• 06Oct

    burgertime_800

     

    How many of us beleaguered commuters were stuck underground due to Metro’s latest Red Line debacle this morning? I generally measure my commute by podcasts – Harry Shearer’s Le Show begins when I board in North Bethesda and ends as I get to my office downtown. For the slightly longer commutes, a dose of Adam Corolla or Bill Maher’s Real Time helps. Then, there was today, one of those mornings where the ole’ iPod’s hard drive doesn’t have enough memory and iTunes doesn’t have enough podcasts to occupy the time spent underground.

    Standing on a crowded train for almost two hours under the Nations’ Capital is not my idea of “relaxing,” especially when the only news we received was “there’s a train directly in front of us” and “there’s smoke between the Gallery Place and Metro Center stops.” That’s reassuring, you know? Thanks for easing our collective anxiety, Metro.

    Lunch today needed to be something that was actually reassuring, not in the same sense as my snarky, sarcastic use of the same word in the paragraph above. I have heard good things about Good Stuff Eatery, and have tried to go before, but the usual crowds and a short lunch time allowance made previous trips unsuccessful. After developing a sudden case of Metro-induced claustrophobia, I was not about to quibble about minor things like “fat content” and “cholesterol.” I’ll take the extended lunch hour as personal time if I must – I was not to be denied in my quest.

    And, for good reason, too. Chef Spike Mendelsohn’s shop serves up a tasty burger – made to order, not overcooked and dressed with fresh toppings. The lunch special includes a burger, fries and a fountain drink for a reasonable ten bucks. I went with a bacon cheeseburger, the Village fries seasoned with rough cut rosemary and thyme, and sampled Good Stuff’s specialty mayo flavors – Old Bay, Mango, Chipotle, Sriracha – and topped it off with a milkshake. Usually, milkshakes are like $5 cupcakes – tasty, but nearly as good as you hope for. Except in Good Stuff’s case. The Toasted Marshmallow milkshake could change lives. It could end wars. It is every bit as delicious as you may have heard.  The fries were a little overcooked, and the burger isn’t as big as the meat slabs from Ray’s Hell Burger in Arlington or The Burger Joint in Alexandria/Bethesda, but honestly, after this morning, I’m just happy to have a real burger that doesn’t require another Metro ride.

    Still, Good Stuff is *just* pricey enough to keep themselves from being in my regular Cap Hill lunch rotation. If you don’t order the special, the burger, fries and milkshake is nearly 20 dollars.  The shakes are not cheap, and you could certainly save money by sticking with a fountain drink. But that would be like taking a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Paris and not going to the Louvre, or going to Vegas and not stepping foot in the Bellagio.  Disappointment on an epic scale. Worry about the calories later. The best thing about exercise is that you can always do it tomorrow. Get the shake.

    ************************************************

    Good Stuff Eatery earns 8 of a possible 11 Whammies!. Whammies were earned for the relative speed of service, the delicious burger, the fine custom mayo choices, the good Good Stuff Sauce on the burger, seeing Spike himself tend to his business in the flesh (lots of other chefs could learn from that) and for having the best milkshake I’ve had in years. Whammies were not earned for the “Environmental Charge” of 1% on my bill, the somewhat smallish burger compared to the price, and for having the best milkshake I’ve had in year. Thank goodness I have to walk up Cap Hill to get there, or I’ll be the size of a Tourmobile by Thanksgiving.

    ************************************************

    Good Stuff Eatery

    303 Pennsylvania Avenue SE

    Washington DC 20003

    202-543-8222

     

    -RAY

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  • 02Oct
    good eats

    Alton Brown, Food Network Chef and Celebrity Author, at Pentagon Row!

    Wednesday, October 14, 2009

    11:30am

    Pentagon Row’s Sur La Table will host Food Network chef and celebrity cookbook author Alton Brown, Wednesday, October 14, for an exclusive signing of his recent release, “Good Eats: The Early Years.”

    Brown, a celebrity foodie phenomenon, is as interested in the chemistry of cooking as he is eating, will sign copies for guests beginning at 11:30am.

    This is a ticketed event and space is limited.

    Tickets will be distributed in the Sur La Table Pentagon Row store with the purchase of the book starting Thursday, October 1st.

    Customers should call the store at (703) 414-3580 for more information. Pre-purchasing does not guarantee a signed book.

    ‘Good Eats: The Early Years” is the first of two volumes based on his award-winning Food Network TV series, Good Eats.

