Posts Tagged ‘Sur La Table’
Holiday Gift Guide: Enticing Ideas for the Entertainer
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Tuesday, December 6th, 2011
Hello there, shoppers! If you’re excited to go holiday shopping but armed with less than ample ideas, you’re not alone. If only everyone would be forthcoming with their wish lists, right? Santa has it so easy with everyone being so specific — minus all that travel and the length of his list, I suppose.
At any rate, fret no more. Help is here. Inspiration shall abound. Your friends at SWAG have done all the homework so you don’t have to. Each weekday today through Dec. 13, score ideas for absolutely everyone on your list!
Today:
Enticing Ideas for the Entertainer
Have a friend or family member who could give Martha Stewart or “Barefoot Contessa” a run for her money? Someone who is always throwing a bash and doing so with class? Buying — or if you’re really daring (or are more artistic than moi), making — the party perfecter a gift can be especially daunting because you really, really want to deliver. Fortunately, we found more than a few gifts that could do just that — and for far less than what you’d expect. What follows are some of the standouts.
*Also check out, if you haven’t already, some of my top picks for the host and hostess as found in the November issue of Northern Virginia Magazine.
What: 10 x 14 Slate Cheese Board
(Photo courtesy of Red Barn Mercantile)
Why: First of all, how fun and versatile is this? Your favorite entertainers should also enjoy it because they can take less time explaining which cheeses they picked and more time partying themselves. The bonus: It’s dishwasher-safe!
Where to Get It: Alexandria’s Red Barn Mercantile
What It’ll Cost You: $35
What: Cocktail Napkin Box by Mariposa
(Photo courtesy of The Nest Egg)
Why: If your dearest party perfecter is especially anal retentive about keeping the ol’ table display neat, including those oh-so-easily disheveled napkins, this attractive gift could be especially appreciated. Even if he or she is more low-key, there’s always the question as to where is best to fan the napkins; this solves it fast. After all, there are cocktails around which to wrap said napkins.
Where to Get It: The Nest Egg at Fairfax Corner
What It’ll Cost You: $44
What: Peruvian Pottery
(Photo courtesy of Valerianne)
Why: This special line of handmade Peruvian pottery is hand-cast using clay from the Andes Mountains and is microwave-, dishwasher- and oven-safe! Choose a unique gift for your favorite dinner party-loving entertainer from a full range of place settings, serving pieces and table accessories.
Where to Get It: Vienna’s Valerianne
What It’ll Cost You: Water pitcher shown is $61; set of three glasses, $53.
What: Bar Games Drink Coasters
(Photo courtesy of Sur La Table)
Why: Even the host with the most likes to sit back and allow his friends lead the fun from time to time. These coasters/bar games will help them with that enjoyable endeavor.
Where to Get It: Sur La Table at Tysons Galleria
What It’ll Cost You: $12.95
What: Jingle Bell Wine Charms (Set of 10)
(Photo courtesy of Crate & Barrel)
Why: Not only is it party season; it’s flu season. If your favorite entertainer and other friends get sick, that stops the celebrations — and fast. These festive wine charms help keep everyone out of the sick wing and center stage at all the season’s can’t-miss soirees.
Where to Get It: Crate & Barrel
What It’ll Cost You: $12.95 (makes a nice stocking stuffer or accompaniment to a nice bottle of vino)
Happy shopping!
–Natalie Kaar
June 26: Your Sunday Afternoon Guide
Posted by clara / Wednesday, June 15th, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
It’s not too early to start planning (and saving up for) that perfect day out with your special someone. We took a look at some of the best events happening in the Arlington area, and figured out an itinerary for the day. Mark your calendar because June 26 has events you won’t want to miss.
From 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., eat the best pie a la mode you ever had… because you made it yourself. Sur La Table is giving lessons on how to make pie dough from scratch and how to get your ice cream to the perfect, well, cream. The menu of the day includes: nectarine-blackberry galette, peach-ginger pie with almond crumble, salted caramel ice cream and strawberry-mascarpone ice cream. The cost is $69 per ticket.
Shutterstock/ Susan C Fields
But what better way to top off dessert than to go see a show? Just down the road starting at 2 p.m. is the Synetic Theater’s Don Quixote. Reviews are celebrating this production and the actors for their “soul engaging performances” and “darkly brilliant personifications.” The heart-wrenching story’s is retold in a combination of dance, lighting, costume and music, and costs $25-$50 per ticket.
