12 Cocktails of Christmas: 4 Calling Birds

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me... 4 Calling Birds

12 Cocktails of Christmas: 3 French Hens

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

12 Cocktails of Christmas: 2 Turtle Doves

On the Second Day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

The 12 Cocktails of Christmas: A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Photo by Kristen Finn

Merry Christmas!  Find this and more in the Capital Cooking Cookbook.  On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Let's Feed America Together!

Food has always been huge part of my life. I can’t imagine a world where I couldn’t access it everyday—but that’s the reality of nearly 1 in 8 people (which is seriously significant, guys).

Order "The Evolved Eater: A Quest to Eat Better, Live Better, and Change the World.”

Need a perfect Foodie stocking stuffer? Order “The Evolved Eater: A Quest to Eat Better, Live Better, and Change the World.”

Our Most Popular Recipes of 2018

Sopa Levanta Muerto

This year, our readers loved comforting recipes.  Enjoy some of these if you haven't already.  

Happy Birthday Jolene Mead!

Cheers to you!  Happy Birthday!!

The BEST 7 Holiday Cocktails That You Haven't Made Yet

Peppermint Pattie

These cocktails will make your holiday party a smash.

Hidden Beer Hall in Georgetown is Now Open!

24 tap lines, 4,200 square feet of event space, floral wallpaper, unique murals by graffiti artists, garage-door style openings, and German street-eats make for the perfect new modern brew hall in Georgetown.

Gregory's Coffee is Open!

Gregory's 4th location in D.C. is opennnn! I absolutely love this coffee shop. I was first introduced to the innovative spot in NYC and immediately became a #GRegular. 

Holiday Recipe: Mini Spanakopita Cups

It is that time of year.  Do you have plans for a holiday party?  What Micky Eats' "Mini Spanakopita Cups" recipe is a great appetizer for the holidays. Try them out !

Thinking of Drinking: Christmas Cocktails for Sinners and Saints

Who still needs a great stocking stuffer for the saint or sinner in the family? Holiday drink recipes, beer, wine, and cider recommendations, and witty instructions on how to honor the saints are all included in these fun cocktail books! This is the perfect gift to celebrate the holiday season.

Fabulous Wines for the Holidays

The holiday season is here and you need wine.  Whether it is pairing your feast or a great wine to bring to a holiday bash, we've got you covered.  Dashing through the snow, sipping red, white and Rosé, to the parties we'll go, laughing all the way!

2018 Holiday Gift Guide

This article is not geared towards kids, but I just thought this was cute.  :)

The holidays are right around the corner so it is time to start thinking about finding the perfect gifts for the ones you love. I'll continue adding more products as I review them. If you'd like your product considered, please email me at capitalcooking@gmail.com. Happy Holidays!

Out to Brunch: Bottomless Brunch at Toro Toro

The Pan-Latin Downtown restaurant and lounge by Chef Richard Sandoval has transformed their brunch menu! Tapas-style authentic Mexican breakfast dishes and never-ending cocktails… who could ask for more at 11am? 

The Watergate Hotel Hosts DC Holiday Market

DC Holiday Market at The Watergate Hotel
Preview by Claire Garrison

Fa-la-la-la-la-feeling like time to shop for perfect gifts is almost up.  The Watergate Hotel hears your fears and this year they are hosting a collection of unique and upscale vendors for an indoor DC Holiday Market.  This weekend only (November 30 - December 1) shop the pop ups in the warmth of the luxury hotel. 

Thinking of Drinking: Smoked Cider

Add some smokiness to your fall/winter with a Smoked Cider recipe from Masa 14.

On the Road Again: Indian Rocks Beach, Florida

We spent Thanksgiving at the beach in sunny Florida.

Holiday Recipe: Peppermint Bark

Photo by Emily Clack

The holidays are getting close.  Instead of bringing a bottle of wine to the next party, try making a home-made treat that everyone will enjoy.

