Les Images

I was browsing Flickr, and found some really neat shots of my neighborhood so I thought I'd share.

By Flickr user Ronnie R.

By Flickr user Ohad.

By Flickr user Citron_Smurf.

A Cuppa Kava

This afternoon, I was out running a few errands, and was super psyched to find that my neighborhood Yes! Organic Market is now stocking Yogi Kava tea. Kava root has long been prized for its ability to relax the mind and induce sleep, and the stuff is no joke. I'd tried some a little while ago at my sister's recommendation, and about a half hour after drinking a cup, I found myself in a totally blissful relaxed state. Not unpleasantly groggy - just extremely calm. I fell asleep easily, slept straight through until morning (which is unusual for me), and awoke feeling more deeply refreshed than I had in a long while. This is some seriously awesome tea. If you don't live near Yes! Organic Market, you can purchase the tea from Yogi's website, or, in bulk, from Amazon. (I'm not sure if Whole Foods is carrying it at this time. I've checked a few Whole Foods stores and haven't seen it.)

Photo taken from Yogi's web site.

Mama's Middle Eastern Marvel

This past Friday, Jason and I were on a quest to find a place where we could take advantage of the balmy weather by dining al fresco. We decided to park ourselves on the outdoor patio of Mama Ayesha's, the little Middle Eastern restaurant which sits on Calvert Street right between Adams Morgan and Woodley Park - perfect for people watching on a Friday night. I'm surprised I hadn't been to Mama Ayesha's before, given its proximity to my apartment, but it's one of those places that I always seem to pass by on my way to somewhere else.

I'm glad we decided to give it a try because, if Friday's meal is any indication, Mama Ayesha's is definitely a strong contender for my short list of neighborhood favorites. With such a great location and gorgeous decor, Mama's could probably get away with serving so-so food, but there were no signs of laziness coming out of this kitchen, now run by the nephews and great nephews of its namesake chef, "Mama" Ayesha Abraham. Almaza, a light and refreshing Lebanese beer, proved a perfect accompaniment to the warm weather and low-key vibe. An appetizer of Foole M'damas (fava beans blended with fresh lemon juice, cumin, and a hint of fresh garlic topped with fresh tomatoes and red onions) provided an earthy counterpoint to crispy triangles of pita bread, and paired perfectly with an order of Sujok, densely flavored spicy beef sausages.

The yummy appetizers were a fitting prelude to our wonderful entrees. I had the Mouzat, a lamb shank baked in a tomato stew with "secret spices," served with rice and green beans. Our server informed me that the lamb is cooked for three hours, and judging by the way the tender meat fell effortlessly away from the bone, I'm inclined to believe him. Jason had the Mixed Grill, a combination of shish kabab (marinated lamb), kifta kabab (marinated beef), and shish taouk (marinated chicken breast) served with rice and grilled vegetables. The bite, ok, bites I pilfered yielded more delicious tenderness.

Alas, we were too full for dessert, though the Arabian Rice Pudding made with rose water sounded like a great way to end a great meal. I'll definitely have to make a return trip to see for myself.

Good to know:
Mama Ayesha's is located at 1967 Calvert Street, a quick walk from the Woodley Park Metro stop (Red line). Upon exiting the Metro, walk south on Connecticut and take a left on Calvert. Mama Ayesha's will be on the left hand side after you cross the bridge. Atmosphere is casual.

A Meeting of the Molecular Minds

Last night, Jason and I attended a lecture by acclaimed chefs Jose Andres (above, left) and Wylie Dufresne (above, right) at the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Jose Andres directs ThinkFood Group, the team behind DC's Café Atlántico, Jaleo, Zaytinya, Oyamel, and critically acclaimed MiniBar, as well as L.A.'s new The Bazaar restaurant, which was just granted an almost-unprecedented four-star review by the L.A. Times, while Wylie Dufresne heads up his eponymous WD-50 restaurant in NYC, and is widely considered to be a leader of the molecular cuisine movement in the U.S. It wasn't so much a lecture as a discussion between the two chefs, moderated by Colman Andrews, an expert on Spanish cuisine, founder of Saveur magazine and columnist for Gourmet. The conversation focused mostly on the emergence of Spanish Vanguard Cuisine and its influence in the United States and the world, as personally experienced by Andres and Dufresne, both of whom have been heavily influenced by the Spanish avant garde approach to dining.

