The Chef Installment

 Tech industree founder Alisia Kleinmann and RAMW CEO Kathy Hollinger

Just two months after launching its speaker series, Industree returned to the spotlight in a big way, doubling the number of presenters (as well as the bites available) for the second installment of the series.

We All Scream For Ice Cream

By: Lauren Rosalanko

After days of 90 degree weather and humidity the start of Rosa Mexicano’s Ice Cream Festival (Festival de Helados) will be the perfect treat to cool off from the heat. I have had the pleasure of dining at Rosa Mexicano before and absolutely love their homemade guacamole that is prepared table-side. I was excited to see that the guacamole would be incorporated in one of the desserts.

FREE Smoothies!

Jamba Juice's one-year anniversary in the District is Wednesday, July 31st, from 12 to 6 p.m. Jamba Juice will be giving away FREE 16-ounce smoothies at three of their locations: Dupont Circle, Union Station and Montgomery Mall. Everyone's a winner with a free smoothie, but one lucky person will win FREE Jamba Juice smoothies for a year.

A Peek at Minibar

By Claire Goldman

When I first moved to DC years ago, I caught a PBS special on this tiny restaurant that served cotton candy bacon and solidified olive oil beads and I have had an obsession with getting a seat at one of those oh-so-coveted kitchen view seats ever since.  I knew I couldn't be alone in this fascination and the winding line around the corner of E Street on Monday, July 15th, proved my theory.  Myself along with hundreds of other curious members of the general public, had the rare opportunity to peak behind the curtain of one of DC's most storied and exclusive eateries, star chef Jose Andres' Minibar.

Thinking of Drinking: Margarita Cadillac

We had a wonderful filming trip in Cabo, Mexico. During our time there, we stayed at the beautiful Grand Solmar Resort on the Cabo San Lucas side of the peninsula. When we arrived, we were greeted by a rain storm. Although we were a little disappointed, we sipped on a couple of these cocktails and had a blast. Arriba, abajo, al centro, pa' dentro!

By: Armando Pech of the Grand Solmar

Ingredients:

3 oz. Tequila Clase Azul Reposado, 100% agave

1 oz. Grand Marnier’s orange and cognac liquor

½ oz. Fresh squeezed lime juice

½ oz. Natural syrup. (A mix of water and sugar)

First you have to add a giant martini glass with salt on the ring, then you fill it up with ice. You grab a shaker and put at least 7 cubes of ice, then you added 3 oz. of tequila of your choice in this case we will use our brand house tequila “Clase Azul reposado” add 1 oz. of Grand Marnier that is the liquor and ½ oz of fresh lime juice and ½ oz. of natural syrup. Shake it and just pure the on the glass and you´ll enjoy a wonderful margarita Cadillac.

Photos by Emily Clack

Upcoming Events Around DC

DC Drive-In at Union Market: Union Market will be hosting the inaugural “DC Drive-In,” an outdoor summer movie series starting on Friday, July 12. Over the summer, come watch classic Washington D.C.- centric films on Union Market’s 3-story wall. Pre-show festivities will include music, contests and special giveaways and movies will begin at 9pm. A variety of Union Market vendors will also participate, serving food, drinks and fun snacks. The DC Drive-In is free to attend, however reservations are suggested for cars. There will also be a picnic area in the parking lot for bikers and walkers – no reservations are required for the picnic area. The schedule for the DC Drive-In is as follows:

Eat With Your Eyes: Cheese Pie

Is your mouth watering?  Well, it should be!  You can find these cheese pies at Ambar's Unlimited Brunch.  For only $35, you can eat as many of these little treasures as you can fit into your belly.  Wash it all down with the bottomless brunch cocktails that are included in the price.

Around the Globe: Spagarita

When visiting Cabo, Mexico, it is important to indulge a little.

Blue Duck RAMMY Celebration Dinner

By Michaela Rollings

Congratulations are in order to Blue Duck Tavern and Executive Chef Sebastien Archambault for winning the RAMMY for Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year. In celebration of this prestigious award, Blue Duck hosted an intimate cocktail hour on the mezzanine for friends and local media members.

Capital Cooking on Let's Talk Live

We had a blast today on Let's Talk Live. You can watch our segment here.

