Perhaps you've noticed the odd little vehicle with wings near 8th and H, NW selling empanadas and other Mexican fare. It's On the Fly, a new food business started by one of the founders of Zip Car, Gabe Klein, L'Enfant cafe owner Christopher Lynch, and architectural designer Michel Heitstuman. The car is one of the first in a planned series of food carts and small stands that will swarm the city. This first one, near Chinatown, is a partnership with Julia's Empanadas - selling the tasty little pockets as well as tacos and other foods prepared by executive chef Jordan Lichman.

They are planning to open 18 other carts all over town by the end of 2008, as well as locations in Results gyms. They're promoting healthier food and are partnering with other crunchy or local food purveyors like Teaism, Dallas Popcorn, Firehook Bakery, Rocklands Barbecue, Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company, and more. Also trying to be as green-friendly as possible, the carts are run on batteries and have no emissions. It's a pretty impressive venture and business plan for a group of guys that came together only a year ago. The fly wings might be a little precious, but the WaPo first look indicates some pretty impressive chops.

This Little Piggy Went to Market
King of all things Spanish in the culinary U.S., José Andres is serving up the first jamon Iberico available in the U.S. at Jaleo. Jamon Iberico is an amazing cured pork that is frequently compared to prosciutto, and believed by some to be superior. But, due to ridiculous FDA regulations, it was not legally allowed in the country until now. You will have to wait for the de bellota-type of Iberico, which is aged for three years and made from free-range piggies that prance through oak forests rooting for acorns. Other, cheaper, jamon iberico pigs are fed some combination of acorns and grain. If my experiences with the superior Palacios chorizo are indicative of how much better these fancy Euro piggies are, well then it may be worth shelling out the approximately $52 per pound for this delicacy, and approximately $100 for the happy acorn-fed ones.

Image courtesy of SuperTopher

Small Bites
Sweet Hope
Today is the last day to get tickets to Citronelle's Sweet Hope, a Dessert for Toys Reception, which is tomorrow, Dec. 8, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Bring a toy or donate money to St. Jude's Research Hospital and enjoy a reception with desserts, sparkling cider, hot chocolate and other goodies. E-mail citronelledc@luxuryresorts.com or visit the restaurant to get tickets. Suggested toy list[PDF].

Winter Libations
ACKC (Artfully Chocolate/Kingsbury Confections) Cocoa Bar just opened this week in Logan Circle. Aside from the obvious chocolates, fondues, pastries, and hot chocolate they will be selling salads and sandwiches. You'll have the opportunity to do chocolate tastings (with booze!). I'm excited by the prospect of also being able to add lavender or chile to my hot chocolate (or booze!). With the first snow of the year fallen, I find myself very interested in some Irish hot chocolate. (Note: The store is considering serving wine with chocolate tastings and liquor in hot chocolate. They do not currently have a liquor license.) The shop also shows a fascination with orchids, and they will be holding seminars on how to care for them. I currently have one languishing in my apartment that could use the help.

Equinox is hosting an Egg'n'grog happy hour every December 11 and 18, 5-7pm. Along with egg nog, Chef Todd Gray will be offering some free goodies. It's just one more way to ring in the holidays, only this time with a nog 'stache.

Foodie Flix
E Street Landmark Theaters are showing "How to Cook Your Life" December 7-13. The documentary by Doris Dorrie follows Zen Master Edward Espe Brown asking him about how the principles of Buddhism apply to what we eat. As the flyer from the theater asks, "Do we cook food? Or does food cook us?" Whatever that means...