The Week in Review

What's been on local foodies' minds this week ...

... Wolfgang Puck and the Newseum announce a new restaurant concept, The Source by Wolfgang Puck, set to open in the fall of 2007. ...

... The Chicago Tribune, by way of DCist, points out that we have Rev. Sun Myung Moon to thank for that piece of fatty toro. ...

... Hundreds of food lovers gathered on Tuesday for Taste of the Nation, where the area's best chefs put on a great show. Highlights included a hearty sausage and duck confit cassoulet from Restaurant Eve, a decadent chocolate peanut butter torte with a milkshake shooter from Colvin Run Tavern, and the flurry of cocktail activity at the "Boom Boom Bar," where Sebastian Zutant of Rasika was pouring chocolate tequila shooters and Todd Thrasher from Eve was decked out in a lab coat behind a display of bubbling technicolor beakers. If you missed out this year, be sure to watch out next spring for the next go-round. ...

... Dino gets a new executive chef in Daniel Amaya, a self-taught chef who has worked at Foti's in Virginia and Blackhawk Grille in California. Look for the chef to add more small plates to the menu. ...

... And last but definitely not least, the celebrity chef rumors keep simmering away, and Washingtonian's Todd Kliman neatly summed them up in his weekly chat. The Thomas Keller at the Watergate rumor has definitely had sticking power, but could Eric Ripert of the famed New York restaurant Le Bernardin be another contender? Or better yet, what if we get them both at two separate locations? Stay tuned. ...

(Photo by K. Barraclough of the Newseum.)

Comments

Charlie said…
Taste of the Nation was really cool, if a little crowded during the heart of the evening. I know of no other event at which the head chefs of high-caliber restaurants gather to serve unlimited food and wine for only $75. Sign me up for next year too.
4/14/2006 11:58 AM
Amanda said…
Agreed. It was great to see all the chefs, from Roberto Donna to Robert Wiedmaier.
4/14/2006 1:19 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ENTERTAIN } For The Love Of Salt

Image
I'm bidding a reluctant adieu to summer on this first day of fall and looking back with fond memories on one of the season's highlights — our Summer Salt Fest at the Gordy's Pickle Jar headquarters. Ever since opening Salt & Sundry three years ago, I've been dreaming of a down-home party that celebrates all things salty. With the perfect partners in crime, Sarah and Sheila of Gordy's, and my phenomenal team at Salt & Sundry, we hosted a gathering of good friends and toasted our shared love of salt. The feast included fried chicken, boiled peanuts ( made by my husband !), Rappahannock' s Olde Salt oysters, deviled eggs topped with Gordy's Sweet Pepper Relish, and probably the best fried pickles I've ever eaten (yes, I've eaten a lot) ... Gordy's Sweet Chips and Cajun Okra dipped in roasted garlic aioli. There was crisp Virginia rosé from Early Mountain Vineyards , local brews from 3 Stars and DC Brau , and a watermelon cooler tha
keep reading »

STYLE } Bar Styling Tips with Framebridge

Image
  I've always been noncommittal when it come to putting anything on my walls. Art? Photos? Prints? But what if I change my mind? Add the hassle of framing something and voila, a growing pile of unframed prints and photos gathers dust on a shelf. So I much appreciated a recent gentle nudge from friends at  Framebridge , a DC-based company that's making it easier and less expensive to get those pretty-if-neglected pieces framed and on display. We hung out at my place, whipped up some Green Hat gin and tonics, and I shared tips for stocking and styling your bar at home. (Any old table will do!) And yes, I actually put a nail in the wall and hung a print. Head this way for my full interview with Framebridge . Cheers! all photos by  Laura Metzler Photography  for Framebridge
keep reading »

Hello Cupcake Opens

Image
Cupcakes await the first customers at Hello Cupcake For a sweet spot in this final week of August, head to Hello Cupcake , which opens at 10 a.m. today at 1351 Connecticut Ave. NW. I had the chance to sample a few flavors with owner Penny Karas. The fluffy icing on the peanut butter blossom (above) is seriously addictive, and the seasonal root beer flavor is a delightful surprise with spicy root beer cake topped with vanilla cream cheese frosting. I'm going for a Velvet Elvis, banana cake with peanut butter frosting, next. There are gluten-free and vegan options on the menu, as well. Check out all the flavors here . Metrocurean photo
keep reading »