Win a Mother’s Day Brunch Reservation at a 2016 RAMMYS Finalist Restaurant

Today through Wednesday, May 4, any guest can enter to win a Mother’s Day brunch reservation at the participating RAMMYS Everyday Casual Brunch or Upscale Casual Brunch finalist restaurant of their choosing. There will be one winner per participating restaurant selected at random by RAMW. Once contacted by RAMW, the winners will choose on a first come, first served basis the restaurant for which they would like a reservation on Sunday, May 8.

Tiki Time!

I loved the Coco Face with Hamilton Demerara Rum, Ancho Reyes, Almond-Coco Cream, Cinnamon-Chili Honey Syrup and Pineapple.

Jack Rose Dining Saloon ready for the warm weather with new spring cocktails and Tiki Thursdays. 

Cinco de Mayo Recipe: Beef Con Queso Dip

Cinco de Mayo getting close.  Get your recipes ready for a party.  Everybody loves dunking chips into queso sauce.

Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar Kicks Off Its 2016 Crawfish Boil Season

Photo by Lauren DeSantis

It’s baaaack: Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar’s ever-popular, annually sold-out Crawfish Boils begin their 6th season in the nation’s capital. Crawfish are flown up fresh from Louisiana (NEVER FROZEN) the morning of each boil and every event is paired with a different microbrewery.

Don't Miss This Springtime Beer Tasting Event!

Spring out of winter with Capitol City Brewing Co. and many other regional breweries as they tap new springtime brews in Shirlington village! I went in the fall and it was a total blast.  On Saturday, April 30 at The Village at Shirlington, Capitol City Brewing Company will host its third annual Spring Beer Festival. The springtime beer-tasting event will include a line-up of 35 regional breweries. This year’s participating craft brewers include: This year’s participating local breweries include: Capitol City Brewing Company, DC Brau, Pleasure House Brewing, Starr Hill, Flying Dog, Adroit Theory, Hellbender, Fair Winds, Bold Rock, Caboose and Union.

Recipe: Chicken Salad Sandwich Ring

It is picnic season. The Cherry Blossoms have bloomed and the Spring weather is here. Take advantage of it and go to the Mall for a picnic or find your favorite park. This chicken salad sandwich ring is perfect to take along. Make sure to do it on a day when there are no April showers. I also love to make this sandwich ring to take out to the Virginia wineries.

Rosé for Mother's Day

Looking for the best gift to share with Mom on her special day?  I love this wine.

Recipe: Baked Citrus Les Freres

Celebrate spring with this Baked Les Freres.  This is my favorite cheese!

News: Capella is now Rosewood Washington, DC

Bye-Bye Capella!  Rosewood Hotels & Resorts® has been appointed by CTF Georgetown Hotel LLC., new owners of Capella Washington, D.C., to take over the management of the prestigious Georgetown hotel. Effective April 21, 2016 the hotel, formerly owned by Castleton Hotel Partners I, LLC., has been renamed and is now known as Rosewood Washington, D.C. Rosewood and Capella Hotels are working closely together to ensure a smooth transition for guests, associates and partners. 

Tuscan Wine Tasting Dinner at Nonna’s Kitchen

U Street’s most exclusive Italian dining destination, Nonna’s Kitchen, is partnering with Giacomo Satta, the son of world-class vigneron Michele Satta, to bring the treasures of Tuscan wine country to DC.

Congrats to Jonah Kim!

Chef Jonah Kim of Yona was crowned the Prince of Porc at Cochon 555 this past Sunday, April 17 at the Loews Madison Hotel.

Recipe: Guacamole for Cinco de Mayo

Photo by Ashley Mosley

It is almost time for Cinco de Mayo, so get ready by making some guacamole like we did on our Mexican Fiesta Episode.  This recipe is also featured in the Capital Cooking Cookbook.

Special Dinner Invite

Special Dinner Invite - Friday Night at The Source for a Chef’s Feast. On Friday, April 15th, joins us for an amazing late-night Cochon555 guest chef #ASIANSPEAKEASY charity dinner for Piggy Bank, a charity devoted to giving free heritage breed pigs to new farmers and culinary schools. Please come out and eat for a good cause and kickoff the Cochon555's weekend in style! ​Tickets to this all-star dinner are $125 per guest (includes beverage pairings, tax and gratuity).​ 

Book your experience now at http://cochon555.com/dinner-series/wdc-late-night-asian-2016/. 

Watch this video about the charity PIGGY BANK: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQZ7i6pUtyI

On Saturday, April 16, Chef Mike Isabella will host a Chef’s Course Dinner, a refined three-hour culinary experience featuring five chefs cooking a five-course meal paired with premium wines. The all-inclusive dinner begins with a reception of passed hors d’oeuvres from each chef alongside a special tasting of Martínez Lacuesta Vermouths. To learn more about Chef’s Course, Cochon555’s annual rewards program with over 100+ restaurants participating nationwide, or RSVP for the dinner, please visit www.cochon555.com/chefscourse.

On Sunday, April 17 at 5PM, North America’s most talked about culinary competition Cochon555 arrives with a one-of-a-kind stand-up tasting reception featuring five chefs cooking five heritage breed pigs in a friendly competition for a cause. This year’s competing chefs include Jonah Kim of Yona, Jennifer Carroll of Requin, Marjorie Meek-Bradley of Ripple, Anthony Lombardo of The Hamilton and Louis Goral of Rural Society.For an in-depth look at the Cochon555 movement, a series of stunning videos and tickets to these must-do culinary experiences, please visitwww.cochon555.com.

Derby Recipes: Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

Photo by Lauren DeSantis

Cucumber sandwiches are one of the classic tea sandwiches for Kentucky Derby parties. I first tasted these sandwiches long ago when my friends had tea parties for their birthdays when I was very young.  We learned how to sip tea and hold our pinkies up.  Tea sandwiches provide your guest something easier to manage when dressed in nice clothing.  You can try these sandwiches for a Derby party or even make them for Mother's day.

Recipe: Scallop Ceviche

Photo by Kristen Finn

This recipe is perfect for your summer and spring gatherings.  You can find the full recipe in the Capital Cooking Cookbook.

Recipe: Bison Strip Loin with Morel Mushrooms and White Asparagus

Now is the time to enjoy asparagus. A few years ago we filmed French Style Cuisine with Paul Stearman of Marcel's and he showed us how to make a delicious bison steak with white asparagus. 

Thinking of Drinking: Rosy Rickey

Thirsty?  Check out Masa 14’s Rosy Rickey ($12).