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Posted by The Editorial Desk / Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

Image: Rebecca Armendariz/TBD

In 2008, Pork Barrel BBQ founders Heath Hall and Brett Thompson released their company’s first product – the All-American Spice Rub. The brand has grown and, since 2009, Hall and Thompson have entered a competition barbecue team in contests, beginning with the Safeway National Capital Barbecue Battle in D.C. They even have their own fragrance – “Que.”

The Alexandria restaurant, which opens today, is another first for the company.

The first Pork Barrel BBQ restaurant opens today at 2300 Mount Vernon Avenue in the Del Rey neighborhood of Alexandria. It’s been over two years since the venture was first announced in August 2009.

Also news is that they’ve brought aboard former Evening Star Café chef, Will Artley, as a consultant to share his knowledge of operating a restaurant and even offering tweaks to the side dishes — including what co-owner Brett Thompson calls an “off-the-charts” rendition of mac-n-cheese.

Pork Barrel BBQ Ribs!

Northern Virginia has been waiting a long time for great BBQ, and I, for one, am looking forward to filling that BBQ void with sumptuous pulled pork, ribs, brisket, chicken and special recipe sausage and sides like BBQ baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad, corn salad and mac & cheese!

Opening today! Go get your BBQ on!

Pork Barrel BBQ Restaurant - 2312 Mt. Vernon Ave, Alexandria

Visit their Facebook page or website for more information!

– Jennie Whistler

Happy Hour: RLife LIVE Series

Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Thursday, November 10th, 2011

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Don’t you just love it when a hotel offers a fresh, unique spin on happy hours in the city?

In case you didn't already get the office-wide memo. / Photo credit: Shutterstock/Arcady

So do we. For the rest of the year, Renaissance Arlington Capital View is running a series of f-r-e-e musical shingdigs at their lovely location, each featuring a different, up-and-coming talented guest artist.

This week’s guest performer is Kristina Furey, a DC singer with a “voice like Joss Stone.” Starting at 6 pm, the hotel’s lounge will be host to the evening’s entertainment festivities. With Blue Ribbon menu items, specialty cocktails and live music, it’s our top pick for free entertainment + yummy drinks happy hour.

RLife LIVE Series
2800 South Potomac Avenue
Arlington, VA 22202
(571) 814-4034
www.therenaissancelife.com

HH: 6 to 8 pm

Cost: prices vary

–Lorin Drinkard

International Champagne Day!

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

Did you know that this Friday is International Champagne Day?

Image: Ivanova Inga/Shutterstock

In preparation of the big day, here are some facts about champagne:

-Champagne is a region in France (including the towns of Rhiems, Ay, and Epernay) where the first sparkling wine was made.

-Champagne is now synonymous with all sparkling wines, but should technically only be used for sparkling wine made with grapes from the Champagne region of France.

-A 1970 bottle of Dom Perignon sells for around $2,500.

-Basement climate cabinets are the best places to store champagne.

-Champagne contains antioxidants that are beneficial in reducing the risk of heart problems or strokes.

In honor of Champagne Day, Friday, October 28, Marcel’s in D.C. is offering a French tasting of three specialty champagnes paired with three extravagant hors d’oeuvre.

The champagnes are: Jacquesson Cuvee 734 from Dizy-Champagne, Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve from Mareuil-sur-Ay-Champagne, and Michel-Arnould Brut Rose Grand Cru NV from Verzenay-Champagne.

For the food, Chef Robert Wiedmaier will be serving Quail Egg on Toasted Brioche, Kumamoto Oyster with Champagne Mignonette, and Potato Blini with Smoked Scottish Salmon and Crème Fraîche. All of the hors d’oeuvre will also include Osetra Caviar, one of the most prized caviars in the world.

There will also be champagne experts on hand to speak about the champagnes.

Prices of the tastings are $100 for champagne and food, or $29 for champagne only at the bar. Marcel’s also has over 40 different kinds of champagne on their menu, so if you still want more, no worries there. To RSVP, call 202-296-1166.

Marcel’s is located at 2401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.

And if you’re not up for shelling out the cash, please, at least honor Friday’s big day by popping open a bottle of bubbly at home.

