Category Archives: Food and Drink

Food and Drink, Life in the Capital, News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Why Milk and Bread?

Photo courtesy of
‘Harris Teeter bread isle’
courtesy of ‘wfyurasko’

We’ve been reporting since yesterday that, in light of the storm, stores have been running out of “essentials” like milk and bread. Now, I’m not from DC originally, I’m from Maine, but I’ve lived in the south for most of my life. It’s always perplexed me that citizens of non-snow prone states, at the first whispers of a substantial storm, immediately flock to their local grocery and buy up all the milk and bread. Why milk and bread? Why would you need more milk and challah buns during a snow storm than you would on any other day? Up north, people stock up on salt and snow shovels, and make sure they’ve got enough of the food they’d normally eat to last for a day or two. Can a southern reader please explain to me to logic behind the milk and bread craze?

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
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Friday Happy Hour

Photo courtesy of
‘spruce goose’
courtesy of ‘rabid_c’

Welcome to the first ever Friday Happy Hour, your weekly, single-drink primer.

In the Christmas spirit, I’m going to recommend a beer the bears the taste of the season.  Well, it bears the taste of your Christmas tree, anyways.  Spruce Goose, by Steamworks Brewing Co., is a strong ale brewed with spruce tips.  As you can imagine, the beer has a distinct pine flavor, which evokes the vestiges of the Christmas season like none other.  The ale is balanced and fruity, with subtle yet distinct overhang of spruce.  The pine is prevailing flavor, but it’s not over powering such that you get a full, complex range of flavors as you sip the beer.

It can be had from Rick’s Wine and Gourmet in Alexandria, as well as at other specialty shops in the area (readers: be so kind as to report sightings).

All Politics is Local, Business and Money, Food and Drink, Night Life, The District
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May We Have Separate Checks, Please?

Photo courtesy of
‘I take the fifth’
courtesy of ‘Lars Plougmann’

It has happened to everyone at some point or another. You’re sitting with a group of your friends at the end of the meal, and the waiter drops off the check. Some of you had drinks, you split an appetizer, and your one just-laid off friend only had dessert. This is going to be one heck of a check to try and divvy up. Finally, after some awkward shifty looks, someone brave picks it up, you dig around in your purse for a pen and the person of your left busts out the cell phone calculator. You pass the check around, and inevitably someone forgot to bring cash. You flip over the check, write dollar amounts next to your last names, and yet the bill doesn’t add up in the end. Someone gets shafted, someone else insists they paid what they owe when the obviously didn’t, and your friend that is the notoriously bad-tipper left 50 cents on a $25 bill. It’s just generally awkward all around and someone in the group winds up taking a big hit to the wallet. It’s an awful way to end a meal. Last week, after one terribly frustrating experience at dinner with a huffy waitress and paying in way more than what I owed, I finally had it. I decided that this issue of splitting checks in DC needed to be investigated, so I set about doing just that.

To begin, let me explain to you what I’m used to. In North Carolina, where I come from, individual checks are the norm. Generally you don’t even have to ask for them, but when you do ask for them, the waiter or waitress doesn’t blink an eye, and an itemized list appears with what you owe. Then you can tip on your total, and pay how you please – cash or credit. Unlike in DC, you don’t get a huffy waiter, and you definitley don’t have to scramble for pens or pound away on the cell phone calculator to divide the tax. Individual checks are just the way of the world down there – and maybe that’s not everywhere, but I’ve talked to so many people in DC that think it’s frustrating, annoying and unlike where they come from that I just HAD to investigate and write about it.

So I interviewed a bunch of people – customers, wait staff from some of the area’s most popular restaurants, managers and also the king of power dining in DC, Ashok Bajaj – and have finally come up with some answers. You may not like them, but at least next time you go out on the town with six of your closest friends, you’ll be armed with better information. Continue reading →

Alexandria, Dupont Circle, Food and Drink, We Love Food
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We Love Food: The Burger Joint


‘DSCF3611.jpg’ courtesy of ‘joelogon’

The Burger Joint (BGR) is the latest in a line of local hamburger shops trying to muscle in on DC-area institution Five Guys by offering a gourmet twist on this American staple. I went to their new Old Town Alexandria location to put these burger peddlers’ wares to the test.

There is no better food than a hamburger. A good steak comes close but really hamburgers take the title with their myriad of configurations. Easily a sit-down meal or a perfect eat-on-the-go, with a few toppings tweaks the hamburger offers all things to all comers (except maybe vegetarians). I have long been a fan of DC hamburger establishments and have been putting new offerings to the test for many years. I guess it all began back when I was accepted to George Washington University back in 1993. While quite happy to have got in, I was secretly celebrating the fact that I would soon be living less than a block from burger heaven, Lindy’s the Bone. Back in those days DC was a tale of two burger shops; Lindy’s Bon Appetit and Five Guys pretty much had you covered. For specialty burger creations it was Lindy’s and for the purist burger experience there was none better than (the now overly-franchised) Five Guys.

