Here are some more free cooking events with Chef Michael Kiss.

-JAY

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Class starts at 7:00 PM and generally last 30 to 50 minutes.  All Whole Foods Market cooking classes are absolutely free, No Registration is required and seating is limited to first come.

May 11th Whole Grains Salads 101
Vegetarian class
We all know that we need to incorporate more whole grains into our diets, although in practice it can be overwhelming and frustrating. Let Chef Michael Kiss show you how to take those healthy grains and make them amazing. With the warm weather we will be showcasing light and flavorful salads, great for patio dinners and side dishes at picnics, and don’t forget about summer entertaining!

May 18th 29 ½ minute meals
Omnivore class

Baja Salmon with stewed avocado and tomato and sunshine quinoa
Our fast paced life makes it hard to eat well… or does it? Let Chef Michael Kiss show the secrets to a worthwhile healthy meal that can be made in a flash! No pre-chopped ingredients, no magic ovens, no camera tricks. This is REAL live cooking and you can do it too in 29 ½ minutes or less!

May 25th Cook Like a Chef
Vegetarian class

Ever wonder how a chef looks at food, how they pick it, combine it, make it taste amazing? This week Chef Michael Kiss is going to break apart the concept of Pesto. This classic Italian staple with is definitely one of his favorites. Have you ever thought of changing the ingredients? Is it still pesto or something different? Join us and you start looking at food like a Chef too!

Hello Denmark!  Vikings have regained control of the high seas.  And the best U.S. restie is in Chicago!  Desiree Rogers pulled her final trick!

-AEK

I’ve had Samuelsson’s food before – at Aquavit (in NYC). Good stuff.  Here is info on his free event this week.

-JAY

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Image Courtesy of www.ethiopianrestaurant.com/

Chef Marcus Samuelsson is coming your way this Thursday to do a free cooking demo at Macy’s. You may have seen Marcus on Bravo as a contestant on the new season of Top Chef Masters. This event will be a fun (and free) opportunity to see him in person!

Marcus was born in Ethiopia and raised in Sweden and his international background continues to influence his cooking. When he arrived in the U.S., Marcus made his mark at restaurants such as Aquavit.  His impressive list of awards and accolades includes being named Best Chef: New York City by the James Beard Foundation in 2003.

Since he’s known for his global sensibilities and ability to seamlessly combine cultural influences in his cooking, it’s no surprise that Marcus was tapped to be guest chef at Barack Obama’s first state dinner.

Marcus will be in D.C. this Thursday for a free cooking demo at Macy’s Metro Center.  After the demo, he’ll sign copies of his cookbook which will be available for purchase at the event.

Marcus will be at Macy’s as a member of the Macy’s Culinary Council. Here are the details…

Where:

When:

Thursday, April 29, 6PM

RSVP:

Because seating is limited, reservations are required. 
To RSVP please call 1-888-MACYSNY

Here is a link with more information about the event and the Culinary Council - http://pitch.pe/60027.

Flavor Tripping at EFN Lounge, pics by me.

I went Flavor Tripping at EFN Lounge last weekend.  The berry didn’t work very well so he gave us tablets (freeze dried berries) to dissolve on our tongues, and they worked fine.  He is going to use a better berry supplier next month.

So, your tongue gets rewired for an hour or so to read sour as sweet.

There was a buffet which contained various fruits (lemons, limes, kiwis, strawberries, oranges, etc.  They also had pickles (tasted the same), and various sour candies.  You could also take shots of hot sauce (yum), white vinegar (yum), and soy sauce (yuck).  The fruit generally tasted like a candy (strawberry = starburst) version or like a stronger, sweeter but less acidic version of itself (limes, grapefruit).   They could have had someone circulating selling appropriate shots.

It was a fun trippy experience with a  good crowd.  You can try it at EFN 2nd Friday next (or any) month.  Or, buy some of the tablets on Amazon, and host a flavor tripping party for your friends.

We got tacos afterwards at Taqueria Distrito Federal with our altered taste buds. heh.

-JAY

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

UPCOMING: Free Dairy Queen Mini Blizzards DowntownTHURS, April 15th from Noon – 1:00pm

Posted on Free in DC. (Thanks Amy.)

-JAY

I’ve just read an interesting article that suggests soy burgers contain neurotoxins.  To ensure the smallest amount of fat in their products, soy beans are often soaked in hexane.  Apparently every major producer of veggie burger products uses the hexane technique and it is known to have caused the death of at least one person – when the chemical was used to clean screens at Apple Computers.

Take this information for what you will; either you believe everything you come in contact with is going to kill you eventually or you want to minimize the hazards you come in contact with.  Either way, I think this is interesting information.  Is nothing healthy and sacred anymore?

AEK

Dolcezza Artisanal Gelato wants to give you free gelato, smoked pig, and music on the 25th at the opening of the Dupont location.  250 pounds is a  LOT of pig!

-JAY

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What: Complimentary Gelato and a 250 lb. Smoked Pig Offered at Dolcezza Artisanal Gelato’s Grand Opening Party on April 25^th

Complimentary and open to the public, Dolcezza plans an energetic event to celebrate the opening of its new Dupont Circle gelateria

Dolcezza Artisanal Gelato celebrates the opening of a third DC-area location in Dupont Circle by hosting a Grand Opening Party for the public on Sunday, April 25 from noon to 6 p.m. Guests will enjoy complimentary gelato, live bluegrass music by Olivia Mancini and complimentary smoked pork from Bev Eggleston with Eco-Friendly Foods.

