Food and Drink: November 2009 Archives

We'd been hearing the rumors that Vegetate, the popular vegetarian restaurant on 9th Street NW in Shaw, would soon be forced to close its doors, and now the Convention Center Community Association has posted this farewell message from owners Dominic & Jennifer Redd, confirming the news. Fans of the restaurant will be relieved that the Redds say they are planning on opening in another location as soon as they find one.

       

For years I had read that Georgetown student hangout The Tombs served one of the better burgers in the city, and for years I meant to put that claim to the test. But a trek to G'Town for a bite at a subterranean college bar owned by the Clyde's Restaurant Group? I always found something better to do. When I finally visited, I discovered something even better than cooked-to-order burgers, which were juicy thick ones that do indeed live up to their reputation.

Dish of the Week: Sweet potato casserole

With the opening of The Bazaar in Los Angeles and his Made in Spain cooking show on PBS, José Andrés has been busy building a name for himself on the national scene. All of this culminated today in him being named GQ's Chef of the Year. This article highlights tapas selections that you can find at his D.C. restaurants, including Jaleo, Zaytinya, and Minibar. With Blue Ridge chef Barton Seaver's Chef of the Year award from Esquire, D.C. is really coming out on top this year. Now about that Chef of the Year cage match...

       

A bar patron's ability to develop a relationship with his bartender will invariably dictate a better imbibing experience, whether it's at a fancy cocktail place or the local dive bar. That is perhaps what makes the name of the much anticipated new bar from brothers Tom and Derek Brown, The Passenger, particularly apt. Going back to a time when travel wasn't about being corralled through metal detectors like cattle, The Passenger, which opens tonight at 5 p.m., is trying to put some first class luxury and leisure in your drinking journey. This is apparent throughout the decor, which features church pews, intricate wrought iron tables, and the building's original floors.

Now that we know the outcome of the 2009 Capital Food Fight to benefit D.C. Central Kitchen, we have to wonder whether Chef Michael Mina was laying it on a little thick last week when he said he was scrambling to try out some recipes that he could whip up in 10 minutes. Mina wound up the big winner at the Iron Chef-inspired cooking competition, seizing the title from former two-time champ Barton Seaver and out-slicing, -spicing and -dicing the likes of Bryan Voltaggio, Mike Isabella and others. When he sat down to talk with DCist earlier that day, however, he was just hoping to make it past round one.

      

D.C. restaurateurs and food fanatics alike turned out in droves for this year's sold out Capital Food Fight to benefit D.C. Central Kitchen–although it's unclear whether they were there for the food, the fierce competition or to see how long it would take José Andrés to lose his voice. (For the record: it started to give out sometime after Round 2.) Chef Michael Mina, creator of Bourbon Steak and the only out-of-town chef participating in the competition, took the crown from reigning champ Barton Seaver during a final round that featured coquitos (baby coconuts) as the secret ingredient.

Dish of the Week: Fried Chicken and Waffles

What does BGR stand for? Though it could easily be booger, in this case it's burger, which is what you'll get for free if you go to a local BGR The Burger Joint today with the letters "inked" on any body part. And yes, they can just be written on your hand with a ballpoint pen.

On Saturday we posted about Dr. Dremo's, the much-beloved and missed Arlington bar that closed in January 2008 -- they were looking for investors for a potential new location in Clarendon. Since then, a few others folks picked up on the story: you can read interviews with owner Andrew Stewart by blogger Tom Cizauskas and our own Missy Frederick in the Washington Biz Journal.

Dish of the Week: Kimchee jigae

WARNING: This post contains Top Chef spoilers, albeit from last week's episode. Read no further if you are behind on this season.