• 07Apr

    Biagio Fine Chocolate’s Next Sample Day is April 23.

    Who can say no to a free chocolate and wine tasting?

    Biagio Fine Chocolate‘s next Sample Day will be Saturday, April 23, from 3p-6p featuring First Vine as the guest vintner.

    Complimentary – no R.S.V.P. needed. What is Sample Day?  It is a monthly event that has been wildly successful with our customers. We will have over a dozen varieties of some of the world’s best chocolate available for tasting. Sample day is held in Studio B, the tasting room/gallery behind Biagio Fine Chocolate.

    Biagio Fine Chocolate and Studio B are located at:

    1904 18th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009

    Permalink Filed under: Drinks, Events, Stores Tags: , No Comments
  • 07Apr

    Celebrate Tax Day At California Tortilla & They Are Giving Away A Cinco De Mayo Catering Party To One Fan!

    In My Inbox.

     

    -JAY

    ————————

    CELEBRATE TAX DAY AT CALIFORNIA TORTILLA

    East Coast Chain to Give Away Free Chips and Queso with Purchase on Monday, April 18th

    ROCKVILLE, MD –Along with mailboxes and post offices across the country, East Coast quick-casual chain California Tortilla is a Tax Day destination with its offering of free chips and queso to all Caltort customers on Monday, April 18th.

    “Whether you want to celebrate or commiserate your tax return, there is no better way to do it than with free chips and queso.” said Stacey Kane, Director of Marketing for California Tortilla.

    Customers can choose instead to enjoy California Tortilla’s signature salsa, which is made in small batches throughout the day with fresh 100% roma tomatoes.

    California Tortilla has always thrived on enhancing customers’ dining experience with engaging activities in each of their locations.  Every Monday night, customers get to spin the “Mystery Prize Wheel,” for discounts, or if they’re really lucky, free food. Their promotional calendar includes longtime favorites like Pop Tart Day and Free Tacos on Election Day.

    CALIFORNIA TORTILLA TO CELEBRATE CINCO DE MAYO BY CATERING PARTY FOR DESERVING FAN

    Cal Tort hosts contest to celebrate the anniversary of the largest sales day in history

    ROCKVILLE, MD – To celebrate the anniversary of Cinco de Mayo 2010, California Tortilla’s largest sales day in history, the eatery is rewarding a deserving fan with a free catering party for up to 100 guests.  To enter, fans have to convey to California Tortilla how they will make use of their delicious winnings, and the public will vote to select the lucky winner.  Submissions are due by April 14th, and the top three entries will be posted on California Tortilla’s Website for public voting through April 30th.  The entrant that receives the most votes will be announced on May 1st.

    The contest comes on the heels of California Tortilla’s newly launched catering call center – 855-CALTORT. Customers can get all their catering needs covered in one 5 minute phone call including Taco, Fajita or Burrito Parties.

    Fans are encouraged to use any creative method of their choice to enter, such as making a video, writing a poem, penning a song or even orchestrating a flash mob. To participate, entries can be emailed to spunky@californiatortilla.com or mailed to Cal Tort World HQ, 20 Courthouse Sq. Ste. 206, Rockville, MD 20852 between now and April 14th.

    Just what is California Tortilla? A quick-casual, Mexican restaurant with can’t-find-them-anywhere-else, award-winning, critically-acclaimed, outrageously-popular burritos, bursting quesadillas, fabulous salads, the freshest ingredients, spunky cashiers and so much more.  Check out our website www.californiatortilla.com for the entire scoop.

    Where can I find California Tortilla? We’re EVERYWHERE!  Go to www.californiatortilla.com, for a listing of all our locations.

    For more information, please call 301-545-0035 or visit our website, www.californiatortilla.com. Do you get the feeling that we want you to visit our website?

     

     
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  • 06Apr

    Ridgewells’ New Chef: Robert Gadsby

    Wagyu Sirloin Of Beef

    I attended a dinner last night showcasing Ridgewells‘ new Corporate Chef, Robert Gadsby.  Ridegwells is an amazing catering company, but I was still impressed by how visually spectacular the food was.

    Now I’ve had another chardonnay that I didn’t hate: Cakebread Cellars, 2009. I don’t generally enjoy “oaked” chardonnay. They also served J Vineyards Pinot Noir, 2007.