Image Courtesy Synetic Theater
Interested in the development of Columbia Pike? They’ve got an open design studio from 1 p.m – 6 p.m. at Penrose Square off of Barton Street. You’ll have just enough time to head over an give your input after the show.
But where to get dinner? Surely you’ll be hungry after your adventures. Eventide Restaurant has just opened their roof and lounge for Sunday dinners. Chef Adam is also going to offer Sunday Specials. This starts at 4 p.m., but if you want to stop by the Columbia Pike project, then you’re ETA will be closer to 6 or 6:30 p.m. Dish prices vary, from $5 to $40.
Photo by Jonathan Timmes
Whether you take the day as a whole or in bits and pieces, we hope you enjoy some of these Arlington treats!
–Clara Ritger
Sweet Things Abound: The Chocoholics Edition
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, June 13th, 2011
- From Beans to Bar (Image: Alena Brozova/Shutterstock)
Chocolate Classes
If you want to get your hands on some chocolate AND get some hands-on experience with chocolate, you may be interested in the following class offerings.
Arlington’s Artisan Confections is offering a series of chocolate-making classes this summer. Each two-hour long class, taught by CIA-trained pastry chef and Chocolatier Jason Andelman, will begin with an explanation of the chocolate-making process — from cocoa bean to chocolate bar. Students will then have the opportunity to decorate chocolate bonbons as well as make a chocolate bar and rocher. And yes, you will be able to take home numerous chocolate goodies. Classes are limited to 12 participants and cost $75 per person.
I urge you in any event to stop by this neighborhood treasure to try this month’s three new bonbon flavors: Arnold Palmer (“lemon pate de fruit topped with a layer of Earl Grey tea ganache”); Bourbon-Peach (“a layer of milk chocolate bourbon ganache . . . topped with a layer of peach pate de fruit”) and Brandy-Walnut (“housemade walnut praline topped with a layer of milk chocolate and brandy ganache”). The top surface of each bonbon also features the artwork of local artists: in this case, Monica Gallagher, Jessica Pilar Rodriguez, and Reneé Alarid, respectively.
*Note that these classes are for individuals over the age of 16. For more information and to sign up:
Artisan Confections
1025 N. Fillmore St.
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 524-0007
Class Schedule
Thursday, June 30, 2011: 7-9 p.m.
Sunday, July 10, 2011: 3-5 p.m.
Thursday, July 14, 2011: 7-9 p.m.
Thursday, August 11: 7-9 p.m.
Maitre Chocolatier Jane Morris of J. Chocolatier in Georgetown will be leading a demonstration class at the Arlington Sur La Table entitled “Parisian-Style Truffles at Home” on June 30. The demonstration will begin at 6:30 p.m. and costs $59/per person. Morris, like Andelman, makes small batch artisan chocolate without preservatives and varies her flavors seasonally. Sign up online, or call 1-800-243-0852.
Sur La Table
Pentagon Row
1101 South Joyce St. Suite B-20
Arlington, VA 22202
Looking for a summer chocolate class suitable for children (and a sitter for a couple of hours)? Consider classes at The Sugar Cube in Alexandria. On Saturday, July 30, from 10 a.m. to noon, the confectionery shop will offer a truffle-making class. Aspiring young chocolatiers will learn how to make ganache as well as roll and dip centers, and each will leave the class with recipes, an apron, and a personalized box of chocolates to share with his or her lucky parents. The class costs $30 per child plus $25 for materials. The Sugar Cube will also host a Candy Camp in the first two weeks of August that includes two other chocolate classes (“Mold and Paint Chocolate Lollies” and “Chocolate Bars”). For more information on classes, visit the Sugar Cube’s blog.
The Sugar Cube
210 N. Lee St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-2868
Father’s Day Chocolate, Bacon, & Beer Brunch
Not ready to try your hands at chocolate, but eager to get your chocolate fix at the same time that you celebrate dad? Call and make reservations at 2941 alum Nisha Sidhu’s Co Co. Sala Chocolate Lounge and Boutique for its “Chocolate, Bacon, & Beer Brunch” this Sunday, June 19. For $36 per person, the brunch includes a starter of an Amuse Bacon (bacon mac & cheese bite); your choice of nine entrees (including Hotcake Obsession served with a “white chocolate cream” and Aztec Cheese Enchilada with a “chipotle chocolate ganache”); four desserts, e.g., the Funky Monkey Tart (“chocolate banana tart / bacon / macadamia nuts”) and Onyx (“dark chocolate mousse / vanilla creme brulee / salted caramel / crispy pearls / brownie”); and one of four cocktails (Bacon Bloody Mary, Wasabi Bloody Mary, Beer Bellini, or Fiery Passion Mimosa). This brunch looks good enough to make dad melt!