    From “Pork Fiction” (on baby back ribs) to “Oat Cuisine” (on oatmeal), each episode is represented, including more than 140 recipes, 1,000 photographs and illustrations, food puns, jokes, and trivia.

    ‘Good Eats: The Early Years’ will be available for purchase at Sur La Table for the signing. Cost of book is $37.50.

    ——–

    I met Alton at a book signing in the DC area 4 or 5 years ago at a bookstore, and had to wait 4 hours.  I hope this event is handled more smoothly.  He is a nice guy – have fun meeting “The Professor.” 🙂

    -JAY

  • 24Sep

    …FREE ICE CREAM!dog

    Both Carvel and Cold Stone Creamery are giving away free ice cream today, in just a few short hours from now.  Carvel is giving away free Oreo Lil’ Rounders, an ice cream sandwich made from Oreo cookies. Cold Stone is giving out Jack’s Creation, a mix of Sweet Cream, rainbow sprinkles, brownie bits and caramel, but under the condition that you’ll need to make a donation to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

    Go ahead and make a day of it. Carvel is giving out the Oreo Lil’ Rounders between 3 and 7pm, and Cold Stone will give out Jack’s Creation between 5 and 8pm.

    Cookie O’ Puss and Fudgie the Whale were unavailable for comment.

    -RAY

    Permalink Filed under: Stores 1 Comment
  • 21Sep
    Instant Starbucks

    Instant Starbucks

    I just stopped by Starbucks for a medium (yes – I refuse to order by saying tall, grande, or venti) and they had samples out for an anniversary blend, and for Via, which is being released in about a week.  They didn’t tell me Via is an instant coffee…but I knew, and then the barristas fessed up.  Was it terrible?  No.  Was it as good as Elite (Israeli instant coffee)?  No.  The kosher markets in Rockville probably carry Elite.  I’m really not sure what the point of Starbucks selling instant coffee is;  seems like they are muddying their image (pun intended).

    Here is a CNN article on Via.

    I also tried their “International” blend which I enjoyed.

    In other coffee news, I tried the coffee at newcomer Chinatown Coffee Company.  Nick Cho (of the now closed Murky Coffee) is involved with it, but instead of Counter Culture (which Tryst and Open City use and Murky used), they are using Intelligencia coffee.  The verdict – I enjoyed the coffee and the gingerbread biscotti.

    -JAY

  • 30Aug

    peaches-fruit-frost-mdPeaches, peaches everywhere!!!

    Lunch at DC Coast.

    I am constantly confused by this restaurant.  It’s not bad, it’s not good, it’s just nice.  The scallops are well cooked, the gazpacho was tasty (although the melon included was not ripe), and the bread is warm.  For dessert – peach cobbler.  Here’s a hint, heat it up.  Goodness.  A cold cobbler is like a yellow watermelon – there’s just something that’s not right about it.  In the end, I will continue to eat at the Coast for lunch but wouldn’t make it a dinner choice.

    Dinner at Co Co. Sala.

    I was excited to eat here.  I’d heard great things.  The fig amuse bouche was tasty.  The salad that followed had some odd combinations – cheese chunks with orange, along with some unidentifiable components.  Not the best.  For the entree, we could make a selection from a number of small plates.  I went for the “famous” bacon mac and cheese and the blue cheese burger.  The burger was delightful.  The mac and cheese was good, but not exactly famous worthy.  Perhaps people aren’t really creative at home and when they hear someone added bacon to mac and cheese they are agog with amazement and declare it the best thing they’ve ever tasted.  Let me also say I appreciate the chocolate covered bacon topping – it fits with the theme well – but it’s a little OTT.  Goodness, if you’re going to do it, deep fry it and then chocolate dip it!!!  Go all the way!

    For dessert – peaches and cream.  Again, cold.  Is there some secret movement afoot to serve all things peaches cold?  As a people, as food lovers, we must derail this movement as quickly as possible!!  The chocolate candies served with the dessert were the best thing about it.  And the complimentary after-dinner drink was a nice surprise!  (I’m loving how restaurants are more and more offering an after dinner drink!!)

    Dinner at Cafe Atlantico.