In the time I have lived here there have been many new burger contenders. Most notably Hamburger Mary’s (now defunct), ZBurger (not bad), Elevation Burger (yuck), and Ray’s Hell Burger (omfg!). Of those four, really only Hamburger Mary’s and Ray’s Hell Burger stand out and for good reason; Hamburger Mary’s offered truly excellent specialty burgers in a fun and funky sit-down dinner environment; while Ray’s continues to serve-up over-the-top, gourmet burgers in a real, walk-up-order, ‘burger joint’ setting.

The Burger Joint now enters into a field beginning to feel a tad cluttered. After all, Five Guys has expanded all over the city like a fungus, Lindy’s is still quietly rocking the Red Lion basement, and Ray’s is all the rage after the Obama/William’s visit. So how does a new burger shop stand-out amongst such stiff and varied competition? By offering the best pure burger in town, that’s how.
Continue reading →

Food and Drink, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Winter 2010 Restaurant Week Best Bets

Photo courtesy of
‘Ping Pong Dim Sum Reflection’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

I say it every go-round, but some of you are new to the city or new to restaurant week (Jan 11-17th), so I’ll briefly repeat myself (click here for my full thoughts) – you want to book a restaurant week place that is going to be a great deal that you can’t get at any other time. That, to me, is the key to success for RW. There are a LOT of great places on that list that have prix-fixe menus all throughout the year that are $35 or less. I’ve rounded them up for you, so here are places to avoid.

A lot of really great places, like PS 7’s and Oya, tend to extend the deal for a few weeks, or months after. I’d recommend taking them up on that extension and not bending over backwards to get a table during RW proper.

That said, here is my short list of my best bets:

Lunch: 2941, Bourbon Steak, Volt, Westend Bistro

Dinner: Bibiana, Adour, Me Jana, Poste, Volt, Zentan, Willow, 1789

Food and Drink, News, The Daily Feed
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Ristorante Piccolo to Reopen in New Year

Photo courtesy of
‘Georgetown’
courtesy of ‘David Paul Ohmer’

It’s been over a year since an early morning October 20th fire gutted Georgetown’s romantic, date night hot spot Ristorante Piccolo. Damages to the Italian restaurant were estimated at 1M, and the location has been out of service for the last 15 months, leaving carb and chunky tomato sauce lovers hungry.

However, according to a recently displayed banner on the restaurant;s door,  the eatery is scheduled to reopen in early 2010. No word yet on final opening date, or on what changes have/will take place to the menu, staff, or decor. Personally, after a one dining experience, I was a fan of the food and service, so hopefully the new edition will not depart too far from the original.

Food and Drink, The Features
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Scotch: It’s More Than Ron Burgundy’s Drink Of Choice

DSC00695

When I told the folks at Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits I was there for the Balvenie scotch tasting, they didn’t believe me. I think it was the combined fact that I was 1 – a woman and 2 – actually knew what a single malt scotch was. (I blame my father for both of those things by the way.)

“I don’t meet too many women who are into scotch,” event artist Dave Walz told me. Well guess what bud, you just did.

Before Saturday, I had never heard of Balvenie — let alone Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits. So I killed two alcohol induced birds with one stone while taking up the offer to visit for a free tasting. The event’s menu included two of the store’s top-shelf single malts: 12 year Doublewood and 15 year single barrel.

Continue reading →

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
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Screwtop Wine Bar Opens Tomorrow

Photo courtesy of
‘Wine at Veritas’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’

I’ve been eagerly anticipating a proper wine bar opening in Arlington, and the day is finally here! Screwtop is opening in Clarendon, on Filmore Avenue – one block down from the Clarendon Gold’s and in the same building as American Flatbread. Offering a long list of wines by the glass, mainly from boutique wine dealers, as well as delicious sounding food like baked brie, and bacon-wrapped dates. Not a wine lover? Screwtop is offering beer and cocktails, even with beers on draft. Daily Candy reports that they’re offering free popcorn (dusted with truffle salt), and Screwtop will also be offering special flavors of Arlington’s own Boccato Gelato.

Hours will be:
Tuesday-Thursday: 11am – 10pm
Friday-Saturday: 11am – 11pm
Sunday: 11am – 6pm
Monday: closed

Cheers!

Food and Drink, News, The Daily Feed
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Northside Social Now Inside Liberty Tavern

photo.jpg

Clarendon’s a perfect spot for me in the morning, as it’s on the way into the District if I’m headed that direction for client visits, or if I’m on my way out to the exurbs for other client visits. Since Murky’s demise, I’ve been jonesing for a good coffee shop in my neck of the woods. I tried Greenberry’s without any luck, I can’t do Starbucks, and that leaves me with hardly any good options.

