founders’ Dirty Bastard Scotch Ale.  This stuff is powerful, with an 8.5%ABV and a thick texture.  The flavor is complex and malty, with a sweet, smoky overtone.  It’s a perfect example of a scotch ale, just one step lighter than a stout, both in color and character. Beware, though, this Michigan brewed beauty is not for the faint of heart, and definitely not a beginners beer.  Rustico in Alexandria should have it on tap, or you can find bottles in most specialty wine shops.

Food and Drink, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Meat Week in DC

Photo courtesy of
‘Meat Case’
courtesy of ‘easement’

Um, no. That is not a thinly veiled reference to… whatever you were thinking it was a thinly veiled reference to. (PSH, you thought I was going to fill in that blank? No way. I am an adult. And mature. And stuff. At least that’s what I tell my Mom.) Anyways, Meat Week. I found out about this via Twitter (which is where ALL the good information is these days) – so hat tip to Capital Spice for being awesome with all the details.

So what is meat week? A celebration of DC carnivores, basically, where you just eat a ton of meat and feel fat, happy and protein’d. Restaurants like Red Hot ‘n Blue, Rocklands and Pork Barrel BBQ are site to meat-lovers dinners, and you better be there. The dudes from Pork Barrel BBQ are putting together a buffet (of meat!) on Wednesday, February 3rd, from 5-9 p.m. at Mango Mike’s in Alexandria. (Mango Mikes is the brother restaurant of Pork Barrel’s upcoming joint, don’t be thrown off by the tropical name.) The southern-style menu sounds redonkulous, with ribs and cornbread and other delectables.

For a full schedule of events, check out Capital Spice’s round-up and the full schedule is available at the Meat Week web site (no, for real, there is an official site for this). There are no fussy prix-fixe menus at any of the places hosting meat week, so order however much you want and dig in. So, forks up. Let’s go.

Capital Chefs, Food and Drink, The Features
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Capital Chefs: Jon Mathieson of Inox (Part II)

Photo courtesy of
‘INOX #46’
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

As you read earlier in Katie’s Capital Chefs Part I, we trekked out to Tyson’s corner (on a Saturday) to catch some peace, quiet and scallops with Inox Restaurant’s co-owner Chef Jon Mathieson. After ooo-ing and ahh-ing over his adorable two little kids playing tag and harmlessly tackling each other around the empty restaurant, Katie and I were not disappointed by the no-nonsense cooking style of Chef Mathieson, who had clearly spent some time in the kitchen with his other two (actual) children.

“Which one of you cooks?” I raised my hand. “Alright, then if you’re making this at home, you can start practicing now.” And we were off to a running start. “Stand over here. See this cabbage? See this color? Here, here’s a towel for you to hold the pot handle. Stir it. Now pull it off the heat.” Chef Mathieson coaxed me through the process of emulsifying the butter sauce while perfectly coating and braising the cabbage.

He made it seem so easy. He showed me, in multiple ways, where it could all go wrong, and the lesson was over in half an hour. Could it really be that easy?

Continue reading →

Capital Chefs, Food and Drink, The Features
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Capital Chefs: Jon Mathieson of Inox (Part I)

Photo courtesy of
‘INOX #173’
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

Inox is the best restaurant you’ve never heard of. Located in (what most would consider) the foreign land known as Tysons Corner, it is one of my very favorite restaurants. Impeccable food, in an incredibly upscale-chic interior, Inox is the brain child of two guys named John. Chef Jon Mathieson met Chef Jonathan Krinn when the pair took over as Chef de Cuisine and Executive Chef (respectively) of 2941 Restaurant in Falls Church, Virginia. When the time came for them to open a place of their own, they knew it would be with each other. They picked a spot in Tyson’s, and Inox was born.

