First Taste: Bandolero

Loud, dark and tasty bites...  Chef Mike Isabella opened Bandolero in the heart of Georgetown (3241 M St. NW) last week. Capital Cooking recently got an inside look at the new establishment.

Upcoming Events: Light House Unibroue Beer Pairing Dinner and More!

Food plans for the weekend?  Check out Taste of Georgetown or Public Tenley's Anniversary Bash.  Settle into the week with Light Horse's Unibroue Beer Pairing Dinner.  You don't want to miss these fabulous foodie events.

Eat With Your Eyes: Blackened Catfish

Is your mouth watering?  The blackened catfish with cow peas and corn salad at The Howard Theatre provides great textures with each bite.  The Howard Theatre has an awesome show line-up, but it is also worth stopping in to try Chef Marcus Samuelsson's rich Southern delights.  Not only is the food delicious, but they have a solid cocktail list.  From the Ray, to the Ella Fitz and the Miles, they offer something for everyone. 

Taste of Georgetown Kick-off Party

 

By Claire Goldman

Georgetown BID hosted a small Kick-off party for this weekend's upcoming Taste of Georgetown.  Three of the staple restaurant participants of the neighborhood street festival were represented:  Clyde's, Paolo's and J. Paul's.   Each served up unique and specially crafted mini-servings at the Boffi retail store in Georgetown.

Perfect Pair: The Curious Grape Wine, Dine and Shop

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By Ashley Eames

Capital Cooking Contributor

One thing that I’m always in search of is a great wine bar. The combination of a great wine bar and a place with amazing food is hard to come by, but that is exactly what you will find at The Curious Grape in Shirlington.

Re-cap: Lamb Jam 2012

The American Lamb Jam Tour stopped in DC last week for the second annual cooking competition. 18 of the city’s best chefs participated in the event, competing for the top lamb dish in one of four categories: leg, shoulder, shank, and loin. A large crowd showed up to Washington’s Eastern Market to sample the dishes along with some of the region’s finest beer and wine.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

The Washington Nationals recently granted Capital Cooking exclusive access to its clubhouse during the Nats-Orioles Battle of the Beltway for Nationals Blogger Night 2012.  The program provided non-stop action and was part of an effort to bolster and fortify the team’s reputation as a social media-savvy organization.

Opening: Quench

By:  Lauren Rittermann
 
Quench, the newest restaurant and cocktail bar to open in Rockville, MD is definitely a happening place.  With a wide range of cool and eclectic cocktails and delicious cuisine, this restaurant seems to have it all.   I stopped by the restaurant last week to check it out, and was blow away by the cocktails, the atmosphere, and the overall feel of the place.  This is a restaurant, bar, and lounge all in one.  It is trendy and modern yet extremely comfortable and laid back.  

Thinking of Drinking: 'Liltini

Photo by Lauren DeSantis

Thirsty?  Try this slightly sweet and super smooth 'Liltini!  Lisa Shapiro and I are big fans!

Taste of Vermont: More than Maple Syrup!

While Vermont is famous for its maple syrup, the Taste of Vermont proved there were so many more great things to eat and drink from the Green Mountain State.

Upcoming Events: Memorial Day Round-up

Sticking around DC for Memorial Day?  Here's my guide on fun things to do and places to eat if you stay in town.

Re-cap: 5th Annual National Harbor Food and Wine Festival

By Ashley Eames

Capital Cooking Contributor 

Spring is in the air, which means wine festival season is officially getting started in the DMV. The National Harbor Food and Wine Festival certainly didn’t disappoint. Now in its fifth year, the National Harbor Food and Wine Festival offered two full days of great food and wine from local, regional and even international purveyors.

Eat with Your Eyes: Strawberries

Is your mouth watering?  May is National Strawberry Month and Smucker Farms of Lancaster Co. sells these beautiful berries. 

19th Annual Taste of Georgetown

By Claire Goldman

Without a doubt, Taste of Georgetown is one of the DC's finest and among my personal favorites.  You're invited to sample world class food offerings from some of the finest eateries in the District. On Saturday, June 2, 2012 from 11am - 4pm, Georgetown Business Improvement District hosts the 19th annual installment of the food and drink street festival located on Wisconsin Avenue stretching from M Street to K Street. 

Perfect Pair: Slow Roasted Leg 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 Slow Roasted Leg of Lamb paired with a Belnero Wine.

Delicious Lebanese Cuisine that Travels to You

By Viola Bello

If the thought of what to have for lunch everyday is stressing you out, bid your stress adieu because the Kababji truck has arrived to the District.  Fresh, absolutely delicious, and affordable, the Kababji truck offers the customer the best of the Lebanese cuisine at lunchtime.  The Kababji truck is part of the Kababji Grill restaurant in Dupont Circle on 1351 Connecticut Avenue, NW. 