No longer. Northside Social (Facebook for now), going into the old Murky space, is operating from the first level of Liberty Tavern for the next few weeks, serving up coffee and espresso (nothing too exotic, though, leave chai and flavor syrups on your wishlist for when they open back up across the street) as well as scones and muffins (today’s Frangelico muffin was extra delicious) and tomorrow they’ll add a tasty breakfast sandwich, with house-cured bacon and Polyface eggs on toasted bread. I’ll see you there.

Food and Drink, Fun & Games, People, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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To “the tall brunette with the near perfect body…”

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_1573’
courtesy of ‘euthman’

I’m not going to say much about this because my mother reads this blog, but “even if you are a liar and fart like a Clydesdale, I’d love to meet up,” has to be the greatest pickup line of all time.  Tall brunette in Rockville, you’re on notice.  Maybe it’s time to start carrying a small dog to blame, or something.

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
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Chimay Beer Dinner at Cafe Saint Ex

Photo courtesy of
‘Chimay?’
courtesy of ‘freeloosedirt’

Remember that time I got excited about Truffles a few weeks ago? This is close to that level of excitement for me. I first was introduced to Chimay at Et Voila!, this lovely tiny Belgian place I’m seriously obsessed with in The Palisades. I fell right in love with the Red label Trappist beer. And I tweeted obsessively about it, and then today a friend of mine alerted me to the Chimay Beer and Food Pairing dinner at Cafe Saint Ex on Twitter. (That’s right, you guys keep me on top of my game, and I love you for it.) And then John, WLDC’s badass designer sent me the menu, cause he’s nice like that.

So let’s discuss, shall we? Continue reading →

Alexandria, Food and Drink, News, The Daily Feed
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New Cheese Guy

Photo courtesy of
‘Cheesetique bliss’
courtesy of ‘meanlouise’

Everyone’s favorite Alexandria based, wine and cheese bar has a new chef.  Cheesetique announced last week that they have hired Josh Andrus, formerly of Minibar, to head up their kitchen. Chef Andrus brings a presumably more sophisticated palate to Del Ray’s local cheesemonger and has already revamped its menu.  New offerings include several cheese centric sandwiches, salads, and small plates.  It’s yet another reason to spend time at this fine establishment.

Alexandria, Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
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Red or White? Win a Personalized Bottle of Each!

Photo courtesy of
‘Veritas’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’

The age old saga: red or white wine? Well, dear reader, you have your chance to weigh in. Do you prefer the hints of oak and honey in your favorite white or the bursts of cedar and cherries in your reds? Does one pair better with your favorite take-out Thai dish than the other?

Last week, we sat down with Lamar Brown, proprietor of Carafe Wines in Alexandria. He was so pleased with the feedback he received from We Love DC readers after his interview, that he’s offered up a chance for you to win a bottle of each – with your own personalized labels! Holiday gifts anyone?

Vote in the comments – red or white wine, and I’ll use random.org to pick a winner. Lamar is thinking he’ll give away a bottle of his Chardonnay and bottle of his Red Zin. If you’re feeling really lucky, he might even tell you the best carry-out that goes with each bottle.

So, red or white? Oh, and please, do tell us why! Continue reading →

Food and Drink, Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed
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Bringing Bravo’s Top Chef to DC

Photo courtesy of
‘Paul BOCUSE, French Cook’
courtesy of ‘alainelorza’

The foodies over at DC blog Capital Spice have been intently watching and covering this season of Bravo’s Top Chef, and last week they offered up a fantastic interview with Frederick, Maryland’s own final contest Bryan Voltaggio.

Leading up to this Wednesday’s finale, the site is running a contest that not only gives the winner a Top Chef prize package, but also pitches Washington, DC as the fantastic location for the next season of Top Chef.

So here’s your assignment: Concept a Top Chef elimination challenge that highlights something uniquely Washington. Think: locations, ingredients, events, guest judges who best represent DC, etc.

DC would be an amazing venue for Top Chef. We’ve got a solid culinary community with DC denizens, like Spike Mendelsohn, Carla Hall, and Mike Isabella already showing DC skills on Top Chef, and currently Mr. Voltaggio making a very strong play the Season 6 title.  Additionally, DC offers a fantastic array of high-quality restaurants (with celebrity chefs,) historic eateries, local breweries, gourmet shops, great farmers’ markets, superb area produce, and a solid wine scene.

Capital Spice will take submissions until the beginning of the Top Chef finale this Wednesday night and will announce the winning entry on Thursday. Put your creative hats on! Get to brainstorming! And let’s bring Top Chef to DC!

