Breakfast at Blue Duck Tavern Beginning Tomorrow

Blue Duck Tavern is rolling out its new southern inspired breakfast menu on May 1st. We stopped by the Park Hyatt to celebrate. 

Eating and Drinking Around Town: La Forchetta, J and G Steakhouse, The Wine Cooperative and El Centro

I've been eating my way through DC almost every night of the week.  Most of the food is pretty good, but some is exceptional.  Here are my recent highlights:

Thinking of Drinking: Anjeo Manhattan

Cinco de Mayo is next weekend.  Everyone will be making margaritas to celebrate, but why not try something different?  Check out Andrew Holt's Anjeo Manhattan from the Redline Gastrolounge.

California Tortilla: A Fresh New Look!

The New Look

California Tortilla launched its new brand with a focus on fresh quality ingredients and small batch recipes made fresh all day long.  Additionally, the physical locations are getting an update, highlighting the food, with open display kitchens and bright new decor.   Fans of California Tortilla need not worry as the Wall of Flame will remain a focal point with 75 hot sauces for complimentary in-store use or for purchase. 

Upcoming Events: Common Threads, Hop Chef and Cedar Cocktail Class

Lots of fun happenings around town tonight, Saturday and Sunday.  Don't miss out!

Still time to enter today to Win 2 Tickets to Hop Chef on April 28th!

Join me at the Ommegang Hop Chef Competition on Saturday, April 28, 2012. 1-4 pm at The Atlas Theater, 1333 H Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002.  DC-area chefs will be imaginatively preparing and pairing dishes with fine Ommegang ales. Each chef creates two dishes showcasing their skills in bringing Great Beer and Great Food to exuberant life.

Eat With Your Eyes: Lechon Asado Vermicelli

Is your mouth watering?  You can find this Lechon Asado Vermicelli at Zengo now until end of June.  The Zengo Test Kitchen is featuring a special menu with dishes from Hanoi-Havana. This classic Vietnamese dish is harmonious with tender roasted pork shoulder and sour-orange garlic mojo.  Delicious!

Foodie and The Beast at Carmine's

Carmine's hosted a fantastic recording of Foodie and the Beast this Sunday with a star-filled line up of guests.  Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis, the show was lively and a excellent start to my Sunday. Viewers were able to sample Carmine's legendary fare, specialty beers, mimosas and fantastically spicy bloody marys.  A star filled line up of chefs and brewmasters were in attendance including Mike Isabella and Spike Mendelsohn.  

Did you Pledge to Veg?

Sign up today to take the Veg Pledge and be sure to tweet or share the Facebook page encouraging your friends and family to join in on the fun!

COCHON 555: Scott Drewno Defends His Title

by Samantha Grieder
Capital Cooking Contributor

Cochon555 invaded the District for an evening of pork-centric fun. The national tour set up shop at The Liaison Hotel on The Hill.

Perfect Pair: Ribera del Duero Wines

 

by Samantha Grieder

Capital Cooking Contributor

Wine enthusiasts and industry professionals recently gathered at DC's newest tapas hotspot, Boqueria, for a seminar and tasting of Ribera del Duero wines.

First Taste: Haven Pizzeria Napoletana

There is a structure located a few miles outside of the nation’s capital that weighs 200,000 pounds, is supported by 18 steel beams, and takes almost five days to reach its operating temperature, and no, I’m not talking about one of the reactors found at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt. 

Event: Taste of Mount Vernon

On May 5, 2012 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m., Mount Vernon Triangle’s newly acclaimed restaurants will be opening their doors for a special event – the Third Annual Taste of Mount Vernon Triangle.  

Perfect Pair: Georgian Wines Presented at Agora

by Samantha Grieder 

Capital Cooking Contributor 

When someone asks you what country wine originated from, chances are, you're thinking somewhere in Western Europe. But in reality, the world's oldest wine producer is Georgia. Archaeological digs trace it all the way back to the Stone Age. Clay amphoras, 8,000 years of age, would be filled with grapes and buried into the ground until wine was produced.

Don't Miss the Sunday Experience Series Cocktail Class at Cedar!

Cedar presents the 2nd part in their popular dinner series, "Sunday Experience" on Sunday, April 29, 2012 as mixologist Matt Perkins, cocktail maker, creative mind and bar connoisseur conducts an engaging, lively, and informative class.

Paso Robles: The Other California Wine Country

Wines from Tablas Creek (left) and Cypher Wineries (right)

by Samantha Grieder

Capital Cooking Contributor

When most people think of California wine country, they usually think of Napa and Sonoma. It isn't often that Paso Robles come to mind, but maybe next time you're looking for a fresh California bottle, it should.

Thinking of Drinking: 4Bitten Sangria

To celebrate the launch of our new company, I created a 4Bitten Sangria to sip on with the ladies of Girl Meets Food, Johnna Knows Good Food and Dining in DC.