-Julia Harbo

October is Virginia Wine Month

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, October 13th, 2011

Did you know that October is Virginia wine month? That means that if you’re looking for something different to do this weekend, look no further because the Virginia Wine Academy’s got you covered!

(Image: Washingtonwineacademy.org)

This Friday (and every Friday in October) they’re offering wine cruises along the Potomac where you can kick back, relax and enjoy some amazing local Virginia wines!

For $55 get 15 tastes (or combine your tastes for full glasses) of some of the best wines this state has to offer. If you’re feeling a bit peckish, there will be a wide array of snack to choose from.

Each cruise is 90 minutes and offers some of the best views of the DC skyline.

Virginia Wine Cruises on the Potomac are offered every Friday in October and depart from the SW Waterfront at 700 street.

Cruise Times:

6:30 – 8:00 PM – Boats board 15 minutes in advance and leave on time.

8:30 – 10:00 PM – Boats board 15 minutes in advance and leave on time.

NOTE: You will be scheduled on the cruise you sign up for and we will not be able accommodate late or early arrivals due to capacity of the boats. These cruises are expected to sell out.

Go here for more information or to purchase tickets.

Founded in 1999, The Washington Wine Academy is the premier wine education center in the Washington DC area and educates more than 1,000 wine enthusiasts a month.

Washington Wine Academy Education Center
1201 South Eads Street, Suite 400
Arlington
(703)971.1525

– Jennie Whistler

D.C.’s The Jockey Club Reopens as 2100 Prime

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, October 3rd, 2011

The legendary restaurant formerly known as The Jockey Club, which served celebrities and politicians in D.C.’s Fairfax Hotel on Embassy Row, has reopened as 2100 Prime with a fresh focus on all-natural ingredients.

Executive Chef Mark Timms aims to serve an approachable cuisine that has been prepared with traditional techniques with the freshest ingredients. “An important piece of my work is to involve the local community, children, students and adults, introducing them to fresh, organic, aromatic and tender vegetables, herbs, fruits, fish and grass fed, hormone free meats. I want to bring what’s growing outside to our table here at 2100 Prime, creating a local dining experience for our guests,” Timms said.

The new fall menu includes items from quality organic farms and all-natural producers, such as:

Vermont Butter & Cream Co., Vermont (butter, goat cheese, and marscapone)
Pineland Farms, Virginia and Maine (beef strip loin and tenderloin)
Blue Mon Acres, Pennsylvania (chicken)
Grafton Cheddar, Vermont (cheddar cheese)

Featured on the fall menu is also a section called “Memory Lane,” which will bring back some of the old favorites of The Jockey Club, including their Lobster Thermidor and Dover Sole and Prime Steak Tartare.

New dishes of 2100 Prime include Heirloom Tomato (from Blue Mon Acres) Soup, Brie Spinach and Prosciutto Salad, Chicken ‘n’ Crepes, and Braised Lamb Shank.

“I believe in providing the freshest regional foods available incorporating hormone free meats, fish that is not over produced, and produce grown locally with no pesticides or chemicals. I hold an encompassing respect for farmers who nurture and protect the land,” said Chef Timms.

The restaurant also showcases a wine list with other 130 bottles of domestic and international wines.

2100 Prime is located in the Fairfax Hotel at 2100 Massachussetts Ave., NW (202-835-2100). See the full menu and restaurant website here.

-Julia Harbo

Don’t Ever Say That PAUL Gave You Nothin’

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

: Image: WDG Photo/Shutterstock

This past weekend, after a long dinner with copious amounts of food at America Eats Tavern, I was strolling through DC’s Penn Quarter when I noticed across the plaza of the US Navy Memorial a wonderfully familiar awning. In the clear night, I could make out the clean white letters of PAUL shining ever so gloriously in the moonlight. I never thought I would see such a magnificent sight as PAUL right here in DC, the capital of the United States of America!

I discovered PAUL when I was traveling through France and immediately fell in love with their beautifully delicious baked goods—second to the Eifel Tower and €2 wine, these pastries are what I think of when I think of France. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely preferred some of the one-of-a-kind patisseries I found on the small streets in Paris, but during the two weeks I was traveling through France, I learned that Paul was a trustworthy brand in which I could lay my expectations of eating some form of delicious French baked goods. When I was back in Barcelona resuming my work, I was pleasantly surprised to find a random PAUL franchise for a taste of Paris in a different European country.

