Celebrating 25 Years at La Taberna del Alabardero

By: Lauren Rittermann
Capital Cooking Contributor

La Taberna del Alabardero, the very first restaurant to open in DC, celebrates it's 25th Anniversary with a Pintxos Bar,  the newest addition to their bar menu.  The restaurant, located 4 blocks away from the White House in the administrative center of Washington, has become a popular dining spot for Presidents, politicians, diplomats, and even celebrities.   

Eat4Life Fundraiser to kick off Colon Cancer Awareness Month

By: Lauren Rittermann
Capital Cooking Contributor

March kicks off National Colon Cancer Awareness Month and some of DC's best chefs turned out on March 17th to show their culinary skills at the 2nd annual Eat4Life event at the Longview Gallery in Mount Vernon Square.  

Celebrating Sasha Bruce Youthwork at 9005 Durham Drive

By: Laurie Wallin

Capital Cooking Contributor

Can you think of anything more fun than spending an evening in a beautiful, brand-new estate, eating gourmet food, drinking great wine, and celebrating the 40^th anniversary of an organization that works to improve the lives of the vulnerable youth in DC? I can’t either, and that’s why I was so pleased to attend the 9005 Durham Drive Preview Party, hosted by the Fleisher Group and Capitol File Magazine on behalf of Capital Cooking. This was, without a doubt, a night to remember.

The Gibson Launches Its Spring Cocktail Menu

Photo by Daniel Swartz

I remember when I used to think The Gibson was off the beaten path. I wouldn't call it's location on 14th street off the beaten path anymore. Known for it's collection of seasonal cocktails,  the new Spring 2014 menu features 23 craft cocktails. We were recently invited to try a handful of these new creations, and we now have a picture menu for you to reference before your next visit to The Gibson this spring (if spring ever comes).

Opening: Toro Toro

Get ready... Toro Toro opens March 31st.  I got an early taste of the lunch menu and it is delicious.  A great spot for power lunch, guests can anticipate menu item ranging range from $4 to $16 for small plates, salads and sandwiches and $26 to $45 for steak entrées. Toro Toro will also offer a weekday lunch buffet priced at $25 per person.  I loved the salads and endless meat.  

Don't Miss Taste of the Nation!

Calling all foodies and philanthropists: Tickets are now on sale for Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation® Washington, DC. This year’s event will be held March 31, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m, at the National Building Museum. The highly anticipated annual tasting event, which supports Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry® campaign to end childhood hunger in America, will feature the District’s top chefs, sommeliers and mixologists united for a cause: making sure all children in this nation have the healthy food they need, every day.

Menu ReVamp: Satellite Room

Photo by Emily Clack

We were recently invited to try the Satellite Room's newest offerings, including three new boozy milkshake flavors, and three new "brunch" items. Tuesday evening was actually my first time at the Satellite Room, and all I can say is, "where have I been?" In addition to serving boozy milkshakes, which are typically the only two words I need to hear to get on board, I saw on their online menu that they have churros for dessert. Why wasn't I aware of this?

First Taste: Alba Osteria

Restaurateur Hakan Ilhan recently opened Alba Osteria, at 425 I St, NW, 20001. The 226-seat restaurant, including a 63-seat outdoor seasonal patio, offers authentic Italian cuisine reflective of the Piedmonte region of Italy, Executive Chef Roberto Donna’s homeland. 

Thinking of Drinking: Southern Blossom

Celebrate Cherry Blossom season at Blue Duck Tavern.  Hopefully next Tuesday will be our last snow and then DC can get ready to welcome the infamous blossoms.  Aside from this tasty cocktail, Blue Duck Tavern recently appointed Daniel John Singhofen as the new chef de cuisine.  He's brought some new twists to the menu that are sure to ignite your taste buds. Stop in soon for delicious food and drink.