The story begins, of course, with El Bulli restaurant in Roses on the Costa Brava. Adria is the well-known creator of such inventions as "culinary foam" which he employs, among other techniques, in his brilliant deconstructivist dishes. His approach (which is dished out in a 30-course predetermined tasting menu) can be defined by his subversion of familiar dishes, which he accomplishes by toying with the molecular composition of the ingredients. For example, he might serve a "tapioca" of Iberico ham, the flavor of the ham distilled in tiny, liquid spheres, or a dish of frozen polenta shavings. Sound hokey? Check out this photo gallery. I think it's easier to visually comprehend the nuance and beauty of his dishes, which are difficult to describe in words.

Anyway, Jose Andres worked in the kitchen at El Bulli for some time and was an apprentice of sorts to Ferran Adria. During last night's discussion, he joked "he hired me because there was no one else around!" (A pretty modest proclamation for a chef dubbed "the boy wonder of the culinary world" by the New York Times!) So now Andres is bringing Spanish molecular cuisine to American palates; all of his restaurants either focus on or employ its techniques. What really struck me about Jose Andres was how evident it is that he views cuisine as an art form, and as such, a mode of communication amongst diverse people. Throughout the discussion, he referenced Matisse several times, as well as Jackson Pollock, and compared the restaurant experience to a gallery. He talked about how, by employing familiar flavors (which provide a common cultural reference point) in unfamiliar ways, we create a new cultural synthesis with the familiar in dialogue with the unfamiliar. For example, his version of clam chowder (pictured above at right) consists of bowl containing a single raw clam next to a puff of clam juice mousse, potato foam, a drizzle of chive oil, and smears of onion jam and bacon cream. It's all of the flavors of a traditional clam chowder presented in a way that totally subverts our understanding of what clam chowder is and can be. A sort of thesis/anti-thesis that could be compared to modernism/post-modernism in art, except with food.

Wylie, for his part, talked mainly about how he visited El Bulli in the mid-90's and was totally blown away by the way Ferran Adria's food "smashed preconceptions of what a dining experience should be." By this, he meant the destruction of the appetizer-first course-second course-dessert structure so typical of French cuisine (in which he was classically trained). He talked about how Ferran Adria really paved the way for chefs to experiment with many small plates (as opposed to one large entree) that keep the palate in a state of constant curiousity and stimulation. I must say that although Wylie is well-spoken, he was totally upstaged by the charming and outgoing Jose, who was really hamming it up, cracking self-deprecating jokes and generally having a good time with the audience. Jose seemed to sort of dominate the conversation.

It was really an interesting discussion, and I think, a good example of how museums can serve as forums for conversations about relevant, contemporary issues, and move beyond the outdated object repository model. So, thumbs up to NMAH for an awesome event. The place was absolutely packed, and everyone seemed really excited to be there. (This event, by the way, is the first event in an ongoing series called Preview Spain: Arts and Culture, sponsored by the Embassy of Spain, the National Museum of American History, and the Smithsonian Latino Center. Check here for other upcoming events.)

Photo of Jose Andres' clam chowder from www.starchefs.com.

Photo of Jose Andres and Wylie Dufresne from www.americanhistory.si.edu.

April Fools?

Today, the Web site Civil Eats published the following blurb:

"Alice Waters’ office today confirmed reports that the doyenne of sustainable food has partnered with Dean and Deluca on a new line of frozen foods that, in a statement released to the press today, her office described as “a crossover product making sustainability accessible to a wider audience”. The “Simple Perfection” entrees, which consist of a oven-ready terra-cotta plate rubbed with garlic and sprinkled with salt are designed to be laden with seasonal vegetables by the user.

The small bottle of olive oil included in each entrée can be used to dress the raw salad or to prepare your own seasonal vegetables for the oven. Planned for a May ’09 release, the harissa-rubbed bazaar entrée and evocative finocchio, which will be scented with burnt fennel pollen, will widen the line. A descriptive brochure included in each package describes suitable ways of procuring food for the entrees, including farmers’ markets, foraging, and growing or killing animals yourself. Asked why the entrees were frozen given that they consist mostly of a few condiments, Ms. Waters’ office stated “the vision was to fully replicate the simple convenience of frozen food – down to the last detail.” Priced at $19.99 per entree."