Upcoming Events: Champange Campaign, Cedar Cocktail Class, Cochon 555 and more!

The Champagne Campaign at Lost Society has partnered with nightlife impresario Eric Lund and the Midnight Group for a weekly Saturday party on one of DC's hottest rooftops. This Saturday, 4/21, from 1-5pm, enjoy a mix of house music and top 40 hits with bottomless mimosas & champagne and a complimentary brunch buffet. $40 per person.

Top 5 Sushi Spots in DC

When I started Capital Cooking, I hit the streets to find out what people considered "DC Cuisine".  Seafood came back in many of the responses.  While I'm not sure if they were referring to sushi, DC's restaurants have a lot to offer in that department.  Here are my top picks for the best sushi in DC:

Baseball Grub Goes Gourmet

By:  Matt Dewey

The recent trend in ballpark eating has been upscale and delicious food. Gone are the days of overpriced hot dogs on stale buns. Presently, ballparks around the country are implementing local favorites and quality food.  National’s Park is no different.

Get Your Tix for Food Experiments on 4/22!

Sign up now to compete in the ultimate amateur cook-off.  This year the challengers will make  Chinese Take Out.  I'll be one of the judges so bring your A game!

901 Patio Launch Party

901 Restaurant and Bar is this summer's hot location for great happy hour specials daily from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM and again from 10:00 PM to midnight.  See and be seen while enjoying great cocktails and appetizers all on special.  The expansive outdoor patio seats 55, the largest in Penn Quarter and allows patrons to enjoy the outside ambiance in this excellent downtown location.

Join me at 555 Cochon on Sunday!

Bring on the bacon!  Attention Pig Lovers:  555 Cochon is coming back to DC this April and I'm judging again this year! 

Bar Pilar Opens the Second Floor

After two months of extensive renovations, Bar Pilar reopened with a new second floor dining room. We had a blast checking out the new space and sampling the food.  

Brittany Garrison and Dusty Lockhart

Before undergoing the two-month renovation, Bar Pilar was a 49 seat eatery.  Now they can offer 98 seats with a full dining room upstairs and the popular existing bar downstairs. 

Executive Chef Justin Bittner expanded the menu with appetizer, entrée and dessert options in addition to the restaurant's famed small plates. The downstairs menu will remain the same as before the expansion.

The pig was delicious!! 

Eating and Drinking Around Town: Lincoln, Taste of Iceland, and Cliff Lede Dinner

Lincoln turned 1 and had a party to celebrate!  We enjoyed delicious cocktails including the Moscow Mule and small bites.  Loved the hush-puppies stuffed with crab meat.

Perfect Pair: Dessert at Bibiana

by Samantha Grieder

Capital Cooking Contributor

It has been just months since the arrival of Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca's new pastry chef, Jemil Gadea. But already he's allowing his creativity to flow into the restaurant's dessert menu. Going seasonal, and often whimsical, Gadea is loosening up from the ultra-fine dining atmosphere that he was used to back in his old Vegas stomping grounds, and guests will find that in his work.

Oklahoma Eats: The Coach House

By:  Anna Hicks

Last week, I found myself afflicted with a strange and sudden craving for foie gras. Maybe it was my foggy memory of the last foie gras dish I’ve eaten – well over four years ago at this point – or perhaps this craving stemmed from the interest I’ve had in French cuisine ever since watching Amelie. Whatever the reason, I decided to peruse restaurant menus on YellowPages.com with one goal in mind: find the best foie gras in Oklahoma City.

A taste of Southeast Asia -- Bangkok Golden Restaurant Review

By: Viola Bello

On a quiet Tuesday evening, we visited Bangkok Golden restaurant. A small but charming restaurant, it is located at 6395 Seven Corners Center in Falls Church, Virginia. The first thing I noticed as I entered the restaurant was a tiny quartered arrangement of food and drink offerings, evidence of their spirituality. Previous to Tuesday night, I had never tried Thai or Laos cuisine. All I knew was that it would be spicy. As I soon found out, if you are looking for food with a spicy kick, then the Thai and Laos cuisine is definitely for you, and Bangkok Golden is the place to visit to try it. The restaurant has been operating under a new owner and chef since March 2010.

Eat the Vote for RAMMY Nominees from 4/12 - 4/29

Presidential Primaries are no longer the hottest elections this time of year: the RAMMY "Eat the Vote" promotion is back! From April 12-29, the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) encourages food-lovers to "Eat the Vote" and cast a ballot for the 2012 publicly voted RAMMY categories of Hottest Restaurant Bar Scene, Power Spot and Neighborhood Gathering Place.

Opening: Historic Howard Theatre

 The Howard Theatre originally opened in 1910 and launched the music careers of  Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye and The Supremes.  Sadly, the Howard Theatre sat empty for years, but after a $29 million renovation it is open again.  

