PAUL Brings France to DC

By: Laurie Wallin

Capital Cooking Contributor

On September 15, PAUL opened the doors at its newest location, in the Columbia Square building near Metro Center located at 555 13^th Street NW. This is PAUL’s sixth location in the DC area and with its freshly baked bread, delicious pastries, and welcoming atmosphere, it will surely be a hit.

Out to Brunch: Ulah Bistro

Add some jazz to that brunch!  

Oktoberfest at Roofer's Union

Hofbrau Oktoberfestbier

By Claire Goldman

Tis the season for strapping on your lederhosen, clanking liter mugs and gobbling up schnitzel and brats!  Oktoberfest starts on September 20th and Roofers Union is bringing the tastes of Deutschland to DC.

Upcoming Events

Thursday, Sept 25: Fall Harvest Dinner with Chef Grace Lichaa -Join “Chop’t” Chef Grace Lichaa for a night of farm to table food for a great cause on Thursday, September 25. She’ll prepare a savory, four course menu made with seasonal ingredients to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank. The dinner will feature two starters and vegetarian-friendly and gluten-free friendly options. Attendees will feast family-style in a unique setting – the training kitchen at the Capital Area Food Bank. For more information visit http://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/fall-harvest-dinner.

Wat Tri mit wit Thayaram Temple in Bangkok, Thailand

Menu ReVamp: Satellite Room

The Satellite Room has a new menu with new burgers, tots and boozy shakes.  

Dining Out: Fat Pete's Barbecue

By Claire Goldman

Fat Pete's Barbecue opened in Cleveland Park in July.  Fat Pete's, a sister restaurant of Cleveland Park Bar and Grill, celebrates the BBQ flavors and recipes from across the country.

RE-Opening: Urbana

By Claire Goldman

Urbana in the Palomar Hotel is back in business after a brief hiatus from the scene.  The Dupont bar/restaurant has undergone a face lift in order to open up the space.  With emphasis on the bar, which now open and accessible from both sides, Urbana has also introduced new cocktails.

Don't Miss F*ck Forks!

Me and Dimitri Moshovitis filming Capital Cooking's Greek Feast.

industree’s (www.DCindustree.com, @dcindustree) 2nd annual F*ck Forks returns Thursday, October 2nd, 2014 from 6-10PM hosted at DC’s newest culinary incubator, Mess Hall (www.MessHallDC.com, @MessHallDC), located at 703 Edgewood St, NE, Washington, DC, 20002.

Upcoming Events

9/18: Equinox’s ‘Grand Harvest & the Coast Line’ dinner is priced at $45 per person (plus tax and gratuity.) Space is limited and reservations are required. Secure your spot today by calling (202) 331-8118

Toro Toro Launches On the Run Exec Express Lunch

Toro Toro, located at 1300 I Street, NW, 20005, recently debuted their On the Run Exec Express Lunch Buffet available Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m for $28.  Toro Toro always offers a solid lunch option with excellent salads and tender meat.  The best part is that they can get you in and out quickly if you need to get back to work.  

A la Lucia Showcases Homemade Italian Dishes

By: Laurie Wallin

Capital Cooking Contributor

Located off the beaten path in Old Town, I’d never dined at a la Lucia, but a friend recently did for the first time during Restaurant Week and really enjoyed it. When I had the opportunity to visit the restaurant and check out their offerings – as well as their private dining area – I jumped at the chance. I’m always looking for good Italian food and a la Lucia did not disappoint.

Thinking of Drinking: Rye Bar Concerto

Celebrate the weekend with this Rye Bar Concerto. 

Upcoming Events

September 11 - Heaven Hill Distillers Inc.: With more than 1,800 whiskeys on the wall, Jack Rose encourages whiskey exploration, always leading guests through varieties of whisk(e)y, scotch, and this month's featured spirit, bourbon. Every Thursday throughout September, beginning September 4, Jack Rose will showcase a different distillery, ranging from the makers of cult-favorite Willett, to Frankfort, KY's Buffalo Trace Distillery, makers of the uber-rare and in-demand Pappy Van Winkle. Guests can enjoy special pricing on several labels from each distillery, distillery-themed flights, and a special bourbon-centric menu of bites and sweets from Executive Chef Russell Jones.