Ok, good one, Alice! You got me! Happy April Fool's, right? Right? *fingers crossed*

Cafe MoZu at the Mandarin Oriental

I was fortunate enough to dine at the Mandarin Oriental's Cafe MoZu for breakfast on Saturday morning. I've always loved Eggs Benedict, and Cafe MoZu's version doesn't disappoint. The eggs were perfectly poached, the hollandaise sauce enhanced by a drizzle of black truffle salsa. It was the first time I'd been to Cafe MoZu, and actually the first time I'd stepped foot in the Mandarin Oriental, which is dramatically decorated with majestic views of the Potomac and the Jefferson Memorial. It's easy to imagine the labyrinthine hotel and its two restaurants (in addition to MoZu, the hotel boasts Eric Ziebold's celebrated CityZen) playing host to power lunches and clandestine political dealings. It had a sort of clubby, privileged vibe without being overly stuffy. Very DC. Very good eggs. All in all, it was an absolutely lovely way to start the weekend.

Kitchen Inspiration

Unfortunately, I've spent the better part of the weekend in bed, trying to kick a virus. The upside? I've had plenty of time to catch up on my Google Reader, and am finding myself totally inspired by some of the kitchens in the design blogs I frequent. I love looking at these pictures and imagining long, lazy Sunday afternoons preparing a roast with a glass of Malbec in hand, quiet mornings with the New York Times and a mug of freshly brewed coffee, and intimate dinner parties with family and friends.

I like the idea of having a table right in the kitchen (as the first photo illustrates), perfect for catching up with a friend while the homemade chocolate chip cookies are in the oven, or hanging out with a good book and some Chai tea, keeping an eye on the pot of chili on the stove. In the second photo, a versatile and mobile island boasts great storage. I'm digging the array of colorful cookbooks (I assume they're cookbooks anyway) in the third photo. And finally, I love the clean, contemporary lines in the fourth photo, and the way the room is warmed up with quirky cherry blossom-inspired touches.

Photo from Apartment Therapy.

Photo from Domino.

Photo from House to Home.

Photo from Domino.

Rib stickin', finger lickin' good

Jason and I went over to our friends' Dan and Steph's apartment this past Saturday, and enjoyed an absolutely amazing meal of barbecued ribs that Dan smoked himself (using a smoker like the one pictured above), complete with homemade barbecue sauce, cole slaw, baked beans, and Jason's delicious Oreo pie for dessert. The ribs were so incredibly tender, the rich smoky flavor intensified by a rub of crushed red pepper, cumin, ground coriander, and kosher salt, smoked over a mix of mesquite and hickory wood. Seriously, these were probably the best ribs I've ever had. We have decided that we must own a smoker. (Or finagle more invitations to Dan and Steph's place for dinner...). In the meantime, I thought I'd share the recipe for Dan's super delicious homemade barbecue sauce and Jason's awesome Oreo pie.

Dan's Super Delicious Homemade Barbecue Sauce
2 cups ketchup
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup vinegar
4 large cloves garlic
2 large tbsp Gulden's mustard
Salt and pepper to taste

Bring contents to boil. Let simmer 15-30 minutes. Can be reheated.

Jason's Awesome Oreo Pie
1 Oreo brand pre-made pie crust
2 pkg (4 oz each) Jello Oreo flavor instant pudding and pie filling
2 1/2 cups Cool Whip
15 double-stuffed Oreos
2 1/2 cups milk

Pour milk into large bowl. Add dry pudding mix. Beat well with wire whisk, about 2 minutes. Gently stir in 1/2 of Cool Whip and crushed Oreos to taste. Pour into pie crust.

Refrigerate 4 hours or until set.

Garnish with remaining Cool Whip and cookie halves just before serving.

A Virginia Valentine's Day Weekend

Happy (late) Valentine's Day, everyone. I hope you had a good weekend. I sure did! Jason surprised me by booking two nights at a traditional country bed & breakfast in Barboursville, Virginia (about 20 minutes outside of Charlottesville). Nestled in the foothills of the Shenandoah mountains, Prospect Hill Plantation Inn consists of a 1732 manor house, with various outbuildings that have been renovated and decorated in an authentic historic style.