Co Co. Sala Chocolate Lounge & Boutique
929 F St., N.W.
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 347-4265
- Johnisha M. Levi
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, November 10th, 2010
The period of time right after Halloween brings back memories of cookie making. Every holiday season, my mom, sister and I would make cookie after cookie. We would make some cookies that would be lacquered and used as ornaments to decorate the tree, little rum-balls that made me feel like an adult when I ate them, piles of large sour cream and raisin cookies, gingerbread men, and peanut butter kisses. There were so many cookies, they lasted well into the New Year.
Image: Taste of Home)
I know it’s a little early- we haven’t even made it to Thanksgiving yet, but every year the holidays fly by and I wish I had taken more time to prepare and enjoy them. Don’t forget cookies for Thanksgiving. There are many interesting and easy-to-make Thanksgiving cookies such as pilgrim hat cookies and candy corn turkey cookies.
(Image: Make Life Delicious)
Getting some cookie-making practice in around Thanksgiving seems like a good idea- my rolling pin has barely seen any action since last Christmas. If you want to spruce up your skills or you just don’t think you have the talent to bake perfect cookies, try a cookie workshop. Sur La Table has a workshop coming up on Black Friday- November 26th. At the workshop, you will learn to make Zucchini and Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chestnut and White Chocolate Brandy Macaroons, Gingersnaps with Lemon Glaze, Rosemary Shortbread, and Mudslide Cookies.
(Image: The Groovy Baker)
The holidays just wouldn’t be the same without cookies. If you get a little out of control and make or buy too many, give cookies as gifts or donate them to Operation Pinecone. Operation Pinecone puts together care packages for our troops. Take your store bought cookies, dried fruit, nuts, or candy, to Moe’s Southwest Grill in Chantilly on December 4th from 9-11 am and help Operation Pinecone prepare holiday packages for our service members.
-Liz Stevenson
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, April 26th, 2010
This latest cold snap notwithstanding, it’s time to switch to outdoor cooking mode.
And whether you prefer the even cooking of gas or the inherent smokiness of fruit-bearing woods, you’d better start working on your best barbecuing techniques/recipes.
Because there may be gold (read: cash and prizes) in them thar grills.
* The beef lobby is calling out all amateur chefs for their “So You Think You Can Grill” challenge, taking place at the annual Food & Wine Festival at National Harbor (6/12 – 6/13). Entries are due by May 21–think: original recipe, based around beef or veal and good for 4-6 servings–and 4 semi-finalists will be selected to battle it out live at the “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner” tent.
The spoils: free passes to the National Harbor fest and the title of “D.C.’s Best Amateur Grill Master.” Enter here.
* Beringer Vineyards is getting in on the grilling action with their inaugural “Great Steak Challenge“–a nationwide hunt for those with a predilection for red meat and robust wines. The selection process will start with online submissions (local entries are due by June 15; each submission must feature steak and a Beringer wine pairing) which will lead to 10 regional cook-offs–the D.C. grill fest is set for August 5 at a TBD location–followed by the finals in Napa Valley.
The spoils: grand prize winner takes home $15,000. Runner-up pockets $7,500. Second runner-up scores $2,500. Enter here.
* Steven Raichlen and Sur La Table have cooked up a more free-form barbecue recipe trial, inviting would-be grillmeisters to share their favorite: grilled appetizer, grilled meat, grilled vegetable and/or grilled dessert. Entries are due by May 15 (again, original recipes are the focus).
The spoils: grand prize winner gets a $1,000 Sur La Table gift card plus free admission to the June 2011 session of Raichlen’s self-styled BBQ University and $500 in airfare to help get you there. The winners from each grilling category will receive $500 Sur La Table gift cards, while category runners-up will walk with $250 Sur La Table gift cards. Enter here.
Need some inspiration to get your creative juices flowing?
Grill enthusiast Doug DuCap serves up over two dozen burger recipes to kick grilling season into high gear.
Summer at its most delicious.
–Warren