Soul Mate Food

Posted by Rebekah Lowe / Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

sbarabu & topseller/shutterstock.com

Lovers Enjoy Sharable Dishes for Valentine’s Day

By Jennifer Whistler

A woman happily in love, she burns the souffle. A woman unhappily in love, she forgets to turn on the oven, a chef tells lovelorn Audrey Hepburn in “Sabrina.” Take the chef’s advice and let someone else take care of dinner. Treat your sweetie to one of Northern Virginia’s most romantic restaurants.

Restaurant Eve

Restaurant Eve sings with romance. From a cobblestone walkway lined with candles to plush booths inside, this Old Town fine-dining establishment offers charming service and elegant fare.

When Chef de Cuisine Jeremy Hoffman creates a special menu he uses lavish items such as caviar, truffles and foie gras. Presentation remains just as important. “I consider color a huge factor,” says Hoffman, incorporating holiday-hued beets, scarlet turnips, watermelon radish and rosewater.

Restaurant Eve, 110 S. Pitt St., Alexandria; 703-706-0450; www.restauranteve.com

L’Auberge Chez Francois

As a restaurant known for marriage proposals, celebrations and family memories, it’s no wonder locals vote L’Auberge Chez Francois as the most romantic area restaurant. Tucked away in the rolling hills of Great Falls, Head Chef Jacques Haeringer offers succulent dishes that couples can easily share. “Chateau Briand, salmon with puff pastry and rack of ribs, all made to be enjoyed together,” Haeringer says.

L’Auberge Chez Francois, 332 Springvale Road, Great Falls; 703-759-3800; www.laubergechezfrancois.com

2941

V-Day lets lovers indulge, and Chef Bertrand Chemel continues the tradition. The 2941 chef offers luxuries: “Lobster, fish, some Provencal black truffle [are all] things that people don’t get to eat very often,” Chemel explains.

After selecting five or six traditional items, such as filet mignon, the chef throws in a few surprises. Monchong anyone? “I play it 50-percent safe, 50-percent not,” jokes Chemel.

But that doesn’t mean the Falls Church resto will skimp on cocoa. Lovers can capture that cupid moment, as Chamel prepares “something for two that a couple can enjoy together.”

2941, 2941 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church; 703-270-1500; www.2941.com

Photo credits: Anna Hoychuk/shutterstock.com (dates wrapped in bacon); Foodpictures/shutterstock.com (potatos gratin); holbox/shutterstock.com (bluefin tuna)

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

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Easy Local Eats for Hosting a Big Party for the Big Game

Posted by Joey Hernandez / Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

There are only three requirements for any Super Bowl party:  beer to drink, bites to eat and a big TV screen to watch.  Assuming the flat screen’s already mounted to the wall, you just need to think about grub. Sure, you could spend all day in the kitchen and then hours washing dishes; you could also grab Miller Lite and frozen pizza from the grocery store, but that’s no way to celebrate (or jeer) the Giants and Pats. Host the perfect Super Bowl party with some tasty and local NoVA goodies.

Chips and Dips

• Tomatillo salsa and black bean and garlic dip, from Bigg Riggs Farm
• Locally grown Route 11 potato chips from The Local Market in Falls Church

Pizza and Sandwiches

• Tony’s New York Pizza, authentic NY style pizza (for the Eli fans)
• The Italian Store, for a proper spread: The All American offers three meats, three cheese and accompaniments, priced per person
• Lost Dog Cafe, open-faced finger sandwiches for polite pig skin fans

Beer

• Growler to-go at any of the Great American Restaurants 
• Dogfish Head Alehouse for its famed 60 Minute IPA
• Norms Beer and Wine for interesting craft selections

 Photo: Shutterstock/Igor Dutina

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Port City Brewing Company’s ONE Year Anniversary

Posted by Sally Traynham / Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

After selling 3,000 barrels of beer and giving over 7,000 brewery tours, Port City Brewing Company celebrates its one year anniversary this Friday. To commemorate, head brewer Jonathan Reeves has brewed ONE, a Belgian Imperial Stout that the Alexandria-based brew house describes as rich, dark and strong with flavors of espresso, dark Swiss chocolate and a touch of orange zest.

With only one batch brewed, you won’t want to miss out on this commemorative beer, which you can find tomorrow after 6 p.m. at select restaurants and bars in Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Why after 6 p.m.?  Because that is the designated time when there will be the simultaneous tappings of ONE at participating spots. Find the closest pint of ONE via Port City Brewing Company’s Facebook and Twitter.

PS–Don’t forget to vote in our best of NoVA beer poll. 

Photo: Port City

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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

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Five Unique Dessert Shops for Valentine’s Day Sweets

Posted by Sally Traynham / Monday, January 30th, 2012

Everybody loves a box of chocolates on Valentine’s day, but this year, kick it up a notch and treat your special someone to one of these outrageously delicious and unique Valentine’s Day noshes.

If you want to keep with the chocolates theme, head to Artisan Confections where Jason Andelman creates beautiful chocolate masterpieces in one bite. Each piece of chocolate is covered in a stunning design created by a local artist. With flavors such as lemon-rose, port wine-fig and raspberry caramel, you can’t go wrong.

For something different, delve into the world of macarons. These French confections are known for their light, but bold flavors. PastryXPO offers various sizes of macaron gift boxes with flavors that you can mix and match.