Adams Morgan Day Festival September 14th

By Claire Goldman

One of the many delights of DC, is the opportunity to change your scenery with just the journey of a few blocks.  The personalities of DC's neighborhoods are what make this city one of the best in the world.  So why not celebrate one of the best 'hoods' with food, fashion and live music?!  For the 36th year -  The Adams Morgan Day Festival invites you to their kind of party! 

Eat With Your Eyes: Octopus Carpaccio

Executive Chef Orlando Amaro rolled out a new menu at Station 4 that is beautiful and delicious.  This delicate dish of Octopus Carpaccio is topped with passion fruit-sambal gastrique and daikon sprouts.  Chef Amaro's dish is playful and creative and pairs lovely with the NV, Poema, Cava Brut from Spain.

Eggplant

Eggplant is in season!  Take advantage of it and get some beauties at your local farmers market.  I love going to the DC farmers market on 14th and U.  Slice it up and drizzle some olive oil, salt and pepper and roast it in the oven. Carmine's DC offers some great Eggplant Parmesan too!

Cooking 101: Potato Gratin

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During the my time  at L'Academie de Cuisine, I've learned to cook without recipes by learning French techniques. One major technique is to use lots of heavy cream, butter and garlic. This is sure to make your dish fantastic!

Recipe: Baked Chicken Nuggets

This is sure to be a kid favorite, but adults will enjoy too.

Perfect Pair: Toast Skagen

Tuesdays are all about pairing food and wine. Here's some summer suggestions to get you going. Summer is coming to a close, but the weather is still hot.  This recipe is from one of my filming trips to Sweden.  You can find this dish on many restaurant menus around the country.  Check out my recommendations below.

Menu Revamp: Slate

Slate Wine Bar in Glover Park recently got a new chef and new menu.  We stopped into check it out and were pleasantly satisfied by this neighborhood restaurant.

Opening: District Doughnut

District Doughnut announced today the official opening of their first storefront location on Barracks Row, scheduled for Friday, September 12. Yay!  The specialty doughnut shop is located at 749 8th St SE, across the street from the iconic Marine Barracks of Washington.  I just love their doughnuts!

Diner en Blanc DC

By Claire Goldman

Having been dubbed "DC's new Labor Day", District residents clad completely in white trekked down to Yards Park for and evening under the stars with 1,500 of their nearest and neighbors.  The foodie version of a flash mob, Diner en Blanc, came to DC for the first time this September.  The all white al fresco affair has become an international sensation from Paris to Sydney and select major cities in between.  

Thinking of Drinking: Bourbon Sour

By:  Mark Silva

Celebrate National Bourbon Heritage Month with Joe Ambrose's cocktail from POV.

Thinking of Drinking: Raspberry Mojito

With weather like this, I like refreshing drinks.  This raspberry mojito does the trick.  Enjoy your weekend!

Uncorked: Smith and Wollensky

“Catch an Early Flight” at Smith and Wollensky now. It’s a great flight of three interesting wine selections for just $20, available at Dinner, Lunch and at the Bar. Wine Flight featured selections include Chalk Hill Chardonnay, La Crema Pinot Noir and La Columbaia Amarone Della Valpolicella. All of the wines are nice on their own, but also pair well with the appetizers and steak. 

Upcoming Events

Dîner en Blanc will take over Washington’s public space for the first time this summer on Thursday, September 4, 2014. This très chic picnic, imported from Paris, is equal parts mystery tour, pop-up feast and je ne sais quoi. Over the course of the evening, the diners enhance the function and value of their city’s public space by participating in the unexpected. Hope to see you there!

Celebrate the Flavors of Summer at Blue Duck Tavern

As September begins, Blue Duck Tavern is paying tribute to the simple, fresh flavors of summer with new menu items like panzanella salad, Carolina gold rice risotto, and peaches and cream.

Happy 8th Anniversary to My Love!

America Eats Tavern Showcases VA Wines

By: Laurie Wallin

Capital Cooking Contributor

I remember eating at (the first) America Eats Tavern – Jose Andres’ pop-up restaurant that was created to accompany the “What’s Cooking, Uncle Sam?” exhibit at the National Archives several years ago. Like many others, I loved learning about the history of many of our dishes and truly appreciated the thought and effort that went into the restaurant (not to mention the delicious food). The restaurant has been reborn, opened earlier this summer, and I was thrilled to visit its new location in the Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner for a Virginia wine tasting on Wednesday, August 20.