Eat With Your Eyes: Fried Shrimp Po'Boy

Is your mouth watering?  You can find this Fried Shrimp Po'Boy Sandwich with house-made pickles, bacon and sour cream and onion chips at WK Hearth.  The thinly sliced ciabatta bread works perfectly with the crispy shrimp.  

Opening: The Partisan

The Neighborhood Restaurant Group has opened yet another restaurant. The most recent venture? The Partisan, which is attached to Red Apron Butcher's third location at 709 D St. NW. It features a charcuterie menu organized by flavor profile (bright, herbal + floral, spicy hot, smoky, spiced, rich + smooth, earthy), a dinner menu organized by animal (fish, chicken, pig, cow), then size (small, medium, large). There are vegetarian starters, so your non meat-eating friend can still join you, as long as they don't mind a pig's head on your plate. As is the case with most NRG establishments, there is also a large focus on wine and beer.

The Neighborhood Restaurant Group is opening up new restaurants so fast it's hard for the staff to keep updated business cards in their pocket. When we attended the pre-opening gathering the night before The Partisan opened it's doors to the public, Brent Kroll was pouring glasses of Lambrusco at the entrance, handing out his card, and noting that The Partisan (and Iron Gate) were not listed on the back of his card alongside the other restaurants he works on. Luckily, I'm assuming most people with his business card will know what restaurants he is a part of.

After picking up a glass of Lambrusco, guests headed to the kitchen counter to make a plate of house-made tigelle and a selection of pork, including porchetta and bologna, pork belly, and pork loin.

While guests enjoyed the pork they picked up at the kitchen counter, staff members came around to pass more samples around. I heard a lot of rave about the beef fat fries and rockfish tartare and pork rinds. Unfortunately I was unable to try either. The rotissi-fried chicken with honey hot sauce was my favorite of the passed dishes I was able to try.

I wasn't expecting macarons to be a dessert option, but I loved each of the flavors I tried, which included Red Velvet, Salty Caramel, and Negroni. My biggest issue with macarons (or desserts in general really) is when they are way too sweet, and give me a sugar high after one bite. These macarons had well balanced flavors, and did not give me a sugar high, even after three macarons.

The Partisan is open Monday-Saturday, with the bar opening at 4pm, and the Dining Room opening at 5pm. To see the full charcuterie, dinner, wine, beer, and cocktails menus, visit http://www.thepartisandc.com/. Reservations are recommended, and can also be made online.

Sunday Funday at the W

By: Laurie Wallin

Capital Cooking Contributor

On Sunday, March 9, the W Washington DC hosted Sunday Funday with Au Revoir Simone, the official pre-party for the Broken Bells and Au Revoir Simone show later that evening at the 9:30 Club. Held at the hotel’s rooftop lounge, POV, guests had the opportunity to listen to a DJ set by Au Revoir Simone while sipping specialty cocktails and enjoying amazing views of the city.

W Washington DC Celebrates Fashion Week

By Claire Goldman

It turns out you don't have travel up the coast the experience the glamour and cutting edge styles of New York Fashion Week.  The W Hotel in DC in partnership with Bloomingdale's brought the show to the nation's capital.

Fashion: Frye Pop-Up

By Claire Goldman

I don't know about you, but to me there is no happier mixture than that of fashion, art and locally crafted gin.  The Frye Company store in Georgetown is already pretty cool, but they became even cooler when they decided to host a pop-up photo gallery featuring photographer Jerry Buttles new exhibition Max Schaff.

Upcoming Events

Photo by Emily Clack

Take advantage of the extra hour of daylight and dine waterside at the Nation Harbor Restaurant Week.  Participating restaurants include Bond 45, Rosa Mexicana, Sauciety and many more.  A three course meal for only $35.14 each?  Yes, please!  For a full list of participating restaurants and their delicious looking menus go to NHRestaurantWeek.com. 

