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.