    Some of the standout dishes:

    A Study of Hudson Valey Foie Gras. Ok, I’m not a foie gras fan, and this was three preparations on the plate, BUT I tried them all, and actually enjoyed one enough to finish it (which is a big deal for me). The one I preferred had a quail egg and ham.

    Gadsby’s Potato Honey Mustard Dressing. This was on a couple of dishes, and we were each given a bottle to take home. Tonight, I made a salad with spinach leaves, tomato, avocado, and hard boiled egg, and it was delicious with the Potato Honey Mustard Dressing.

    A Night At The Movies. Click to see the whole pic.

    Wagyu Sirloin of Beef. Stilton butter, petit carrots, shallot confit with dried onion.  A little rare for my taste but still very good.

    A Night At The Movies. 3 desserts: Chocolate Pudding Cake, Popcorn Ice Cream, and Roasted Peanut Caramel (with Root Beer Gelee). I enjoyed all three, but the Chocolate Pudding Cake was by far my favorite. The Chocolate Pudding Cake was so much better than any molten chocolate cake I’ve had.  Some of the diners were crazy about the popcorn ice cream.

    Pencil Asparagus (Goat Cheese Fondue with Beet Raita). Tasty and very pretty.  I am a fan of each of the ingredients.

    Beijing Peach (Cocktail). White peach puree, vodka, amaretto, and jasmine pearls. I don’t think mine actually had jasmine pearls, but the drink was light, sweet, and flavorful. See the recipe below:

    Corporate Chef Robert Gadsby

     

    Beijing Peach

    • 1oz     2 parts white peach puree
    • 2 oz    4 parts Vodka (Grey Goose)
    • 1 oz    2 parts Peachtree Schnapps
    • .5 oz   1 part amaretto
    • splash of water, ice
    • garnish: Jasmine tea tapioca pearls macerated in peach schnapps

      A Study In Foie Gras. Click for larger pic.

    Pour ingredients into iced cocktail shaker.

    Be sure to shake very well ( to “bruise” the fruit and bring out the natural flavor).

    Serve in a martini glass, garnish 3 or 5 jasmine pearls.

    -JAY

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    Permalink Filed under: Events, Recipes Tags: , 2 Comments
  • 30Mar

    The Big Cheesy Cherry Blast!

    I had a grilled cheese sandwich (the St. Pat) from the Big Cheese truck today for lunch. The sandwich was good (I’m a fan of artichokes), as was the chocolate cookie from Modern Domestic (who works the truck 2 days a week). They will be at “The Cherry Blast” this Saturday, as I assume will be The Wines Of Argentina, who is a sponsor.  The Cherry Blast info appeared in my inbox through Art Whino.

    -JAY


    Click on image to better read the info.

     

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  • 24Mar

    Art Whino comes to Northside Social!

    In my inbox.

    -JAY

    ———————————–

    Art Whino comes to Arlington, VA!

    “Seance”
    The Solo Show of Yosiell Lorenzo

    8pm-Midnight
    Northside Social’s 2nd floor Wine Bar
    with Wine Tastings, Tarot Card readings and more fun!

    Throughout history people have sought out discourse with the deceased for help in seeking answers to life’s many mysteries.  Whether it is through the use of a crystal ball, a deck of tarot cards, an Ouija board, or an actual séance with a living medium, the living are continuously calling on the dead; stirring up paranormal energies and communicating with entities that sometimes disguise themselves as deceased loved ones. Unfortunately, many amateurs who have meddled with these spiritual devices in search of a cheap thrill have consequently paid a hefty toll.  Once the portal between the world of the living and the dead has been opened, there is no telling what price one may have to pay for admittance.  Yosiell Lorenzo’s exhibition, SEANCE, will be materializing a series of new artwork that explains why it may be best to leave the dead at peace, and allow life’s answers to unravel on their own.  After all, what is the point of being privy to life’s mysteries if you end up losing your soul in the process?

    Saturday, April 9th, from 8pm – Midnight

    Location:
    Northside Social
    3211 Wilson Blvd
    Arlington, VA, 22201 

    Metro:
    Located one block from Clarendon Metro, on the orange line.

    The event is FREE and open to the public.

