Passport DC 2014

By: Laurie Wallin

Capital Cooking Contributor

Proclaimed the “Month of International Cultural Awareness in Washington, DC” Passport DC May 2014 kicked off on Thursday, April 23 with a cocktail reception held at the Melrose Hotel in Georgetown. Presented by Cultural Tourism DC, the month-long celebration (May 1- 31, 2014) will feature international programs and events around the city, featuring the opportunity to experience international culture with tours of more than 70 embassies and hundreds of events and programs including street festivals, performances, and exhibitions.

Best Sushi in DC

I'm sure you've been wondering where you can find the Best Sushi 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. 

On the Road Again: Middleburg

With the weather getting nicer, it is time to hit the road to Virginia!

Book Review - Capital Beer

By Tom Natan, Capital Cooking Contributor

Beer is a very old beverage.  It was brewed in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, and some of the earliest writings in existence refer to it.  Today, beer has found new life with craft brewers making what they like -- and forcing the big national breweries to go beyond the lowest common denominator of the light lagers that took over the U.S. in the mid-20th century.

Dosas for Dummies

By: Laurie Wallin

Capital Cooking Contributor

Ever heard of a dosa? I hadn’t either, until I attended Dosas for Dummies, hosted by Bombay, India native Priya Ammu, Chef and owner of dc dosa. Dosas are rice- and lentil-based crepes stuffed with a variety of fillings. They are a popular food staple in Southern India and Ammu’s goal is to make them mainstream here and a regular part of a healthy diet. All of her recipes are home-based – from her Mother-In-Law – and even better, Ammu’s dosas are vegan and gluten-free. Even the varieties made with more substantial fillings clock in at around 400 calories, perfect for a satisfying meal.

Re-Cap: Taste of the Nation

Taste of the Nation DC recently hit the Building Museum and raised over $181,000 for No Kid Hungry!

Upcoming Events

Photo by Emily Clack

Thursday, April 24 - Dine Out for Life:  On Thursday, April 24th, more than 100 restaurants throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area will donate 25%-110% of their proceeds to Food & Friends. Simply by dining out, you'll ensure that thousands of children and adults facing HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses, receive the daily, nutritious meals so vital to their care. If you are interested in doing more, you can sign up as a Restaurant Host and invite friends and colleagues to dine out at your assigned restaurant. With over 40 participating restaurants including 1905, BlackSalt, Georgia Brown's, Le Diplomate and Posto to name a few, there are so many options to help out a wonderful cause. For more information visit www.foodandfriends.org/dol. Reservations can be made on OpenTable.com or through the restaurants directly. So, grab your friends and family and dine out for lunch and dinner on Thursday, April 24th!

Cruising Around DC

We recently checked out Odyssey Cruises Cherry Blossom ride.  We enjoyed beautiful weather, great views, live music and unlimited food.  Check out one of their Mother's Day offerings.  

On the Road Again: Washington, VA

By: Laurie Wallin

Capital Cooking Contributor

There are so many restaurants opening every day in the DC area, it’s hard to keep track, let alone try each one! However, as much as I love spending time eating my way through the city, I also enjoy visiting the Virginia countryside. There’s just something about getting away from the daily hustle and bustle and truly immersing yourself in the tranquil ambiance. One of those places is the rural town of Washington, VA; barely an hour from DC, Washington, VA is a town most renowned for its exceptional culinary experience - The Inn At Little Washington. My husband and I recently dined at The Inn for my birthday and made a weekend out of exploring this quaint town along with the VA countryside.

First Taste: The Carolina Kitchen

Loosen your belts and head into The Carolina Kitchen for some soul food.  Sick of small plates?  This is your spot.  Chef/Owner Lance London recently opened his first DC restaurant serving authentic Southern fare in Rhode Island Row.  

Best Benedict in DC

Boqueria's Huevos Benedictinos:  It is basically a Spanish spin on Eggs Benedict with Serrano ham, and it is so freaking good!!

