Pssst. We’ve Got Your Spring Fashion Sneak Peaks!

Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

Hello, runway. / Photo credit: Lorin Drinkard

Like they say, fourth time’s the charm.

This week, Crystal City hosts the returning fashion frenzy of an event – Crystal Couture. Through Friday night, more than 40 designers from NoVA, D.C. and Maryland are strutting their latest and greatest spring lines on the runway for our viewing pleasure.

Five evenings of discounted duds, runway shows, hot jams and more. And the best part? It’s all open to the public and you don’t need your wallet to get in. Although after seeing some of the major trunk sales, you will be pulling it out faster than you can say, “Ooh, love it!” (0:54)

Last night, Philippa Hughes of the Pinkline Project graciously hostessed the runway. While waiting in between model walks, guests browsed the couture racks of gowns, tops and more. Looking to start an arm party? Oodles of bangles and bracelets on display should get you your bauble fill. Other event highlights: complimentary henna tattoos and Paul Mitchell makeovers.

Now, onto the c-l-o-t-h-e-s. Check out snapshots of the Beltway (and beyond!) designers’ hottest looks for after winter. Also known as coming-out-of-hibernation time.

Ibhana Creations
From black and white graphic prints to exposed zippers, this international line (with a local boutique in Bethesda) added simple yet lovely touches to classic styles. Our favorite piece = a drapey, muted green jacket.

A sharp black dress from Ibhana Creations. Photo credit: Amol Pandit

Another Ibhana Creations design on the runway. / Photo credit: Amol Pandit

The selected spring collection. / Photo credit: Amol Pandit

South Moon Under
With fashion-forward stylings and an eclectic spin on things, South Moon Under showcased some clothes that make us wish all this dreary/almost snowy weather was dunzo. Think tribal + tropic + pops of coral. To find a NoVA store near you, click here.

Tribal pants, anyone? / Photo credit: Amol Pandit

Another warm(er) weather look from South Moon. / Photo credit: Amol Pandit

Jeans get a major boost with a flirty top. / Photo credit: Amol Pandit

Nude hues + tie-waist shorts. / Photo credit: Amol Pandit

Best piece: a vacay-inspired rompsuit (part romper, part jumpsuit). / Photo credit: Amol Pandit

The C.A.T. Walk Boutique
Offering a range of sizes (from 0 to 26) in new and consignment pieces, plus fantastic accessories and shoes, The C.A.T. Walk Boutique represents the D.C. fashion scene. Stripes, purple tones, sequins and black touches make appearances in their runway walk. Bonus: check out the sleeveless grey hooded cape in photo #2. You’re welcome.

One shoulder, stripey goodness. / Photo credit: Amol Pandit

Note to self: buy this. / Photo credit: Amol Pandit

The C.A.T. Walk's lavender/deep purple look. / Photo credit: Amol Pandit

Satin + shimmer. / Photo credit: Amol Pandit

Ugglee Collection
Samuel Mintah, the brains behind Ugglee, presented an assortment of looks on the runway. From monogrammed tops and cut-out shoulders to animal print and menswear pieces, Ugglee Collection brings originality and spice for spring inspiration. Hear Mintah share about his designs at this link.

Pastels take center stage. / Photo credit: Amol Pandit

Maxi-mum style appeal. / Photo credit: Amol Pandit

The Ugglee Collection mixes hearts + stripes. / Photo credit: Amol Pandit

A look for men by Ugglee. / Photo credit: Amol Pandit

Ke’Chic Boutique
Punchy lipstick, trenches and bridal-wear looks hit the runway to show off this College Park boutique’s collection. We’re loving their sleeveless pieces and mile-high heels. For more stylish Ke’Chic options, visit their website here.

That's a wrap. / Photo credit: Amol Pandit

A swingy houndstooth coat from Ke'Chic. / Photo credit: Amol Pandit

Calling all brides. / Photo credit: Amol Pandit

For Crystal Couture’s upcoming runway schedule of events, check out their site here.

