It’s the Economy, Foodie
Last year we made a number of predictions for the food scene in 2008. We thought it would be a big year for cocktails, charcuterie, and burgers. Cocktails got a lot of attention at Bar Pilar, Hummingbird to Mars, and The Gibson. Charcuterie has yet to get the expected boost, but Cathal Armstrong of Restaurant Eve and the Neighborhood Restaurant Group are poised to open charcuterie shops this year. Burgers got even bigger with Ray’s Hell Burger and Good Stuff Eatery. As for the stuff we didn’t call, froyo and cupcakes, they sure seems to be on the outs with DCist commenters.

So what can we expect for this year? Obviously, budget consciousness is on most people’s minds. It seems pretty likely that 2009 will become the year of leftovers. Well… not real leftovers. Tougher cuts of meat are more cost-effective, and the best way to make them more tender is to throw them in a crockpot or braise them. It might also be worthwhile for home cooks to get a rice cooker, not just for rice, but for any number of grains and energy-saving one-pot meals.

Cocktails are big, but punches may be the next incarnation. Mass production is always more cost-effective, and provides a great communal experience. Punch Club at the Warehouse on Thursday nights may just be the start of a great movement.

One of our requests last year was more affordable bar lunches. And it’s nice to see many more around town – Proof, Vidalia, and Art & Soul just to name a few. Hopefully many more restaurants will take their lead.

Photo by aliciagriffin