The Weekly Feed: RunningOurTitlesTogetherEdition
Veg D.C. Names Best Veggie Restaurant
VegDC.com has tallied the votes for the area's best vegetarian restaurant, and the award goes to Java Green, the downtown eatery that serves a wide range of vegetarian and vegan cuisine (and really great coffee drinks) in the Farragut North area of downtown. Even an avowed meat-lover like me can find something to enjoy at the busy restaurant; the fake meats they use taste and feel nearly like the real thing, and their preparations with fresh ingredients result in savory dishes that everyone can enjoy. It's also a great destination for you celiacs out there, as wheat-free offerings are clearly marked and abundant. What's more, the café makes an effort to run with the smallest carbon footprint as possible, buying wind power to run the restaurant and offering only biodegradable carryout containers.
Runners up for the award go to the Vegetable Garden in Rockville, and Vienna's Sunflower Vegetarian Restaurant. Congratulations to all the winners!
Pizza Comes to Columbia Heights
Amidst all the heated discussion of new businesses in Columbia Heights, an unassuming pizzeria has opened its doors on the corner of 11th and Park, NW. RedRocks FireBrickPizzeria started serving traditional and gourmet pizza to customers last night under the supervision of Executive Chef Edan MacQuaid, late of Staccato and 2Amys.
The Pizzeria will provide a late-night dining option in the neighborhood by staying open until midnight on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends. It'll also meet your micro- and Eurobrew needs by serving up Chimay Triple and Allagash White on tap, and 30 other microbrews by the bottle. An additional draw will be the restaurant's patio, which seats 35. DCist will be sure to swing by the new pizza place; keep on the lookout for a first look.
Photo of RedRocks' fare from Mr. T in DC.
Um, Tomorrow's Bastille Day. Forgot About That…
So, tomorrow's Bastille Day—somewhat of a big party day for Washington—and we totally forgot. The French instructor I had at the USDA graduate school may be rubbing off on me; she maintained the French Revolution was a "horrible" event, and expressed great sympathy for "that poor queen." Guess that whole "rights of man" thing wasn't worth it for her. At any rate, there's a charge de bateau worth of events going on. The Going Out Gurus have already done the legwork; check them out.
Restaurant Week is Just Around the Corner…
…and some places are already booked. The Washingtonian has its own guide of places to hit the week of August 6. Not too bad, but I'd steer clear of both Butterfield 9 and Taberna del Alabadero. Both are notorious for poor performance during restaurant week.
Farmers' Market Roundup
Things are really getting cooking for area farmers' markets. Practically everything's in season, and it's easy to buy more than you can carry home. If you still haven't made it out to some of the local farmers' lines, here are some inducements:
Eastern Market Getting Tunes
Despite April's fire, Eastern Market is still going strong. Many of the indoor vendors have moved to the sidewalk, and almost all of the original farmers' line vendors are set up across the street. The new, temporary building for the market will be delivered by the 19th, and should be up by the 24th. Additionally, there will be free music in the plaza on 7th and North Carolina Ave. SE starting July 22nd.
14th and U Market Dog Friendly
Now that the Dupont farmers' market has shunned dogs, the new market at 14th and U is making a play for you folks whose canines rule the roost. Not only has the market extended its hours (9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays), but they are actively welcome dogs. One vendor, Smith Meadows, is even offering doggie treats made from grass-fed livestock. No mad cow disease for Fluffy!
Dupont Market will be Italian Themed
Those of you who look for the demonstrations (and subsequent samples) at markets will be happy to see that Cesare Lanfranconi from Spezie will be cooking his brand of Italian at this Sunday's Dupont Market (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; demonstrations usually happen around 10:30 or 11:00 a.m.). Author Faith Willinger will also be signing her new book, Adventures of an Italian Food Lover.