Food

Forget mass-packaged Halloween candy, get yourself to a Doubletree for some fresh-baked goodness. Via district, schmistrict, Doubletree Hotels are giving away free cookies (the delicious ones they're known for giving to guests as they check in) today until midnight. You can try your hand at the Logan Circle, Bethesda, and Crystal City locations. more ›

Last night, DCist was invited to participate in one of EatBar's cocktail classes, taught by Gina Chersevani. The theme for the evening was "Witches’ Brew, Contorted Concoctions," which took imbibers on a tour of some molecular mixology techniques. Some elements were basic, while others required some special equipment and chemicals. The class also included some small nibbles to match the cocktails. more ›

With weather having taken a turn toward the frosty, we might be done with ice creampocalypses for a while. But not to worry, Z Burger in Tenleytown is picking up the free-food-as-marketing-tool slack with a free burger event today. Via NBC4, show up at the store's Wisconsin Avenue location with a coupon that can be found in City Paper and get one of Z Burger's classics for no more than the effort it took you to get there. Maybe pair it with some of their signature peanut oil-fried fries, or a milkshake. If you can't get your hands on that coupon, rumor has it you can partake of the offer by just uttering the "secret" code word. Hint: the word is Foxxy Cleopatra's mantra from Austin Powers III, and rhymes with the title of Shaq's silver screen debut. more ›

In a DCist interview several weeks ago, Tyler Cowen declared that Zenebech Injera at 6th and T Streets NW was serving up the best Ethiopian food in town. We put the advice of the economics professor/ethnic eats guru to the test. more ›

Dish of the Week: Brit cuisine more ›

It's not every day that a restaurant has 42,000 owners. more ›

Dish of the Week: Kadu bouranee more ›

Since it’s still October, we’re going to assume you’re not done Oktoberfest-ing, either because the beer itself is too good to pass up, or the chance for perfectly acceptable, outdoor, daytime binge drinking is too good to pass up. (Hey, either, way, it’s all good. We’re not judging. Unless you drive afterwards. At which point someone will certainly judge. Or if you leave your car in a parking garage in Shirlington overnight and it gets towed. At which point there will be laughing and pointing. Not that that happened, er, to anyone.) more ›

Where: Komi more ›

In these tumultuous times, it's hard to know where best to invest. Americans seem to be equally disillusioned about the prospects of leaving their money to banks, the stock market, or to a retirement fund. While these options are failing all around us, it's nice to know that there is an alternative: invest in beer. I'm not talking about pouring money into a new brewery (although that's not a bad idea) or buying case after case of PBR to get drunk and forget your financial worries (this is a bad idea), I'm talking about aging beers. The idea of having a beer cellar is one that takes some getting used to for most of us who are sick of hearing rich wine snobs flaunt their extensive cellar of Bordeaux from the 1970s. As with many things beer-related, aging beer is a less pretentious proposition than aging wine, but still there are guidelines that must be followed. more ›

Most people wouldn't ask an economist where to get dinner. But Tyler Cowen, a professor at George Mason University and author of the economics blog Marginal Revolution, has become an unlikely food critic with the popularity of his expansive Ethnic Dining Guide. Grounded in basic economic principles, Cowen's somewhat unusual dining philosophy has allowed him to discover arguably some of the best ethnic restaurants in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Last week, Cowen spoke to DCist about his dining habits, the economy, and the future of ethnic cuisine in the District. more ›

Wednesday evening marks the start of Yom Kippur, Judaism’s Day of Atonement. Those observing the holiday will begin fasting at sundown before Kol Nidre services, continuing through Thursday evening. It’s common to gather with family or friends for a pre-fast meal, but Downtown workers putting in a full day at the office will have little time to make it home for dinner to fill up before attending services. more ›

This election season, the electorate is hungry for change. Or perhaps we’re just hungry. As the presidential campaign enters its home stretch, area bars and restaurants are rolling out election-themed eats and drinks. Around town you can eat a sushi roll or hamburger that represents your favorite candidate; drink a martini that represents your true political color; watch a debate while dining on Undecider Sliders and sipping an On The Fence martini. While seasoned campaigners know that true election eats more closely resemble donuts, cold pizza, and stale beer, you members of the Washington elite may toast your status with a Blue Donkey or Red Elephant. more ›

Drink of the Week: Bombay Government Regulation Punch more ›

The next season of Top Chef, filmed this time in New York, is set to premiere on November 12, and this time we'll have a hometown girl to cheer for. Carla Hall is chef-owner of Alchemy Caterers, and got her schooling at Bethesda's L'Academie de Cuisine. Her bio states that her food is at the "heart and soul of the South and the refinement of her classic French training." Let's hope that she fares better than previous caterers, who in the past haven't demonstrated the chops for the fine dining challenges. more ›