Around the Globe: Cancun with Kids

Crazy?!  Not us.  We love traveling and we're not willing to let kids get in the way.  Yes, the locations and activities change, but it is still so worth it.  We opted for an all-inclusive resort in Cancun, Mexico.

Opening: Bowlero

A new 40-lane black light bowling alley in College Park has opened up, with 5-lb. burgers, over-sized appetizers, and Pizza Cakes, old-school arcade games, music video walls, and a revamped bar that serves fishbowl cocktails by the fireplace. #BeBowled this weekend and celebrate making bowling cool again.

Perfect Pair: Baked Brie

Photo by Shauna Alexander

Everyone loves the melty goodness of my Baked Brie. Perfect for any party! I've been craving this for a while.

Things to do: Unique Valentine's Day Date at Comet Ping Pong

What did you do for Valentine's Day? How much money did you spend? How long did you have to wait around to get seated and served? Did you make those reservations weeks in advance? Was it worth the surged Uber rides? Did you have any fun? Instead of spending $200 in a crowded restaurant on Valentine's Day, I surprised my S.O. with pizza, beer, and a night of intense rounds of ping-pong, and I wouldn't have done anything differently. 

Happy Valentines Day! Get FREE stuff at Roti This Week!

Roti Modern Mediterranean is showing the love! Visit any Roti anytime from now until Thursday for some extra Valentines! Roti is giving away free meals, exclusive merchandise, $5 discounts, and more!! 

Perfect Pair: Shrimp and Fish Ceviche with Pixbae

Photo by Bryn Wallace

As a land bridge between two continents, Panama possesses an unusual variety of tropical fruits, vegetables and herbs that are used in native cooking.  This refreshing ceviche is a perfect way to start a meal.  

First Taste: Karma Modern Indian

Karma, a new spot in Chinatown, is showing off in D.C. with their non-traditional Indian flavors, beautiful open-kitchen atmosphere, and extremely detail-oriented presentations. 

Gifts for Valentine's Day

Want to wow your loved one this Valentine's Day without spending your entire paycheck? 

Uncorked: Fetzer Vineyards

This year, Fetzer Vineyards, the historic Mendocino County-based winery lauded for its beloved California wines and pioneering leadership in sustainability, is celebrating its 50^th anniversary.

Dining Out: BLT Prime By David Burke

By Claire Goldman

Carrara marble abound, BLT Prime by David Burke inside the Trump International Hotel in Washington, DC is an upscale steakhouse with fun touches that keep it from being just your average lobbyist locale.  The first word that comes to mind to describe the hotel in the former Old Post Office Pavilion... "huge".  The glass ceiling above massive structural buttresses opens up to the sky and brightly lit view of the tall clock tower that stands tall in the DC skyline.  No matter if your spirit animal is an elephant or a donkey, this lobby is impressive.

After being greeted by the warm hosts, we had a seat in the bar.  The gold backdrop is actually made of the original P.O. boxes saved during the building renovation.

The dining room, upstairs from the bar, has an atrium feel and overlooks the grandiose lobby from chandelier height.

Oyster amuse bouche with salmon roe, dill, lemon and sugar was briny and delicious.  

Popovers the size of your head, worthy of a gift tag.

The Botanist and the Sommelier - Hendricks gin, hibiscus syrup, lime juice and lavender bitters.

The house cocktail list has something for everyone, I just happen to be a sucker for hibiscus.  Other options include Manhattan Tea Party with Woodland Reserve bourbon, tea spiced vermouth and bitters.  Visit friendly and talented bartender, Matt downstairs for a pour and a laugh.

Salt Baked Oysters Rockefeller

"Clothesline" Candied Bacon

 From the appetizers, the Salt Baked Oysters Rockefeller are a must.  The chef's spin on this classic app includes spinach, gruyere, bacon and pernod and sits on a bed of egg white foam (which is aesthetically pleasing but not meant to be eaten as our waiter lightly warned). The "Clothesline" Candied Bacon is not only fun but so delicious.  It's juicy and with a little slice of pickle, it's a porky party in your mouth.

Kansas City Steak

Chilean Sea Bass with Mushrooms

Couch Potatoes

Crazy Corn

Now for the mains... The Kansas City prime cut is salt aged 45 days according to celebrity Chef David Burke's patented steak aging process.  The Chilean Sea Bass was perfectly cooked and so satisfying with roasted porcini mushrooms and truffle broth.  Executive Chef Shawn Matijevich shaved black truffles over ours tableside and it took the dish to a new level. For sides, the Couch Potato is a whole baked potato with rosemary topped with a fried onion ring and served with an aioli sauce.  The Crazy Corn is spicy and citrusy with poblano peppers, lime and cotija cheese.

Trump Sparkling Wine from Monticello, VA

David Burke's Cheesecake Lollipop Tree

Finish your meal with a tasty tree-t.  David Burke's Cheesecake Lollipop Tree is a fun dessert that easy to share and covers all the dessert flavors bases... even bubblegum (whipped cream on the side).  As you would expect, many varietals from the Trump Winery in Charlottesville, VA appear on the list.  Capital Cooking had the pleasure of a tour and taste, read more about that here.

If you're looking for a Valentine's Day dinner to remember, BLT Prime is offering an a la carte menu with entrees built for two including a Surf & Turf complete with chateaubriand, grilled lobster, love nest potatoes, bone marrow gratin and porcini mushroom demi glace.  For the sweetest course of their cupid celebration, share the tableside Raspberry and Chocolate Baked Alaska For Two with chambord syrup.  With rooms and suites right outside the restaurant doors, beat the cold with a Valentine Staycation. 

Lastly, I cannot say enough about the service.  Everyone was warm, accommodating and up for some fun.  We loved receiving a claim ticket for our leftovers waiting for us by our coats.

Whatever your political persuasion may be, BLT Prime by David Burke with Executive Chef Matijevich and the great service staff is sure to impress and delight. 

For reservations, menus and more go to BLTRestaurants.com/blt-prime/.

BLT Prime by David Burke 

located in Trump International Hotel

1100 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.

Washington, D.C.

Uncorked: Romantic Wines

Chateau de Saint-Amour

Taste this selection of romantic wines to help bring out everyone’s inner cupid!

Uncorked: The Walking Dead Wines

I must admit that I'm a fan of the show, so when I got the opportunity to try these wines, I was pretty excited.

Thinking of Drinking: Buy A Lady A Drink

Recently, the Belgian Ambassador Dirk Wouters invited guests into his residence on Foxhall Road to celebrate Stella Artois' Buy a Lady A Drink campaign. The event was hosted by Water.org and Capital Eagle Distributing.

Thinking of Drinking: Segura Viudas

Raise a glass of Segura Viudas Cava, the delicious Spanish sparkling wine, during the month of love! 

First Taste: Sam '76

Source: Sam Adams website

By: Ian McGinnity

I recently returned from a year living in Russia, where the craft beer scene has exploded. Every town from Moscow to Smolensk, from Kazan to Irkutsk is dotted with bustling watering holes stocked with draught craft beer brewed in and sourced from the former Soviet Union. While this is a titillating development for Russians (and those of us popping in and out occasionally), the retail beer scene lags far behind. Humble corner bodegas and lavish high-end grocery stores alike tend to sell the same humdrum selection of light lagers and dark ales, with the occasional German pilsner thrown in for good measure. If you're looking for variety there, well, then, bad luck, chum.