Posts Tagged ‘beer’
Posted by Lindsey Leake / Monday, May 7th, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
‘Hellish’ commute to D.C. earns nation’s top honors
Virginians less optimistic about McDonnell, direction of state, Post poll finds
Young woman killed in Hybla Valley hit-and-run
Cuccinelli: Virginia law should help clear names of wrongly convicted
11-year-old Arlington boy is first-ever U.S. Sport Stacking Champion
Northern Virginia is a beer drinker’s paradise
State Parks to allow open carry of guns starting Monday
Dreamliner plane will land at Reagan National
(Compiled by Lindsey Leake; photo courtesy of Shutterstock/ARENA Creative)
The (New and Expanded) Curious Grape
Posted by Sally Traynham / Thursday, March 29th, 2012
The Curious Grape is back.
The retail section for wine.
After shutting its doors Memorial Day weekend last year, The Curious Grape opened this Monday just around the block from its previous address. The multi-functional space serves as a coffee shop with grab-and-go options during the day, a wine bar with a full menu at night and a retail space with a selection of wine, gourmet cheese, single-origin chocolate and gourmet food products.
Among the new elements to the shop is the private dining space that doubles as tasting room for educational seminars. Suzanne McGrath, co-owner and pastry adviser, presses how important food and wine education is at the Curious Grape—a favorite pastime of Curious Grape regulars—and is excited to have a larger space to use.
While the amount of options might seem overwhelming, the vision is clear for guests: to make wine and food more accessible and to learn how to enjoy them together.
Bar seating where patrons can interact with the cheese expert.
The wine bar is meant to encourage and facilitate wine and food pairings and get the diner involved. Unlike most wine and food pairings where the menu recommends a certain wine with each dish, the Curious Grapes’ menu recommends a style of wine that would go with each dish. Then the customer can go to the list of that style of wine and pick one that he or she would like to try.
McGrath explains that this gives the customer options and let’s them explore. “Most menu items and wines come offered in half-portions and half-glasses so the diners can enjoy multiple wine and food pairings over the course of one meal,” says McGrath.
“The menu and cafe pastries will also feature items sold in the retail store, which will show people how to use some of the lesser known products,” such as the log of Parmesan Butter—made from the milk used in making Parmesan cheese—that McGrath will add to popovers. She is also excited about a coffee and chocolate pairing that would allow participants to taste coffee and chocolate from the same origin together, ultimately showing the nuances that geographical location imparts on flavor.
As I was walked around the store, I could hear the gasps from Curious Grape regulars as they walked into the new store for the first time. The Curious Grape is back.
>>>Click for more photos.
St. Patrick’s Day 2012: Drink Up at Irish Pubs
Posted by Sally Traynham / Tuesday, March 13th, 2012
Although St. Patrick’s Day, technically, has nothing to do with drinking—it started out celebrating a saint named Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland—drink we will.
With this year’s festivities falling on a Saturday, wake up bright and early to celebrate all day at one of these NoVA Irish hot spots.
Finnegan’s Irish Pub, Ashburn
Specials: Traditional Irish breakfast at 9 a.m., cornhole on the patio and live music on their outdoor patio with a heated tent.
Ireland’s Four Provinces, Falls Church
Specials: K’eggs breakfast at 8 a.m., new outside bar (rain or shine), live music, Irish dancers and giveaways.
Kate’s Irish Pub, Springfield
Specials: Doors open at 10:30 a.m. for a day of live music and drink specials.
Molly’s Irish Pub, Warrenton
Specials: Kegs and eggs at 9 a.m. with live music, Charlie Donnaelly and Magick Kat.
Ned Devine’s, Herndon Read the rest of this entry »
Specials: Green beers served all day accompanied by a rotation of live bands starting at noon and three performances of The Boyle School of Irish Dancers.