Miracle on Seventh Street Pop-Up Bar is Back!

The most festive bar in D.C. is open and ready to spread some holiday cheer.

Dining Out: Plant-Based Israeli Eatery Now Offers Traditional Israeli-Style Falafels!

Hope your bellies are still satisfied from Thanksgiving!  

The Israeli street food-inspired eatery, Shouk, is now serving falafels! Shouk is the Hebrew word for market, referring to the open-air fresh markets common in Israel and the Middle East. The D.C. chain, which is located in Mt Vernon Triangle (655 K Street NW) and Union Market (395 Morse Street NE), is certified kosher and the menu is completely plant-based. 

What do I do with all of this left-over turkey?

Make some Turkey Potpie.  That extra turkey is "money in the bank."  Don't just reheat and repeat.  

A Thanksgiving Menu for a Small Crowd with Wine Pairings

One year my family was set to come to town, but couldn't at the last minute.  We didn't want to make a whole turkey for the two of us (at the time), but we wanted the Thanksgiving flavors.  I came up with this menu so we could get a little taste of turkey and all the yummy sides.  Enjoy!

Get Ready for Thanksgiving with these Fall Cocktails!

You know I'm a sucker for a fabulous fall cocktail.  Here's some of our Capital Cooking favorites:

10 Cranberry Recipes You Didn't Know You'll Love

Since fall is here, you might be looking for the perfect recipe to add cranberries to your meal. Tired of the canned cranberry sauce? Try my Cranberry Salad, Cranberry Apple Sauce, Cranberry Margarita or my Cran-Apple Cobbler Cocktail!

10 of the BEST Fall Recipes You Haven't Made

Fall is here!  Celebrate the season with some my favorite fall recipes.

Happy #DCCocktailWeek!

Where should you go to celebrate?

Thinking of Drinking: Spiked Fig Apple Cider

This is great for Thanksgiving or any fall party.  At a Lamb and Fig dinner, I made this Spiked Cider with figs and Diep 9 to go with our meal.  Special thank you to the California Fig Association for contributing the delicious fruit.  

Dining Out: Jardenea’s Fall Dinner

I was really looking for a hidden gem to indulge in some fall classics. Jardenea’s, tucked away inside of the Foggy Bottom boutique hotel Melrose Georgetown, was just the perfect place.

Top 5 Fall Soups

It is that time of year... soup time!  Are you craving soup?  I am!  Check out these recipes below to celebrate the season.  

Cheese Stolen with Bosio Tropical Passion Fruit Moscato

Photo from Lana's Cooking

I love a good bubbly to pair with brunch.  Forget the mimosas and try this Tropical Passion Fruit Moscato.

Thinking of Drinking: Negroni

You might find Italians drinking a Negroni or two after work and before dinner.  The Italians love a classic apertif to stimulate the appetite.  Saluti!

Free Event: Register for the 5th Annual Chile Chef Challenge!

Next Week! The Ambassador of Chile, Alfonso Silva Navarro, Foods from Chile & RAMW are putting on the 5th Annual Chile Chef Challenge! Food & Cocktail Battle. On Monday, November 5, 2018, from 6-9PM at the National Restaurant Association Headquarters DC Chefs and Mixologists will battle it out – and you get to decide what restaurants are your fave!

Happy Halloween from My Little Goblins!

Happy Halloween!  Both of these costumes are Plan B.  E asked to be Anna for Halloween so I got her a costume and got F a reindeer. 

Dining Out: Hank’s Oyster Bar for Lunch!

Who can resist stopping by Hank’s Oyster Bar for a quick lunch? They have four different locations – Dupont Circle, Capitol Hill, Old Town, and the Wharf. I recently visited the Dupont Circle neighborhood location and loved how they created their new specials and seasonal dishes!

Recipe: Vegan Butternut Squash Risotto

I love butternut squash this time of year.  One of my good friends came to visit from Arizona and she eats vegan.  I wanted to find a dish that would work with her diet and came up with this recipe.  If you're not vegan and want to amp it up, add some cream and Parmesan cheese at the end.  Happy Fall, Y'all!

