amanda mcclements

Today's leap year edition of Five Bites comes from Alex Field and Bria Bergman. 1. Homemade veggie burger at Teaism 2. Roasted chicken with the fry plate at Palena 's cafe 3. The Tuscan — eggs scrambled with provolone and roasted portobello, served with polenta — at Mocha Hut 4. Torta with milanesa de pollo at Taqueria Distrito Federal 5. General Tso's Surprise at Sunflower vegetarian restaurant Let Metrocurean readers know which dishes you or your little ones are enjoying around town by e-mailing five of your favorite dishes or drinks and whether you'd like your name and a picture included to metrocurean AT gmail DOT com.

Looking for a food and wine fueled way to pass the weekend? DC's International Wine and Food Festival is back for its ninth year, kicking off Friday and running through Sunday at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. It's a huge event with lots going on, so explore the web site to find your niche. The Grand Tasting ($95 for a day pass) is the main attraction, with more than 200 international and domestic wineries pouring more than 800 wines and vendors offering food samples. Also on the weekend schedule is a series of chef demos, including Cathal Armstrong of Restaurant Eve , Paolo Buffa of the newly opened Bice Ristorante , Enzo Febbraro of D’Acqua and Haidar Karoum of Proof . There's also a series of wine seminars , priced separately. Grab tickets here , by calling (800) 343-1174 or at the door while supplies last.

It was a happening week in Iceland thanks to the annual Food and Fun Festival , which prompted a culinary invasion of some of the world's most talented chefs. DC was well represented by chefs RJ Cooper of Vidalia , Kaz Okochi of Kaz Sushi Bistro and Cliff Wharton of TenPenh , all of whom competed in the festival's cooking competition. Though they didn't snag any awards, the food looked delicious. The chefs were also paired with Reykjavik restaurants where they created special menus and cooked during the festival. Chefs Jeff Tunks ( Acadiana , Ceiba , TenPenh , DC Coast ) and Robert Wiedmaier ( Marcel's , Brasserie Beck ) served as judges on the distinguished international panel that also included New York chef Gray Kunz and New Orleans chef John Besh . Metrocurean was there as the chefs went grocery shopping for ingredients, hit the famous Blue Lagoon and invaded the hot spots of Reykjavik's decidedly cosmopolitan downtown. Despite the country's chilly name, ...

Notes from Iceland ... In a country covered by a whole lot of ice and snow, is there such a thing as local vegetables? By harnessing the power of the geothermal systems that run under the ground, Icelanders are able to grow numerous vegetables, including peppers and broccoli in an eco-friendly way. Above is a white mushroom cultivated in a greenhouse about an hour outside Reykjavik. Ripening tomato from the hot and humid tomato greenhouse Tomato greenhouse

Open wide. It's time for your weekly helping of Five Bites. Today's list comes from Alison McConnell (at right), editor of The Humble Gourmand . 1. Macaroni and cheese with panko bread crumbs and black truffles at Equinox 2. Roulade of duck confit with pomme puree at Brasserie Beck 3. Veal ragu over fettucine at Al Tiramisu 4. Spinach empanada at Julia's Empanadas 5. The Norcia at 2 Amys (add mushrooms, with a glass of Cusumano Nero d'Avola 2004) Let Metrocurean readers know which dishes you or your little ones are enjoying around town by e-mailing five of your favorite dishes or drinks and whether you'd like your name and a picture included to metrocurean AT gmail DOT com.

Metrocurean heads off to Iceland today for the Food and Fun Festival , where some of DC's own top chefs will be participating. Watch for photos and more from the Nordic adventure. And for some afternoon Viking distraction, click here . (Photo from goiceland.org .)

On the East Coast, seafood enthusiasts look forward to the appearance of shad and its roe as a harbinger of spring. As waters warm, the fish swim into freshwater from the ocean to spawn, then we catch 'em and eat 'em. You can find some of the season's first shad at Oceanaire , where chef Rob Klink is offering pan-fried shad and shad roe with crisped bacon, asparagus and citrus buerre blanc (pictured above) for $28.95. “Shad has a wonderful, hearty, slightly earthy flavor, that suggested the sauce in this dish," says Klink. "The roe and bacon anchor the dish, and the tart citrus flavor and tender-sweet asparagus make it sprightly and delicious.” Guests can also order just the roe for $28 or just the fish for $25.

Todays' Five Bites come from Bryan Walsh (pictured), who offers a list that heads up Wilson Boulevard in Arlington. 1. Chinese ravioli at Cafe Asia 2. Polpettes at Piola 3. Queso fundido at Guajillo 4. Crab dip at Boulevard Woodgrill 5. Dark chocolate mousse at Ray's the Steaks Let Metrocurean readers know which dishes you or your little ones are enjoying around town by e-mailing five of your favorite dishes or drinks and whether you'd like your name and a picture included to metrocurean AT gmail DOT com.

It seems a lot of enticing restaurant rumors in town are centered around hotels. Let's take stock of what we know and what's been circulating in the rumor mill: • The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner : Washingtonian 's Todd Kliman claims Gordon Ramsay will most likely take over Maestro , vacated back in August by Manhattan's newest "it" chef Fabio Trabocchi . • Donovan House : This mod hotel, from the creators of Manhattan's 60 Thompson, is slated to open in March on 14th Street NW and promises a destination restaurant featuring cuisine from "a well-known celebrity chef." (Rendering at right.) • W Hotel : Renovations are under way to transform the former Hotel Washington into a W. Starwood Hotels promises " a spectacular rooftop bar and terrace and a world-class signature restaurant ." • The St. Regis : This newly renovated grand dame of DC hotels is preparing to announce its signature restaurant this spring. A famous French chef's nam...

