FRESHFARM Markets Welcomes Ballston Farmers Market into the Family
Posted by Sally Traynham / Thursday, May 3rd, 2012
For all NoVinians who feared that Ballston Farmers Market was no longer in action, FRESHFARM Markets is teaming up with the Ballston Business Improvement Distrcit (BBID) to debut the market on June 21.
The BBID’s desire for a fresh approach in combination with FRESHFARM’s success with other area markets (such as their Crystal City location) makes this partnership an ideal fit. Enthusiastic about the new addition, Bernadine Prince, co-executive director of FRESHFARM Markets, talks about how much she likes the location.
Ballston, says Prince, is “a neighborhood with a good mix of residential, retail and non-profits and near the metro.” To keep the regulars, Prince recommends keeping the Thursday afternoon (3 p.m. to 7 p.m.) time slot.
While most area farmers markets open in May, FRESHFARMS is taking its time to roll out the renewed market, making this the 11th on its roster. Because of the brand-new partnership FRESHFARMS requires an extra two months to recruit all of the farmers and producers. Prince estimates the market as having 10-15 farmers and producers, and remains optimistic about the project, saying we’ll “see how the first year goes.”
“Because it’s a tough growing season [due to the mild winter and temperatures warming so soon], it is better to err on the smaller side to make sure the market looks robust,” explains Prince whose main goal is to make sure that vendors and customers are happy with fresh, local goods.
Photo: Sally Traynham
[tips for the food desk]
Posted by Stefanie Gans / Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012
Just in time for the debut of Spike Mendelsohn‘s second Good Stuff Eatery location in Crystal City on May 9th, the former Top Chef contestant revealed he suffers from acid reflux disease. With this news Mendelsohn also announced a new campaign, “Don’t Let It Burn,” in partnership with Takeda Pharmaceuticals, the makers of the heartburn medicine DEXILANT (dexlansoprazole), to raise awareness for the disease and to provide heartburn-friendly recipes.
This is the second nationally-recognized chef this year to publicly announce a health-related problem while simultaneously becoming a spokesperson for prescription drug company. After hiding her Type 2 diabetes diagnosis for three years, Paula Deen, famous for her fatty recipes, came public with her news while also becoming the face of the diabetes drug Victoza, from the Danish company Novo Nordisk. Deen received a lashing from the press over the timing of her announcement, especially because the “Queen of Butter” had been selling the public a brand of food known to lead to obesity, while she had been hiding her own diabetes.
Endorsement deals are big money. And Big Pharma’s got some cash to spend on celebrities, especially now that the government is enforcing drug companies to disclose any gifts, payments or other swag pharmaceutical reps bestow upon doctors. Drug companies must find additional ways to promote pills. While celebrity prescription drug endorsements have been around for years, tapping into culinary heroes has become a trend.
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Last Chance To Vote: Which Chain Restaurant Should Northern Virginia Magazine Review (on Gut Check)?
Posted by Stefanie Gans / Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012
The fancified seafood chain Bonefish Grill is in the lead for the chain most worthy of a review by Northern Virginia Magazine. Think not?
Vote today. Polls close this Friday and look for a review later this month. For more on the chain debate, check out the comments that sparked the review.
Now it’s up to the readers again. If we’re going to review a chain, which one should it be?
Vote for the chain most worthy of a NVM review.
Photo: Shutterstock/svry
Posted by Sally Traynham / Tuesday, May 1st, 2012
Excitement over Westover Farmers Market‘s opening debut, set for Sunday, might be tempered by Arlington County Board restrictions. Most notable? Parking issues. [Arlington Mercury]
Woman wins $1 million in lawsuit against Nutella, blaming ads that made her believe it was more nutritious than it actually is. Really? If you were also that naive, you can make the same claim here. [Yahoo]
Twilight mega-star Robert Pattinson enjoyed a medium-rare steak at Majestic Cafe this past Saturday. Before leaving, the heart-throb signed a menu for Cathal Armstrong‘s daughter. [Washingtonian]
Food truck alert. Something Stuffed—a new food truck featuring filled-food items such as egg rolls, empanadas and dumplings—has rolled into Arlington. [ARLnow]
Restaurant Magazine revealed the World’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2012. Unfortunately no NoVA establishments made the cut. [CNN]
Doctors scold McDonald’s for being a sponsor for the London Olympics, claiming it’s sending the wrong message with its Olympics menu featuring Big Macs, fries and milkshakes. [abc]
[Pet] food recall! Diamond Pet Foods voluntarily recalls its Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food with concerns of salmonella. [delmarvanow]
Photo: Martin Turzak/Shutterstock
[tips for the food desk]
The Dude Would Approve: Housemade Kuhlua at kybecca
Posted by Stefanie Gans / Tuesday, May 1st, 2012
It’s no longer good enough that a restaurant makes its own charcuterie or cheese. It now must make its own alcohol. And its own ice.
kybecca, a darling wine bar in Fredericksburg, honors The Dude by combining a few simple ingredients (coffee, sugar, vodka) for a version of Kahlua, “ky-luha”. kybecca’s coffee liquer tastes less syrupy than its mass produced counterpart. I only wish it tasted stronger of coffee, because if you’re going through the trouble of making it, might as well create something drastically improved.