–Lorin Drinkard

The Sound of Music: Melody Tavern’s Jazz and Blues

Posted by Sally Traynham / Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

Hidden within the Eclipse Condo Complex on the edge of Crystal City, Melody Tavern, made its debut Friday as a live-music venue (after initially opening in 2011) offering premier jazz and blues and a menu of (mostly) American fare with a hint of creole.

During last Friday’s party celebrating its recently acquired live music permit, I was able to snag a high-top table among the reasonably crowded room. Between segments of Lena Seikaly’s soothing jazz set, I sampled simple skirt steak sliders, each topped with a scant helping of caramelized onions on a bun overwhelmed with butter on its exterior.

Luckily, crispy pieces of fried yucca overshadowed the overcooked beef. Unfortunately, an accompanying sauce was not provided for these perfectly golden nuggets.

Open late night for most of the week, Melody Tavern features plenty of seating with a bar that spans almost the length of the room, ensuring that you can see all of the entertainment in action.

Check out Melody Tavern’s line up for this weekend, which includes jazz and pop vocals, a New Orleans-style band and a jazz saxophonist.

Photo by: Sally Traynham

[tips for the food desk]

Crystal Couture-Show and Sale

Posted by Hilary Adleberg / Monday, January 30th, 2012

More than 40 of the D.C. area's best boutiques and designers are available at one convenient venue. (Courtesy of crystalcity.org)

It’s that time of year again. The fourth annual Crystal Couture — trunk sale and fashion show will soon return to the Crystal City Shops for a five-day fashion event. The show and sale is open to the public, free of charge from Feb. 7 -11, 2012, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. each night, accentuating all the amenities that Arlington’s largest downtown district has to offer.

The Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) presents the jam-packed fashion event, which brings together more than 40 of the D.C.-Metro area’s most impressive boutiques and designers under one roof. Think art exhibition, trendy nightclub, fashion show and hip retail store all in one free, local and exciting event!

Cohost of last year's Crystal Couture event, America’s Next Top Model contestant Bianca Chardei prepares to strut her stuff down the runway. (Courtesy of facebook.com)

Visit facebook to view photos from last year’s Crystal Couture event and to see all that this year has in store. Be sure you don’t miss out on this fashionable affair!

-Hilary Adleberg

When You Want to Work Out and Drink: Sips & Sneakers

Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Thursday, January 19th, 2012

Pre-race. / Photo credit: Lorin Drinkard

Have you ever walked through a shopping mall and thought, “Why not be drinking adult beverages while doing this?” Meet Washington Wine Academy (WWA), the brains behind making that notion a reality.

This past weekend, hundreds of racers geared up for their second annual 1K Wine race … er, Walk. The shops at Crystal City transformed into a multipurpose bar/lounge as gaggles of middle age couples and clusters of young Arlingtonians wearing their race number pinned to their jackets wove their way through the dimly lit wine tasting course.

The basic idea? Trade in paper tickets for wine samples as you make your way to the finish line, aka dance party (but more on that later).

Ten stations, 46 wines means there were so many sips and so much time to mix and mingle with other participants, chat up the WWA pourers about their favorite vino and experience Crystal City as a makeshift nightlife watering hole.

Now, which bottle to choose? / Photo credit: Lorin Drinkard

After warm greetings at the registration table, racers are handed a map with the layout of all ten tasting stations, plus directions to pick up their race shirt and tasting glass. (Does it sound like I’m recounting a description of an actual 5k running event? So eerily similar and yet … I didn’t ever break out into a sweat. Okay, maybe once – when I realized that all of my jacket layers, plus gloves, thick scarf and boots, were slowly toasting my body into a crisp, campfire marshmallow).

Although the folks provided a fine, color-coded map, finding the actual wine glass station did prove a bit tricky – and this was before reaching the alcohol. I followed a cheery volunteer’s prompting around a corner (that I wouldn’t have ever turned down) and voilà, there lay the desired beverage holders. With glass in hand, I set on my way.