We left after work on Friday, and after getting stuck in some nasty NoVa traffic, we finally arrived at the inn around 8:30. As we pulled into the long, tree-lined driveway, I felt as though we'd entered another world. With its winding cobblestone walkways, fountains, and series of quaint yellow clapboard buildings, Prospect Hill Plantation Inn resembles a small village. We were greeted by the proprietor, Bill Sheehan, and immediately whisked into the dining room, where our traffic-frayed nerves were soon soothed by a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon an incredible four-course meal: creamy carrot soup, a mixed greens salad, tender pork tenderloin in a rosemary sauce with asparagus and mashed potatoes, and an amazingly moist tres leches cake. Sated and far more relaxed, we were led to our cottage, the Carriage House (pictured above). It was dark when we arrived, but upon waking Saturday morning, I was delighted to find a perfect view of the surrounding rolling hills, illuminated by a soft orange-pink sunrise.

After a breakfast of blueberry pancakes, bacon, orange juice, and tea (which Bill delivered to our cottage), we set off to explore Charlottesville. We started with the downtown pedestrian mall, which reminded me a little bit of the Ped Mall, in Iowa City, filled with restaurants, shops, and people strolling and enjoying the unseasonably warm weather. I fell in love with a shop called Caspari (pictured at left), which carries a well-edited collection of exquisitely designed paper products, home furnishings, and other sophisticated knick knacks. We also enjoyed getting lost in Circa, a labyrinthine 10,000 square-foot antique store overflowing with a colorful array of treasures, with a great selection of retro 50's and 60's era wares.

My favorite place in Charlottesville was Main Street Market, a collection of nine locally-owned culinary delights all tucked under one roof, including: Feast! (a specialty cheese and grocery store), The Butcher of C-ville (a wide variety of all-organic meats), http://www.sfdatwestmain.com/, Albemarle Baking Company (fresh-baked artisanal bread and pastries), Hedge Fine Blooms (florist), The Seasonal Cook (cookware and kitchen items), Geerharts Chocolates, Orzo (restaurant and wine bar), and Calvino Cafe (coffee shop). It was a true food-lovers' mecca, though I refrained from buying anything, preferring instead to just absorb the loveliness of it all (and absorb some cheese samples at Feast!).

After a quick lunch at Christian's Pizza (a slice of spicy chicken with peppers and a slice of spinach artichoke - both delicious), we decided to check out Barboursville Winery (pictured below) a vineyard set in the gently sloping hills surrounding former governor James Barbour's estate, which still contains the ruins of Barbour's house, designed by his friend, Thomas Jefferson, and gutted by a fire in 1884. Bought by vintners Silvana and Gianni Zonin in 1976, the vineyard now produces Virginia's most award-winning wines, and offers spectacular scenery, tours of the wine-making facilities, and a tasting of 16 wines for a mere $4 per person. The staff at Barboursville's was super knowledgeable, but also very approachable (none of that "Oh, you can't taste the notes of blackberry? You poor plebian...you probably can't even detect the hint of tar either.") I picked out a bottle of the Vintage Rosé, a light berry-flavored blend, and a bottle of the Pinot Grigio, an award-winning varietal with a light, fruity taste. A staff member explained that the Pinot Grigio grape is incredibly tolerant to Virginia's seasonal fluctuations, and so has thrived and produced wonderful wine. Jason also picked up four bottles of red - I believe the Cabernet Franc Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, the Octagon Blend, and the Nebbiolo (Jason, correct me if I'm wrong).

For dinner that night, we drove back into Charlottesville and ate at the Blue Light Grill (pictured below), a lively little raw bar and seafood restaurant on the pedestrian mall. We, of course, could not resist the oysters, and started with a sampler plate. Dinner for me was Shrimp Fettucine with ribbons of zucchini in a lemon buerre blanc sauce. Jason ordered the Monkfish and Shrimp Sautee, served with potato sticks, chorizo, spinach and a garlicky-basil sauce. The food was wonderful, and the portions were pleasantly modest, which was good because we decided to stop at Splendora's (pictured below) for gelato afterwards. I had a scoop of Bacio (chocolate and hazelnut) and a scoop of Salted Caramel. Jason ordered Chocolate, Mexican Coffee, and Espresso. It was a delicious way to end a truly delicious day.

Sunday, we ate breakfast at the inn (goat cheese omelettes, sausage, fruit, orange juice, and tea), and bummed around Charlottesville a bit more. Most of the stores were closed though, so after walking around a bit, we decided to just head back to DC.

It was an absolutely lovely weekend, and I must say, I am a very lucky girl.

Nando's Peri Peri: Delicious (very, very).

