Yes, we’ve been eating a lot of great Pan Latin food lately! This includes the nice appetizers we devoured at May’s DC Food Blogger Happy Hour at Mio. I’ve been dining at Mio for several years, and the restaurant never disappoints. The happy hour was hosted by Chito of RuninOut and Bindesh of Dr Grub. Below are some of the highlights.
-JAY
Guest blogger Maya reports great success with this family recipe – however, she warns that you *really* need to take your time with this, especially taking care to cook slowly and not let things burn. Indian cuisine, she reminds us, requires constant attention and no multi-tasking.
This is why it’s her recipe, not mine. 😉
The Shrimp:
The Marinade:
To make the marinade, place all of the ingredients in a gallon-sized resealable plastic bag. Add the shrimp, toss to coat, and refrigerate.
The Sauce:
Preparation:
Set 1/2 cup of water next to the stovetop. Heat the oil with the curry leaves (if using) and chiles in a medium pot over medium-high heat until the curry leaves start to sizzle, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the ground peppercorns and cook for 1 minute longer. Stir in the ginger, onion, and salt and cook, stirring often, until the onion is browned, about 8 minutes, sprinkling with water and stirring whenever the onion and ginger begin to stick to the bottom of the pot.
Add the garlic, coriander, and turmeric and cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the tomatoes to the pot. Cook, stirring and scraping the browned bits up from the sides and bottom of the pot, for 1 minute. Increase the heat to medium high and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring often. [if using fresh chopped tomatoes instead of canned, will take a bit longer than 5 minutes to cook it down. Use really high heat and stir often, adding 1/2 cup water if it gets too dry.]
Stir in the Sambhaar and cook for 1 minute, and then pour in the coconut milk. Bring to a boil and add the shrimp and any accumulated juices. Bring to a simmer and cook until the shrimp are curled and opaque, about 2 minutes. Stir in the cilantro and enjoy!
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– MAW
When it comes to movies, a great film is one that captivates you. It’s where you are pulled in for a ride and are at the character’s side for every moment of their lives on the silver screen. As a viewer, you care about the story, and the film cares about you as it leaves you with feelings and emotions that you have to take minutes or more to get back to reality. For our first time with Filmfest DC, my fiancé and I got a chance to see a real treat, called “Love and Lemons” (“Små Citroner Gula” in Swedish). Debuted in February of 2013 as the third feature film of director Teresa Fabik, the movie is based on the novel of the same title by Swedish writer and comedienne, Kajsa Ingemarssons. This lovable Swedish romantic comedy is about three wonderful things: love, food, and the courage to make one’s dreams come true.
The film tells the tale of Agnes (played by Rakel Wärmländer), an aspiring chef, who is gradually making her way up in the restaurant business as a waitress at a high-end restaurant. Life seems to be great, especially with her rock musician boyfriend, Tobias (played by Richard Ulfsäter). But one night, Agnes is fired from her job and Tobias dumps her for another woman. To get her life back together, she gambles everything she has, including her parents’ lifetime savings to start a business with former co-worker, Kalle (played by Eric Ericson) with the hopes of it becoming the successful restaurant she’s always dreamed of. But to Agnes’ surprise, getting a restaurant together is not easy as the business begins to plummet. After an embarrassing run-in with her mysterious neighbor, David (played by Sverrir Gudnason), she soon realizes that he is a popular food critic and is urged by her friends and colleagues to get close to him so their restaurant can get a great review to save the business and pay back her parents. This film has a great balance of comedy, romance, and drama as it takes the audience through the plot with laughs, OMG moments, and warm smiles. But as I followed Agnes on the many twists and turns of her journey, I found that this movie was truly about love and one of those loves was of cooking.
Agnes’ mother, Maud (played by Anki Lidén) and her father, Sven (played by Tomas von Brömssen) are fans of Italian cooking and throughout the film, they share not only their joy with their daughter, but with us, viewers, as well. After watching Maud slowly drop in a bunch of fresh mussels into her prized family stew, the thought of getting popcorn didn’t seem satisfying anymore for me. The cinematography not only used close-ups of food to bring the joys of crafting a great meal to the audience, but it also used extreme close-ups and slow motion to heighten the senses. One of the great things about “Love and Lemons” is that it made sure that the food also had a starring role. The film showed that it wasn’t just a story about a young woman with a passion for cooking who is trying to get her life back on track. It brought the audience into her world; getting them close and personal with her passion and showed how important food plays in her life as well as with the lives of her family and friends (and even foe, Gérard (played by Dan Ekborg)).
Coming away from this film, it made me realize how much love there was in Agnes’ story because the plot expanded from its title. In other words, this film not only addressed the romantic side of love, but other forms of love. From the time Agnes’ parents greet her at their home with a warm hug to the very end of the movie, the warmth of her loving family is present. So is the love of her friends who are there for her, even in the worst possible timing like hilarious best friend, Lussan (played by Josefin Bornebusch). Also, the film illustrates the moral of following your passions in life; molding your dreams through every obstacle you may come across. In Agnes’ case, her dream is for the restaurant that she strives to make successful and we, the viewers, are happy to watch unfold.