Dolcezza’s newest Dupont Circle gelateria is a chic space outfitted in Argentine antiques, featuring a gelato bar, a unique V60 Pour-over Coffee Bar and well crafted coffee program. The new gelateria will feature Dolcezza’s signature farm fresh, hand-spun gelato in unique flavor combinations, and will use the new location to expand its well-crafted coffee program.

WHO:

• Dolcezza Artisanal Gelato
• Eco-Friendly Foods
• Olivia Mancini

WHEN: Sunday, April 25, 2010

12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

WHERE: Dolcezza – Dupont Circle (in the parking lot)

1704 Connecticut Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20011

About Dolcezza

Dolcezza is an artisanal gelato company with three gelateria locations in the Washington, DC area in Bethesda, Dupont Circle (opening April 2010) and Georgetown. Dolcezza combines Argentina’s long tradition of artisan gelato production with innovative flavor combinations and seeks to craft an exquisite dessert with a conscience. Most of Dolcezza’s ingredients are hand-picked at local farms and gelato is hand-spun every morning. Husband and wife ownership team Robb Duncan and Violeta Edelman squeeze citrus fruit, melt chocolate, infuse fresh herbs, grind whole spices and roast nuts, using their own hands, every step of the way. Dolcezza also operates a wholesale program and creates personalized flavors for over 60 DC area restaurants. Dolcezza’s gelato is now available at DC area Whole Foods stores.

Baskin-Robbins Dropped this in our email.  They have stores in the area and a “store locater” on their site. 

-JAY

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Event Details:

Who: Everyone!

What: Baskin-Robbins 31 Cent Scoop Night.  31 cents per 2.5oz scoop – any flavor!

Where: All Baskin-Robbins locations nationwide

When: Wednesday, April 28 from 5pm – 10pm

Why: To serve those who serve others: Baskin-Robbins has partnered with the NFFF who support families and co-workers of fallen firefighters

The Inside Scoop: Looking for a flavor to try?  Fan favorite Cotton Candy is April’s Flavor of the Month.  This pink and purple Cotton Candy-flavored ice cream is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

I’ve been accused recently of never eating at the same restaurant twice.  Now I know, that’s a big, fat lie.  I’ve been to plenty of places numerous times, but I’ll admit I don’t have the impulse to visit many places a second time.  I did return, however, to Roscoe’s.

I’d been to Roscoe’s immediately after they opened in Takoma Park – before their liquor license!  And months later, I have returned, with a full bar ready to great me.

The food on my last visit was ok – there was room to grow.  This time the food was much better, but there’s still some room to grow.  We ordered some marzipan dates – tasty as they were caramelized with honey.  The pizzas took a while to arrive but had a perfect amount of toppings and crust was nicely cooked.  I will, no doubt, return a third time.

I ask you to think about that restaurant you only visited once for whatever reason, and take another trip back.  And if it sucks, remember, it isn’t my fault.

AEK

Fried green tomato with seared tuna and chow chow.

Fifty or so Food Bloggers descended upon Art & Soul’s patio recently and attacked their 501 Session Happy Hour pairing menu.  Looking at the pictures, the restaurant did a good job at plating/presentation.

The pork rinds had a nice amount of spice and were light like those bagged (supposed) onion rings you ate as a kid (but these are good).  Not what you expect when you order pork rings (since they are not heavy or greasy), but good.

The duck wings were amazing – tender, crispy, and unctuous, with a  flavorful sauce.

Three Per order but only one made survived long enough to be photographed.  Definitely my favorite, and great for $10 with a glass of Riesling included.

The fried green tomatoes were tart and flavorful, with a sturdy coating.  They were good on their own, but got lost (became the equivalent of bread) when served with seared tuna and (a flavorful chow chow) on top; they might as well have used bread.  All in all, good food, good company, and a good value.  We brought the good company.

Lisa Shapiro was playing hosted at the Food Blogger Happy Hour…and she’s always bugging me to put more pictures up…so here goes. Blame her for the “where’s Waldo” text. She has an event tonight, the Food Wars DC viewing – be there and support our local titanic slices!

Deviled Eggs at Art and Soul

Art and Soul @ The Liaison Capitol Hill
415 New Jersey Ave, NW (near Union Station)
Washington, DC 20001

Update: 4/15/2010 – Lisa Shapiro quoted this article and used the pics in her examiner article.  Thanks Lisa.

-JAY

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Art and Soul’s 5:01 Session: An after-work happy hour…

Monday – Thursday
4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

7:10
7 imaginative food and drink pairings for $10

CRISPY DUCK WINGS
Riesling ’07, Mercer Estates, Yakima Valley

HOUSE CURED JERKY
Our Manhattan made with bourbon, sour cherries, sweet vermouth, and bitters

CRISPY CALAMARI
Gruner Veltliner ’07, Brundlmayer Kamptaler Terrassen

Duck Wing! One left of three.

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES
Sauvignon Blanc ’08, Palo Alto Riserva, Maule Valley

HAM AND CHEESE BISCUIT
Chardonnay ’07, Errazuris Wild Ferment, Maule Valley

DEVILED EGGS
Put Ups Martin served with pickled onions, okra, beets and quail egg

PORK RINDS
A flight of four of our regional tap beers