    Super excited for this dinner!!!  P.S. I know I need to try the Mini Bar at some point…so, Cafe Atlantico, I’ll be back!!!  I love all things conceptual, and the cocktails – cotton candy mojitos?  HELLO!  I started with the tomato and watermelon salad.  It was salty to the extreme – verging on inedible.  But perhaps, it was supposed to be surrounded in a mist of sea air and I just didn’t get it.  For dinner – a skirt steak.  Very tasty!  And guess what…it was served with peaches!  For dessert, passion fruit sorbet.  Now I’ve had some post-traumatic issues with passion fruit after a torturous few months with them in Africa, but this was very delish.  I will overlook the sea inspired salad and return again.

    Tonight, the adventure continues…Rasika.

    AEK

  • 26Aug

    The first stop…DINO.highres_8199264

    I had been to DINO twice before.  The first time was delicious.  The second was a huge let-down.  And the third…Restaurant Week 2009…another success!  The most genius part of the meal – for an appetizer you can get a half order of pasta.  Then an entree.  And then dessert.  And, to top things off, you also get a complimentary glass of grapa or limoncello!

    I had an order of the duck pasta and swordfish.  Both were wonderful.  The polenta and de-constructed lasagna were also delicious.  I can’t remember the names of the desserts, but they were tasty – and complimented by the orange-infused grapa.

    Another great feature – all of their wines over $50 are 33% off until September 13th.  That makes a quality wine more affordable than a cheap-o one!

    SEIZE THE DAY and head to Dino.  A restaurant week gem that offers the full menu, quality wine, and a buzz-worthy atmosphere.  Service, granted, was a bit eh – but he was covering the entire front room.  I can overlook it.

    Next up….D.C. Coast for lunch.  I’ve loved it before, so let’s see it the love will continue…

    AEK

  • 24Aug

    Thanks to Greg’s List DC for the info.  I am a big fan of Hello Cupcake’s “Maya,” which is a spicy dark chocolate cupcake.

    -JAY

    ——————-

    Free Cupcake Day!!!!!

    Tuesday, August 25, 2009 – 10:00am – 7:00pm

    Hello Cupcake

    1351 Connecticut Avenue NW

    Washington, DC, 20036

    United States

    See map: Google Maps

    www.hellocupcakeonline.com

    Hello Cupcake is turning 1!

    Please join them at their Dupont Circle shop on Tuesday for Free Cupcake Day to help celebrate!

    One free cupcake per customer. No special orders, multiple cupcake boxes, or deliveries on day of celebration. Good while supplies last!

  • 15Aug

    portland

    The Portland Epicurean Tour…

    Tomato-orange Soup at Elephants Delicatessen – a Portland legend.  Tomato, yes.  Orange, a little more nuanced.  Not the liquid love it’s hyped up to be.

    Bridgeport Beer…delicious.  And the entire operation only produces one dumpster of waste per week.  Portland has more breweries in its city limits than anywhere on earth.  Pretty amazing, and it creates an atmosphere of something for everyone.  I learned the history of the IPA – hint, it involves India.

    Pearl Bakery…sourdough bread, buttery croissants, and brownies.  The best part – an amazing olive oil that is only sold in bulk to large-scale operations.  The bread and pastry, while nice, could have been bought at a Whole Foods.

    Next up, wine tasting and mustards at the cooking school In Good Taste.  The only highlight was curry mustard.  We bought some to take home and I forgot it was in my carry-on bag.  It sadly made it’s way to the trashcan.  We also learned about ceramic knives…I’m intrigued…more on these later.

    We then went for tea.  Chinese and nothing to do with Portland.

    After tea, Hot Lips Pizza.  The chefs create seasonal toppings like peaches and feta.  Why doesn’t D.C. have this exciting pizza creativity?  Forget the giganto sloppy slice!  Interestingly, I learned a woman on our trip – who looked like Trey’s mother from Sex and The City – worked for the Reagan White House.  How interesting!  Food brings everyone together!

    It was also here we first tried Dry Soda – in flavors of rhubarb, lavender, and lemon grass to name a few.  Inspired with a nice glass of gin.

    And finally, we went to Cupcake Jones.  Any loyal reader of AEK knows I HATE HATE HATE the cupcake craze!  But I will admit, while I didn’t try it, this establishment attempts to make flavors like Root Beer Floats – filling the cupcake with root beer flavored buttercream.

    All in all, Portland is a liveable city.  The Pearl District, where we primarily ate, was a New York City sized U Street.  The tour was great and I suggest you sign up – and then walk around after and explore the area.