Last Saturday, Cathy and I took a trip out to the ‘burbs to learn how to make a scallop dish and get to know Jon #1, Chef Jon Mathieson. The first thing I noticed about Inox’s kitchen was how clean it was. It was the CLEANEST kitchen Cathy and I have been in yet – and that’s absolutley not to say the others were dirty, this one was just squeaky-spotless. Coincidentally, the name Inox comes from the French word for stainless steel. “About fifteen years ago, I was prepping a soup in the kitchen. I set my spoon down on the steel countertop and noticed the word Inox on the back of the spoon. I loved the word and researched it to find out that it meant steel. Steel is solid, and has been a prevalent material in every kitchen in which I have worked. I love being in the kitchen, and Inox, or steel reminds me of being at home in a kitchen,” says Mathieson. Continue reading →

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed, We Love Drinks
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Friday Happy Hour: Bruno Porro Dolcetto

Photo courtesy of
‘Too much red wine’
courtesy of ‘koalazymonkey’

Welcome to the Friday Happy Hour, your single drink primer for the weekend.

Stormy weather for the weekend. Sigh. With all the gloominess looming, I think I’ll tuck myself away in a corner at Tabard Inn and indulge in some serious wine. Not only do I adore this quirky inn but they also happen to have one of my favorite wines by the glass – Bruno Porro Dolcetto di Dogliani.

Whenever I order this rich dense red, my friends roll their eyes. “You and your funky wine!” they laugh, wrinkling their noses. “It’s not funky, it’s earthy!” I protest back. Semantics. A smattering of plums and cherries? Maybe some coffee, chocolate? A log of mushrooms, damp from the forest floor? See, it’s this last scent that really drives me crazy and keeps me ordering it again and again. It’s like when you used to jump into a pile of leaves as a kid, you didn’t care that it was wet and maybe a little moldy, it was fun! The winery is in Piedmont near Alba, and that’s where my grandfather’s family is from, so maybe my love of earthy wines is in the blood.

Tabard Inn has a very sweet framed letter from Bruno Porro thanking them for importing their dolcetto (look for it in the restroom). I feel like thanking him myself for this red velvet delight. I’ll just wrap myself up in a glass and nap before the fireplace.

Food and Drink, Interviews, People, The Features, We Love Drinks
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We Love Drinks: Elli Benchimol

Photo courtesy of
‘Elli’
courtesy of ‘Samer Farha’

We Love Drinks continues our series where we look behind the bar, profiling the many people – from mixologists to bartenders, sommeliers to publicans – who make your drinks experience happen.

Elli Benchimol is never without a wine key, maybe two. Sometimes three. This can cause problems with airport security. Or, it can save the day! Either way, she laughs it off. It’s a chilly afternoon, and she thoughtfully pours me some hot tea as we sit down to talk about her background and learn about the beverage program she manages at AGAINN, downtown’s new “British Isles Bistro.”

Fellow author and photographer Samer has come along and can’t stop salivating at the wall of scotch. But we’ll get to that soon! I had previously stumbled onto AGAINN one night not having a clue that they had a brilliant cocktail program, and was instantly smitten. The bar is beautifully lined with fresh ingredients, garnishes and brown bottles, a selection of bitters, exotic tinctures of vanilla rooibos.

“Some people have added the syrups to their fish and chips by accident,” Elli smiles.
But I’m sure they would never be made to feel intimidated about such a mistake here. It’s a friendly environment, with the affectionate camaraderie between Elli and her staff immediately obvious.

Maybe that’s part of the West Coast style. Elli is a transplant from the laid-back land, someone who (like our first profile Josh Volz) was profoundly influenced by the San Francisco cocktail and wine scene. She’s part of a tradition of culinary professionals who believe that bar and kitchen should go hand in hand, and that quality is worth the wait.

“In San Francisco I learned that waiting for ten minutes for a cocktail is the true test,” Elli says, getting ready to line up some of her favorites. Samer and I lean forward like eager students.

Continue reading →

Food and Drink, The Features
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Know The Law: Buying Liquor Online

Photo courtesy of
‘templeton rye’
courtesy of ‘marajane creations’

It was only recently that I discovered I really liked Whiskey. In college, I had, shall we say, a checkered relationship with the brown liquors, after an alcohol poisoning incident. But I got myself cleaned a few sessions to the rehab centre. Thankfully, that time, I have seek for guidance immediately on how I can get out of the situation, searching in the internet for the best rehab centre has been a great help for me. Even the smell was enough to send me running for the Busch Light. I grew up, and sure enough, I discovered I liked the stuff. But, what if I wanted to experiment with some whiskey that I couldn’t get at the liquor store? A regional bottling that doesn’t leave the midwest, say, something like a Templeton Rye, at the recommendation of an Iowa-based friend?