Back in DC, I was pulled by some force, despite my fullness from dinner, towards the shining lights of PAUL and gazed in through the windows. It was about 9 p.m. and the lights were still on as a few workers were closing down shop. Before I knew it, one of the workers saw me and the group I was with and started walking quickly towards the locked door. Pardon me, didn’t mean to eye-rape your baked goods, kind sir, just taking an innocent glance!

“You folks want something?”

“Oh, nooo, just looking….”

“Hang on—” and he was off, walking towards the back of the cute little shop.

We all looked at each other in giddy curiosity of where this friendly worker was going and what he might be bringing back with him. I was expecting some day-old croissants, a couple of stale macaroons, at best. He returned from the kitchen with a large box to present us with, opening it in front of our bright eyes. Inside was a lattice-topped fruit pie, probably about 12 inches in diameter, so beautifully glazed it nearly reflected the moonlight.

“I was gonna take it home with me, but I really don’t need it,” the man said.

“Really?”

“Enjoy it…and don’t ever say that PAUL gave you nothin’!”

It was the sweetest thing that I had witnessed a stranger do in a while. What better way to brighten up the end of a great night with free pie?

The item turned out to be what PAUL calls a tarte aux myrtilles, otherwise known as a blueberry tart. Though it was clearly just left over from the morning, so not completely fresh as to be servable the next business day, it was a sweet gift, and I will forever remember PAUL as a sweet delight.

The lovely PAUL worker and his charming gift

PAUL is located at 801 Pennsylvania Ave., NW DC; 202-524-4500. For more information visit www.paul-usa.com.

-Julia Harbo

I Eat: America Eats

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, September 12th, 2011

This Friday, as a tri-birthday celebration and in honor of the ten year anniversary of 9/11, I went to America Eats Tavern, José Andrés’ new restaurant replacement of the acclaimed Café Atlántico in DC.

America Eats Tavern, DC

José Andrés, apart from being named as an official Outstanding Chef by the James Beard Foundation, originally trained at the “best restaurant in the world” (before it closed), El Bulli, and is an acclaimed master of Spanish cooking. Despite this regional mastery, Andrés’ new Tavern sure does wave the American flag strongly in every way possible. In teaming up with the National Archives, the restaurant serves as a benefit in partnership with the exhibit “What’s Cooking, Uncle Sam?” and all profits from the restaurant are being donated to the exhibit.

America Eats Tavern falls into the category of the trendy pop-up restaurant. The menu is essentially an archive itself, telling stories of American history through food dating back to the 1600’s, with Native American hulled corn transformed into creamy grits or a variety of oysters from New York City in the 1800’s. I could have spent an hour just reading the menu and its historical descriptions, but, heck, we wanted to eat.

This restaurant was definitely an upscale scene, but when one of us ordered the peanut butter and jelly sandwich with foie gras, I couldn’t help but laugh when it came out served with a mini jug of milk (with a straw) and a brown bag of potato chips. I got a bonus chuckle as our first course was being cleared and the waitress asked, “Are you still working on your milk?”

At first, when my gazpacho was placed in front of me—a disproportionately big white bowl with three tiny tomatoes outlining a small pool of vinegar-speckled olive oil—I thought, Well, Americans must really doctor up the traditional gazpacho, and, I’m glad I ordered a second course. But then another member of the wait staff proceeded to pour a fresh tomato puree around the circle of tomatoes and olive oil and it was too late before the idea came to take a video on my phone (hey, I might be eating food from the 1800’s, but it’s the 21st century now!).

Needless to say, it was some of the boldest and tastiest gazpacho I’ve ever had, even in its deconstructed form. It was my first time actually tasting deconstructed food (after watching it for years on Top Chef) and I have to say, there’s definitely something to be said about it.

Maybe the coolest part of the meal was the dessert: key lime pie a la deconstruction.

With a spoonful of lavender-topped condensed milk, graham cracker crumbs, meringue, and lime zest foam (yes, foam!) it really did taste like a traditional sweet and zesty key lime pie that just happened to look like a strange futuristic molecular gastronomical deconstructed half food, half art.

