Category Archives: Food and Drink

Food and Drink, Foodie Roundup, The Features, We Love Food
By

The DC Food Scene: Blogger Happy Hour

Photo courtesy of
‘DC Foodie Blogger Happy Hour’
courtesy of ‘CathyLovesDC’

Last night at Poste Brasserie, I stepped out onto the DC foodie scene, mingling with as many of the 60 local food and gardening bloggers as I possibly could. WeLoveDC’s resident foodie, Katie, couldn’t make the party, and she sent me in her stead (poor me…).

Thanks to Mary (Arugula Files) and Amelia (Gradually Greener) who planned the evening, WeLoveDC was present at an incredibly successful gathering.

Nestled into a private corner of the outdoor patio, the weather was impeccably gorgeous, the wine was flowing freely, Continue reading →

Downtown, Essential DC, Food and Drink, The Features, The Hill
By

Ethnic Food Survey: Greek

Photo courtesy of
‘Mykonos; Î�λληνική Ï�ημαία’
courtesy of ‘Global Jet’

Welcome to the first installment of the WLDC Ethnic Food Survey.  The idea here is not to provide you with an exhaustive list of your ethnic food options, but to give you a brief overview of what we feel are your best bets for any particular type of regional cuisine in the city.  Doubtless, there will be outrage from you at the glaring omissions in these articles, but we’ll do the best we can.

This time around, I’ll be giving you a tour of the wide world of Greek cooking. Greek food is widely available, albeit generally poorly executed.  You can get a mediocre gyro just about anywhere, but once you visit a proper, Greek establishment, your eyes will be opened to the awe that is Hellenic cuisine. Here are my favorites in DC:

Continue reading →

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
By

Cheap Eats on Labor Day

Photo courtesy of
‘Commonwealth’
courtesy of ‘Jenn Larsen’

Don’t feel like cooking on Labor Day? (And why would you, we’re celebrating NOT working!) Lucky for you, CommonWealth Gastropub in Columbia Heights is running a might tasty special from noon to 10 p.m. Guests can get a pulled pork sandwich, two sides and bread pudding all for $12. In addition to a yummy pork sandwich, you can be the first to try the new CommonWealth Brown Ale beer.

CommonWealth Brown Ale is a traditional brown ale with roasted malt notes and a nutty finish brewed specially for them by Alewerks in Williamsburg, Virginia. A pint of the CommonWealth Brown Ale is available for $3 with the purchase of the Labor Day special or separately for $5, US Pint, $6 UK Pint.

Cheers to working hard, but playing harder.

Food and Drink, The Features
By

First Look: The Jefferson

Jeffersonian Truth

"Jeffersonian Truth" by Jenn Larsen, on Flickr

If someone asked me to define elegance, I would have to toss out other words like simplicity and restraint, covered with a kind of luxury that has nothing to do with pretentious opulence but everything to do with exquisite comfort. It’s a hard sell in our over-the-top world, but I think there is a yearning to return to that kind of old-fashioned mystique. And the reopened Jefferson hotel, debuting after a 30-month renovation, is a breathtaking example of elegance, lovingly presented with true beauty.

Think I’m exaggerating? Well, I’ve taken plenty of photographs for you to see for yourself. While touring The Jefferson, fellow author Cathy and I were spinning around like tops, ooo-ing and aah-ing every little detail. And there are many – the Beaux Arts hotel was specifically renovated by design firm ForrestPerkins to evoke the Jeffersonian spirit. He’s everywhere, but in a refined way, nothing kitschy at all, oh no. Perhaps it’s the next best thing to being in Monticello – which features prominently in murals and custom toiles – even the spa’s “vinotherapies” pay tribute to Jefferson’s philosophies and interests.

But why are locals going to go? For two reasons – Quill and Plume. Continue reading →

All Politics is Local, Essential DC, Food and Drink, Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed
By

DC Restaurants – Recession Proof Or Not?

Photo courtesy of
‘Chairs and table’
courtesy of ’emvii’

Tierney Plumb of the Washington Business Journal wrote up a pretty little article about the health of the restaurant industry that struck my fancy. According to the article, “on a national scale, 2008 and 2009 have been the most challenging years for the restaurant industry in several decades” Plumb reports despite a slow start to the year, “Restaurant operators have an improved outlook for sales growth, with 31 percent predicting higher sales in six months, up from 24 percent.”

