Perfect Pair: Potato Gratin

September is National Potato Month.  Celebrate with this Potato Gratin paired with some lovely Virginia wines. 

On The Road Again: Cantinetta Luca

After a fabulous visit to Napa/Sonoma, we hit the road to Carmel, CA.  

Best Nearby Wineries

Fall is my favorite time of year to hit the road out to the wineries.  Within about 45 minutes you can escape the city life and sip grape juice on a scenic vineyard.  I asked the writers of Capital Cooking for the Best Nearby Winery.  Here's our favs:

Turning 3(?)

I used to look forward to my birthday every year, but after 30, it is quite less exciting.  This little nugget is the best gift of all.  

Thinking of Drinking: Heated Affair

Warm up with one of these.

Recipe: Cinnamon Apples and Ice Cream

Enjoy the fall flavors with Wendy Thompson's recipe for Cinnamon Apples and Ice Cream.  

Recipe: Mixed Greens with Cranberries, Apples, Caramelized Walnuts and Fig Balsamic Vinaigrette

Photo by Bryn Wallace

This salad is perfect for the fall.  All of the best ingredients including cranberries, apples, and fig.  You can also find this recipe and more in the Capital Cooking Cookbook.

Just Lunch: Del Frisco's Grille

By: Laurie Wallin

Capital Cooking Contributor

For many Washingtonians, lunch is a treat. During a time where many of us eat on the fly, hunched over our desks, or during a meeting – a chance to get out of the office for lunch is a welcome respite. Del Frisco’s Grille wants to be your ‘go-to’ place for lunch and has recently re-vamped their lunch menu, taking into account guests’ feedback and significantly expanding the menu. The menu is specifically designed to cater to either business or casual lunches, so if you feel like expanding your lunch hour, there’s something for everyone.

Thinking of Drinking: Earl's Kitchen + Bar

By Claire Goldman

Earls Kitchen + Bar is coming to Tysons Corner in October '15.  If you frequent our neighbor to the north, you may have visited one of the 58 Earls locations in Canada or possibly one of the four U.S. locations in Denver, Miami, Boston and Bellevue, Washington.  To preview their delicious Canadian invasion of the DC area, the restaurant chain sent Beverage Director Cameron Bogue to the Mandarin Oriental to show us a few of the craft cocktails we can expect this Fall.

The Park Hyatt Washington Hosts The Phillips Collection

Woman with Painting in Shopping Cart By Bruce Davidson

By:  Claire Goldman

See two Washington institutions at once.  The Park Hyatt, the original location of the hotel chain and DC standard of luxury, is hosting rotating works on lend from The Phillips Collection.  The featured American Moments Collection works include photographs from mostly mid-century American artists are displayed in the Mezzanine of the hotel.

Menu Planning: Baby Birthday Bash

Previously, our fall pairing dinner was an adult-only feast turned drunk fest that lasted late into the evening. (With 10-12 guests) This year's fall feast was a little different than the past.  This year we celebrated the first birthday of #babycapcook with 35 adults and 10 baby friends. 

Happy Birthday #babycapcook!

 I've had the best year of my life with this little girl.  She's changed my world.

Thinking of Drinking: Basil-Apple Fizz

Thirsty?

Ta Prohm at Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Happy Birthday Chad!

Thinking of Drinking: Apple Cider Bellini

It is that time of year... stock up on your apples and shake up some cocktails. 

Capital Cooking on Let's Talk Live with Labor Day BBQ Ideas

Labor Day is the symbolic end of summer. I went on Let's Talk Live to show you how to host a BBQ in DC.

Upcoming Events

City Tap House, the craft-beer focused restaurant located at 901 9th Street, NW, 20001, is inviting guests to experience the best selection of European beers without leaving the nation’s capital with their new European Vacation Series.  Each month, from August through October, City Tap House will host an event showcasing the beers from a different region of Europe.  Craft beer aficionados will not want to miss “Mussels and Waffles and Beer, Oh My!” on Thursday, September 3, as well as “City Tap Haus” from Thursday, October 1 to Sunday, October 4.  All events are free to enter, and open to the public.  For more information about these events please visit: http://www.citytaphousedc.com. 

Wine Wednesday: Vendetta

Have you tried Francis Ford Coppola's Vendetta?  I love the packaging!  The winery is excellent at marketing and making wine fun.

Happy 9th Anniversary!

9 years ago today, I married my best friend.  Now we have a beautiful daughter and I couldn't be happier.  Thank you for 9 amazing years!!

Opening: Arepa Zone

This Thursday, Union Market’s 2015 Launch Pad competition winner, Arepa Zone, gave a preview of their tasty new menu! Their business is located right inside Union Market and opened on August 29th, 2015.

Recipe: Creamy Mushroom Ragout on Puff Pastry with Sautéed Spinach

September is National Mushroom Month!  I learned this recipe from my training at L'Academie de Cuisine. You can also find this recipe and more in the Capital Cooking Cookbook.