Thinking of Drinking: RAMMY Nominees' Cocktails Today through June 18

Cocktail aficionados have an excellent opportunity coming up May 18 through June 18-- try each of the nominated cocktails for the RAMMY Awards "Beverage/Mixology Program of the Year"at Bourbon Steak, ChurchKey, EatFoodGroup, Estadio and Room 11.  Those ordering the signature cocktails at the nominated restaurants also have a chance to win tickets to the RAMMY Awards Gala on June 24th!   The cocktails were available to preview and highlighted flavors of grapefruit and peppery spices. 

Virginia Eastern Shore Guide: Part II

Written by Samantha Grieder

Edited by Lauren DeSantis
Photos by Corey Then

After having such a fun night with Chef Johnny Mo, we woke up bright and early the next morning. An earlier-than-usual 7 a.m. light breakfast, offered delectable homemade pastries, fresh fruit and even amaretto whipped cream at the Colonial Manor Inn. The orange juice was freshly squeezed, the coffee was strong, and the company of the innkeepers was welcome. Stories of the town and from the bed and breakfast were shared by owner Linda Nicola and her mother. If there is one special moment at any bed and breakfast, it might just be the breakfast part of it. Besides the great food, it's the company that makes it all the more special. It was the perfect start to the day.

Win 2 Tickets to Sound Bites!

Win 2 tickets to Sound Bites on May 20, 2012 from 5 pm- 10 pm @ the 9:30 club.   

Upcoming Events: May 15-27th

Photo by Emily Clack from the 2011 Lamb Jam

Zoofari:  Tonight from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Guests are invited on a culinary safari to sample gourmet fare from more than 100 of the D.C. area’s restaurants. 

Eating and Drinking Around Town: Mom's Visit

My lovely mother flew in for a visit to DC.  We couldn't have asked for better weather.  I planned lots of tasty meals and fun activities.

Lamb Jam Returns to DC on May 21st!

On Monday, May 21, 2012, the American Lamb Jam tour will stop in Washington DC for the second annual cooking competition, hosted by 94.7 Fresh FM’s Tommy McFly.  I'll be one of the judges for the event.  It is sure to be a Lambtastic Time!

Food. Thoughtfully Sourced. Carefully Served.

Capital Cooking recently attended a media luncheon at Cure Bar and Bistro, the premier restaurant of Downtown Washington’s Grand Hyatt Hotel.  The Hyatt has been on the cutting edge of the hospitality industry with their commitment to healthy food alternatives. 

Slow Sippin': Spirits from Copper Fox Distillery

I like whisky.  I have several bottles in my office.  What can I say, the days of Mad Men looked fun.

Thinking of Drinking: Ted's Bulletin's Cocky Yamazaki

I recently visited Ted's Bulletin in Capitol Hill to try out one of their new Spring cocktail creations.  I was lucky enough to taste the Cocky Yamazaki, a concoction by mixologist George Menold.  George was tasked with constructing a refreshing whiskey drink that would cool Ted's patrons down in the warmer months, perhaps to be enjoyed at one of their outside tables.  By combining the Yamazaki with ginger and mint liqueurs and using a barrel aging process, George has cleverly transformed this obscure Japanese Whiskey into a cool-to-the-taste cocktail perfect for spring!

Cocktail:

1 oz Yamazaki
½ oz Domain de Canton
¼ oz Fernet Branca
½ oz Coriander-Ginger syrup

Mix the Yamazaki, Domain de Canton and Fernet Branca and age for three weeks in a once charred American oak barrel, stir over ice and finish with ½ oz coriander-ginger syrup.

Coriander-Ginger syrup:
Yield: ½ gallon

½ gal. water
3 ½ c. sugar
1 oz. chopped ginger
4 Tbsp. whole coriander

Boil all ingredients for 15-20 minutes; add sugar; strain.

 

 

It's not just the mixology that stands out at Ted's Bulletin, I fell in love with the retro decor and was immediately reminded of the soda shops from decades past.  I will definitely be back for  more of Ted's Bulletin's Spring cocktails series and to try the famous Adult Milkshake, pop tarts and breakfast served all day!

Downtown

(202) 544-8337

505 8th Street Southeast

Washington, DC   20003

tedsbulletin.com

Virginia Eastern Shore Tour Guide: Part I

by Samantha Grieder and Lauren DeSantis
Photos by Corey Then

With an opportunity for a weekend getaway to explore Virginia's Eastern Shore, who wouldn't take it? On a Friday afternoon, a group of media members made their way to Onancock, VA, about four hours away from Washington, D.C. and 35 miles south of Chincoteague. The small town, the name translating to mean "Foggy Town," is home to about 1,500 people.

Mother's Day Gift Guide: Lauren's Picks

Get the Capital Cooking Cookbook for only $20 from now until Mother's Day by using this code:  5KCP7TEC.  Perfect for moms with all of the recipes you'll need to make special cooking memories!