    Northside Social/Art Whino

    Art Whino is pleased to announce its new partnership with the amazing Northside Social!  An already established Arlington local gem serving the best coffee, food and wine will now have Art Whino’s collective of artists featured on their walls. On the first floor we will have a rotating body of work from our 1200 artists worldwide and will have a series of openings throughout the year at the upstairs wine bar.

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  • 24Mar

    Peru, Mucho Gusto!

    Last night, I attended a gala dinner hosted by OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza and Ambassador Hugo de Zela, permanent representative of Peru to the OAS.  As part of the Inter-American Year of Culture, Peruvian cuisine was honored with the Cultural Heritage of America Award.  This is quite possibly the closest event to a state dinner then I’ll attend.

    Dessert Trilogy

    I had the pleasure or sitting at the same table with Mary, Nycci and some other great writers.  We were the media table, apparently. Monica Bhide (who I have wanted to meet for a very long time) was also present (seated one table away), and is an absolute pleasure to talk to.

    The food was great (as was the pisco, and pisco and passion fruit juice).  I love Peruvian food, and while I’ve eaten at various Peruvian restaurants here and in NYC, I’ve never had (and probably never again will have) Peruvian food on this level–the chefs that cooked for us are the top chefs in Peru.  We were served:

    • Several ceviches (flounder, bass, and scallop)
    • Shrimp chupe (with shimp, fried fish, a poached quail egg, blue potatoes, fava beans, and white cheese)
    • Cilantro scented (“seco”) rack of lamb (with lima bean puree, tomato confit, cilantro infused olive oil, and yuca chips)
    • Dessert trilogy (crispy spiral gaufrette (“ponderaciones”) with “manjarblanco” sauce, “lucuma” and chocolate roll, and “chirimoya,” pisco and orange mousse)

    We also were given appetizers (as part of a cocktail hour) before the meal, and (some excellent) petit fours and (good strong) coffee at the end of the meal.

    They said you can’t talk to a Peruvian without the conversation eventually being about food, but I’m not sure I can talk to anybody without eventually talking about food. I do know that I could use some more good Peruvian ceviche right about now.

    And, they even sent me the below ceviche recipe to share with you.

    -JAY

     

    CEVICHE
    By Chef Coque Ossio

    Ingredients:

    1-3/4 lb (800g) sea bass or flounder fillets
    1 red onion, in very fine slices
    ½ red ají limo, chopped very fine
    ½ yellow ají limo, chopped very fine
    Juice of 16 key limes
    Salt

    Serve with:
    1 boiled ear of corn, cut into rounds
    Boiled sweet potato
    Lettuce leaves

    Preparation:

    Cut fish into bite size pieces and mix together with onion in large bowl. Wash onion and fish and drain well. Season with salt and ají limo.

    Toss fish preparation quickly in lime juice.  Refresh by adding a couple of ice cubes, mixing well and removing immediately before they have a chance to melt.

    Serve ceviche immediately in a deep dish, accompanied by boiled sweet potato, fresh cooked corn and leaves of lettuce.

    Permalink Filed under: Events Tags: , 1 Comment
  • 20Mar

    ARTISPHERE’S RESTAURANT AND BAR Launch Party

    In my inbox.

    -JAY
    ————

    ARTISPHERE’S RESTAURANT AND BAR
    Launch Party
    FRIDAY, APRIL 1
    8PM – 11PM

    It’s time to celebrate! Thank you for registering for Artisphere’s restaurant and bar launch party. We’ll have samplings of our restaurant’s cuisine and live music by Fort Knox Five’s Thunderball and DJ Rex Riddem. In addition, we’ll have hourly drawings for dinners for two and tickets to Artisphere events plus surprise programming!

    We are pleased to offer you free parking with validation or you can walk two short blocks from Rosslyn Metro (blue/orange). The Dupont/Georgetown/Rosslyn DC Circulator bus drops you a few minutes walk from our door.

    Please note that we only have room for 300 guests.

    Thank you for registering! Please confirm your registration by checking the e-mail you entered.

    Permalink Filed under: Events, Restaurants Tags: , 1 Comment
  • 18Mar

    The Three I’s of March

    St. Patrick’s Day, the anniversary of the unification of Italy, and the Iranian New Year, Nowruz, all fall within a span of a few days this month. I’m neither Irish, Italian, nor Iranian, but I don’t mind donning a “Feed me! I’m hungry” t-shirt if necessary.

