Food and Drink: April 2008 Archives

Written by DCist contributor Daniel Castleman

Although we at DCist have no affiliation with any plastic surgeons' association, we can't help but bring news of today's annual 31-cent Scoop Night at Baskin-Robbins, tonight from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. In cooperation with the National Fallen Firefighters Fund, The BR will once again shell out 2.5 oz. scoops of any flavor for anyone with three dimes and a penny. Note: there is a 10 scoop limit per person per purchase.

Another day, another dollar. Another year, another free cone day. In celebration of their 30th anniversary - despite the fact that the giveaway occurs every year - Ben and Jerry's is offering one free scoop of ice cream to customers between noon and 8 p.m.

Spring is in the air, and that means it's time for innumerable happy hours, barbecues, and various other events that involve drinking beer. Brasserie Beck was scheduled to open it's outdoor patio tonight, but it seems the rain may spoil the fun. They should be open tomorrow night if tonight is rained out. The setup is a brand new 4-draught system imported from Belgium, and as such, there will undoubtedly be some kinks that still need working out. However, if you want to drink some great Belgian beers in the gorgeous spring weather, Brasserie Beck is a very good option. While there, you can go inside and sample any of the other excellent beers that they're pouring at the moment (try the Cantillon Cuvée des Champions if it's still available, the $14 price is worth it).

This week on Todd Kliman's Washingtonian chat, a reader asked about the difference between Kobe and Wagyu beef, and if they were the same thing. Kliman's response was:

              

Walking into Aji Ichiban, a bulk snack emporium in Rockville, Md., is a little bit like entering Willy Wonka's candy factory — if Willy Wonka were Asian. Visitors are greeted by a dazzling array of foil-wrapped chocolates, fruit-flavored marshmallows, European nougat confections, and a selection of gelatinous goodies that put Haribo gummy bears to shame. But candy is only the half of it. Aji Ichiban is a Hong Kong chain, and their U.S. stores sell many of the same products found across the Pacific. This means that Aji Ichiban also features a mind-boggling selection of dried fruits and fish products. Every major food group and textural possibility is represented at this self-proclaimed "Munchies Paradise."

Perhaps it’s time to change up the old routine. Maybe, instead of coming home from work and snuggling up on the couch with your block of aged cheddar, smoked gouda, a knife, and a box of Triscuits, it’s time to take your cheese habit to a more refined setting.

The third floor will be devoted to the Mocha Fusion Coffee Lounge, an espresso bar. And finally, a rooftop deck will offer tapas. Sounds a bit ... over the top, to be sure. But aesthetic issues aside, there's some serious questions about the sustainability of such an ambitious project in this neighborhood. The property is being developed by Brian Brown of NextGen Development, and Twyla Garrett of Cleveland-based Garrett Entertainment Corp. Garrett has already built a similar, Italian-themed multi-story restaurant complex in a similarly gentrifying area of Cleveland, which has a music and flash heavy web site you can check out at your own risk. But when you look at the numbers quoted in the Business Journal story, it's hard to imagine how this venture could possibly add up. Brown purchased the property for $600,000, a perfectly reasonably price, but plans to put in $2.4 million for renovations. Garrett plans to add another $1 million herself. How many tables would you need to fill every night to service $4 million of debt every month? It would have to be in the hundreds. It's just hard to imagine a restaurant of that style, in that neighborhood, being able to attract that large of a crowd every night.

The recent warm up has my mind on summery drinks. There are the usuals: mojitos, gin and tonics, daquiris, and margaritas. But there's one summer drink that's most associated with the lawn at Wimbledon: the Pimm's Cup. The refreshing Pimm's is traditionally made with Pimm's #1 (a gin-based spirit infused with various spices and a hint of orange), lemonade, and garnished with borage leaves, mint, and slices of orange, apple, lemon and strawberry. Something about it is reminiscent of cola, but more complex and, dare I say, pretty. And this stuff sure goes down easy.

When you first walk into the tasting room at Food Matters in Alexandria, you feel as though you are about to sit down to an intimate dinner. The central focus of the room is a large table made of reclaimed wood, while floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with afternoon light. Christy Przystawik, one of the owners of Food Matters and facilitator for the tastings, places tasting notes and pens at each seat. But don’t let the detailed notes and maps fool you – wine tasting at Food Matters is not a stuffy or uptight experience. Przystawik says that she tries to “give people a forum in which they can relax and taste wine… don't let people get stuffy about it and don't be a snob.”

Chef Ron Tanaka has worked in some of the finest kitchens in D.C. Starting at Morrison-Clark Inn, he eventually found his way to Palena, Citronelle, and CityZen. He is currently the chef at Cork Wine Bar, where he serves up small plates to accompany a list chock full of Old World wines. We sat down to talk with the rather unassuming chef, who did not even want his picture used for this interview, as he likes to stay under the radar. (Trust us, we tried.)

This post was written by DCist contributor Andrew Schneider

While there's been plenty of accolades for the food at the nearly one-year-old Mío restaurant on Vermont Avenue in McPherson Square — Tom Sietsema gave his meal there a generous two and a half stars, and Washingtonian’s food critic called Executive Chef Stefano Frigerio’s swordfish a “knockout” — it’s gone almost completely under the radar for something else it does remarkably well: happy hour. Mío's combination of inventive, well-made cocktails and ever-changing menu of delicious, small plates is complemented by a relaxed modern atmosphere that suits both business folks, wheeling and dealing over martinis, and lowly reporters and admins, desperate for a reason to branch out of their usual $3-beer haunts (no offense, Post Pub).

Brewpops from Rustico

Sometimes you get some really strange press releases. In particular, DC Voices for Meal Choices will be staging a sit-in on April 7, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 425 13th St. NW. The subject line reads, "Shocking 'EAT-IN' supporting menu labeling in DC." Plus, there will be "PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES!" The purpose of the sit-in is in support of the DC MEAL Act, which would require any chain restaurant with more than 10 locations nationwide to list nutritional information on their menus. According to DC Voices for Meal Choices, 50% of DC citizens are overweight or obese, one of the highest obesity rates in the country. Furthermore, $2 billion a year are spent in District restaurants. Regardless of whether that includes meals eaten by tourists and those outside the area or what kinds of establishments are most frequented, the obesity rate speaks for itself. (And does anyone find calling it an "Eat-In" a little ironic since you're trying to reduce obesity? Shouldn't it be a "Fast-In"?)