All around, “Love and Lemons” is a very touching film that doesn’t cease to entertain. It is a film filled with great laughs, wonderful acting, a fun and heart-warming plot, and of course, the joys of food. This movie will leave you happy…and maybe a little hungry as well.
-LLM (Laura)
Editor’s Note: Love and Lemons and the below films were all show through FilmFest DC, which we wrote about recently.
I viewed Romantic Brasserie (Belgium) and Zone Pro Site: A Moveable Feast (Taiwan) as a double feature, and enjoyed them both.
Romantic Brasserie gives you a window into all the drama going on in a Belgian brasserie’s dining room, kitchen…and bathroom on Valentine’s Day. You get the feeling of being the “fly on the wall.”
Zone Pro Site is like the Iron Chef of the catering world. The movie can be silly, but it is meant to be, and it is definitely entertaining. The crowd (viewers) got very into this movie.
-JAY
We recently attended the opening of new Richard Sandoval Restaurant, Toro Toro, where the cuisine is Pan Latin. Above are some of the photo highlights of the evening. It was a nice meal of passed appetizers, and I definitely need to go back to try the dinner menu soon.
-JAY
For beer lovers who won’t be attending Savor, the huge (sold out) American craft brew event is May 9th and 10th or the 2014 RAMMY Awards, you can still attend some great (and related) beer events.
Many of the breweries that will be in town for Savor are planning events the week of the show. Click here for the official list of these events. The City Tap House events are not listed individually on Savor’s website (but are all listed under one entry for the 8th), so rather than miss them on the calendar, check them here. Three of the four Jack Rose Dining Saloon events are not on the Savor calendar, but you can find them here.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014 from 6:30 PM to 9:00: Leading up to the always-sold-out SAVOR American Craft Beer + Food Experience (May 9-10), The Fainting Goat will pair four savory and sweet spring dishes with craft Atlas brews – one being an exclusive Fainting Goat cask ale created just for the event – while guests can meet and chat with Atlas head brewer Will Durgin. You can obtain ($45) tickets here.
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery is planning the following Savor related events:
– Tap invasion event at Rustico Arlington on 5/8 with Cigar City
– Tap invasion at Bier Baron 5/9 with Green Flash and Funkwerks
– Tap invasion at Meridian Pint on 5/10 with Firestone, Funkwerks, and Elysian.
2014 RAMMYS Beer Program of the Year finalists are holding these in-house promotions Thursday, May 8:
Starting at 6pm, Birch & Barley & ChurchKey will feature drafts and casks from Surly Brewing Company at The Surly Brewing Company Draft & Cask Takeover. With no fewer than 10 rare and elusive Surly drafts and casks on tap, don’t miss the opportunity to taste amazing ales otherwise unavailable in Washington, DC.
Brasserie Beck will keep the RAMMYS celebration going throughout the day with an all-day $10 Antigoon Beer and Brats Special. Opened by Chef Robert Wiedmaier in 2007, Beck’s stunning and spacious bar boasts the city’s most comprehensive Belgian beer list outside Belgium with nine draught beers and over 100 offered by the bottle.
Granville Moore’s will have special promotions that evening, but they have not yet been specified.
Lyon Hall’s spacious patio will feature a fabulous Pig Roast/BBQ May 8th. Executive Chef Matt Hill will roast two whole pigs and serve it up with his gourmet side dishes and desserts made by Executive Pastry Chef Bridie McCulla. Beer Director David McGregor will be holding court outside, pouring special draft offerings from house favorite breweries and hosting a special tasting session of “Barrel-Aged” Beers that have been cellared at Lyon Hall.
Mad Fox Brewing Company Executive Brewer and CEO Bill Madden will host brewery tours at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm, where guests will learn all about the brewing process and even have the chance to sample the freshest beers straight from the fermenting vessels of Mad Fox’s state of the art brewing facility. After the tour, congregate at the massive 63 foot bar and enjoy over 18 drafts on tap among a variety of other products like the 2011 Great American Beer Festival Gold Medal award winning Kellerbier Kölsch.
-JAY
Editor’s Note: It turns out that Goose Island is hosting DC beer events this week (4/29-5/3).
I was lucky enough to have my best friend invite me to the Capital Area Food Bank’s 11th Annual Blue Jeans Ball. Over 700 people attended! The Blue Jeans Ball is an exclusive charity and tasting event featuring some of DMV’s popular and well-recognized restaurants; they all come together to raise money to fight hunger in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area. Not only did the event have awesome sponsors that helped raise money (Whole Foods Market contributed $25,000), there was also a silent and live auction for guests to partake in. Auction items included a signed Redskins football, spa treatments, and cruise ship packages.
Fun fact: Michelle Obama was the Blue Jeans Ball’s honorary chair.
Sad fact: She did not attend the event.
