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.