The Weekly Feed: Mind on My Money Edition
Dish of the Week: Curry laksa
Where: Spices/Nooshi, Malaysia Kopitiam
The first time I tasted curry laksa, it was prepared by a Singaporean friend, who I watched cleave piles of dark meat into an enormous stew pot before putting in a number of different spices. What came out was a questionable, murky soup with spicy red oil floating on top. But wow, was it delicious.
Curry laksa is one of those beautiful fusion children of Malaysian cuisine with Thai coconut milk, Indian curry and Chinese-style egg noodles. It is finished with different types of meat, seafood, fried tofu, and vegetables. It sometimes has a gritty texture from belacan, a dried shrimp and chili paste, but the redolence of cinnamon, galangal, and lemongrass, plus the slight burn of chilies, make it worth overlooking.
My personal favorite is the curry laksa at Spices/Nooshi that allows you a choice between chicken or shrimp and includes both egg and vermicelli style noodles. This lighter version is topped off with fried tofu puffs, still-crisp green beans, and bean sprouts. Meanwhile, the Malaysia Kopitiam versions are nothing to balk at. Select from three types of noodles - egg, rice or vermicelli (get the egg). The flavorings are slightly more traditional with a muskier, denser flavor, but lacking the additional tofu and green beans accoutrements. You may also choose a variation that includes just those items, as well as selections that include pork rib and beef.
Small Bites
Sippin' on Gin and Juice
Chef John Wabeck previously announced he would be leaving New Heights to serve as a sommelier at Inox. According to one of New Heights' owners, Kavita Singh, they will be hosting a night to celebrate Wabeck's career change and to introduce their new chef. Though she would not disclose the name of the new chef, she mentioned that he had previously worked in D.C. and is now returning. The event will take place on August 9, starting at 6:30 p.m., and will feature a four-course menu paired with gin-based cocktails from current Komi general manager and Wabeck's former Firefly co-worker Derek Brown. The first two courses will be cooked by Wabeck, and the last two by the new chef. The cost is $85.
Also confirmed: the Heights' popular Gin Joint, whose collection was amassed under Wabeck, will continue to operate after his departure.
Bourdain D.C. Tour Roundup
Reports on local food blogs and boards have been accumulating Anthony Bourdain spottings across town over the past week. It appears that Bourdain packed in a tight schedule last weekend filming for his show. He was confirmed to have visited the Eamonn's A Dublin Chipper, Penn Quarter's farmers market, Cafe Atlantico and Jose Andres' other restaurants. Unconfirmed sightings include: Ben's Chili Bowl, Busboys and Poets, D.C. Central Kitchen, Chadwicks, PX (just above Eamonn's), Four Sisters (Eden Center, Falls Church) and El Pollo Rico (Arlington).
Bethesda Restaurant Week
Bethesda Restaurant Week runs during the week of July 28 - August 3. Check out DC Foodies for a compiled list of menus.