You order it online. Well, maybe you do. Recent events have inspired me to do some digging, with the help of my friend Fedward, to establish the legality of ordering booze and wine online, and having it shipped to your premises, work or home. Here’s the scoop: Continue reading →

Essential DC, Food and Drink, The Features, We Love Food
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We Love Food: Et Voila!

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People look at me quizzically when I tell them that one of my favorite restaurants in DC is in the Palisades. Most people give me a little head tilt and say, “I don’t know where that is?” “Yeahhhhh,” I always sigh. “It’s above Georgetown, towards the Potomac. Totally inaccessible, but I SWEAR OMG it is worth the trip up there for Et Voila!”

I’m sorry I’ve kept it to myself this long… I’ve uh…been busy and stuff. Plus the restaurant is super tiny, and if you knew how good it is, you’d be there filling up my seat. Call me selfish, whatever, I can take it. But I’ve finally cracked and the secret is out: Et Voila! is delicious, unpretentious Belgian food, and you should go. Don’t have a car? Get yourself a Zipcar, grab your bike out of hibernation, strap on the rollerblades, call up your ex, do whatever it takes. Even (gasp) take the D6 bus! I mean business.

So all this gushing, but you’re sitting there staring at your computer screen asking what IS Et Voila!, exactly? Located along Macarthur Boulevard, this French/Belgian gem doesn’t look like a whole heck of a lot from the outside. But once inside, I always feel like I’m in London, or even Paris. The wait staff speaks almost exclusively French, and the close, cozy interior always has a buzz about it.

Chef Claudio Pirollo and Pastry Chef Mikael Cornu have built an accessible menu full of well executed classics. Et Voila!’s Web site quips, “Chef Pirollo was named “Best Young Chef in Belgium” in 1994 and served as the personal chef to the Irish Ambassador for the past six years.” And not for naught. The menu, full of staples like mussels, french onion soup, foie gras, is in a word impeccable. The brunch menu isn’t to be taken lightly either – Belgian waffles, of course, but brunch favorites such as eggs benedict with smoked salmon, leek quiche and croque madame come out to play. The quiche has a flakey, buttery savory crust, and every detail right down to the cheese in the quiche shine through. Continue reading →

Food and Drink, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Cocktail Class at The Columbia Room

Photo courtesy of
‘20090120L1000010_640’
courtesy of ‘furcafe’

Now that The Passenger is well embarked with Tom Brown at the helm, brother Derek Brown’s internal cocktail laboratory – the bar-within-the-bar called the Columbia Room – is set to start classes in February. Seminars will be held every other Wednesday at 7pm for $65 each. The current line up through March sounds fascinating. It’s an ambitious program that will be helpful not only for you libation geeks already making your own bitters and eager to learn more, but also for those just delving into the world of craft cocktails.

“A Primer on Orange Liqueur” kicks off February 17, covering the difference between major top-shelf makers and showing participants how to make your own version of triple sec. Derek will demonstrate proper Margarita, Sidecar and Fancy Gin cocktails and help elevate this sometimes over-abused ingredient. Continue reading →

Food and Drink, Night Life, Penn Quarter, The Daily Feed
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Cuba Libre Coming to DC

Photo courtesy of
‘Mojito’
courtesy of ‘Katayun’

Philadelphia, Atlantic City and Orlando – now DC will get its own taste of Old Havana when Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar opens at 9th & H Streets NW this May. I’m particularly excited by this news as Cuba Libre is known for its large rum selection featuring over 75 Latin American varieties. Will this mean that the naysayers who are calling for the death of the mojito will be proven wrong? We’ll see, as Cuba Libre is also known for this summery cocktail with 15 variations to choose from… at the very least, I’ll be happy to sip a Cafe Cubano after dinner!