Best Mexican Food in DC

I'm sure you've been wondering where you can find the Best Mexican in DC. I asked the writers of Capital Cooking to chime in as well. If we missed your favorite, please comment below. Also, you can check out more of our "Best Of" Lists Here. 

Opening: G is Coming to Nationals Park!

Mike Isabella is opening a G location at Nationals Park. This second edition of Isabella's Italian-style sandwich shop will feature four of G's top-selling items, including the Chicken Parm, as well as a rotating special, ‘Sandwich of the Homestand.’ G will be located on the Main Concourse in right field near the First Base Gate, behind Section 136.

Recipe: Antipasto Platter

Looking for a simple Italian appetizer that everyone enjoys?  Try this Fabulous Antipasto Platter.

Recipe: Mint Cake

 

At our 3rd Lamb Supper Club, the talented Apollina Spoto made this amazing Mint Cake for the party.   Apollina was nice enough to share the recipe with us.  Enjoy!

Recipe: Guinness Braised Beef Short Ribs

Happy (early) St. Patrick's Day!  Check out my friend Barry's Guinness Braised Beef Short Ribs recipe.

Recipe: Potage Cultivateur

Cultivateur is the French term for farmer. The key to this soup is to sweat the vegetables to extract the flavor. This soup is perfect for this time of year because it is light and refreshing but still makes you feel warm inside. Feel free to use whatever vegetables that you have in your refrigerator and mix and match.

Rolling Stones: Bowling, Bocce and Bistro Cuisine at Pinstripes

Matthew Ross

Special Contributor

(photo courtesy of Pinstripes)

It is safe to say there is no other venue like Pinstripes in all of DC.  34,000 square feet of prime real estate in the southwest corner of the former Shops at Georgetown Park space.  The entrance is unobtrusive on Wisconsin Avenue just north of the C and O Canal, but once you step inside, a fun and impressive experience awaits.  14 bowling lanes, 6 bocce courts, a huge open kitchen serving very well done American bistro cuisine with an Italian accent, and beautiful outdoor seating along the canal.

Upcoming Events

Poste Modern Brasserie hosts Virginia’s Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company for a special beer dinner Thursday, March 6th with head brewer April Anderson. Chef Dennis Marron has crafted a six course tasting menu which includes: Rabbit and Foie Gras Terrine en croute, leek gelee, sweet apple syrup paired with Devil’s Backbone’s Berliner Metro Weiss- Berliner Weissbier; 5 Spice Dusted Pork Tenderloin with a plum sauce paired with the brewery’s Dark Abbey and a Cinnamon Crème Caramel, canales, smoked vanilla marshmallow paired with Cask Conditioned Vienna Lager brewed with vanilla, cinnamon and wood chips. The evening will begin with a reception at 6:30pm followed by dinner at 7:30pm. Tickets are $75 (all inclusive) for reservations call 202.783.6060. Poste Moderne Brasserie is located at 555 8th Street, NW Washington, DC.

First Taste: Doi Moi

The Bottom Line:  I was so excited to try Doi Moi, but I left feeling underwhelmed.

Uncorked: The 15th Annual DC International Food & Wine Festival

By: Laurie Wallin

Capital Cooking Contributor

Named by BizBash as one of “Washington’s Top 100 Events,” the 15^th annual DC International Food and Wine Festival kicked off on Friday, February 14. The event featured three areas which included Food, Wine, Cocktails, Beer, and Entertainment.  More than 120 wines were showcased in the Wine Tasting Room and over 20 Spirits and Beer in the Movers, Shakers, and Beermakers Hall; the annual festival featured something for wine, beer, and spirits lovers alike.

At the Tap: Presidents' Day Beer Fest

By: Jennifer Duff
Capital Cooking Contributor

After two days of snow and one sappy holiday (Valentine's Day), it was clear that the natives were restless... and Drink the District's Presidents Day Beer Fest couldn't have come at a better time.  The two day beer tasting event with 4 three hour tasting sessions featured over 50 beers on tap, live music and food trucks.