Follow the yellow brick signs / Photo credit: Lorin Drinkard

“I love wine and I’m usually on the other end,” admits Laura Raynor, a friendly WWA volunteer pouring reds at Station Four. After I dropped my ticket in the bucket, she quickly poured  the allotted ticket’s worth, describing the origin of the grape and what to note in the flavor. I swirled and sniffed Man Vintners Pinotage 2010 from the Coastal Region in South Africa. “It’s a blend within a blend. The main grape is a hybrid.” Around me people were milling about – chatting about work, which wine they just had to try again, how their new friend from a previous station was cute.

Over 1,200 registered for the event, plus media and volunteers, bringing  the 1K tally to a whopping 1,400 Novinians.

Further along the way a group of young women huddle by a piano in the Synetic Theater, as one friend plunks away on the keys. The room is buzzing with activity with all the drink pouring and glass clinking going on. There’s no rush on this course. Plenty of people lingered around a particular wine they really enjoyed, or stopped to sit on  benches along the mall’s underground corridors.

“I feel synetic!” one racer shouts to this friends as they enter the theatre.

“You have no idea what means,” his drinking buddy said in response.

Laura Raynor and several racers strike a pose. / Photo credit: Lorin Drinkard

The really, really smart people at WAA strategically placed bread (and hummus!) stations along the way so racers could carb load and not have to stumble to the finish. Throw the promise of thumping finish line party, complete with sporadic dancing and more wine sampling, and you’re going to have to try to hold me back from reaching the end.

So how did this reporter finish? By giving away a fistful of remaining drink tickets, leaving with a souvenir glass, t-shirt, munching on complimentary pita bread as the taste of sweet, smokey grapes faded from my tongue.

The race may be over but the fun was just getting started. / Photo credit: Lorin Drinkard

The  fun’s not over though – this weekend, Jan. 21 and 22, will be another drinking, there’s-no-hurry race course. “It’s the same thing but with beer,” explains one of organizers for the 1K Beer Walk. In case of a potential Snowpocalypse sitch, the makeup date will be the following weekend (Jan. 28 and 29).

View all the event details and register for the upcoming shananigans over here.

 –Lorin Drinkard

Oh, Christmas Tree

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, December 15th, 2011

Rockefeller, Shmockefeller.

Okay, I can’t deny that New York’s quintessential Christmas tree is big and beautiful, shining ever so brightly each year in Rockefeller Center as tourists are overcharged to freeze their butts off while ice skating in the sunken garden below.

But D.C.’s National Christmas Tree is pretty magnificent, too.

Image: Svetlana Larina/Shutterstock

Tonight’s your night to relish in the cold, wintry, 10-days-to-Christmas wine tasting and limousine trip into D.C. to see the National Tree.

Washington Wine Academy will start you off with a reception of light, wintry snacks and wine before picking you up from the Washington Wine Academy in Crystal City and transporting you via limo to the National Christmas Tree and back again. There are two available times for tonight:

Group One — 6-7 p.m. (Holiday Wine Reception); 7-8:15 p.m. (trip to National Christmas Tree); arrive back in Crystal City by 8:30 p.m.

Group Two —  7:30-8:30 p.m. (Holiday Wine Reception); 8:35-10 p.m. (trip to National Christmas Tree); arrive back in Crystal City by 10:15 p.m.

The event begins and ends at the Washington Wine Academy, located at 1201 South Eads St., Suite 400, in Crystal City. Tickets are $36 per person and advanced registration is required via PayPal here.

For more information, visit the Washington Wine Academy website.

-Julia Harbo

Memphis BBQ Opens in Crystal City

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

Photo Credit: Memphis Barbeque

It seems like Pork Barrel BBQ may have stolen its thunder, but the grand opening of Memphis Barbeque tomorrow, December 1, should not be missed either.

So, a little sneak preview to what will appear in the January magazine: Memphis native and former DC chef Chris George is bringing the heat to Crystal City with the restaurant’s large smokers and hickory grills to cook up their Memphis style meat — and lots of it.

Of course, they’ll have the traditional Memphis-style barbeque like pulled pork sandwiches (the pork is smoked in their smokers for 20 hours) and ribs — their famous Memphis style spare ribs (slow-cooked over a charcoal fire pit, served either wet of dry) and baby back ribs (smoked and then finished over the hickory grill).