The food menu will be overseen by Chef Partner Guillermo Pernot, 2002 winner of the James Beard Award for Best Chef of the Mid-Atlantic Region. Concept chef for the Cuba Libre restaurants since 2006, he’s said to be inspired to create dishes as if Castro had never come to power. Indeed, that pretty much sums up the restaurant’s concept – to celebrate 1950’s Old Havana in every way. Continue reading →

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
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Miriam’s Kitchen Begins Dinner Service

Photo courtesy of
‘090924-G-4159B-936.JPG’
courtesy of ‘aclintonb’

As of yesterday, DC’s homeless can now have a healthy, home made dinner at Miriam’s Kitchen.  Up till now, this local soup kitchen had only served breakfasts but has now expanded its service to include an evening meal, as well.  This is good news for the philanthropically minded late-risers.  If getting up around 5am isn’t your style, you can now volunteer in the evenings from 4pm-6pm. If you’re interested, check out the MK website and sign up. Those that want to be really cool  should sign up for breakfast service on either the 2nd or 4th Thursdays of the month.  That’s when the really awesome people volunteer, if you know what I’m saying.

Food and Drink, News, The Daily Feed
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Coming Soon: Taco Bell in Union Station

Photo courtesy of
‘Taco Bell’
courtesy of ‘Javier Aroche’

To all of our dear Taco Bell lovers out there — we’ve got some good news and we’ve got some bad news.

Bad news first … Taco Bell founder Glen Bell, Jr. passed away on Sunday.

Now the good news … A Taco Bell is opening its registers at Union Station soon now open in the Union Station food court!

So go satisfy that craving you have for “cheap taco-y goodness” in memory of Mr. Bell. I’m sure he’d apprecaite it.

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed, The District
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Iron Horse Taproom Opens in Penn Quarter Tonight

Photo courtesy of
‘Seventh Street NW at Night’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

The newest bar to hit 7th street opens tonight, POP reports. Brought to us by Bedrock Bars, the same folks that brought us Laughing Man Tavern, Carpool, Buffalo Billiards, Atomic and more, Iron Horse will be much in the same casual vein.

POP reports the motorcycle-themed watering hole “will feature skeeball, shuffleboard, jukebox, and big buck hunter.” Sounds a lot to me like a second location of Rocket Bar, which doesn’t mean I’m complaining, just observing.

Wanna be the first in the door? According to POP Iron Horse swings ’em open tonight at 507 7th St. NW., next to TangySweet.

Food and Drink, News, The Daily Feed
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Help Haiti by Drinking Good Drinks

Photo courtesy of
‘______ ____ _’
courtesy of ‘Sexy Fitsum’

BYT and DCist have passed along that the Gibson will be donating the proceeds from all the Sazeracs and Old Fashioneds that they sell tonight to the Red Cross to benefit the Haiti earthquake relief fund.  If you needed an excuse to drink excellent cocktails this evening, now you’ve got it. I’ll be doing my part, that’s for sure.

Farm Fresh, Food and Drink, We Green DC
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Farm Fresh: AGAINN

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Here’s another feature where WeLoveDC authors Donna (greenie) and Katie (foodie) have paired up to tell you about local area restaurants that take on the challenge of being green. Donna explains the restaurant’s environmentally friendly efforts and Katie tells you if the food tastes any good. It’s a rough life, but someone has to do it, right?

Donna: I don’t want to go overboard about how much I liked AGAINN, but let’s just say that three days after my first visit, I dragged a friend from out of town over there to try AGAINN again. The restaurant’s said to be a modern twist on traditional British Isles pub cuisine, but that makes me think of greasy fish ‘n’ chips, not the savory ham and apple cider pie steaming under a delicate puff pastry crust that I had for dinner.

Katie: I haven’t exactly been subtle about my enthusiasm for DC’s newest gastropub, either. I love the space, the details are impeccable, the drinks, the food, everything. So when I visited and found out that Chef Wesley Morton had constructed a VERY local menu and put a ton of thought into his sourcing, it made me love AGAINN that much more.

Donna: Executive Chef Wesley Morton is from Louisiana, and he grew up on a farm surrounded by cows, figs, oranges, and all sorts of goodness. His family didn’t buy meat at the store; they raised their own food. He’s now continuing that tradition, using food that’s grown and processed locally and animals that are treated humanely. An example is the smoked country ham, cured in Allan Benton’s small family shop in Tennessee. You can order it as a charcuterie, or get a taste of its salty deliciousness atop the soft russet potato dumplings as they melt in your mouth. Continue reading →