Plumb goes on to quote a few DC restaurants, including Morton’s Steakhouse who said “July and August were good months for us.” Even the slow month of August was privvy to some major chef moves, opening announcements and major buzz around the DC foodie scene. On the flip side, others would disagree. One of my favorite WaPo writers and someone I respect very much, Going Out Guru Julia Beizer, wrote a brief article on the desolate Restaurant Week scene last week that began “Is it just me, or is it kind of deserted out there?” Continue reading →

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
By

Restaurant Week Party Continues

Photo courtesy of
‘We’re Cooking’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’

Cheap food lovers, don’t mourn the end of Restaurant Week quite yet! There’s still some eating to be done for $35.09 as local eat places extend RW deals through this week and some through September. (Tangent: Has anyone else noticed the trend of calling restaurants “restos” lately? I solemnly swear to you, dear reader, to not do that to you. Ever. Even when I’m desperately struggling for synonyms for restaurant.)

Some of my favorite eateries are extending Restaurant Week – DC Foodies has the complete list, but here are my top 5 picks out of the extension list. Go forth and reserve!

1) PS 7’s
2) Cafe Atlantico
3) Dino
4) SEI
5) Tie: Occidental or Art and Soul

Eat Like Me, Food and Drink, The Features
By

Eat Like Me: August’s Best Dishes

July Foodie Blogger Damage.

August. Dead month, right? Not in the foodie world, at least not in DC. Yes, things may be slower than usual, but I was still pretty busy shoving food into my mouth. I was lucky enough to preview upcoming Masa 14 and meet Kaz of Kaz Sushi Bistro, I headed out on the town with Donna for a locovore dinner at Charlie Palmer Steak, and I returned to some all-time favorites. Mostly I’ve been eating sushi and steak, seems to be the reoccurring theme this month. At least they balance each other out in the health department, right?

So here are the best of the best dishes I’ve eaten all month. I’ll give you a list of where I’ve been (also known as what we’re working with) and then give you a look at the best of the best. Can you handle all the tasty? Continue reading →

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
By

Ray’s Hell Burger Coming to Adams Morgan

Photo courtesy of
‘The Lady’s Brunch Burger – Side View’
courtesy of ‘Marshall Astor – Food Pornographer’

Rejoice, Adams Morgan! In addition to your Jumbo Slice, and your Amsterdam Falafel, will be Ray’s Hell Burger in the space once occupied by Ghana Cafe, which has not renewed its lease. It’s going to be a battle between the second Hell Burger location in AdMo and Ray’s The Heat in Northeast to see which is Michael Landrum’s first DC eatery. The Heat is just two phonecalls from opening, according to Ray, but it looks like build out is only just beginning at the second Hell Burger location.

Update, 2:50pm: Sadly, Washington Business Journal jumped the gun.  City Paper’s Young and Hungry says Not So Fast after a discussion with Ray’s proprietor Michael Landrum, who’s not convinced Adams Morgan is well enough policed, or that the community there would be welcoming.  I suspect that the community would love a chance at the tax revenues from a DC Ray’s Hell Burger, but can’t vouch for the policing issue.

Food and Drink, The Features, We Love Drinks
By

We Love Drinks: Mid City Caffe

Mocha, Mid City Caffe

"Mocha, Mid City Caffe" by Jenn Larsen, on Flickr

Within an hour of finishing a mocha at Mid City Caffe, I’d sped through the end of a dense Turkish mystery, sent some twenty frantic texts, moved mountains, healed the sick, and dropped way too much decor dough at Miss Pixie’s downstairs, lifting a huge wool rug effortlessly above my head the several blocks home. I did almost everything after that divine cup of chocolate and coffee except leap tall buildings in a single bound. And was already dreaming of my return to try a morning cappuccino or drift away a whole afternoon with a french press. Now that’s prime bean.

Mid City may be a small bare bones cafe, but it’s already popular with the Logan Circle crowd salivating over the prospects of a regular coffee stop. This is an area long bemoaning the death of Sparky’s, 14U, Mocha Hut – we want a basic place to lounge with high-quality java that isn’t Starbucks or Caribou, simple as that. I’d argue the ‘hood needs more cafe-type joints – sure I’m super excited about restaurants like Masa 14 opening but really, we’re an underserved area for just plain – basic – good. 

Up the stairs you’ll find a cafe divided into two small rooms – one with the friendly bar serving espresso drinks and french press coffee, pastries and a few goodies like cinnamon raisin brioche toast with a choice of spreads (like nutella… drooool). Continue reading →

Downtown, Food and Drink, Fun & Games, The Daily Feed
By

Let Me Go Get My Fraulein Maiden Outfit

Photo courtesy of
‘St. Pauli Girl (Hair-Down Label)’
courtesy of ‘drewesque’

The other day WLDC author Acacia and I were talking about her recent trip to New York City. I got jealous during our conversation cause while in the big apple, Acacia visited a legit beer garden. Together we were wistfully wishing DC had a hardcore actual German beer garden, complete with spilling pints and bratwursts.