Events: Taste of Iceland in DC

Calling all Vikings. The Greater Washington metro area welcomes all things Icelandic, as it plays host to “A Taste of Iceland” from April 12 through April 15, 2012. The multi-day event will feature Icelandic cuisine, music, film and culture throughout Washington, D.C. and the metropolitan region. This sneak-peek of Iceland will whet the appetites of Washingtonians – just in time, as Icelandair reopens its non-stop service from Dulles to Reykjavik.  I had a blast in Iceland last year and it is so much fun to get a taste of the cuisine here in DC.

Free Beer Tomorrow at 901 Restaurant to Kick Off Patio Opening

Now that spring is here, and summer is just around the corner, 901 Restaurant and Bar is kicking off the warm weather season with the grand opening of its patio on Thursday April 12^{th from} 5:00pm – 9:00pm.

Eat with Your Eyes: Grilled Elk Sausage

Photo by Lauren DeSantis

Is your mouth watering?  You can find this Grilled Elk Sausage with wild mushrooms, walnut puree, and mustard jus for $28 at Cedar.  Chef Aaron McCloud's menu features a wide selection of comforting food.  The Grilled Elk Sausage is incredibly delicious and worth the trip just to taste this dish.  Other wild game items include venison, quail, wild boar, duck and more.  Don't worry about your parking while dining because Cedar provides a validation for the PMI lot for only $5.  Not only is the main menu wonderful, but the desserts are divine and the bar has a lovely craft cocktail list.

Recipe: Chocolate Cinnamon Waffles with Caramelized Bananas and Rum Ice Cream

 

On the most recent episode of Capital Cooking, Chef Mallory Staley from 1789 joined us on Setting the Mood with Food.  She showed us how to make her Chocolate Cinnamon Waffles with Caramelized Bananas and Rum Ice Cream.  We paired this dish with a Meritage wine from Vinbev.com.  Check out the recipe below.

4Bitten Media Launched

My favorite bloggers and I (Lisa Shapiro of Dining in DC, Mary Kong of Girl Meets Food and Johnna Rowe of Johnna Knows Good Food)--have formed a blog collective called 4Bitten Media.

Upcoming Events: Easter Brunch at Equinox

Easter Brunch at Equinox: It’s all about current spring inspirations highlighting local lamb, English peas, foraged morels and earthy asparagus. The Easter feast offers selections from the buffet as well as selects made-to-order dishes.  April 8^th, 2012 from 12pm – 4pm.

Eat With Your Eyes: King Salmon

Is your mouth watering?  You can find this King Salmon from Fujimar for $14.  This King Salmon is the best tasting salmon on the market with a buttery flavor from the Tasmanian Coast.  Amazing!

 

Do you have a food photo that would make others drool?  If so, email me at capitalcooking@gmail.com and we can include it in Eat with your Eyes.

 

Photo by Corey Then

Recipe: Warm Prosciutto and Mozzarella Bruschetta

Photo by Shauna Alexander

I recently got my hands on an All-Clad 10” Stainless Steel Fry Pan.  It inspired me to make Warm Prosciutto and Mozzarella Bruschetta.  It is so creamy and delicious that you are sure to love it!

First Taste: The Federalist

Just as you can't judge a book by its cover, the same goes for restaurants located inside of hotels.  I often catch myself skipping hotel dining thinking I'll find overpriced generic food.  

This is not the case at The Federalist which is located inside of the Madison Hotel.  Chef Harper McClure wowed us with his dishes that were perfectly paired with drink selections by Robert Yealu. 

Perfect Pair: Spice-Rubbed Rack of Lamb

For almost a year now, I've been the DC Lambassador and Supper Club host for the Tri-Lamb Group supper club series.  The Tri-Lamb Group is a collaborative initiative of lamb producer organizations from the U.S., New Zealand and Australia which focuses on educating Americans about lamb.  For the fourth supper club, I made a Spice-Rubbed Rack of Lamb paired with Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino.

The Bitches' Easter Brunch Guide

The Bitches and I have taken turns guest posting on each others blogs.  I shared my Skillet Fried Potatoes brunch recipe and they shared their Easter Guide.  If I didn't already have plans to hit up the Virginia wineries on Sunday, I would be testing out some of their recommendations.

My Easter Menu

My dad and sister are coming in town to celebrate with me so I'm going to make a delicious Easter Feast.   I always celebrate on Saturday so I can spend the day at the wineries on Sunday.  What are your plans this year?

Planning a Springtime Soiree

Spring is here and it is time to celebrate the season with a Springtime Soiree!

The 2012 Swirlwind Tour Wines of the World Review

By Viola Bello

The 2012 Swirlwind Tour Wines of the World took place at the Dupont Circle Hotel on March 27, 2012. Hosted by Diageo Chateau and Estate Wines, it featured bold reds and floral whites from Burgundy, California, Chile and Argentina.