First Taste: The Grill Room

Class it up for a night in Georgetown and head over to The Rye Bar for cocktails and The Grill Room for a fancy dinner.  

BONMi with a Twist

by Amanda Brashears

Capital Cooking Contributor

Taking traditional banh mi and giving them an interesting twist is how BONMi is (re)introducing DC to the tasty Vietnamese sandwiches. Serving the most tender varieties of chicken, pork, and beef as well as spicy tofu and vegetables on local Lyon Bakery bread, BONMi has reignited our affair with the everyday lunch.

Thinking of Drinking: Watermelon Gimlet

Park Hyatt Washington unveiled some new summer cocktails.  This watermelon gimlet sounds delicious! 

Free Milkshakes!

Photo by Emily Clack

With temperatures nearing 100 degrees, Z-Burger wants to help cool down everyone with a free regular super cold milkshake today as Z-Burger customers can enjoy any one of the 75 flavors available. This special treat is available today from 2pm-6pm with the secret password “ZHeatwave” and is good for one per person, no purchase necessary. 

First Taste: Kapnos

I give Kapnos two thumbs up.  I'm loving all of these new restaurants opening up in my neighborhood, and Kapnos is right across the street.  Yay!

Upcoming Events Around DC

Truckeroo will be held on Friday, July 19 from 11am – 11pm (lunch, happy hour and dinner).  24 trucks will be serving the venue (Fairgrounds DC).  The event is located next to the Navy Yard/Ballpark metro entrance at 1299 Half Street Southeast, Washington, DC 20003.  

Best Summer Brunch in DC

Recently we told you where to find the best summer cocktails, frozen treats, seafood, rooftops and burgers. This week is best summer brunch!

The Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina

Opening: Osteria Marzano

Osteria Marzano, a 6,100 sq ft venue located on the ground floor of the Metro Park Office Complex in the Kingstowne region of Alexandria, is now ready to fully serve all Northern Virginia residents (or any DC residents looking to escape for an hour or two). With over 30 years experience with Italian cooking, Chef Carmine Marzano has developed a menu filled with handmade pastas, hearty (meaty) main courses, brick-oven pizzas, and “Assaggini” small plates uniquely available at the 40 seat bar. In addition to the 40 seat bar, Osteria Marzano also features a full dining room, two private rooms and outdoor patio dining, seating 269 people at full capacity.

Recipe: Heirloom Tomato Salad

As the weather heats up in DC, look for some beautiful heirloom tomatoes at your local farmers market.  This recipe is wonderful and colorful for summer.

Orient Beach in St. Martin

Tapas Tuesdays at Cuba Libre

Cuba Libre, Washington DC’s hoppin’ homage to Havana just north of Chinatown unveiled its “Tapas Tuesdays” last week to a group of lucky Latin-crazed foodies.  The weekly special, which will last indefinitely, allows patrons unlimited access to the restaurant’s arsenal of 25 tasty tapas dishes for just $26.95 (the special must be ordered by everyone at the table).  The sheer magnitude of some of the offerings is enough to satisfy the hungriest of diners after three tapas but the adventurous one (who’ll be smart to get in that jog the next day) will go for more. 

Recipe: Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

I needed a quick snack to bring with us on our tubing trip.  I messed up my grocery list so I came back without the hummus that I intended to purchase.  Luckily, I had the necessary ingredients in my pantry to make my own.  It turned out delicious.  Perfect for a meal on-the-go, picnic, or party!

First Taste: Cause it's Tasty!

We recently checked out Cause, the hip "Philanthropub" that is taking 9th Street NW by storm. We left in love with both the food and the mission.

Cookbook Review: The Art of Cake Pops

By:  Jennifer Duff

Capital Cooking Contributor

So, let me just preface this by saying, I am not a great baker.  I love to eat sweets, cakes and a great deal of chocolate.  But, I generally stay away from baking for two reasons -- it is too precise (I refuse to "level with a knife") and it tends to be lengthy and intricate.  I guess it comes down to the fact that I don't have the patience for it. 

Craving Pie?

All of Whole Foods' 9” pies are only $9.99 through Sunday.  Get 'em while their hot!!  Perfect for weekend barbecues.   

Thinking of Drinking Taiwan Beer in Kenting, Taiwan

Around this time last year, I was sipping down a few of these and eating amazing street food.  Missing the stinky tofu and the Capital Cooking Crew... not to mention, GI Joe.  