Rebecca and I met for dinner at Nando's Peri-Peri on Friday night. If you haven't been to Nando's yet, bump it to the top of your places-to-try list! The newish Chinatown eatery features Portugese-style flame-grilled chicken served in a surprisingly chic setting, and it is absolutely delicious.

The concept is brilliant in its simplicity. You choose a chicken iteration (choices include wings, a quarter chicken, a half chicken, a chicken sandwich, chicken strips, and more), and then choose your level of spiciness - lemon & herb (for the sensitive palate), medium, hot, or extra hot. The chicken is grilled to order and brought to your table juicy, tender, and slathered in your choice of sauce. (The menu also offers some non-poultry choices like a steak sandwich and various salads, but trust me, you're here for the chicken.) We both ordered the quarter chicken -I got mine hot, and Rebecca got hers extra hot.

Heat mongers will love this place - this chicken was truly spicy, not dumbed-down spicy. And in case the extra-hot just isn't hot enough, there's a condiment station stocked with an assortment of flavorful spicy sauces so that you can take matters into your own hands and dial it up a notch. We each got a side of mashed potatoes, which were rich and garlicky, the perfect foil to the tear-jerking heat of the chicken.

The food is casual, yet the experience feels sophisticated thanks to a hip interior (exposed brick, lots of art on the walls, and oversized plants in giant clay pots) and a nice drink menu, replete with Portugese beers and wines. A glass of cool Cara Viva rosé was the perfect imbibement, refreshing my palate between fiery bites of chicken.

How good is this chicken? It's so good that I convinced Jason to go there with me yesterday for lunch. Forty-eight hours was too long to go without.

Good to know:
Nando's is located at 819 7th Street, NW. Exit the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro stop toward H Street, and continue north on 7th. It's on the right-hand side about halfway down the block.

Photos by Flickr user Mr. T in DC.

"Six more weeks of winter" calls for soup

I woke up this morning, took one look outside, and decided that it was chicken noodle soup weather. The wet, snowy conditions (and reports of local flu outbreaks) make me crave the warm hearty soup of my youth - heavy on the garlic for extra germ protection. My parents, by the way, make the best chicken noodle soup in the world. I remember, in elementary school, I would come home after school, and my mom would have a pot of soup on the stove, filling the house with its comforting, savory fragrance. "Just a little after school snack," she would say. It was so good, and ever since I left home for college, I've been trying to re-create it, with varying degrees of success. Even using the same recipe, it somehow never tastes quite the same as I remember it.

So, I'm browsing around on Epicurious this morning, and just came across this recipe. It's a departure from chicken noodle soup as I know it, but it sounds absolutely delicious. Maybe instead of trying to duplicate the chicken noodle soup of my childhood, I can start mastering my own variation. I will report on the results.

Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup with Sesame and Green Onion

Ingredients

• 1 pound skinless boneless chicken breast halves, cut crosswise into thin strips
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons dry Sherry
• 2 tablespoons oriental sesame oil

• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons tahini (sesame seed paste)*
• 2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon seasoned rice vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chili-garlic sauce**

• 4 cups chopped Napa cabbage (from 1 head)
• 6 green onions, thinly sliced
• 8 cups canned low-salt chicken broth

• 1 14-ounce package fresh yakisoba noodles or Chinese pan-fry noodles
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

Stir chicken, soy sauce, Sherry, and 1 tablespoon sesame oil in medium bowl to blend. Let stand 20 minutes or refrigerate up to 2 hours.

Whisk garlic, tahini, ginger, sugar, vinegar, and chili sauce in small bowl.

Heat remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add cabbage and green onions and sauté until cabbage is tender, about 5 minutes. Add broth and bring to boil. Add chicken with marinade and tahini-garlic mixture. Reduce heat to low and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly; cover and refrigerate. Bring to simmer before continuing.)

Cook noodles in large pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain. Add to soup in pot. Stir in half of cilantro. Season soup with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with remaining cilantro.

* Sold at Middle Eastern markets, natural foods stores and some supermarkets.

** Available at Asian markets, specialty foods stores and some supermarkets.

Photo by Brian Leatart taken from Epicurious (originally published in Bon Appetit).

Spices: just right for a Friday night.