America Eats Tavern, which has appropriately been open since this past July 4, will remain popped-up and open, at least, until January 1.

-Julia Harbo

Sneak Preview: Riot Act Comedy Theater

Posted by Rebekah Lowe / Thursday, August 11th, 2011

Thursday, August 11, 2011

The Riot Act Stage (Photo by Steve Stratton)

Last night, Riot Act Comedy Theater in Penn Quarter held a sneak peak grand opening event for members of the press.

Riot Act owners, Geoff Dawson (also owner of Buffalo Billiards, Iron Horse Tap Room and Rocket Bar), Marjorie Heiss (a veteran of Bedrock Management Company) and John Xereas (coordinated comedy events for Dave Chappelle, Bob Saget, Ellen DeGeneres and Ray Romano) graciously hosted the party. They served drinks and hors d’oeuvres from the Riot Act menu and pampered guests with an open bar. Big Al Goodwin, Tony Woods and Charles Fleischer each gave comedic shows for the lively audience (more on these guys later).

Mingling upstairs before the show

The party started with some mingling at the bar. Here’s what Riot Act had for us to sample off their menu:

Cold Hors D’oeuvres
• Antipasto Skewer
• Watermelon & Feta with Cracked Black Pepper
• Seafood Salad in Phyllo Cup

Hot Hors D’oeuvres
• Beef Hibachi Skewer
• Chicken Hibachi Skewer
• Brie with Raspberry in Phyllo Dough
• Duck Potstickers with Chili Soy
• Mini Quiche
• Spanakopita
• Fig with Mascarpone Cheese

The only appetizers I saw go around were the Antipasto Skewers (tomato, mozzarella and artichoke), Duck Potstickers (my favorite) and the Spanakopita, which weren’t fully cooked and were too doughy to eat. Riot Act also served a few types of wine (two white and two red) and several draft beers like 21st Amendment Blueberry and Riot Act Red. They featured a glorified vodka cranberry called the Summer Riot (Stolichnaya Vodka, Sprite and cranberry juice with a dash of pineapple juice).

Spanakopita & Pinot Noir (Photo by Steve Stratton)

After some more taste testing and mingling, everyone meandered downstairs to the theater for the show.

Big Al Goodwin

First up was Big Al Goodwin, who has toured the country and recently opened for Dave Chappelle, Wayne Brady and Steven Wright. He definitely made me laugh the most. Big Al based many of his jokes around his recent diagnosis with ADD. He pointed out the positive side of ADD: While most men would get yelled at by their wives for saying something out of line, he just gets the question, “Did you take your pill today?” He says, “No, I’ll go do that now.” Punch line: “Then I just don’t come back.” Sneaky. Big Al will be headlining at Riot Act August 24 through 27, and I definitely recommend catching his show! He’s a fun, goofy guy, and also a pretty good singer!

Up next was D.C.’s own Tony Woods. He’s performed for HBO’s “P. Diddy’s Bad Boys of Comedy”, NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” and his very own special “Comedy Central Presents: Tony Woods.” I had trouble hearing a lot of his jokes because the crowd got more talkative and we were sitting at a table to the side of stage where there weren’t speakers in our direction. Tony is a really energetic, animated guy. My favorite joke from him was when he looked at a photographer who was snapping a pic of him and said, “I don’t know if he’s from the press or the insurance company. I supposedly have whip lash.” Tony Woods headlines at Riot Act in October. Make sure you sit toward the middle of the room so you can hear well to keep up with his fast-paced comedy style.

Tony Woods (Photo by Steve Stratton)

Charles Fleischer (Photo by Steve Stratton)

Last up was Charles Fleischer, who is also from D.C. He has been in “The Polar Express,” “Funny People, “Laugh In” and more. Perhaps he is best known for being the voice of Roger Rabbit in Robert Zemickis’ “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” Charles’ jokes revolved around improv more so than the other comedians’ jokes did. He picked out members of the audience and poked fun at them. He asked one guy, “Where do you work?” The guy responded, “Management.” Charles told him, “Thank you for the specific answer.” He can definitely think on his feet, but I wasn’t as fond of his comic style. While the first two comedians kept their acts fairly clean (especially Big Al), Charles’ blunt delivery on some risqué topics made his show my least favorite. Charles Fleischer is headlining at Riot Act today through Saturdayif you want to see a show this weekend. I just don’t recommend bringing the kids along.