But Memphis BBQ is also serving more experimental barbeque items like pulled pork egg rolls, brisket enchiladas, and spicy BBQ shrimp.

Side dishes include barbeque baked beans, baked four-cheese mac & cheese, grilled marinated zucchini and squash, and buttermild battered onion rings.

And there’s a bar, too — a tequila and bourbon focused bar, serving some southern specialties, along with beer on draft and over 50 wines.

In this suddenly nippy weather, doesn’t hot barbeque sound good? I don’t know about you, but my mouth is watering.

Memphis Barbeque is located at 320 S. 23rd St., Arlington (571-970-2727; www.memphisque.com).

-Julia Harbo

Shakespeare, Synetic and Scandal Oh My!

Posted by clara / Friday, August 12th, 2011

Friday, August 12, 2011

Whether you’ve been a regular follower of our Theatre Guide & Reviews, or you’ve skipped the shows because of the crazy expensive ticket prices, this upcoming show at the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Sidney Harman Hall is for you. Their summer “Free for All” program presents William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar,” opening August 18. This year, STC is providing an online ticket lottery for patrons who want to plan ahead instead of waiting in the ticket line before the performance.

“Julius Caesar” is a story about the tyranny of politics. Shakespeare’s three leading men: Julius, Brutus, and Marc Antony, become three voices for the various factions in Rome’s government. Though the play deals with a power struggle in the government, it also gives audiences a well-rounded picture of those involved in a government scandal, and the good and bad traits that make up a person’s character.

Dan Kremer as Julius Caesar, Kryztov Lindquist as the Soothsayer and the cast of the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s 2008 production of “Julius Caesar.” Photo by Carol Rosegg.

More than 600,000 people have attended Free for All since its inception in 1991. Artistic Director Michael Kahn says, “One of the major goals of the Free For All is to make Shakespeare accessible to diverse audiences—people who have never been to the theatre, people who are unable to pay for tickets or afford a babysitter, young people, students, people on fixed incomes. They all come to experience the magic of Shakespeare, to see how his words and ideas still resonate with us more than 400 years later.”

“Julius Caesar” was first presented by the Shakespeare Theatre Company during their 2007-2008 season. The timeliness of their “Caesar” re-staging is uncanny; this October, George Clooney takes another stab at directing with “The Ides of March.” This film is sure to have audiences buzzing; with the presidential election season fast approaching, the commentary of this movie will not only offer insight into our slate of candidates but give us a new spin on the age old phrase “history repeats itself.” Based on the play by Beau Willimon, the movie stars Ryan Gosling, a staff member of presidential candidate George Clooney whose life is turned upside down by the dirty politics of running for the United States presidency.

In other theatrical news – albeit more lighthearted news – comedian Richard Lewis is coming to Synetic Theater!

Richard Lewis. Photo Courtesy Synetic Theater.

Lewis is going into his eighth season on TV’s hit comedy “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” which has received six Emmy nominations. His character performance in the series has been lauded by SAG and magazines like Vanity Fair. He is performing in Arlington as a part of the Misery Loves Company Stand-Up Tour on Friday August 19 and Saturday August 20. Tickets are $40.

For more information about “Julius Caesar,” visit www.shakespearetheatre.org. For more information about “The Ides of March,” click here to visit their IMDb page. For more information about comedian Richard Lewis, visit www.arlingtoncomedy.com.

–Clara Ritger

Synetic Theater Hosts Second City and Former VA Resident This Weekend

Posted by clara / Thursday, July 14th, 2011

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Second City's Chris Witaske, Mark Piebenga, Kate Duffy, Lyndsay Hailey and Tim Stoltenberg. Photo by Michael Brosilow.

Performing for a brief two nights only, Second City will make their appearance at Synetic Theater in Crystal City Friday July 15 and Saturday July 16. Touring with the company is Lyndsay Hailey, former resident of Richmond, VA.

“I love Virginia!” she says. “I wish improv comedy had more legs in the state and I’d be there.”