Last Friday, Jason and I had planned to see Waltz with Bashir at E Street Cinema, but the 7:30 show was sold out by midday. We could've gone to the 10 p.m. show, but honestly, by the time Friday rolls around, I'm usually ready for a pretty low-key sort of evening (the kind where I can be warm and cozy in my apartment by around 10 p.m.). So we opted to skip the movie, and grab a casual dinner at Spices, in Cleveland Park. I'd never been to Spices before, but the Pan-Asian eatery is a sister restaurant to Nooshi (where I dined with some frequency during my GW days), and the menu is almost identical.

Spices is a nice place, but it's certainly not what most people would consider upscale in a traditional sense. However, something about the experience felt totally luxurious. I think it was a combination of the Champagne Mojito, wonderful company, and the knowledge that I didn't have anywhere to be that night. No agenda, no schedule, just yummy Asian fare and the whole weekend ahead of me.

We opted to split appetizers of Sichuan Dragon Dumplings (filled with chicken, watercress, and shitaake mushroom) and Firefly Calamari (served with a tangy honey lemon dip). The dumplings were juicy, and slightly crunchy from the watercress, with a delicious soy-scallion sauce. The calamari was good, its saltiness tempered by the sweetness of the sauce. For an entree, I ordered the Drunken Noodles - wide rice noodles with minced chicken, peppers, onions, and basil. It was utterly satisfying. Jason got the Mee Goreng, spicy egg noodles that come with your choice of chicken, beef, pork, or seafood. He got it with chicken, and, of course, asked if the kitchen could make it extra spicy. It came out moderately spicy, but not 5-alarm fiery (he prefers the latter).

As I alluded to above, my Champagne Mojito was great - refreshing, yet indulgent with the addition of bubbly. Jason ordered a White Russian. (Have I mentioned he's a huge Big Lebowski fan?) For dessert, we split a plate of three mochi ice creams - ginger, red bean, and green tea. The ice cream was perfectly creamy, but in such a modest quantity that it wasn't overwhelming.

Service was good throughout most of the meal, yet I definitely got the feeling that we were being rushed toward the end. Our server practically threw our bill at us as we were finishing the dessert, and swooped in to try to pick it up while we were still looking it over. When I politely told her we needed another minute, she hovered, hawk-like, from a few feet away, pouncing triumphantly the second we signed our names on our respective receipts. It was a rather abrupt end to an otherwise relaxing meal, especially since there seemed to be a fair amount of open tables around us (so we weren't preventing them from seating others).

Minor service blips aside, it was a really nice way to spend a Friday evening. Even though I was sad we'd missed the movie, I must admit it was awfully nice to not have to rush off after dinner.

Good to know: Spices is located at 3333 Connecticut Ave., pretty much right next to the Cleveland Park Metro (Red line). The atmosphere is super casual.

Potluck awesomeness

And one of the sunset tonight, because it was incredible.

Jason's contribution to tonight's potluck

No, not the spinach. The giant tub of vanilla pudding and Oreo parfait. I've already had a sample (or three), and it's delicious. Notice how the tub is actually pushing up the shelf above it.

Miscellany

Now that the hubbub of the inaugural festivities is dying down, we Washingtonians need something else to occupy our hearts, minds, and stomachs. Enter Winter Restaurant Week 2009. The food powers that be have announced the Restaurant Week will be from Feb. 16 to Feb. 22. I've snagged reservations at Jose Andres' Cafe Atlantico and Corduroy (whose seared big-eye tuna is pictured above). I've never eaten at either (mostly because they're a bit out of my price range), and I am totally psyched.

Oh, and even though the inauguration's over, excitement about Obama's influence on food policy continues to mount, as Alice Waters and others work to garner attention for the Slow Food movement, farm-to-table ethos, and local, sustainable ingredients. Know someone with a green thumb? Nominate him or her to be the first White House Farmer. And speaking of Alice Waters, I would be totally remiss if I didn't link to WaPo's story on Alice Waters' events in DC this past weekend (one of which took place at The Phillips Collection!). According to this write-up in the NY Times, cookbook author (and hostess to one of Waters' dinners) Joan Nathan choked on a piece of chicken, and received the Heimlich Maneuver from none other than the Top Chef himself: Tom Colicchio! The drama! The mayhem! Nathan recovered from her near-catastrophic poultry encounter, declaring "Tom Colicchio saved my life." No harm, no fowl, right?

In the meantime, I've been neither choking on chicken, nor performing the Heimlich Maneuver on anyone, but I have been trying to figure out what to bring to my friend Erin's potluck on Saturday. The theme is Italian, so I immediately thought bruschetta, but tomatoes are woefully out of season. So now, I'm thinking artichoke bruschetta. Once I nail down a recipe, I'll post it here.