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Upcoming Events Around DC

Tonight:

Brew at the Zoo to Kick Off Belgian Restaurant Week: The DC area’s Fourth Annual Belgian Restaurant Week (BRW) kicks off at the Brew at the Zoo event on Thursday, July 11. Party like an animal at the annual BRW preview at the National Zoo, and enjoy a selection of specialty Belgian beers in the VIP area. For information ticket information, please visit http://nationalzoo.si.edu/activitiesandevents/celebrations/brew/default.cfm. For information regarding Belgian Restaurant Week, please visitbelgianrestaurantweekdc.com, Facebook.com/BelgianRestaurantWeekDC or follow us on Twitter @BelgianWeekDC.

Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Photo by Kristen Finn

Best Rooftops in DC

Recently we told you where to find the best summer cocktails, frozen treats, seafood and burgers. This week is best rooftops!

Opening: Bearnaise

By:  Melinda Contreras

With the July 5th opening of Bearnaise, Chef Spike Mendelsohn is one step closer to completing Operation Take Over Pennsylvania Ave.

First Taste: nopa Kitchen+Bar

Initial Thoughts:  

Opening: Libertine

Absinthe Lovers:  Clear your calendar Tuesday night because Libertine, a cocktail house and bistro, located at 2435 18th Street NW in Adams Morgan, is hosting the grand opening party, starting at 5 p.m.

Opening: Tom Yum District

By:  Jennifer Duff
Capital Cooking Contributor

Fresh Thai food served in a casual setting that caters to the "dine-n-dash" mentality of the business professionals located in Rosslyn, VA. Think *Thai food meets Chipolte* and you get Tom Yum District.

Sofitel's De-Light Menu is Back

Developed exclusively by Thalassa Sea and Spa, the recognized nutrition and wellness experts in France for over 40 years, De-Light by Sofitel launched in Washington, DC about a year ago, offering well-balanced, low-calorie meals made from fresh, wholesome ingredients.

Paella Cooking Classes at Jaleo

Jaleo's 11th Annual Paella Festival, a two-week event (July 29th through August 11th) featuring paella specials and a unique cocktail that will be available during lunch and dinner service, is still about a month away, but fans of paella (or fans of cooking in general) can already make plans to continue the paella celebrations after August 11th by signing up for one of the four remaining exclusive paella cooking classes offered at Jaleo Bethesda.

Upcoming Events Around DC

Celebrate July 4th, American Independence Day, at Café du Parc on Pennsylvania Avenue, America’s Main Street! The Willard InterContinental is hosting its annual block party-style celebration with a live band from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The outdoor fest features barbecue carry out lunch (picnic tables provided) with hot dogs, hamburgers and sweet crepes. Hot dog or hamburger lunch for $10, includes coleslaw, fruit and a bottle of water. Parisian-style sweet crepes station offers two items for $6. Wine and beer on tap is available as is an all-day dining Café du Parc menu.

4th of July Recipe: Cole Slaw

Looking for 4th of July recipes?  How about this cole slaw from Legal Sea Foods?  Great for a BBQ.

Best Seafood in DC

Recently we told you where to find the best summer cocktails, frozen treats and burgers. This week is best seafood!

Eating Around Town

I checked out Ghibellina over the weekend.  I love the interior and the general atmosphere.  The food was average, but this place is worth checking out for drinks with friends.  We tried a couple of appetizers, a pizza and a pasta.  All pretty standard and nothing blew me away.

Gateway to the West (The Arch in St. Louis, Missouri)

Meet Me in St. Louie

Have you switched to a new reader?

The sad news of the death of Google Reader is almost here... but, don't fear.  You can migrate your full feed list with cloud.feedly.com.  Make sure to get your content migrated before July 1st.  Thanks for reading!!  If you have any other recommendations for RSS feed viewers that migrate all of your feeds, please let us know in the comments below.   

Red Rocks of Sedona, Arizona

Pork, Princeton, Volt

We recently took a road trip up to Princeton, New Jersey to escape D.C.’s heat and hustle. 

First Taste: Pulpo

Pulpo may have opened with a rocky start, but now Chef Billy Klein joined the restaurant as their new Executive Chef and Partner.