    Saffron Rice with Barberries

    Readers probably already have favorite Irish pubs and Italian joints. If you have never tried Persian food and want to join in on the festivities, I recommend sampling Iranian food at Kabob Bazaar’s “New Year’s All Day Buffet” in Clarendon. The buffet is open from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Sunday, March 20 and will run you $16.95. The restaurant will also host a New Year’s lunch buffet on Monday, March 21 from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm for just $13.95.

    -CAF

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  • 17Mar

    The Makes-Me-Wanna SHOUT! Coconut Cake Challenge Contest Tasting Semifinals

    In my inbox. Here is the followup from this article.

    -JAY
    ————————-

    The Makes-Me-Wanna SHOUT! Coconut Cake Challenge contest tasting Semifinals will be hosted at Miriam’s Kitchen Saturday, March 19, 2011 from 2-4 PM at Miriam’s Kitchen. The contest is presented by Eatonville Restaurant and Church Lady Cake Diaries to benefit Miriam’s Kitchen that provides meals and case management services to over 3,000 homeless men and women in the District each year.

    The contest semifinals will feature a variety of original coconut cakes selected from a pool of contest applications. The public is invited to join the judges in selecting the top five coconut cakes for the Final 5 at Eatonville Restaurant (April 27) and give an amateur baker from the DMV area a chance to win a $500 first prize and the winning cake featured on Eatonville Restaurant’s menu.

    Official judges for the event include Joan Nathan, a James Beard Award winner, author of 10 cookbooks and host of the PBS television series “Jewish Cooking in America with Joan Nathan”; Brenda Rhodes Miller, author of two books, including “The Church Ladies’ Divine Desserts”; Andy Shallal, owner of Eatonville Restaurant; and Scott Schenkelberg, Executive Director of Miriam’s Kitchen.

    Coconut Cake Semifinalists:

    – Auntie’s Coconut Paradise Cake

    – Chocolate Coconut Macaroon Cake

    – Coconut Cake made with Cardamom, Cream Cheese Frosting

    – Coconut Cake with Coconut Dream Frosting

    – Coconut Cake with Coconut Filling; Cream Cheese Frosting

    – Coconut Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

    – Coconut Cake with Key Lime Mousse Filling; White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

    – Coconut Cake with Lemon Curd, White Chocolate Frosting

    – Coconut Cake with Lemon Filling; Cream Cheese Frosting

    – Coconut Oatmeal Cookie Cake; Brown Sugar Frosting with Nuts

    – Coconut Cake with Pineapple, Bananas, Toasted Coconut and Sugared Pecans

    – Coconut Cake with Shredded Coconut; Cream Cheese Frosting

    – “Samoa Cookie” Inspired Coconut Cake

    – Toasted Coconut Tuxedo Torte

    Complimentary savory distractions included.

    $15 Admission

    PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS ONLINE!

    CLICK HERE!

    Eatonville
    2121 14th St. NW
    Washington, DC 20009
    202.332.ZORA
    www.EatonvilleRestaurant.com

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  • 15Mar

    Upcoming Tuesday Tastings at Jaleo (Crystal City) Wine Shop

    In my Inbox.

    -JAY
    ————————–

    ThinkFoodGroup Beverage Director Jill Zimorski will lead her Tuesday Tastings at 6 PM at Jaleo Wine Shop, located at Jaleo Crystal City, which are designed to take participants through a tour of the wines and regions of Spain. The cost is only $5, and it can be applied to any purchase in the restaurant or shop (excluding gift cards). For more information, please contact the restaurant at 703-413-8181.

    Tuesday, March 22
    Wines from Rioja, Part II – (Region; 2nd in the “Rioja Series”)
    2003 Marques de Murrieta ‘Capellania’ (Chardonnay)
    2007 Seis de Luberri (Tempranillo)
    2000 Cune ‘Vina Real’ Reserva (Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano)

    Tuesday, March 29
    Wines from the Canary Islands!
    2008 Monje ‘Tinto Tradicional’ (Negramoll, Listan Negro)
    2006 Tacande Tenerife (Baboso, Tintilla, Negramoll)


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