Have Your St. Paddy Cakes + Eat Them, Too
Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Tuesday, March 13th, 2012
Go green. Eat a cupcake. / Photo credit: Shutterstock/Yanick Vallee
With the great Irish holiday approaching, are you ready for all things green? We’re talking leprechauns, party beads, parade floats, men marching in kilts, funny wigs, shamrocks, beer, sweet treats and more.
Last Chance For a Buzz: Beer Survey Closes Today
Posted by Stefanie Gans / Friday, March 2nd, 2012
Are you pumped for Port City‘s new Virginia oyster-based Revival Stout? Yea. Me too. But there’s also a need to head to Leesburg for Vintage 50, and Ashburn for Lost Rhino. And shit, Falls Church for Mad Fox.
We’ve got a ton of beer happenings in NoVA and we want to hear about your favorites for our upcoming May brew issue (our first full-fledged issue dedicated to beer!)
If you’ve spent some time perusing the beer aisle recently or you like to throw one back at your local bar from time to time, tells us. We’ve divided the categories into bars, retail and breweries and hope you’ll plug in your homegrown favorites (i.e., keep the national chains to a minimum.)
Spill it!
cforms contact form by delicious:days
Shutterstock.com/Valentyn Volkov
[tips for the food desk / follow @gansie]
Chocolate-Wasted: Get Buzzed on Valentine’s Day
Posted by Sally Traynham / Tuesday, February 14th, 2012
Whether you are celebrating Valentine’s Day with your other half or you’re flying solo for today’s “Black Tuesday,” as some singles may suggest, the question remains the same: Wanna get chocolate-wasted?
This Valentine’s Day, enjoy chocolate liquid libations spiked with chocolate liquors or enjoy the chocolate nuances in craft beers offered at these digs:
Blue Ridge Grill (Brambleton)
This White Chocolate Martini is crafted out of Godiva White, Baileys, Stoli Vanilla and Cream
Fireworks (Arlington)
With a huge beer list, sample Flying Dog’s Gonzo Imperial Porter with notes of roasted chocolate, coffee and vanilla malt.
Magnolias at the Mill (Purcellville)
The name says it all. The Brooklyn Chocolate Stout, an award-winning stout, is claimed to be dark and rich, achieving deep chocolate flavor through a blend of roasted malts.
Rustico (Alexandria)
A restaurant featuring Port City Brewery’s ONE (a one-year anniversary, stout) with a flavor profile made up of dark chocolate and dried fruit.
Vintage 50 (Leesburg)
Try a Vintage 50 classic, the Raspberry Truffle Martini that features raspberry vodka, Godiva White Chocolate and Razzmatazz.
Photo: Shutterstock/Wollertz
[tips for the food desk]
Super Bowl XLVI Grub & Pub Round Up
Posted by Sally Traynham / Thursday, February 2nd, 2012
Get pumped for Super Bowl XLVI, Sunday’s rematch between the epic teams that faced off in 2008. Whether you are a Pat’s fan or represent NY and the Giants, we have the inside scoop on the best food and drink deals for the big game.
Arlington Cinema N Drafthouse, for the big screen experience in comfy chairs and tableside service.
Capitol City Brewing Company, for handcrafted beer.
Clare & Don’s Beach Shack, for an all you can eat buffet. ($15 pp)
Crystal City Sports Pub, for a Super Bowl themed menu. ($35 pp, reservations required)
Glory Days Grill, for burgers, wings and BBQ.
The Green Turtle, for Super Bowl giveaways.
Hard Times Café, for traditional football fun.
Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern, for football pool prizes and 50-cent wings.
Kalypso’s Sports Tavern, for $2 Miller Lite Drafts.
Kilroys Restaurant & Sports Bar, for nachos, wings and pizza.
Murphy’s Irish Pub, for the true Patriot experience.
Polo Grill Restaurant, for 35-cent wings and $2 Bud Lights and Miller Lights.
Velocity Five, for tvs galore.
Virtue Feed & Grain, for a “souper” bowl between New England and Mahattan chowders while watching the game.
Whitlows on Wilson, for the big screen and beer specials.