Happy National Eggs Benedict Day!  I've been exploring DC's brunch scene and I'm always a fan of Eggs Benedict.  The story goes that in the 1860s, a regular patron of Delmonico's Restaurant in New York, Mrs. LeGrand Benedict, wanted something new to eat.  They served her muffin halves with cooked ham, poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce.  Any restaurant can make a Benedict, but few can make it outstanding.  Here are my top 2 favorite places to order Eggs Benedict in DC.

Easter Round-up

If you're not in the mood to cook on Easter Sunday, hop on over to the many Washington area restaurants as many are offering fabulous holiday brunches and dinners on Sunday, April 20th.

Just Lunch: The Park at Fourteenth

Lauren DeSantis and Matthew Ross

A couple of weeks ago, The Park at Fourteenth, already well known as a bar, lounge and night club, opened its doors to diners for lunch.  We decided to be intrepid and brave the tentative spring weather and try the lunch menu out in its first week.  The Park is a 14,000 square foot sprawling venue on 14^th Street, NW between I and K Streets on the West side of the park McPherson Square. 

10th Annual Of Wine and Words

The Reading Connection recently celebrated it's 25th anniversary with the 10th Annual Of Wine & Words Fundraiser a the Jones Day rooftop in DC.  

Thinking of Drinking: Cherry Blossom

Photo by Emily Clack

It is Cherry Blossom season in DC.  The trees are looking pretty.  Enjoy a Cherry Blossom Cocktail from our Cocktail Party episode of Capital Cooking. 

Love the New Nespresso VertuoLine

The new Nespresso VertuoLineTM revolutionizes the way that coffee is brewed.  It is awesome!

Upcoming Events

4/10: The NoMa Business Improvement District and Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington have teamed up to showcase the area’s rising culinary stars and top pastry chefs in the rapidly growing NoMa neighborhood. The event is free and open to the public, but guests must pre-register by April 3 at www.nomabid.org/annualmeeting. Visit www.nomabid.org for more about the NoMa BID and www.therammys.orgfor more information on the 32nd Annual RAMMY Awards Gala.

Cherry Blossoms

Photo by Lauren DeSantis

The cherry blossoms are finally blooming.  Take a look before they're gone.  Also, enjoy some of the specials around town.

The Perfect Pair: Honig Wines at J&G Steakhouse

Many restaurants offer loyalty programs to reward their frequent customers. Multiple loyalty apps from fast casual restaurants offer $5 after you spend X amount of dollars, but there is one restaurant that offers much larger perks than a $5 discount to their most loyal customers. J & G Steakhouse's 515 Society  offers members a complimentary J&G breakfast buffet upon sign-up, complimentary valet at lunch, 20% off organized events, (including wine dinners, mixology classes, etc), half off bottled wines. half off the bites menu from 3:00-7:00, and more. There is no fee to join, and no minimum spend to remain a member of this exclusive club. How do you get involved in this club? Visit their website to learn more. 

Zaytinya's Greek Easter Festival

By: Laurie Wallin

Capital Cooking Contributor

Zaytinya’s Sixth Annual Greek Easter Festival begins on April 20 and lasts through May 3. Zaytinya honors Greek Easter, one of the most important holidays on the Greek calendar, with its two-week festival that will feature specialty food, cocktails, music, and special events. Capital Cooking was invited to a preview of the specialty dishes and drinks that were created in honor of the festival. The event began with fresh house-made lavash chips accompanied by Zaytinya’s famous hommus, labneh, and tzatziki.

Capella DC’s One-Year Anniversary Rye-Ception

By: Laurie Wallin 

Capital Cooking Contributor

The Capella hotel, located in DC’s Georgetown neighborhood, opened one year ago, and on Wednesday, March 26, the hotel celebrated its one-year anniversary with a Rye-Ception hosted at the hotel’s swanky Rye Bar. An intimate event, the Capella treated reception guests with a complimentary Signature Rye Bar Spring Cocktail and several delicious passed hors d’oeuvres.