Hailey didn’t always know she wanted to have a career in comedy. In fact, she went to college to study marketing and after working on the set of One Tree Hill she started auditioning. “Comedy kind of found me,” Hailey says. “I always had a part of me that wanted to be on stage but never did.”

After a stint with an improvisation troupe in North Carolina, Hailey picked up and moved to Chicago where she soon became a member of Second City. Some of her favorite characters are written by legendary comediennes Tina Fey and Rachel Dratch. “I’ve auditioned for Saturday Night Live twice,” Hailey says, “and I’ve gotten really close. That’s a big dream of mine.”

She’s got a YouTube channel, which has drawn the most traffic from her “Captain Juggles” music and “A Diamond Lasts a Real Long Time” skit. “I found the ‘WHORE’ choker and it all unfolded from there,” she says. “That combined with the fact that I’ve always had a thing against those diamond commercials, and the girls who swoon over a piece of jewelry.”

This weekend, catch her and the rest of her Second City troupe in “Best of Show.” Hailey says that though their performance is mostly a combination of great archive material and some cast original material, their general theme is that technology is taking over the world. She’s got her very own original piece in the second act, which she says she wrote “for Virginia and the Virginia culture.”

Photo Courtesy Lyndsay Hailey

As though it needed to be said, Hailey reassured that the evening would be enjoyable. “I can guarantee you’ll be laughing,” she says. Tickets cost $40 and are available online www.arlingtoncomedy.com.

–Clara Ritger

Crop Rapport: Keeping it FRESH at Crystal City

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

Emily Thompson May be a Crystal City Newcomer, but She Knows Her Cheese (Image: Johnisha Levi/Northern Virginia Magazine)

At 97 degrees yesterday, it was a scorcher more typical of this area’s July-around-the-corner weather than the balmy, breezy days that have soothed our disbelieving souls in recent weeks. But I was eager to step out to the Crystal City FRESHFARMS Farmers Market, just a stone’s throw from the Crystal City metro stop on the blue line.

The first sight to greet you as you round the corner of Crystal Drive (between 18th and 20th streets) is the cheery green and yellow Sweetflow mobile. The farmers market here is a well-organized aisle of blue and white tent coverings gently shading the fruits of labor of 16 vendors.

The market is a relatively young one. Although it opened in 2009,  its current manager, FRESHFARM Markets has only been in charge of  Crystal City since 2010. This is FRESHFARM’s first Virginia venture; all its other markets are located in D.C. and Maryland.

FRESHFARM makes on-site visits to all vendors to ensure that Crystal City is a producer-only market, and that agricultural products are not simply being resold. FRESHFARM Markets also works in partnership with the Arlington Food Assistance Center in order to provide the Center with leftover produce from farms and producers at the end of the market day. This is a particularly important endeavor given the new 10-cent-per-pound produce fee facing area food pantries.

Market attendance is already up since last year. I (wrongly) anticipated that the market would be busiest after 5 p.m. when people start to leave work, but according to Cindy Olson, the farm market manager, the early bird gets the worm here. “It gets busy early,” she said. “Today, we were super busy at 3:30 p.m. with about 150 people [shopping].” Many of these shoppers look forward to the market as a good afternoon break and can’t wait until the end of the work day.

The Crystal City market is relatively small but offers a great cross section of options for the farmers market enthusiast. In addition to beautiful produce (cherries are in season and yesterday marked the debut of peaches), you will find locally pasture-raised bison (Gunpowder Bison & Trading), chicken, beef, pork, seasonal floral bouquets (from Gainesville, Virginia’s LynnVale Studios), fresh-baked breads by Atwater’s Bakery, and both goat’s milk and sheep’s milk cheeses. Today’s market also featured the tranquil vocals of Betsey O’Malley.

While visiting the market, I was particularly enticed by the sheep’s milk cheese produced by Everona Dairy. Emily Thompson expertly guides her customers through a selection of artisan cheeses, butter crackers (including herbes de provence, cinnamon, and cocoa varieties), and the dairy’s own version of membrillos, a spread of dried fruit and nuts formulated to enhance the flavors of the various cheeses. (Everona has future plans for a more traditional membrillo made with quince.)