Such Good Heights: Adams Morgan's Himalayan Heritage

I'd walked past Himalayan Heritage several times, but had not yet ventured inside until this past week, when - spurred by Tom Sietsema's recent positive review - Jason and I decided to check it out for dinner. As we stepped inside the Nepalese-Indian eatery, we were greeted by a friendly hostess and led to our table. Soon after we sat down, a complimentary small plate of marinated soybeans appeared, which we quickly devoured.

We started with drinks (a glass of sparkling white wine for me, and a Taj Mahal beer for Jason), and appetizers. At Tom's recommendation, we ordered the Gobi Manchurian, cauliflower mixed with a corn flour batter, deep fried and dipped in a spicy hot and sweet soy sauce cooked with capsicum, ginger and green chile. The cauliflower, golden-hued and addictively crunchy, was delicious, but not as spicy as its description would suggest. We also tried the Himalayan Choe-La appetizer, cubes of boneless chicken breast marinated with mustard oil, Himalayan herbs and spices, and grilled in a charcoal oven. The Choe-La was tasty, but again, not as flavorful as I expected. (Perhaps the kitchen tones down the heat for Western palates.)

Our entrees were a more richly flavored. I ordered Lamb Kadai, tender pieces of lamb cooked with fresh tomatoes, onion, garlic and spices, garnished with coriander and ginger. The lamb was well-spiced and perfectly cooked, enhanced by the gravy created from its cooking juices. Jason's goat curry was a nicely complex blend of flavors, the deep meatiness of the goat blending with the sweetness of the onion sauce that accompanied it.

Unsurprisingly, given Himalayan Heritage's good write-up in the Post, the secret is definitely out; the place was packed by the time we finished our meal. As a result, it took a good while to flag down our server for the check, and to have our credit cards returned. As Jason noted, the staff seemed overwhelmed by the time we left. However, until that point, service was very friendly, accommodating, and prompt. The staff, though very busy, seems determined to ensure a positive experience for patrons.

In any case, it's great to have another casual, but good dining spot in the neighborhood. (Not that Adams Morgan is lacking in dining establishments, but it's always nice to have more choices.)

Good to know:
Himalayan Heritage is located at 2305 18th Street, NW, on the corner of 18th and Kalorama in Adams Morgan. Diners were dressed in everything from jeans and sneakers to suits and ties, and no one looked out of place.

Photo by the Washington Post's Olivia Boinet.

Beyond Ben's Chili Bowl: Where Should Obama Eat?

In today's New York Times, Jim Rutenberg looks at the ways in which Barack Obama might influence DC's restaurant scene. I, for one, truly hope he ventures beyond the steakhouses that seem to serve as a constant backdrop for the political elite. Not that there's anything wrong with steakhouses. The steakhouse circuit certainly has its fans, and rightly so, as many serve up very good meat n' potatoes fare (Ray's, I'm looking at you here). But there are some seriously interesting places to dine in this city right now, and Morton's simply doesn't showcase the city's burgeoning culinary talent the way places like Rasika, Oyamel, or Central (to name just a few) do, to say nothing of the many lesser-known, but delicious ethnic restaurants that help to give DC its truly international flavor.

On a related note, the Times' Kim Severson reports that some of DC's top chefs are finding a home in neighborhoods whose demographics don't neccessarily change with each new administration. Severson (or at least, her headline writer) terms these areas "the real DC" (probably inspired by Chef Gillian Clark's quote midway through the article) and goes on to describe the renaissance of restaurant activity in places like U Street, Columbia Heights, H Street NE, etc. I think her point is that these restaurants will primarily serve residents (as opposed to tourists, interns, business travelers, etc.) , many of whom remember when these neighborhoods were complete culinary wastelands because, well, it wasn't that long ago. While it feels a bit awkward to talk about a "real DC" (If I may ask, which parts of DC are fake?) Severson's point is well-taken, and it's definitely worth reading. These types of changes aren't really news to DC residents, but it's nice that the Times is making such an effort to integrate inauguration-related coverage into its Food section.

And now, here are a couple of my own recommendations for Obama. Feel free to add your own in the comments.

