Iron Chef on speed
Yesterday at the DC Improv, the Food Network's Robert Irvine filmed an episode of "Dinner: Impossible". For those of you not aware of the premise of the show, Irvine is tasked with cooking for a large number of people in a limited amount of time.

Throwing an improvisational theme into the show, Irvine made a gourmet meal for 200 people using some very strange ingredients offered up by the improv students - ramen noodles, Hot Pockets and Brussels sprouts were among the ingredients - while using three students as sous chefs (no easy feat).

Our very own DCist Shawn Westfall is a teacher at the Improv and participated as a plater and server. After the meal, Irvine played a few improv games. According to Westfall, he's a funny guy, noting, "he's as big in person as he looks on TV." It must take a sense of humor to tempura the Hot Pockets. As for the rest... you'll just have to tune in when they air the show. We'll try and let you know when the episode is scheduled.

Celebrate the New Year, again
Gong xi fa cai! Gong hay fat choy! Chuc mung nam moi! Happy Lunar New Year! Despite its more common moniker, the New Year is not just a holiday for the Chinese, but also for the Vietnamese, Koreans, and many other eastern Asian countries. So aside from taking in the Chinatown parade this Saturday, now is prime time for eating special treats to celebrate the holiday.

For a traditional food, try noodles, which represent longevity. Just make sure you don't cut them or that means you are shortening your life. Or you can try rice cakes, nian gao in Chinese or duk in Korean. In addition to being tasty, the small treats are eaten during the New Year because its Chinese name is a homonym for "a prosperous year." Unlike the popcorn-like rice cakes of America, these glutenous ovals and cylinders also show up in savory dishes, such as stews and soups. The sweet versions are flavored with coconut milk or mung beans, which you can find at the Chinese grocery stores, Maxim and Kam Sam, in Rockville.

If you want a restaurant celebration, you can visit Bob's Noodle 66 with 10-12 of your closest friends for a set Chinese New Year's menu, or visit the Eden Center to see if anyone is making thit ko, a special Vietnamese stew. Hunt around cheaper Korean restaurants and Korean grocery stores for prepared duk buk ki.

Shawn Westfall contributed to this post.

Small Bites
Finally out of Virginia
Sietsema reported this week that that the Neighborhood Restaurant Group is opening a new restaurant outside of their neighborhood of Virginia. Located in the old Dakota Cowgirl space, the unnamed spot will have its menu designed by Chef Frank Morales, while Beer-meister Greg Engert will be adding some ridiculous beers (yay! geuze!). Now we won't be having to make the journey to Rustico for clean taps, and well-priced fancy brews.

Chefs read blogs
Judging from his post, Blogger Brett from The Upstate Life had a less than positive experience at Visions in Bethesda during Restaurant Week. However, in an unusual twist, the chef of the restaurant, Tony, responded with an e-mail to explain what happened. Way to go, Tony! While it isn't easy to keep up with all the blogging and message boarding around town, it's great to see you respond.

Barton Seaver is taken
There have been many questions about Barton Seaver's relationship status. An article in the Post profiling the home kitchens of three local chefs also reveals that Barton Seaver of Hook in Georgetown does, in fact, have a girlfriend. Sorry gals, but you're going to have to find another women's jeans-wearing chef. The article itself is great, and shows some pretty impressive gear.