Riot Act Comedy Theater
801 E St., NW
Washington, DC 20004
202-697-4900
www.riotactcomedy.com

The new comedy club and event facility will showcase both major national headliners and budding local talent. It officially opens to the public today. Located near the Verizon Center and the National Spy Museum (which I suggest you also check out—you will leave paranoid), Riot Act is a two-story, 13,000-square-foot facility with a 330 seat showroom. It features a School of Comedy, full movie screen, weekly open mic nights, cabaret-style dining with full table service, digital recording capabilities, high-tech broadcast resources and two bar areas for socializing before and after shows and for TV viewings of sold out performances.

Weekly Riot Act schedule:
• Tuesday: Open Mic in main showroom
• Wednesday: Theme nights
• Thursday—Sunday: Local & national headliners

-Rebekah Lowe

“Water” You Doing?

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

Image: Merinews

Yesterday was the international observance of World Water Day and this week is World Water Week. To celebrate and increase awareness of the global water problem, several local restaurants (including six in VA) will participate in the UNICEF Tap Project from March 21-27. Restaurants are asking that customers donate $1 or more for the tap water they usually enjoy for free.

According to “Sick Water?”, a report on wastewater management from the United Nations, more people die from polluted water than wars. Former World Bank Vice President, Ismail Serageldin, believes that “wars in the 21^st century will be fought over water.” Domestic battles over water are not to be spared.

The UN report also states that much of the wastewater is a result of industrial, animal, agricultural, fertilizer, and sewage run-off. What’s worse is that 10% of the world’s population is eating food that is grown using wastewater for irrigation and fertilizer. It’s not only damaging ecosystems but affects human and animal health, spreading disease. In fact, 1.8 million children under the age of five die each year from water related diseases. That’s 20 children per second.

Considering agriculture is the single largest user of water, there is a whole chapter dedicated to wastewater, food security, and production. While most of the water is recycled through the system, the majority becomes contaminated along the way.

According to UNICEF, one out of every five people around the world lack safe drinking water and one out of every two people does not have a sanitary toilet. In the US, 10% of Americans don’t have access to clean drinking water.

While some may think bottled water is the answer, the majority of bottled water is tap water, which seems to have a few problems of its own. While DC residents complain of the chlorine smell, it’s much better than ingesting bacteria.

The truth about bottled water will be exposed when the director and producer of the documentary “Tapped” visit Busboys and Poets on April 19^th. The two women will stop in 30 cities nationwide where they will collect pledges from people willing to reduce their bottled water usage. That same day people can also trade empty plastic bottles of water for a Klean Kanteen–a refillable water container.

(Video: Tapped)

Plastic is a huge contributor to the largest garbage patch in the ocean in the North Pacific Gyre of the Pacific Ocean—it’s about the size of Texas and floats between Hawaii and San Francisco.

A great way to help reduce water waste is by following The Nature Conservancy water conservation tips.

To learn more about the water crisis, you can catch water-related films at the Environmental Film Festival; several excerpts will be shown today during the ‘Program on Global Water Issues’ at the Carnegie Institution for Science in DC. You can also join in activities on the Hill today.

For information about Virginia water quality, visit the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Each January the state publishes its “Reduction of Toxics in State Water Report” to summarize and inform the General Assembly of its efforts to reduce toxic products in within Virginia’s waters.

So, water you doing to help??

–Aisha Salazar

James Beard Award Semifinalists Announced

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, February 18th, 2010

The James Beard Foundation has announced its 2010 semifinalists for the Restaurant and Chef Awards. Twenty-two D.C., Virginia, and Maryland restaurants are represented; a significant honor and indication that the D.C. region is a culinary hot spot.

Congratulations to all of the nominees!

Outstanding Restaurateur

* Ashok Bajaj, 701/Ardeo/Bardeo/Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca/The Bombay Club/The Oval Room/Rasika – D.C.

Outstanding Chef

* Jose Andres, minibar – D.C.