    AEK

  • 03Aug

    imagesSeattle….food tour…Seattle Bites Food Tour…FABULOUS…

    Let’s take a tour of Pike Place Market for $30 (per person) and get healthy sized tasty bites from various famous stands.  This is a MUST do in Seattle!  And the highlights were…

    1) Crepe de France…a Nutella/banana/almond crepe with whipped creme.

    2) I Love New York Deli…pastrami and pickels shipped in from New York daily?!  A knish that’s a REAL knish!?  All from a stand that’s about the size of my bathroom?!  I do love New York, even in Seattle.

    3) Pike Place Chowder…supposedly the best New England clam chowder in the U.S.  Yeah, right, this isn’t New England!  But wait, I think it might be the best chowder.  And they aren’t allowed to compete in Rhode Island any more because they just kept winning.

    4) Maximilien…an “eh” cheese tarte.  But a full glass of wine and beautiful view.  They say it’s the most romantic restaurant in the market – kissing and such.

    5) Uli’s Famous Sausage…good sausage, darn good sausage.

    6) Pure Fish Food Market…not the one where they throw the fish, but pretty darn amazing.  Smoked salmon.  Ah, the smoked salmon.  Even my fish-hating fellow traveler gobbled it all up.

    7) La Buona Tavola…pretentious “small-batch” wine seller.  Filled with passionate winers, the kind that say they don’t drink desert wine because it’s not real wine.  They knew their stuff and garnered some instant respect.  And the wine was wonderful.

    And the tour completed.  3 hours, tons of food, and an inside into the market.  Here’s an interesting fact – look up why there are no Japanese sellers in the market.  Google it – trust me – it’s interesting.

    As a side note, we also grabbed some delicious pastry at Piroshki Piroshki – doughy filled yumminess.  And no, we didn’t go to the first Starbucks.  And yes, I did go to the first Sur La Table.  And no, we didn’t drink Seattle’s Best Coffee – it’s owned by Starbucks.  P.S. the FABULOUS flower bouquets are $5 after 5:00 because they want to get rid of them.  But you’ll learn that on the tour.  You can find them through www.tripadvisor.com – do it when you go…or else!

    Up next…PORTLAND!

    AEK

  • 01Aug

    We recieved a message from casting assistant with CBS EYE TOO Productions. They’re currently seeking dynamic and charismatic two-person teams for a restaurant competition show. The teams of two must have pre-existing relationships (couples, friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, etc), the combined front and back of house skills to run a restaurant and energetic personalities. Unfortunately, they cannot already own a restaurant.

     They will soon be holding auditions in Washington D.C.!

     

    I’m considering this myself.  BTW, you might want to set aside a couple of hours to read the rules that they have listed on their website. 🙂

     

    -JAY

     

     

    Here is the info:

     

     

    MAJOR CABLE NETWORK &

    CBS EYE too PRODUCTIONS

    SEEKING

    TWO PERSON TEAMS FOR

    **NEW RESTAURANT

    COMPETITION SHOW**

    Casting in Washington  D.C 

    Do you and your spouse, sibling, parent or cousin each have the right skills to run a restaurant? Are you a pro in the kitchen while your teammate is a star in the front of the house? Is your wife a chef and you’re a front of house manager? Is your brother dreaming up restaurant menus in his head, while you’ve been waiting tables your entire life?  Do you make restaurant quality meals at home and want to show that you can take it to the next level?? If so, keep reading!!

     

    WHO SHOULD APPLY: 

    Two person teams with pre-existing relationships: Husband & wife, ex-husband & wife, father & daughter, mother & son, newlyweds, brothers, sisters, twins, cousins, best friends.

     

    The Skills to Run a Restaurant: Are you a restaurant manager, waiter, host, business person AND your teammate is a chef, home cook with restaurant quality food, line cook, sous chef? Combined do you make the perfect team to run a restaurant? 

    Personality that Pops: Are you and your teammate charismatic and outgoing? We’re looking for lots of energy and charm!

     

    *Please don’t apply if you already own your own restaurant or have previously owned a restaurant.
     

    We will be holding auditions in Washington D.C: 

    • To apply, please e-mail us at restaurantshow@yahoo.com
    • Interviews are by appointment only, so please contact the above address ASAP if you are interested!
    • Please include your names, ages, locations, occupations and contact phone numbers.
    • Also be sure to include a recent photograph of yourselves and a brief summary as to why your team is perfect for the show!

     

    For more information and application go to www.restaurantshow.wordpress.com.

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