Alexandria, Food and Drink, Interviews, People, The Features
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He Loves DC: Lamar Brown

Lamar

Earlier this week, I sat down with Lamar Brown, engineer and corporate drone by day and wine connoisseur and entrepreneur by night. His cozy shop just off King Street in Old Town Alexandria, Carafe Wines, is the city’s only “micro-winery,” allowing customers to sample and then bottle their own wines. With grape juices shipped in from vineyards in Chile, California, New Zealand, Italy, France and Washington, to name a few, it may not be the most green method, but he’s created a truly unique niche for delightfully aged wines made right in good old Alexandria.

Having lived in Northern Virginia for 10 years, Lamar had a vision to take his extreme interest and admiration for good wine to the next level. His dream was realized two years ago, and now, he proudly allows his customers to make their own wines and their own private labels.

Nestled between a gorgeous marble bar and a bustling fireplace, I sampled the Rosso Miscele Reserve, a Tuscan-styled wine vented from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and later a dab of the Merlot Reserve, a full-bodied wine with hints of red cherries, toasted oak and herbs. Then we sat down to business and focused on Lamar’s storied history with wine, the DC area, and, of course, what wine pairs best with Matchbox sliders.

What inspired you to start Carafe Wines?
Actually, a love of wines, to be honest. And I saw a cool niche. The whole wine making experience actually originated in Canada. I ran into it there, and I worked with a lot of Canadians to bring the concept to DC. I did some research, and DC area is actually the second most wine-centric area in the country outside of California. So, we sell more bottles per capita than anybody. I thought people would get a cool kick out of being able to make their own wine.

So, why do you think DC is the number two area for wine purchases in America? Continue reading →

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
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Sweetgreen Expands: Fourth Location to Open in Logan Circle

Photo courtesy of
‘Tim and the Sweetflow Mobile!’
courtesy of ‘Carly & Art’

Last week, sweetgreen announced that construction had begun on their fourth location in the city. With bustling Bethesda, Georgetown and Dupont stores, in addition to a successful sweetflow mobile truck, the new 15th and P Street endeavor is off to a running start.

The former Georgetown students who created the “fast-casual dining” concept have high expectations for “the coolest sweetgreen yet!” In just a few months, they’re making it easier than ever for us to get our daily dosage of their all-natural salads and frozen yogurts.

Now all we need is an organized walkathon between the four stores. Load up on veggies and yogurt. Walk to the next one. Repeat. Unless we can catch a ride with that truck?

Eat Like Me, Food and Drink, The Features
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Eat Like Me: November’s Best Dishes

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

You will not find a Washingtonian more grateful for the warm-ish weather that we’ve had this fall. I’m decidedly NOT a winter girl, and I’ve been known to curse coats and whine incessantly about the cold. While winter in DC is just something I must tolerate, sometimes I can assuage my pain with a really great bone-warming dish. I was lucky to run across a lot of those in November, and without really meaning to, my list of favorite dishes wound up being a list that could double-time as a ‘great winter dishes’ list as well.

So when you head out to spend your hard earned dollars on a meal, here are some dishes that are best bets for spending wisely. And to boot, they’ll even keep you warm. Continue reading →

Dupont Circle, Food and Drink, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Urbana’s Repeal Day Soiree

Photo courtesy of
‘Gin Fizz’
courtesy of ‘Charles Haynes’

This Saturday, December 5th will see several celebratory events to mark the 76th Anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition. If you’re in the mood to gussy up in vintage togs and drink gin out of an actual bathtub bar, then Urbana may have the right party for you.

Located in the super swank Hotel Palomar in Dupont Circle, Urbana will feature a $33 prix fixe three course menu (1933, get it?) deliciously designed by chef Alex Bollinger (bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin with polenta? now that’s the bee’s knees) beginning at 5:30pm and going through the evening. 1920’s music will complete the theme.

Classic cocktails like the Sazerac and the Gin Fizz will be available for $8 – and if you are in vintage attire, your first Gin Fizz is the “1920’s price” of 25 cents. Golly. If only I could get a cocktail dress for the 1920’s price.

Arlington, Food and Drink, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Morton’s Final Smoke Out

Photo courtesy of
‘Smoke, Farragut Park Washington DC’
courtesy of ‘Photos by Chip Py’ 

To mourn or celebrate the Virginia statewide smoking restrictions really isn’t my purview, being a proud (and let’s face it, clueless) DC resident, but if you are in that demographic and also just happen to love steaks and cigars, this is for you.

Three Morton’s locations in Virginia, the fair state that tobacco made, will be hosting “Smoke Out” parties this evening – Monday, November 30. Crystal City, Reston Town Center, and Tysons Corner will all feature 7pm dinners sponsored by Virginia Tobacco, Paul Garmirian and Davidoff Cigars. Their cocktail and dinner cigars will be paired with specially designed dishes and Virginia wines.

Contact the individual restaurants for details. Sounds very “Mad Men” decadent. Celebrate or mourn, Virginia, whichever you prefer.