Food and Drink: June 2009 Archives

Teddy Folkman, D.C.’s latest representative on the reality food television circuit, was sent home from The Next Food Network Star in last night’s episode. It was the fourth episode of the season—he outlasted three of the ten fellow contestants, but didn’t make it to cook in Rachel Ray’s studio in episode 5. The ouster wasn’t a product of poor cooking, though we weren’t too thrilled with much of his offerings from his relaunched Capitol Lounge menu. In fact, his haute DLT sandwich (duck, lettuce, and tomato) won praises from the show’s judges in last night’s elimination challenge.

No Dish of the Week this week, but enjoy your regularly scheduled Small Bites.

The Going Out Gurus had the skinny yesterday on why popular downtown lunch spot The Breadline got temporarily shut down by the D.C. Dept. of Health at the end of last week:

"Operating without a valid license, operating with incorrect hot and cold holding temps for potentially hazardous foods that do not comply with the food code and could not be corrected at the time of the inspection. Failing to minimize the presence of vermin on the premises and operating a food establishment with circumstances that may endanger the public health."

Where: Giant, Magruder's, Wagschal's

     

Capitol Lounge, fixture of the Capitol Hill bar scene, launched a revamped, Teddy Folkman-created menu over the weekend. Folkman, who can be seen on TV competing to be The Next Food Network Star, accepted the Executive Chef role at the Lounge after helping owner Joe Englert in launching H Street Country Club’s Mexican-themed menu. Their goal is to “raise the bar,” providing gourmet bar food to the staffers and Hill denizens that frequent Pennsylvania Avenue.

There was no hora, chicken dance, or karaoke at Benjamin’s Bar Mitzvah last night. No dinner buffet or pajama pants party favors. But there was an adult version of a Shirley Temple.

Dish of the Week: Garlic Scapes

      

Two weeks ago, we interviewed the covert baker. We caught him during a baking session for croissants, where he provided this recipe. The preparations for this recipe will need to be spread out over 24 hours. Despite the required time, the recipe is straight forward and doesn't require a lot of special training or knowledge. Not to mention, the delicious end result is well worth it.

      

Like we mentioned last week, Jaleo is hosting a paella festival until June 21. We stopped by the Dupont FarmFresh Market to watch the preparation of vegetable paella. It was a family affair, with many a chef's family members getting in on the action as a large crowd gathered around the large grill pan.

Dish of the Week: Paella

It would be easy at first glance to lump Eatonville in with Busboys and Poets. Both are owned by Andy Shallal, both are located in the U Street neighborhood (in fact, they're across the street from each other), and both are inspired by famous African-American authors. Resist the temptation to compare, because these are two very different animals.

Tomorrow is National Donut Day. To celebrate, Krispy Kreme will be giving away free donuts. And so will Dunkin' Donuts, with the purchase of any beverage.

The proprietors of Eventide restaurant and lounge have said they are essentially trying to be everything Clarendon is not. Putting aside whether that bruises your ego—we’re looking at you, Whitlow’s lovers—the lounge and rooftop bar at the four-months old restaurant are upscale yet approachable spots for happy hour that will win over just about anybody. Hoping to kick back with, say, a tasty Belgian triple from a Canadian microbrewery? Yeah, they’ve got that. Prefer your beer cheaper and more, how shall we say, in a can? Tecate it is. Like trying new cocktail creations, especially if they involve some kind of liquor you’ve never heard of? Voila. The Vieux Mot with Plymouth gin, St. Germain Elderflower liqueur and lemon juice is for you.

Think for a second about that scene in Willy Wonka when they first get inside the candy factory. But instead, substitute all of those amazing sweets with 68 small and independent brewers showing off their company’s best with food pairings selected for each. Oh no, you’re no Charlie - you’d be seconds behind Augustus Gloop, into the pool and up the tube. And damn would you be happy.

Rumor spread wildly last night through the drunkosphere (i.e., Twitter) that the Townhouse Tavern had lost its liquor license. Now, considering that it's the Townhouse Tavs -- the only bar in Dupont Circle to merit the word "scabrous" -- the question seemed likely not "whether" but "for what, finally?" Did Redskins fans in the end rise up against that bartender whose phone ringtone is the theme to ? Maybe the progressive interest groups that call the Tavs home mounted a brazen revolution? Or did notorious and mysteriously disappeared former bartender Jodie return to completely turn out the bar's liquor holdings in the form of free shots, the way he would, oh, any time someone put SWV on the jukebox?

Those of us looking to support this weekend's Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure that are less running-inclined—a relatively small number in D.C., apparently—are in luck. Georgetown Cupcake is serving up a much sweeter and more sedentary way to contribute. The Potomac St. NW bakery has designed an honorary pink ribbon cupcake to raise money for the team it is sponsoring in the race, and will be selling the cupcake until June 6, the day of the race. Pick up a few of the scrumptious Madagascar Bourbon vanilla cupcakes with vanilla butter cream frosting if you want to help the bakery reach its fund-raising goal of $10,000. 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the treats go toward the breast cancer charity, and rumor has it that little bit of love makes the 'cakes taste even better.

A couple of months ago, I was alerted to this article in the Washington Post about, essentially, a Match.com for gardeners and gardens. SharingBackyards.com connects city-folk living in apartments or small spaces with those who have yard space and are willing to share. The Post has a follow-up today about one particular success from the site, and that space in the photo? Yes, indeed, that is this writer's backyard.