Enter: news via Frozen Tropics, someone has heard our cry. Frozen Tropics reports, “Aaron McGovern of the Dupont Circle restaurant Russia House recently began work on his latest project. He intends to bring a large German restaurant and beer garden to 1355 H Street.”

Now excuse me while I go strap on my bodice and grab pint glasses to slosh together.

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
By

Wine It Around The World

MBZ Vinifera Westin Sheraton 017

If you ever find yourself in Reston (as I did last Saturday) and you’re looking for a unique, chef-driven, alcohol-involved concept you’re in luck. Why you’d ever be in Reston looking for those things is largely beside the point. The point is, you can find all of those things at Vinifera.

Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro hosts “Vinifera’s World Tour” dinners, which feature “an eclectic mix of food, wine and music” from different regions of the world. We were there on Pacific Rim night, and were offered sake or wine flights with all kinds of delicious regional food pairings. The food and wine I got, the music, uh not so much. (Tangent: There was though, a memorable epic Titanic-type song that played over the speakers that made my partner-in-dining-crime Karl wonder if monumental things were about to happen, like dinosaurs roaming the patio, or a fireball heading straight for our table.) Continue reading →

Entertainment, Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
By

Lunch? Don’t Care. You decide.

Photo courtesy of
‘Yummy Lunch!’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye’

We Love DC editor man Tom just sent me this link, and now my life is complete. You see, I have lunch angst. I do! I can never figure out where to get my lunch, and I always forget about all my options. So this Wheel of Lunch is brilliant! I’m in love. Input your zip code, and take the wheel for a spin and let it decide what you’re going to eat today. If wheels aren’t your thing, check out the UrbanSpoon slot machine widget.

Entertainment, Food and Drink, Fun & Games, The Features, We Love Weekends
By

We Love Weekends 8/22-23

"Lake Anna Lifeguard Stand" by needlessspaces, on Flickr

"Lake Anna Lifeguard Stand" by needlessspaces, on Flickr

Ah, one of the last summer weekends is upon us. The city is emptying out, you can have bar space to yourself, everyone’s baking in the heat and living slow. Enjoy.

Katie: It seems like DC’s disgustingly hot weather is going to keep up this weekend, so my plans will revolve around keeping cool. I’d happily take a day trip down to the beach at Lake Anna State Park outside of Fredericksburg, where you can soak up the sun on a sand beach, and float around in the huge lake. There’s even a snack shack with ice cream when you need a cool treat. To continue my plans to stay cool, I’ll probably be spending Saturday night on the roof deck at Eventide in Clarendon where they’ve built an entire food, wine and cocktail list revolving around cold. Sunday I’ll head over to my new Farmer’s Market crush, the small but loveable Columbia Pike market (props to WLDC author Donna for suggesting it to me!) and grab some watermelon for the fridge. The rest of Sunday will be spent indoors reveling in air conditioning catching up on summer flicks like (500) Days of Summer or Julie and Julia.

Jasmine: This weekend, I am venturing to a couple of places I’ve never been before. I pass the Postal Museum on my new commute, so I figure I better check that place out. Right now, they have an exhibition featuring alphabet stamps, which sounds like it will feed the word nerd in me. I also want to take a day trip to check out Great Country Farm’s outdoor laser tag setup in Bluemont, VA, which I read about a while ago. They have a lot of other activities, too (including a vineyard across the street) in case laser tag is a bust, but I am envisioning it something like the paintball scene in 10 Things I Hate About You.

Paulo: We’ll be at the Philips Collection to see Paint Made Flesh, an exhibit of modern post-World War II paintings of the human figure. Time permitting, we may also check out the Corcoran Gallery’s exhibition of William Eggleston’s Democratic Camera. Oh, and Alexandria residents may want to check out the current show of landscapes at The Art League Gallery, Torpedo Factory — especially since it includes a painting by (ahem) my wife.

Continue reading →

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
By

Burrito Cart Goodness FTW

Photo courtesy of
‘Honest to goodness’
courtesy of ‘sudama’

emvii on twitter has alerted us to the fact that Pedro and Vinny’s, which was reviewed in Katie’s recent food cart roundup, is now open for business on the corner of 19th and L NW! More food carts in DC is awesome. I wish they would be on every corner offering food from all over! Why are they always so good? I’m not talking about dirty water dogs. Burritos, halal meat, Korean BBQ? Y-u-m. If you work in the 19th and L area, go check out Pedro and Vinny’s. You won’t be disappointed.

