Photo of fries and sliders at Matchbox by alykat Dish of the Week: French fries Who doesn’t love a good french fry? While there are countless restaurants that relegate the production of fries to Sysco, leaving them as a throwaway that accompanies every burger or sandwich, others expend tremendous effort to make this comfort food all the more comforting. Maoz (1817 M Street NW) ranks high for their double-fried fries. Double frying ensures they’re…

Last winter, four co-workers canceled on me for Restaurant Week lunch in the course of one morning. Instead of moping and microwaving some soup, I headed to TenPenh’s bar, just steps from my office, for lunch on my own. This Restaurant Week, I’ve reveled in the art of solo midday meals. Reservations, coordination, and flaky friends are not needed. Free seats at the bar are almost always plentiful, though last week, I could have also…

Wabeck Leaving Firefly, Chittum Leaving Dish and Notti Bianche Tom reports in this week’s Dish that John Wabeck, executive chef of Firefly just south of Dupont Circle, is departing at the end of the month. Wabeck has been plating up fantastic dishes for years at Firefly, which is why it ranks as one of my favorite places. Now he’s decided that he might want to pursue, according to Tom, either “the wine thing,” or “the…

FRIDAY: >> Bliss, the Black Cat’s indie rock dance party, presents a combination DJ/Live show. Kicking things off will be The Juan Maclean, followed by the always memorable (and not nearly as dead as you might have thought) Edie Sedgwick. 9 p.m., $12. >> We’re all by now familiar with the greatest hits of the Kubrick canon: The Shining, Dr. Strangelove, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, etc. But if you’ve never had the…

Vikings Invade Whole Foods Matvörur. That’s Icelandic for food, and that’s what you’ll get from today until Sunday if you stop by any of the area Whole Foods Markets from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or a host of swanky D.C. restaurants in the evenings. In promotion of its annual Food and Fun festival, Icelandic chefs are visiting the shores of the Potomac. DCist is always on the lookout for cheap flights to Reykjavik, but…

Along with the following picks, don’t forget to check out DCist’s Arts Agenda (First Fridays in Dupont!) and Music Agenda for events that might tickle your fancy this weekend. FRIDAY: >> Intimate roots-rocker Jolie Holland (at right) brings her sparse yet uplifting music to Jammin Java in Vienna. With guitarist Brooks Williams. 8 p.m., $12. >> If you’re a fellow The OC freak (hey, we wear our obsession proudly on our sleeve), you’ll remember pre-lesbian…

What are the secret passions of Washington’s busiest chefs? A new, limited edition calendar lets D.C. diners see perhaps more then they ever wanted to of their favorite chefs. Head chefs and sous-chefs alike from three of the District’s most fashionable restaurants strip down to their skivvies in a new calendar, while showcasing their passions outside of the kitchen. Put together as a promotional tool by simoneink, a boutique consulting and public relations firm that…

After weeks of teasing, the participants in the next restaurant week have finally been announced. And the list is good — though DCist noticed a few disappointments. We were hoping to dine at Corduroy, Firefly, or maybe even Belga Cafe, but none of those restaurants made the list. There are, however, some great alternatives. The trinity of Ten Penh, DC Coast, and Ceiba are all participating, as are Charlie Palmer Steak, Zola, and over a…