Last night I enjoyed an EcoFriendly Farms Pork Dinner with my friend Chef Daniel Giusti. I can't believe it has been almost two years since I last had the pleasure of cooking with Dan during our 1789 episode of Capital Cooking. Not only is he an excellent chef, but he is really funny and a natural on camera. Dan grew up in New Jersey but went to high school in DC and moved back here from working at a prestigious restaurant in Las Vegas to be the Executive Chef of 1789. Dan has a tremendous knowledge of all of the food and a commitment to using sustainable ingredients. The evening began with displayed cold appetizers such as cured meats, country pâté with house mustard, pickled vegetables and hot appetizers like grilled sausage and fried head cheese with accoutrements. I missed out on some of these goodies because I didn't realize there was valet at the restaurant until after about 20 minutes of searching for parking. The family-style dinner included whole roasted rack of pork with assorted braised greens, grits, crispy rosemary potatoes and apple sauce. They were the best grits I've ever had. Pastry Chef Travis Olson tops off the evening with “Hog on a Tin Roof Sundae” of roasted barley malt ice cream, hot fudge, honey-roasted peanuts and chocolate-covered cracklings for dessert. Virginia wines were served to complement the meal. I met Bev Eggleston, owner EcoFriendly Farms, and we are hoping to do a show with him soon.
You too can Dine with Dan Each Wednesday:
Enjoy the company of Executive Chef Daniel Giusti with the food and service of 1789 Restaurant. Daniel has reserved space in the restaurant for an intimate dinner with a few guests each Wednesday in February.
Space is limited; please call 202.965.1789 to reserve a seat with the Giusti reservation.
Wednesday, February 17
EcoFriendly Farms Pork Dinner
with special guest Bev Eggleston, owner EcoFriendly Farms
$100 inclusive of food, wine, gratuity and tax
7:00 pm
Wednesday, February 10 & Wednesday, February 24
Italian Dinner
$100 inclusive of food, wine, gratuity and tax
7:00 pm
Reminiscent of the time Daniel studied at the Slow Food Academy in Italy, the dinners celebrate the traditional foods of the Piedmont region.
The evening begins with assorted antipasti, beef Carpaccio, vitello tonnato, cured meats with pickled vegetables and calze di sete. The five-course dinner includes beet risotto with fonduta, agnolotti ai tre arrosti, roasted rack of Piedmontese beef with polenta and Gorgonzola cheese, an Italian cheese course, zabaglione with gelato, Italian cookies and pizzelles. Piedmontese wines will be served to complement the meal.
Don't miss him on our 1789 episode next Thursday at 4 p.m. 1789 was a significant year in Washington’s history: its original site was purchased by Archbishop John Carroll, the founding Father of Georgetown University; the Constitution of the United States was adopted; and Mayor Robert Peter incorporated the village of Georgetown. Join Lauren and Chef Daniel Giusti of 1789 Restaurant as they demonstrate simple, traditional cooking methods, highlighting the flavors and integrity of the region’s best ingredients. We ended up making each dish a friendly competition with each other to see whose plate looked better. He claims to have won each round, but I think I hung in there pretty well. Round 1: Heirloom Tomato and Watermelon Salad; Round 2: Seared Maine Scallops; Round 3: Pan Seared Black Cod.
(202) 965-1789
1226 36th St NW
Washington, DC 20007
www.1789restaurant.com/main/index.shtml
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