Event: Get Tickets to the Annual Beer History Event at the National Museum of American History!

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The Smithsonian Food History Weekend is back and has so many awesome events to check out – including “Last Call,” a Saturday night of beer history. Join us on the first Saturday of November at the National Museum of American History and use our code to get $5 off your ticket! 

#BuenProvechoDC: Raising Critical Funds for the Children and Families of CentroNía

We had such a fun time exploring Columbia Heights with CentroNia at their 2nd annual #BuenProvechoDC! 

Uncorked: Wine for Halloween

Are you looking for some wine to put in the thermos for trick-or-treating?  Enter the Velvet Devil Merlot and Eve Chardonnay, two wines with personalities fit for Halloween.  These two wines have great price points.

Thinking of Drinking: Tootsie Roll

With Halloween right around the corner, you need to have some fun shots ready.   Think trick-or-treat candy... how about a Tootsie Roll Shot? 

Dining Out: Little Beast Neighborhood Cafe and Bistro

I have found my new favorite neighborhood spot. Little Beast Café and Bistro just opened up in Northwest DC – and now we finally have a place to relax, drink, eat, and enjoy the local community. 

Recipe: Stroopwafel Pumpkin Bread

Happy Fall! Fall is my favorite time of the year. I love the colors, the smells, the outfits, the flavors! Everything during the fall feels so homey… but especially a delicious homemade loaf of bread. Since it is finally October, I decided to start baking my favorite treat again… pumpkin bread!

Top 7 Australian Shiraz Wines

Photo by Emily Clack

I am all about a full-bodied wine. I'm a Shiraz and Cab kind of girl. I get excited about fall because these wines are perfect for the season. Shiraz can also be known as Syrah, Sirac, Marsanne Noir, Entournerein, Serène, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Cornas, Côte-Rôtie, or St. Joseph. Check out these 7 Shiraz wines from Australia. Cozy up by a fire or try my pairing ideas.

Recipe: Cooking Wide Net Blue Catfish Catties with John Shields

The "Culinary Ambassador of the Chesapeake Bay", Chef John Shields, has created a new take on the ubiquitous Baltimore “coddie,” with a delicious salt-catfish cake. John shared this recipe with me over the weekend in honor of #NationalSeafoodMonth.

Thinking of Drinking: Vampire's Blood Halloween Punch

It is getting close to Halloween again.  Time for a party and time for a Halloween punch.  This Vampire's Blood is perfect for a party because guests can serve themselves.

Events: CELEBRATE AT THE 2018 LOCAL FIRST AWARDS!

On Thursday, October 18, 2018, Think Local First DC (TLFDC) is celebrating local independent businesses at the 2018 Local First Awards! TLFDC has chosen 41 local independent businesses, entrepreneurs, makers and artists who have helped to create dynamic neighborhoods and have made a positive impact in their communities. Seven winners will be presented with the coveted Local First Award in the following categories: Maker, Ripple Effect, High Road, Green Thumb, Builder, Pioneer, and Community Champion. 

Things to do: ¡Buen Provecho! A Taste of Columbia Heights October 17th

CentroNía is hosting their second annual celebration of the amazing food and culture of Columbia Heights with a restaurant crawl. ¡Buen Provecho! will take place on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 from 6:00-9:00pm at participating restaurants along 14th Street, Irving Street, Park Road, and the 11th Street corridor in Columbia Heights.

Perfect Pair: White Pizza with Pascual Toso Estate Malbec

JD Gourmet provided me with some fabulous products to use on Capital Cooking. I was so excited when I got the package that I started working on a recipe and tried it out right away. I made White Pizza.

Happy Birthday Kristi DeSantis!

Kristi always throws the best parties and is the perfect hostess. Today is her birthday and we hope she has a fantastic celebration!