Thinking of Drinking: Coconut Batida

Hydrate simultaneously while sipping on this cocktail.  The new Coconut Batida is part of Zengo's new Shanghai-Sao Paulo menu available until March 15th.  I usually save the coconut water for my hang over the next day, but now I think I'm going to try preventing the hangover altogether with some of these cocktails:)

Upcoming Events: 13th Annual International Food and Wine Festival

On February 7, BRABO by Robert Wiedmaier will host a five-course wine dinner prepared by Chef de Cuisine Chris Watson, highlighting Oregon and Washington wines from Owen Roe wineries. The five-course seated dinner will feature Owen Roe wine pairings with each course. The dinner will cost $125 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. For more information or to make reservations call 703.894.3440 or visit www.facebook.com/braborestaurant or www.braborestaurant.com

Spotlight: Meet Monica Bhide

Monica Bhide is a culinary cultivator, explorer and teacher – as well as her family’s resident chef. When it comes to food, she’s just as curious about the how and the why things are made as the influences that different cultures have in today’s kitchen.  She’s the author of three cookbooks – “The Spice is Right: Easy Indian Cooking for Today”; “The Everything India Cookbook;” and “Modern Spice” (Simon and Schuster, 2009). Modern Spice was also customized for the Indian market and published in India by Random House.

New Melting Pot Menu at Masa 14. First up: Manila

Chefs Richard Sandoval and Kaz Okochi have launched a series of Melting Pot menus that explore the evolution of local cuisine across Latin America and Asia.   Beginning today, Masa 14 will feature ‘Melting Pot: Manila,’ a month long menu highlighting Spanish influence on Manila’s culinary landscape.