For a Liberal Helping of Comfort Food. Established in 2005 by Anas "Andy" Shallal, an Iraqi-American artist, activist and restaurateur, Busboys & Poets quickly became a gathering spot for the neighboring residents and the progressive community, especially activists opposed to the Iraq War. It might not be deep dish, but the Obamas can chow down on The Poet pizza (the name of the pie - along with the name of the restaurant - was inspired by Langston Hughes, who once worked as a busboy at DC's Wardman Park Hotel, prior to gaining recognition as a poet). Busboys & Poets was also at the heart of the spontaneous election night street party that drew crowds of ecstatic revelers to the 14th Street Corridor/U Street area to celebrate Obama's victory. (Link is to photo by Flickr user Skunkgal.)

For power lunches with Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack. Founding Farmers, the new Farragut West restaurant, is owned by a collective of family farmers, and features a menu of sustainably sourced, farm-fresh ingredients. Though reviews of the restaurant's food and service are mixed, Obama's presence here would be a symbolic gesture towards those calling for radical changes in our nation's food and agricultural policies. Vilsack and Obama could trade soybean lobbyist stories over Heirloom Cheese Puffs and Organic Cucumber Delight cocktails. Such a scene might give hope to champions of sustainable farming practices, many of whom aren't overly enthused about Vilsack's appointment, viewing it as a sign that Obama's administration will take a "business as usual" approach to the food policy.

Miscellaneous:
Breadline, for great sandwiches just down the block from the White House. Palena, for romantic dinners with Michelle. Tacqueria Distrito Federal in Mount Pleasant for the obvious. Etete for out-of-this-world Ethiopian. Homemade donuts at the Tabard Inn. Marvin (pictured above) for beer and mussels with the scenester kids. 2Amy's with Sasha and Malia for the best pizza in DC in a kid-friendly environment. Eastern Market for the market lunch and fresh produce. Omakase at Sushi-Ko (shout out to Aaron C. for inspiring that one).

Photo of DC restaurant Marvin (as in Marvin Gaye) by Richard Perry of the New York Times.

Home-cooked Tuscan chicken, all rights reserved.

I went to Chicago for the weekend, since I wasn't able to make it home for the holidays. Mom made her excellent Tuscan chicken on Saturday night. She warned me that, under no circumstances, can I post the ultra top-secret recipe in this blog, as there is a patent pending. (I think she was kidding about the patent part, but I ain't taking my chances.) So, the photographic evidence will have to suffice for now. All I can say is that it was utterly delicious, and by itself, is worth going home for.

Cheese of the Month, the first of twelve installments

I fantasize that one day I will move to Paris, and be one of those elegant Parisian women who throws sophisticated dinner parties in my impeccably decorated apartment. The morning of my soiree, I would leisurely peruse the local markets, examining the shiny flesh of an eggplant, a marbleized leg of lamb, the little glass jars of honey, choosing only the finest ingredients. On my way home, I would stop by the fromagerie to choose three perfect cheeses to serve my guests. I would spend the afternoon cooking in my small, yet cozy kitchen (which would look something like the above), a glass of wine by my side and some Astrud Gilberto in the background. There might be olives or tapenade. Caviar or foie gras and toast. Dinner would be served on a long wooden table, topped with a white linen tablecloth, a vase of wildflowers, and votive candles in blue glass jars. Conversation would flow, and guests would dine on a nice gigot d'agneau (leg of lamb dressed with garlic, olive oil, salt & pepper, and other herbs), a simple green salad, a basket of warm bread (and more wine, of course). Before dessert (an almond tart), I would serve the cheeses I had picked out earlier that day. Everyone would be having such a wonderful time that no one would want to go home, but I would finally kick them out so that I could settle into a a nice hot bubble bath. (In my fantasy, someone else does the dishes!)

As I mentioned in a recent post, Jason gave me a membership to the Artisanal Cheese of the Month Club for Christmas, and my first package arrived today. Opening the box, I was struck by a feeling of well-being, the three beautiful cheeses within evoking promises of dinner parties to come and good times to be had. The bounty? A buttery Hudson Valley Camembert, The Fog Light Goat's Milk cheese (similar to the widely-adored Humboldt Fog), and a strong, tangy Petite Munster. I sampled a bite of each tonight, a sort of apres-diner indulgence, and a taste of the wonderful times (and cheese deliveries!) to come in 2009.

Thank you, Jason. You are totally invited to my next dinner party.

Photo is from Laissez Faire Design blog, which has got lots of lovely pictures and other fun things to look at.