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

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. 

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

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 peek 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

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.

Image: SF Weekly

Outstanding Restaurant

* Vidalia – D.C.

Rising Star Chef of the Year

* Johnny Monis, Komi – D.C.

Best New Restaurant

* Eventide

* J & G Steakhouse – D.C.

* Trummer’s on Main

Outstanding Pastry Chef

* Amanda Cook, CityZen – D.C.

Outstanding Wine Service

* Restaurant Eve

Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional

Image: Jonathan Timmes

* Derek Brown, The Passenger – D.C.

Outstanding Service

* Marcel’s – D.C.

Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic

* Cathal Armstrong, Restaurant Eve

* Tony Conte, The Oval Room – D.C.

* Melissa Close Hart, Palladio at Barboursville Vineyards

* Peter Pastan, Obelisk -  D.C.

* Dale Reitzer, Acacia

* Vikram Sunderam, Rasika- D.C.

* Bryan Voltaggio, Volt – Md.

The five finalists in each category will be unveiled March 22, with the winners honored at the May 3^rd Beard Foundation awards gala in New York.

–Aisha Salazar

Carnivores Unite for Meat Week 2010

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, January 28th, 2010

Two days and counting until Meat Week 2010! The event lasts from January 31 to February 7 nationwide, with the event culminating on Super Bowl Sunday. What a perfect way to end the week: barbeque and pigskin. Eight days of pure heaven for meat lovers. 

Image: Kelly Kubik

In 2005 “The Holiday That Time Forgot” was founded by Chris Cantey and Erni Walker in Tallahassee, Florida.  Although the term meat refers to any and all animal flesh, they decided to focus meat week on barbeque, Southern style barbeque that is.  Awards are handed out for Best of’s (Sauce, Service, Sides, Atmosphere, and All-Around) and Meat Week Honors.  Meatography is key to documenting the event.

The DC region can thank Captain Mike Bober of Capital Spice, for putting together a mouthwatering list of venues for DC’s first ever Meat Week.

DC’s Meat Week 2010 Schedule:

-Sunday, Jan 31: Urban BBQ in Rockville, MD

-Monday, Feb 1: Rocklands Barbeque in Washington, DC

-Tuesday, Feb 2: Red Hot & Blue in Arlington, VA

-Wednesday, Feb 3: Pork Barrel BBQ at Mango Mike’s in Alexandria, VA from 5-9pm ($15.95)

-Thursday, Feb 4: Capital Q in Washington, DC

-Friday, Feb 5: Branded ’72 in Rockville, MD

-Saturday, Feb 6: Mr. P’s Ribs and Fish in Washington, DC (514 Rhode Island Ave, NE in the Safeway parking lot) at 3pm

-Sunday, Feb 7: venue of your choice at 6pm

The idea was to keep the event within the Beltway and Metro accessible, so only two venues are in Virginia.

Lucky for us, one of the Virginia venues (Mango Mike’s) will feature a preview of what’s to come at Pork Barrel BBQ (yes, the makers of the sauce and dry rub), which opens this spring in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, VA. It’s an appropriate debut as the guys at Pork Barrel are partnering with Mike Anderson and Bill Blackburn of Mango Mike’s to develop the new restaurant.

Urban BBQ is on the list, which is the location of last years first attempt by Tim Carman in drawing fans to the holiday. 

Rockland’s Virginia locations, though not the primary site for the holiday, will be happy to take any carnivores eager to bite into some barbeque.

On the last day participants are free to eat barbeque at a game watching party of their choice.  All gatherings are open to the public and take place at 7pm, unless otherwise noted. You don’t have to attend all 8 days.

To secure a spot at Pork Barrel’s tasting, email capitalspice@gmail.com by Monday evening.

Excuse me while I go wipe the drool off my face.

–Aisha Salazar