Since Viridian closed its doors a month and a half ago, fans of chef Michael Hartzer have been wondering where he'd pop up next. The chef took over the kitchen at IndeBleu on Monday. Hartzer, who has also cooked at Citronelle and Ray's The Classics , fills the void left by Ricky Moore, who served as IndeBleu's head chef for a short time.

After a lively Super Tuesday filled with drink and food specials and arguments over which network to tune in to, JW Marriott ’s 1331 Lounge will keep the party going into the election season. Starting today and continuing every Tuesday leading up to the general election on Nov. 4, the 1331 Lounge is offering politically charged snacks and drinks from 5 to 11 p.m. "Bipartisan bites" include left wings with spicy Asian sauce and right wings with honey barbecue sauce ($6 for eight) and undecide’r sliders (three for $9) in four options: Angus burgers, chicken, salmon and Cuban pulled pork. Featured drinks, pictured above, for $8 a pop include the Left of the Isle (Absolut Citron, blue Curacao, housemade sour mix), On the Fence (Navan vanilla infused cognac, cream, Crème de Cacao, Amaretto) and the Grand Old Potable (Absolut Citron, Pama Pomegranate liqueur, housemade sour mix). Domestic beers and house wines are $1 off. Eleven flat screen TVs will broadcast all the relevant...

What will you be eating for lunch today, Potomac primary voters? How about a slice of Barack pie? Thanks to my friends over at Cookthink for linking to this clever recipe for Barack Pie , a culinary ode to presidential hopeful Barack Obama, from a blog on The Root . Author Veronica Chambers created a recipe that pays homage to Obama's Kenyan and American heritage and calls it her own " multi-culti spin on the apple pie cliché." "Don't wait until November to serve it up," she advises. "Make it now. Take one, old school style, over to your 'on the political fence' neighbor." Got a recipe for Hillary, McCain or Huckabee? (Metrocurean illustration.)

Fast food options around town seem to be getting better all the time. The second DC location of Chop't opens tomorrow, Feb. 12, at 1300 Connecticut Ave. NW. They'll be giving away free salads and sandwiches starting at 11 a.m. until supplies last. A third location, joining the Dupont and Penn Quarter outposts, is slated to open in Rosslyn in March. Meanwhile, eco-friendly food cart company On The Fly recently opened its first metro SmartKafe in the Farragut North station at Connecticut Avenue and L Street. The shop offers locally sourced snacks, sandwiches, drinks and more. The "kafe" joins two SmartKarts already up and running — Diego, serving fabulous tacos and Latin fare at Eighth and H streets NW, and Smokin' Joe, offering Rockland's barbecue and more at Seventh and F streets NW. Check out the video below for a look at this super cool concept:

Today's Five Bites come from fellow blogger City Girl DC , who says, "This time of year I'm all about soup." 1. French onion soup at Marvin 2. Pepper soup with goat or fish at Bukom 3. Moroccan harira soup at Busboys and Poets 4. Chicken and sausage gumbo at Azi's Cafe 5. Butternut squash soup at Vinoteca Let Metrocurean readers know which dishes you or your little ones are enjoying around town by e-mailing five of your favorite dishes or drinks and whether you'd like your name and a picture included to metrocurean AT gmail DOT com.

Be sure to check out updates to the Newly Opened list , including Ici (pictured above), a modern French bistro that replaces Cafe 15 in the Sofitel Lafayette Square . Other noteworthy newcomers include Cork , Café Tropé , Jackson 20 and Fontaine Caffe and Creperie .

Tuesday is hogging all the attention this week being both Fat and "Super." What about lil' old Thursday? It's the start of the Chinese New Year, and like so many holidays, a great excuse to indulge in a feast. Head to the city's top spot for upscale Asian cooking, The Source , where chef Scott Drewno (at right) has created a seven-course menu for the holiday, infused with superstition and tradition. Lobster and shrimp spring rolls symbolize gold bars, and Hong Kong-style bass with five vegetable stir fry represents longevity, riches, peace, wisdom and virtue, the five blessings of the New Year. The golden pineapple sticky cake served at the meal's end should make sure the Chinese Kitchen God will say nice things about your family. The menu costs $100 per person, $175 with wine pairings. Call 202.637.6100 for reservations. (Photo by Darko Zagar.)

For today's edition of Five Bites, Nycci Nellis, friend of Metrocurean and publisher of TheListAreYouOnIt.com , offers lists from two metrocureans in training: her son, Eli (7), and her daughter, Tessa (5). 1. Lobster moilee with ginger, green chile and coconut milk and a side order of garlic naan and herbs to soak up the sauce at Rasika 2. Any cupcake that Josh Short bakes at Buzz Bakery (bumblebee cupcakes pictured at right) 3. Deviled eggs to start followed by a Mia’s pizza with prosciutto at Mia's Pizzas 4. A bowl of lomo saltado at Las Canteras 5. Heather Chittum’s Tic Tac Toe dessert plate — chocolate whoopie pies filled with housemade marshmallow fluff and vanilla shortbread X’s — at Hook Children can join the Five Bites fun, too! Let Metrocurean readers know which dishes you or your little ones are enjoying around town by e-mailing five of your favorite dishes or drinks and whether you'd like your name and a picture included to metrocurean AT gmail DOT c...