Wildfire, for a big game buffet. ($45 pp)
Photo by: Shutterstock/Steve Cukrov
[tips for the food desk]
5 New Ways to Food on Valentine’s Day
Posted by Sally Traynham / Tuesday, January 31st, 2012
The stress of Valentine’s Day may be looming on your shoulders as February kicks off tomorrow. This year, plan ahead and avoid the craziness of Valentine’s Day goers looking to drop loads of cash on fancy dinners.
Instead, stay in, simplify life and enjoy the evening with your loved one by doing something different than selecting items off the traditional prix-fixe menu.
Need Ideas? Here’s my list:
1 . Have a Movie Night with a Kicked-Up Snack.
Customize a movie list for the perfect evening with you and your beaux, but don’t forget the popcorn. Because you are not eating out this year, splurge by making some truffle butter. Buy some truffle salt and sprinkle it over perfectly popped and buttered popcorn. [William Sonoma - truffle salt]
2. Pack a Picnic.
Since Mother Nature can’t make up her mind, this year might be a perfect year for a picnic at sunset. However, even if you decide to take the party inside and enjoy the warm fire, open up that blanket and indulge in a spread that includes wine, food and sweet treats. [World Market - cozy blankets]
3. Taste New Beers and Wines.
If beer and wine is your thing, set up an at-home, customized tasting for the evening. Try a few glasses from new breweries or vineyards and pair them with chocolate or cheese. [The Hour Shop - modern glassware/barware]
4. Dip Strawberries.
Nothing is more delicious and sexy than a chocolate dipped strawberry. Buy strawberries and dark and white chocolate at the store and set up a strawberry dipping bar. Eat them right away or let them set up and feed them to each other after dinner for an exceptionally sexy Valentine’s Day. [Frans Cake & Candy Supplies - tools for dipping strawberries]
5. Make S’mores.
Cozy up around a fireplace or an outdoor grill and roast marshmallows that will sandwich perfectly in between two graham crackers and some dark chocolate. [The Dairy Godmother - homemade marshmallows]
Photo: Shutterstock/bonchan
[tips for the food desk]
Hungry for Linkage: Paula Deen Is Irresponsible, Lyon Hall Named Top Beer Bar, Perfect Bacon
Posted by Stefanie Gans / Monday, January 23rd, 2012
Lyon Hall named top 100 beer bar in US. [DRAFT Magazine] Speaking of, vote for your favorite beer bar, beer retailer and brewery. [NVM] The irresponsibility of Paula Deen’s diabetes announcement. [NY Post via Eater] Gluten-free bakery Happy Tart opened in Del Ray. [DelRayPatch] A vegan learns to butcher. [The Salt] When to use house-made or homemade? Debate starter. Answer still needed. [The Daily Beast] How to make perfect bacon. Done and done. [Macheesmo] Photo by Stefanie Gans, Society Fair opened this weekend.
Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Tuesday, January 17th, 2012
Happy hour is coming early this week. / Photo courtesy: Shutterstock/Fer Gregory
Well hello there! You’ve made it to Tuesday – after a long weekend/holiday, that’s always a tough feat to accomplish. We’d like to applaud you for braving the wintery weather, early morning monsooning and general work-related absurdity.
Feel like having some fun yet?
Make your calendar – Capital City Brewing will be tapping two casks tomorrow night in Shirlington. The featured seasonal beers are the Lil’ Black IPA, a very hoppy, toned down malt brew, and the Waffle Brown, a mapley syrup, rich-tasting “breakfast in a glass” beer.
The Cap City in-house brewers will be milling about, answering questions and talking about the brews all night, plus $5 appetizers and additional drink specials going throughout the event.
Capital City Brewery
The Village at Shirlington
4001 Campbell Ave.
Arlington, VA
703-578-3888
www.capcitybrew.com
When: Wednesday, Jan. 18th
HH: 6 to 10 pm
Price: $5 apps
– Lorin Drinkard