I wasn’t too mad though, as the gorgeous cube of ice, streaked and crystallized from a few rounds of freezing, sparkled in the late afternoon sun.
Photo: Stefanie Gans
Cafesano Is Back with Breakfast
Posted by Rebekah Lowe / Monday, April 30th, 2012
If a delicious Mediterranean breakfast is what you’re craving, then tomorrow is your lucky Tuesday! Reston’s much-loved Cafesano is bringing breakfast to the table. NoVA Mag was invited to a sneak peek at the restaurant on Saturday morning where we got to try several of the items on the new breakfast menu. Our palates are pleased to report that the fare was light yet satisfying, and we think your wallets will be equally impressed by the great value.
As NVM food editor Stefanie Gans reported in our May issue, Cafesano reopened this past January after an exhaust-related fire put the restaurant’s operation on hold for a couple months. But starting tomorrow, Cafesano is taking their Italian and Mediterranean cuisine to a new level with the addition of their daily breakfast (7-10:30) featuring creations from Alan Manstof, original owner of Chesapeake Bagel Bakery.
The standout ingredient on the breakfast menu is the Italian sausage, available in several different forms. We savored the authentic sausage flavor in both the breakfast torta (Italian quiche in a hash brown crust filled with a fresh egg mixture, red and green peppers, provolone cheese and herbs) and the Classico panini (grilled on a regular or whole-grain ciabatta roll with egg and cheddar cheese). The torta housed a happy texture combination between the crunchy shredded potato shell and the soft and fluffy, fresh filling. Similarly, the crust of the panini snapped between our teeth before we sank through the smooth sausage and thinly folded eggs, releasing a seasoned smokiness.
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Posted by Geoff Nelowet / Monday, April 30th, 2012
Kyle Martell
I think it is safe to say that I have a new favorite pizza joint. Don’t let the name or location fool you. Pupatella is a tiny pizzeria in a shoebox of a strip mall but it is also home to the BEST Neapolitan style pizza I have had since Italy.
-Midori Rome of Arlington on Pupatella
Good? Bad? Tweet-worthy? Let us know where you’ve been dining in Northern Virginia. If we like your review, we’ll feature it in the magazine (and send you a prize).
www.northernvirginiamag.com/second-opinion
Palates Behind the Plate: Frank V Mayo of Fire Works Pizza
Posted by Joey Hernandez / Monday, April 30th, 2012
A series dedicated to the palates behind NVM’s 2011 Fifty Best Restaurants. We know what they serve, but what do they eat?
Restaurant: Fire Works Pizza
2011 Rank: #43
Executive Chef: Frank V Mayo
NoVA’s best dish:
I live out in the country so I don’t get out too much, but it’s funny because I go to our sister restaurant. I would say my favorite dish is the sesame salmon at Tuscarora Mill.
Never would I ever eat:
Olives, it’s the actual olive brine itself that I’m not a fan of. I’ver never really had the palate for olives.
After work grub:
You know, everyone makes fun of me, but I eat burgers. I love our hamburgers here. It’s a staple for me, it’s something fast that I eat pretty much every day.
At home cooking:
I like to grill out because I like to use natural wood to grill. I had a nice ribeye, with grilled parsnips and carrots, mashed potatoes and a beer.
Burger, burrito or bánh mì:
I do like banh mi.
Photo courtesy of David Galen
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Posted by Sally Traynham / Thursday, April 26th, 2012
Instead of fighting the bustle of a restaurant’s packed-dining room where screaming to hear each other over the next table’s conversation is necessary, celebrate with your mom in a relaxing, elegant and more intimate setting this year. Tea rooms are the perfect place.
While you taste delicate, flavorful teas, enjoy artfully-crafted tea sandwiches, scones with jams, fresh fruit and other pastries that are paired perfectly to your beverage selection.
Here are some NoVA tea rooms with great Mother’s Day deals, each with a flair of its own: