Food and Drink: September 2008 Archives

Making bread at home can be daunting, even for the experienced home cook. Kneading and rising take time and muscle (or an expensive standing mixer), and the science of yeast can seem puzzling, to say the least. If this all seems like too much work, fear not. Delicious, homemade bread is within easy reach, thanks to one of the greatest baking discoveries of our time: beer bread.

Where: 2 Amys

Drink in the Details is a monthly column highlighting spirits and classic cocktails written by DC Craft Bartenders Guild members Adam Bernbach (Bar Pilar) and Chantal Tseng (Tabard Inn).

The media has long been hovering around former Top Chef contestant Spike Mendelsohn and his D.C. burger joint, Good Stuff Eatery. The latest is this WTOP report about health violations at the restaurant. According to the story, the restaurant was cited for storing beef in the alley behind the restaurant; photos of buns by the dumpster have apparently surfaces. Mendelsohn explained that they were in the alley for only a few minutes after a delivery.

      

If your idea of a good Thai meal involves fruity cocktail drinks served in cartoonish, neon-colored surroundings, then Nava Thai in Wheaton is not the restaurant for you. There are no punny names, no sushi bar, and no fried bananas here, just excellent, authentic Thai food. Yes, the ambiance leaves something to be desired (the walls are a nauseating shade of green), and the location is less than glamorous (practically hidden in the back of a Thai grocery store). But if you want to eat Thai food designed for the Thai--not the American--palate, Nava Thai is the place to be.

Vietnamese food is one of the quintessential DIY cuisines. Drizzle a little of this or that sauce. Scatter some herbs. Choose some vegetables. You control the sweetness, sourness, spiciness and crunchiness. And one of the best examples is banh xeo, a golden-colored crispy rice crepe loaded with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts. It is seasoned very gently with tumeric and salt to maximize personalization though some recipes include touches of coconut milk and curry powder.

For most, the arrival of autumn signifies an excuse to go see the falling leaves in rural Maryland, pick apples at an idyllic orchard in Virginia, or simply enjoy a respite from the humid heat of a D.C. summer. For beer lovers, the beginning of September is just a reminder that Oktoberfest is coming soon. Although many of the events in the area are styled after the original Oktoberfest in Munich, other beer events in the next several weeks are not even German-themed and just happen to be crowding an already crowded schedule. It's a busy, exciting time to be a beer geek in D.C.

      

Pedro and Vinny's burrito cart reopened at its old location at 15th and K Streets NW on Friday. The popular cart, operated by owner John Rider, closed late last year when Rider left town, but at the beginning of this month Rider announced he was coming back, much to the delight of nearby downtown office workers.

Dish of the Week: Cachaça-layered cookie tart with red-fruits syrup

      

Whether you’re not sure what to serve to surprise guests or you just want a convenient food option after a night of shopping that doesn’t involve dialing out or driving through, there is reason to rejoice this holiday season. A new partnership between DC Central Kitchen, Alexandria-based Cuisine Solutions, and six of the D.C. area’s most celebrated chefs is bringing gourmet holiday meals to the frozen food section of a store near you. The meals will be produced with all local ingredients and all proceeds will benefit DC Central Kitchen, which provides hunger relief and training programs for the D.C. community.

             

For those of you who bemoan D.C.'s lack of authentic Mexican food, this week is your chance to break the cycle of bad Tex Mex and sugary margaritas. The Mexican Embassy and Mexican Cultural Institute are hosting "A Taste of Mexico in DC", a week-long tribute to Mexican food and culture.

Where: Adour by Alain Ducasse

After the attempted transfer and eventual closing late last year of downtown favorite Pedro and Vinny's Burrito Cart, it looks like owner John Rider is back in business. In an email sent to his fans, he says it's "a long story," but he is very excited to be moving back to D.C. with his family. He plans to be back in business at his regular location this week or next week. Burritos and goose (mango-habanero) sauce will remain the same.