Some of the participating restaurants and vendors included:
Cava Mezze, Chef Geoff’s and Lia’s, Dean & DeLuca, EPIC Smokehouse, The Fourth Estate, Hank’s Oyster Bar, La Tasca, Oyamel, PAUL Bakery, The Palm, Pinch Dumplings, Policy Restaurant and Lounge, Restaurant Nora, Sangam, Sonoma, SILO, The Melting Pot, Thrive DC, and much more.
Not only was I happy about the casual denim dress code (hence, the event name), everyone was genuinely passionate about the event because it benefits a great cause. Capital Area Food Bank did an absolute superb job in raising over $350,000 that night and I would definitely attend next year if I could afford the $200 ticket (or if my friend invites me again).
-EHY
We recently attended the April DC Food Blogger Happy Hour at Alba Osteria in DC. The food was excellent, and it is nice that all pizzas are half off on happy hour. Above are some pictures of the evening’s food highlights.
-JAY
May’s DC Food Blogger Happy Hour will be at Mio Restaurant. This month’s Hosts are Chito of RUNINout and Bindesh of DesiGrub.
Please only RSVP ‘Yes’ if you will definitely attend, and keep your RSVPs updated. We need a good count for the restaurant.
-JAY
Filmfest DC is returning for its 28th and final year! The festival runs April 17th -through April 27th. Unfortunately, the festival is $250,000 short of the funding needed to return next year, so if you have any pull with local investors or county governments, the festival can use your help.
This year, one of the main themes is right along our lines, Feast Your Eyes: Films on Food. Below are the pictures, descriptions, and schedule for films selected for this year’s Feast Your Eyes series.
-JAY
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Le Chef: Daniel Cohen – France, Spain – 84 mins
In this delicious comedy about the behind-the-scenes antics in the food industry, Jean Reno plays veteran chef Alexandre Lagarde, who runs a three-star restaurant that carries his name. A new CEO wants to modernize and bring in a new menu, or chef. As Lagarde frets over his future, brash young cook Jacky (Michaël Youn) stumbles into his kitchen. Jacky … more
Sun, April 20 7:00 PM Landmark E Street Cinema
Tue, April 22 6:30 PM Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema
Eden: Michael Hofmann – Germany, Switzerland – 93 mins
Eden was presented by Filmfest DC eight years ago and though raved about by our audience, never received commercial distribution in the United States. This year’s Feast Your Eyes series provides reason to give it a reprise. Writer-director Michael Hofmann mixes disparate emotions into a filling meal of a film. Eden is the beguiling … more
Sun, April 20 4:45 PM Landmark E Street Cinema
Wed, April 23 6:30 PM Landmark E Street Cinema
Love and Lemons: Teresa Fabik – Sweden – 99 mins
At first, Agnes (Rakel Wärmländer) seems to have everything going for her: a job at an upscale restaurant, a rock-star boyfriend, and good friends and family. When she gets wrongly fired by her cruel boss and dumped by her cheating boyfriend on the same day, it’s time for some soul searching. Agnes decides to join a former colleague in starting their own … more
Wed, April 23 6:30 PM AMC Mazza Gallerie
Thu, April 24 8:30 PM AMC Mazza Gallerie
Paulette: Jérôme Enrico – France – 87 mins
This crowd-pleasing comedy focuses on Paulette (Bernadette Lafont), who used to run a lovely restaurant filled with friends, music, and fabulous food. Now that she’s a widow living in a housing project outside of Paris, she’s unable to make ends meet on her meager pension. While making her rounds between the church—where she complains instead of confesses—and … more
Wed, April 23 8:45 PM Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema
Fri, April 25 6:30 PM Embassy of France
Romantic Brasserie: Joël Vanhoebrouck – Belgium – 97 mins
Forty-something Pascaline runs a brasserie and her exquisite dining room is fully booked for Valentine’s Day. She thinks she is fully prepared and ready for the heart-shaped holiday, but how could she predict that an old flame from 20 years ago would walk in and ask her to go with him to Rio? Her diners must also cope with the unexpected. There’s Rose, a … more
Sat, April 19 2:15 PM Landmark E Street Cinema
Mon, April 21 6:30 PM Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema
Thu, April 24 8:30 PM Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema
Zone Pro Site: A Moveable Feast: Yu-Hsun Chen – Taiwan – 145 mins
Taiwan’s traditional ban-doh, an outdoor market where rival caterers vie for the public’s taste buds, is given a magical, musical, and colorful treatment in this stylishly fun film. On the run from her deadbeat boyfriend’s creditors and escaping a failed modeling career, perky Wan (Kimi Hsia), the daughter of a ban-doh chef, returns home to find … more
Sat, April 19 6:15 PM Landmark E Street Cinema
Sat, April 26 3:00 PM Landmark E Street Cinema
Reminder:
Next DC Food Blogger Happy Hour is at Alba Osteria tomorrow (Wednesday April 2nd), 6-8pm.
We will be tasting the delicious Piemontese-inspired cuisine of Executive Chef Roberto Donna and Chef de Cuisine Amy Brandwein.
Please RSVP here and keep your RSVPs updated, since we need a good count for the restaurant!
Your Hosts this month are Lili Kocsis of My Amused Bouche and Laetitia-Laure Brock from French Twist D.C.