Farm Fresh, Food and Drink, Special Events, We Green DC
By

Farm Fresh: Charlie Palmer Steak

Charlie Palmer

WeLoveDC authors Donna (greenie) and Katie (foodie) have paired up to bring you a double-hitting feature about local area restaurants that take on the challenge of being green. Donna will explain the logic behind the environmentally friendly trends and Katie will tell you if the food tastes any good. It’s a rough life, but someone has to do it, right?

Katie: Charlie Palmer Steak is situated on the bottom floor of the Carpenter’s Union building, facing the Capitol Reflecting Pool on the Senate side. I’d almost be tempted to call it DC stuffy, if I didn’t love it so much. And love it I do, Charlie Palmer Steak gets top marks in my foodie book. Not only is it gorgeous, the food is fantastic, and the service matches. The entire front of the restaurant is glass, and in the winter I’m sure it has a supurb view of the Capitol Building. An impressive walk-in wine cellar sits above a fountain and water pool full of stones. The servers are inconspicuously attentive. Candles flicker on the table. It is a quiet sort of posh, the perfect place for a business meeting, or a very impressive date. Honestly, it’s the type of place that you wouldn’t quite expect to do locovore meals. It’s a bit too conservative, too buttoned-up. But for all the month of August, through September 12, you can stop by Charlie Palmer to do an incredibly affordable “In the Loop” dinner – all food from within 150 miles of DC for $39 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Continue reading →

Adventures, Food and Drink, The Features
By

Pedestrian Eats: Food Carts in DC

Photo courtesy of
‘taco and popcorn cart’
courtesy of ‘staceyviera’
Running out for lunch is a perfect excuse to leave your desk for a while, and forget the ringing phone and incoming email. There are plenty of lunch options around the city, but after a while, the Quiznos gets boring and there are only so many Chop’t salads one can eat. Enter: the food carts. Some of our city’s food carts are dependable – always on the same corner, same time, every day. Other carts are slightly less predictable, and use the marvels of modern technology to alert fans where they are headed for the day. But no matter the style, the food remains the focus, and the best part of all. So, I’ve got a totally subjective, not-at-all comprehensive guide to some of the most popular and well-loved food carts in DC.

Continue reading →

Dupont Circle, Food and Drink, People, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
By

Real World Infiltrates WLDC Hangout

 Photo courtesy of
‘Science Club’
courtesy of ‘needlessspaces’

According to @RealWorldDCNewz, our favorite group of “real” co-eds has discovered the host of WLDC staff meetings and happy hours, the Science Club. The Real Worlders stopped in at the establishment for drinks last night, but it is unclear how long they stayed.  The long term effects, mostly “will they be back, and if so, when?” have yet to be seen.

Dupont Circle, Food and Drink, Night Life, The Features, We Love Drinks
By

We Love Drinks: Fox & Hounds

"17th Street Patios" by M.V. Jantzen, on Flickr

"17th Street Patios" by M.V. Jantzen, on Flickr

Seriously. Who hasn’t had a drink at Fox & Hounds? The quintessential DC dive bar. Completely schizophrenic depending on season and time of day. Always unglamorous and unapologetic. The grande dame of 17th Street since when, the 60’s? What’s summer in Washington without a visit here, sinking into a plastic patio chair at a perpetually wobbling table and watching the world go by, with some of the best people-watching in the city?

Its official name is “Trio’s Fox & Hounds,” and you can easily order food from the adjacent Trio’s diner to enjoy while you drink (my god, this means you can even get your teetotaller a milkshake). But eating is not the primary activity. If you’re a mixed drink inbiber, be warned – this is the sort of establishment that gives you a glass of vodka with a side of bottled tonic. That is all part of the tattered charm of a true dive. The beer is cheap (no pints or bottles over $6, with $17 pitchers) and the Guinness perfectly poured.

Don’t feel like hanging out on the patio (or find yourself still there after noise ordinances close it down)? It’s a whole different experience inside.

Continue reading →

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
By

Kora Opens Thursday (For Real?)

Photo courtesy of
‘kora, coming this summer’
courtesy of ‘needlessspaces’

So it’s been a bit of a spotty mess (I’ve heard at least three opening dates), but Morou finally announced that Kora will be opening to the public this Thursday the 13th. Kora, the most recent concept from Morou (of Farrah Olivia), features “New Italian cuisine in a modern and contemporary setting. The bar and lounge showcases over 20 unique Italian wines by the glass as well as an innovative international cocktail menu.”

Kora is also now on OpenTable, and will accept reservations starting on Thursday. Check out the tasty-looking gallery on the Kora Web site.