Customer Steve Polk has become a regular at the Everona table and is practically a co-salesperson. He keeps returning for the Stony Man cheese: “It reminds me of a mild Parmesan, which I love. And it has a sweetness I can’t describe.” For me, the “perfect bite” is Everona’s Marble cheese (not a blue, but veined with vegetable ash), the cherry and peach membrillo (call it adult candy), and a corn spice cracker (that heats the tongue slightly):

The Perfect Bite (Johnisha M. Levi/Northern Virginia Magazine)

Steve is right when he warns that my purchases may last only three days. Try one day!

Next time you are looking for a Tuesday market in Northern Virginia, swing by Crystal City. If you are interested in volunteering to transport market donations on Tuesday nights to the Arlington Food Assistance Center, contact puwen.lee@afac.org for more information.

Want to learn more about eating local? Be sure to visit Crystal City next week between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. when Diane Welland, M.S., R.D.,  will be signing her book, “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Eating Local.”

-Johnisha M. Levi

Northern Virginia’s Farmers Markets and Hours

Annandale Farmers Market • 6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale – Thu, 8-noon
Arlington Farmers Market • N. 14th St. & N. Courthouse Road, Arlington – Sat, 8-noon
Ashburn Farmers Market • 44036 Pipeline Plaza, Ashburn – Sat, 8-noon
Ballston Farmers Market • N. Stuart St. & N. Ninth St. – Thu, 3-7 p.m.
Brambleton Farmers Market • 22875 Brambleton Plaza, Ashburn – Sun, 9-1 p.m.
Burke Farmers Market • 5671 Roberts Parkway, Burke – Sat, 8-noon
Cascades Farmers Market • 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling – Sun, 9-1 p.m.
Clarendon Farmers Market • 3100 Wilson Blvd., Arlington – Wed, 3-7 p.m.
Columbia Pike Farmers Market • S. Walter Reed Drive & Columbia Pike – Sun, 9-1 p.m.
Community Farmers Market • West & Main Streets (Sat), North St. & Old Lee Highway (Sun), Fairfax – Sat: 8-1 p.m.; Sun: 10-2 p.m.
Crystal City Farmers Market • Crystal Square Arcade between S. 18th and 20th Streets – Tue, 3-7 p.m.
Culpeper Farmers Market • E. Davis & Commerce Streets – Sat, 7:30-noon
Dale City Farmers Market • Dale Blvd. & Minnieville Road, Dale City – Sun, 8-1 p.m.
Del Ray Farmers’ Market • E. Oxford & Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria – Sat, 8-noon
Fairfax Farmers Market • 3720 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax – Tue, 8-noon
Falls Church Farmers Market • 300 Park Ave., Falls Church – Sat, 8-noon
Fredericksburg Farmers Market • George and Prince Edward Streets, Fredericksburg – Mon-Sat, 7-6 p.m.; Sun, 12:30-4 p.m.
Frying Pan Farmers Market • 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon – Wed, 8-12:30 p.m.
Great Falls Farmers Market • 750 Walker Road, Great Falls – Sat, 9-1 p.m.
Haymarket Farmers Market • 1500 Washington St., Haymarket – Sat, 8-2 p.m.
Herndon Farmers Market • Lynn and Station Streets, Herndon – Thu, 8-noon
Kingstowne Farmers Market • Kingstowne Center & Kingstowne Blvd., Franconia – Fri, 4-7 p.m.
Leesburg Farmers Market • 20 Catoctin Circle S.E., Leesburg – Sat, 8-noon
Lorton Farmers Market • 8990 Lorton Station Blvd., Lorton – Sun, 9-1 p.m.
McLean Farmers Market • 1659 Chain Bridge Road, McLean – Fri, 8-noon
McLeans’ Lifestyle and Farmers Market • 7920 Jones Branch Drive, McLean; Saturdays, 9-1p.m.
Middleburg Farmers Market • 300 W. Washington St., Middleburg – Sat, 8-noon
Mount Vernon Farmers Market • 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria – Tue, 8-noon
Oakton Farmers Market • 3200 Jermantown Road, Oakton – Wed, 8-noon
Old Town Alexandria Farmers Market • 301 King St., Alexandria – Sat, 5:30-11 a.m.
Old Town Manassas Farmers Market • 9201 Center St., Manassas – Thu, 7-1 p.m.; Sat, 7:30-2:30 p.m.
Nokesville Farmers Market • 13005 Fitzwater Drive, Nokesville – Sat, 8-noon
Purcellville Farmers Market • 751 E. Main St., Purcellville – Sat, 8-noon
Reston Farmers Market • 11400 Washington Plaza W., Reston – Sat, 8-noon
Rosslyn Farmers Market • Wilson Blvd. & N. Oak St.- Thu, 11-3 p.m.
Upper King Street Farmers Market • 1806 King St., Alexandria – Wed, 3-7 p.m.
Vienna Farmers Market • 131 Church St. N.E., Vienna – Sat, 8-noon
Wakefield Farmers Market • 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale – Wed, 2-6 p.m.
Warrenton Farmers Market • Branch Drive and Warrenton Village Center (Wed), S. Fifth & Lee Streets (Sat) – Wed, 7-1 p.m.; Sat, 7-noon
West End Farmers Market • 4800 Brenman Park Drive, Alexandria – Sun, 9-1 p.m.