Opening: Good Stuff Eatery Crystal City

By Ashley Eames

Capital Cooking Contributor

Spike Mendelsohn is expanding his empire once again with the addition of a new Good Stuff Eatery in Crystal City. No longer do Virginians have to make the trek into D.C. for a taste of Spike’s signature burgers and shakes.

Eastern Shore Get-Away

Our media group with Chef Johnny Mo

One of the best parts of living in DC is the proximity to fabulous weekend get-ways for a little relaxation.  When S and R Media Group invited us to explore the Eastern Shore, we jumped at the opportunity.  

Perfect Pair: Arugula, Avocado, and Citrus Salad

Pairing food is fun. Check out this salad paired with two amazing Ommegang beers.

Eating and Drinking Around Town: Ramenpalooza, Common Threads and More!

OhFish, Kaz Okochi and Erik Bruner-Yang of Toki Underground recently faced off in a Ramenpalooza pop-up at Bind Dog Cafe.  I tried the crunchy shrimp; miso ramen with braised pork, egg, and bean sprouts; and strawberry financiers with lemon balm creme, fresh herb, and chocolate mint sorbet. We also loved the Sake punch with plums.  Such a fun Sunday night event!

Sofi Awards Preview

The Summer Fancy Food Show is coming to Washington, DC on June 17-19, 2012, and last week we previewed the 20 finalists for the 40th annual sofi™ Awards that will be on exhibit at the show.  (The show is for industry only and not consumers.)  The sofi™ Awards, the top honor in the specialty food industry, will be the highlight of the event with a red-carpet ceremony hosted by renowned Chef Jose Andres.

Thinking of Drinking: Citrus Sangria

Enjoy this light and refreshing sangria.  Cheers!

Thinking of Drinking: Cedar's Sunday Cocktail Experience

The Southern Senator

Cedar's second Sunday Experience made a splash with it's focus on cocktails.  The class, a brainchild of "bar chef" Matt Perkins and executive chef Aaron McCloud, educated guests on Prohibition-era inspired cocktails with small plate pairings.  Guests were treated to five distinct cocktails, cocktail-inspired small plates, interactive demonstrations and answers to their burning inquiries.

Thinking of Drinking: Passion Fruit Margarita

Capture the feeling of the island breeze with this Passion Fruit Margarita.  I've been thinking of drinking this cocktail since the moment I made the first batch last weekend.  The French have their Cognac, the Scots their Whiskey, the Russians their Vodka. And Belgium?  They have Genever.   

Thinking of Drinking: 2 Racy Cocktails

Get ready with the Kentucky Derby this weekend with these racy cocktails!

Start Your Morning Right with Breakfast at Blue Duck Tavern

Continental Breakfast Bar 

The breakfast at Blue Duck Tavern takes the meal to a new level, bringing southern inspired dishes, reinvented classics and traditional continental breakfast together in a awe inspiring way.  Your palate will awaken to freshly squeezed, unconventional juices like pomegranate orange juice, or watermelon juice.  Also available is the pineapple-mint juice, which I would drink at any point of the day, breakfast or not.

First Taste: Sugo Cicchetti-Rockville's Newest Restaurant

By Lauren Ritterman

The new Central Plaza at Park Potomac is a welcomed addition to Rockville’s usually quiet dining scene.  The Grand pre-Opening event at SugoCicchetti was a huge success and an exciting preview of a vibrant new restaurant that will cater to a wide variety of age groups and food preferences.  The restaurant is part of the Cava group and offers the same quality ingredients and exceptional service that you’ll find at Cava and Cava Grill. 

Hop Chef was a Huge Success!

I had a blast mc'ing at the Ommegang Hop Chef Competition at The Atlas Theater.  

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Offers a Different Coffee Experience

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's Chai Tea Latte

by Samantha Grieder

Capital Cooking Contributor

It been just over two months that the Washington Hilton imported a California coffee staple: The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. The chain is popular with Californians and noted for celebrity sightings. And there's a reason for it. The drinks are good. Quite good, in fact.

Eat with your Eyes: Manjar Blanco

Is your mouth watering?  It is hard to tell if this "Manjar Blanco" Caramel Milk Custard is artwork or a dessert.  We enjoyed this beautiful dessert at the National Aquarium’s Fresh Thoughts Sustainable Seafood Dining Series. 

Mother's Day Dining Round-up

Me and my mom.  Then and Now.

Living far from home makes it tough to celebrate Mother's Day with my mom every year.  This year, I'm hoping she might come out to visit so we can spend the weekend together.  Show your mom that you love her by spending some quality time with her and making her feel special.  If you're in DC, here's some great dining options:

Perfect Pair: Nøgne Ø Beer

By Hannah Mellman

I recently had the luck to attend a beer tasting and food pairing at the home of the Norwegian Ambassador to the United States.  Although I initially thought beer and Norway to be an odd couple, this event certainly changed my mind.