Alexandria Pastry Shop is the place to go for a light, moist and perfectly balanced cake. For this lover’s holiday, they will be selling their chocolate raspberry marquis and red velvet cakes in heart shapes – the perfect ending to any Valentine’s Day.

Looking for quantity? Buy cookies. The Swiss Bakery and Pastry Shop is featuring linzer cookies with heart-shape cut outs, allowing you to see the delicious jam sandwiched in between.

As a lighter option, try a fresh fruit tart from Café Rumi. These creations are stunning to look at and are hand-crafted from the freshest, all natural ingredients. You won’t even notice the absence of chocolate.

Photo: Shutterstock/Sabino Parente

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Michelle Obama and Rachael Ray Lunch at Parklawn Elementary School

Posted by Sally Traynham / Thursday, January 26th, 2012

A balanced diet is hard for anyone to maintain. With limitations of time, money, resources and knowledge about nutrition, it’s no surprise that obesity is a growing epidemic in our nation.

Yesterday morning at Parklawn Elementary School (in Alexandria), Michelle Obama, Rachael Ray and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, took steps in challenging childhood obesity within the school system by announcing the first changes in 15 years to the $11 billion school lunch program.

With the hope of making a positive impact on the 32 million children who take part in the nationwide school meal programs each day, Mrs. Obama and Vilsack outlined some of the new changes made to the guidelines in government-subsidized school meals while Rachael Ray cooked along school staff to prepare the midday meal. Such changes include: doubling the amount of fruits and vegetables that children are served, requiring all grains served to be whole grains, the distribution of low fat milk, limits on salt and trans fat levels and setting a maximum calorie intake per day based on age.

While these changes have been met with criticism by conservatives who say this is an overreach of government regulation, many nutritionists and representatives of the food industry including Coreay Henry, vice president of communication for the American Frozen Foods Institute, applauded the new efforts.

After the announcement this morning, Mrs. Obama, Ray and Vilsak stood in line with students and devoured Rachael Ray’s turkey tacos with brown rice, black bean and corn salad and fruit in the school’s lunchroom.

Not a bad way to lunch if you ask me.

New School Lunch Rules Aimed at Reducing Obesity [NYTimes]

Michelle Obama: School lunches to have more veggies, whole grains [MSNBC]

Photo by whitehouse.gov

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A Second Opinion on District Taco

Posted by Rebekah Lowe / Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

“The meal is simple, but undeniably tasty. You can taste the freshness of the pico de gallo and the authentic flair of the carnitas. And for the price, you definitely get a great bang for the buck!” –Ra Chan on District Taco (www.districttaco.com)

Photo by Kate Bohler

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 here on the blog (and send you a prize). Tell us what you think: www.Northernvirginiamag.com/second-opinion

Will Artley to “Pop Up” in Del Ray

Posted by Sally Traynham / Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

Last night, Will Artley revealed his most recent plans for his pop-up restaurant in Del Ray on Twitter.

Titled “Project 2312,” the fleeting restaurant will be open from January 30 through February 6 with two seatings per night, one at 6 p.m. and one at 8 p.m., and some flexibility for walk-ins at the bar. The menu will feature Artley’s past favorites in an a la carte menu format with four to five options each for the cold and hot appetizers and five to six entrée items.

To wash down the delicious fare, the restaurant will also be serving craft cocktails, a limited wine selection and Port City beer.

Why 2312? The name stems from the location of its temporary home, 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue where Pork Barrel BBQ is located. Because of Artley’s behind the scenes consulting work for the restaurateurs behind the hog-inspired restaurant, they are letting him use the space next door for one week only.

Artley, who is known for his work at Evening Star Café will be bringing on board a few familiar faces from his old restaurant in addition some help from DC Central Kitchen students.

Don’t be surprised if you see other chefs in the building. He teases that some of his chef friends may stop by in the kitchen to play for an evening.

Want to speak to the man himself? Book a reservation at 703-596-2312, which he will be personally answering.

Chef Will Artley Unveils His Pop-Up Plans For Del Ray [Eater DC]

Photo from Artley’s FB

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Get Perspective. Exercise Hard. But Most Importantly, Eat Well.

Posted by Sally Traynham / Thursday, January 19th, 2012

It’s January, which means gyms are packed. After midnight hits on New Year’s Day, everyone vows to eat better.

Yet, in about four weeks, everyone abandons their newfound health kick and returns to old, unhealthy eating habits.

With our nation’s high obesity rates, our culture’s glorified obsession with all things fried and the recent declaration of food celebrity Paula Deen’s type 2 diabetes diagnosis, we desperately need to get perspective and truly focus on what we eat and how we exercise.

This is where salads come into play. And NoVA has plenty of places filled with the green stuff.

These go-to items for healthy eating (just make sure you aren’t adding bacon, ranch dressing or mountains of cheese) are easy to prepare, easy to find and leave you feeling light (and not dragging) at work.

Here are a few places that are known for healthy and, equally important, tasty creations to get you going in the right direction.

1. Salad & Things Organic (Arlington)
2. Seasons 52 (Falls Church)
3. Sweetgreen (Arlington & Reston)
4. Rabbit (Arlington)
5. Sunflower (Vienna)

Photo: Food Network

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