Or click here for our full list of local farmers markets

Red Meat: Gordon Vivace

Posted by Warren Rojas / Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

Wild animals are fair game on Gordon Vivace’s prep table:

The self-taught chef turned restaurateur opened Cucina Vivace on Crystal City’s fabled “restaurant row” a few years back and has been cultivating a loyal following ever since. He has since spun off a personal cheffing gig/meal delivery operation and has a cookbook in the works.

WR: Salt. Pepper. What other spices/herbs could you not live without?

GV: Basil, cumin, any number of hot peppers

WR: What’s the very first dish you ever mastered? How long did it take? Do you still make it today?

GV: I tend to cook in an old-fashioned Mediterranean style, so “mastered” could have a lot of meanings. My dishes often come out a little different from one attempt to another on purpose, and none are necessarily better than the others. It’s more a matter of what’s on hand to make them special that particular time. But, I suppose the first dish I feel I made that was unanimously accepted where people might not have liked it cooked by others is … chicken liver! I have a few secrets for transforming this ugly little morsel and, oh yes, I still make it whenever I can.

WR: What seasonal ingredient(s) get your creative juices flowing?

GV: Summer tomatoes, winter squashes and local meats like venison and boar.

WR: My latest cookbook obsession is …

GV: I don’t actually read too many cookbooks, though I’m fond of all the Lidia Bastianich books.

WR: What’s the most challenging dish you’ve ever attempted? Would you make it again?

GV: Whole stuffed wild boar. And probably not.

WR: If I could the spend the day working alongside any local chef, I’d love to collaborate with …

GV: José Andrés

WR: What’s the easiest/quickest–but still wholly satisfying–meal you make for yourself?

GV: Roast chicken.

I stuff the cavity with lemons, rosemary, peppercorns and a few ice cubes to help the flavors get into the breast once steam forms.

Roasted in a 400 degree oven, the prep time is about 10 minutes. Then I’m off with a glass of wine until I check on it 45 minutes later. Then it rests for 10-15. Total involvement time is about 15 minutes, 20 if I decide to make gravy (though it doesn’t need it). And it’s wholly satisfying.

WR: In the next six months you won’t want to miss my …

GV: Italian Summer Grill Menu. Our entrees this summer are particularly geared toward the grill and many items will be disappearing in the fall.

WR: It’s quitting time. I’m pouring myself …

GV: Elijah Craig bourbon
————————————————————————————————————————————————

Chef, stuffed boar and venison are right in our wheelhouse. But it sounds like we may have to give your chicken livers a whirl…

Come back next Tuesday for another helping of Red Meat.

–Warren