17th Annual Taste of Georgetown this Saturday, October 9.

Bodega Spanish Tapas & Lounge Paella, 2009.

Fall is the perfect time of year to savor the Taste of Georgetown, DC’s premiere food festival showcasing the spectacular cuisine of 30 of Georgetown’s finest restaurants, featuring more than 60 delectable dishes to sample and all for a important cause. Proceeds from a Taste of Georgetown will benefit the homeless outreach providing psychiatrist care, shelter and meals through the Georgetown Ministry Center.

On Saturday, October 9th from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. attendees will enjoy tasteful cuisine and have a chance to sip with wine, spirits, and ale tastings at the Tasting Pavilion located on the lawn of Grace Church. Tickets for beverage tasting is four tasting tickets for $10.The fall food festival in Georgetown will also include live jazz provided by Blues Alley and children’s activities such as caricature artists, balloon makers and jugglers.

See full article on Examiner.com

Dining in DC’s Foodie Itinerary: Sept 24-27

Looking for some foodie fun this weekend? The Dining in DC Foodie Itinerary includes food-related events for this weekend. Below is a compilation of various, food-related events, such as tastings, fall festivals, and workshops or classes throughout the DC Washington Metropolitan area.

This weekend is starting early on Friday with the first annual Mid-Atlantic Red Fruit Festival. Be sure to look for me! I’ll be there cheering for my fellow bloggers, Olga and Mary who are finalists in the recipe competition. On Saturday, there are a couple great outdoor festivals (rain or shine) and some good wholesome family fun to be had by all. To top it all off, we have a sweet way to start off your week with a chocolate boutique opening at Co Co. Sala on Monday.

Friday (Sept. 24)

First Annual Mid-Atlantic Red Fruit Festival

Looking to paint the town red, literally and start a juicy tradition, the International Wine & Food Festival will host the annual event showcasing a “red” fruit and 2010 kicks off with the TOMATO.  La Crème de la Crème (best of the best) original tomato recipes have been chosen by judges and paired with a top area chef, such as Todd Gray and R.J. Cooper, who will cook their winning recipe at the 2010 Mid-Atlantic Red Fruit Festival. Festival attendees will get to enjoy each of the tomato-inspired dishes paired with wine on The Woodrow Wilson Plaza (1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW). Join me and the other foodies at the festival. I will be CO-EMCEE with Ellen Kassoff Gray! Tickets are $35. (6-8 p.m.)

Saturday (Sept. 25)

Clarendon Day

With perfect DC weather, this may be your last chance to venture out for a traditional street festival featuring great eats, local artisans and rockin’ tunes with live music such as local favorites, Honor by August. Participating restaurants include: Artisan Confections, Clarendon Grill, Hard Times, La Tasca, Liberty Tavern, Lyon Hall, Northside Social, Mexicali Blues, Rocklands BBQ, Screwtop Wine Bar, Tallula Whitlow’s on Wilson and Restaurant 3. With a focus on fitness and health, the Clarendon Alliance and Virginia Hospital Center Foundation host the 13th Annual Clarendon Day, an event celebrating Arlington’s original downtown! Around the Clarendon Metro Station from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. Enjoy an entire day full of food, music, art, fitness classes, kids’ activities, health screenings and more.

Kids’ Cupcake Class with Wildfire Chef Steven Lukis

Fun for the whole family! Learn how to Bake, Frost, and decorate a cupcake from a Pro! Join Executive Chef, Steven Lukis of Wildfire restaurant in Tysons Corner (and his son Spencer) for some delicious hands-on instruction and fun all for a great cause. A portion of proceeds will be donated to local charity, Food for Others in Northern Virginia. $20 parents. Up to 2 kids Free with parent. (11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) For reservations call (703) 442-9110.

Taste of Friendship Heights

More family fun in the heart of Chevy Chase (yes, that place Mama goes to shop!) Enjoy samples from local restaurants, such as Lia’s, Indique Heights, Maggiano’s, P.F. Chang’s, and the Capital Grille. Listen to live music, kids will enjoy a moon bounce, face painting, balloon sculptures, and AU Basketball Games. You know the drill. Purchase food and drink tickets ($5 for 4). A portion of the proceeds goes to Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place. (Friendship Heights Village Center, 4433 South Park Ave. (12-5 p.m.)

Moroccan Week at Sofitel Lafayette Square DC

(September 25 – October 3)

Take a trip to the desert oasis of Marrakesh, the teeming metropolis of Casablanca, or the elegant royal cities of Rabat and Fez but leave your passport at home. Beginning this weekend, DC’s Sofitel hotel, located in Lafayette Square will kick off a ten day celebration of the flavors of Morocco. Ici Urban Bistro’s Executive Chef, Olivier Perrier will collaborate with Chef de Cuisine of Sofitel Rabat Jardin des Roses, Brahim Imourig to create a journey through the tastes and spices of Morocco, inviting guests to take a gastrocation to Morocco for authentic tajines, briouats, traditional salads, including Taktouka and Maasala, Couscous with lamb and tfaya. Sofitel invites you to enjoy the gastronomic experience, sure to awaken the senses just enough to tempt you to visit one of Sofitel’s three Moroccan properties, Marrakesh, Rabat, and Fes.

Monday, September 27

Co Co. Chocolate Boutique Opening Fete

The Rammy award winning Co Co. Sala, renowned as the chic fine dining place to gorge oneself on artisan coffee, gourmet chocolate, decadent desserts, and exceptional cocktails is opening a Chocolate Boutique! Yes, you read that right. A Chocolate Boutique: designed for a quick chocolate get-a-way! (take-away purchase) Co- owners Bharet Malhotra and Nisha Sidhu will open the exceptional chocolate boutique on Monday, September 27th to showcase Co Co. Sala’s artisanal, handcrafted retail chocolates created by Executive & Pastry Chef Santosh Tiptur and co-owner Nisha Sidhu and the new 200-square-foot retail boutique. Don’t miss the chance to get in on the goodies!

http://arugulafiles.typepad.com/

The Great Grapes Food & Wine Festival.

Dining in DC is participating in a Food Blogger discussion panel on Saturday, September 11th at 1 p.m. at the Great Grapes Food & Wine Festival in Reston, VA. If you are interested in starting your own blog, increasing your readership, breaking into food writing or other questions, you could come! Come out and join me, Olga Berman of Mango and Tomato, Jamie Harden, DC Organic Food Examiner, Kristin Potler of LoveFeast Table and moderated by Dara Bunjon of Dining Dish and Baltimore Dining Examiner.

Come and Get Your Bacchus On with 200 Great Virginia Wines from over 20 area wineries. For two days, Uncork The Wine, Uncork The Flavor, Uncork the Fun… all proceeds are donated to the Giving Spirits Foundation.

• GREAT FAMILY FUN.  The festival is an inexpensive way to see Virginia Wine Country – right in your own backyard. Take your sample glass and enjoy samples from all your favorite wineries.
• GREAT KIDS ACTIVITY AREA. If you want to bring the kids, have them enjoy the fun activity booths and craft area. Kids under 12 are FREE.
• FANTASTIC CRAFTS AND CULINARY GIFT ITEMS.  The Show features about 60 different artists and crafters that will offer neat gift ideas for the foodie in you or your friends.
• GOURMET LIVE!  Enjoy cooking and wine pairing seminars on-site at the show.
• LIVE MUSIC ON THE MAIN STAGE.  Listen to your favorite bands while you try the different wines on-site.
• LOTS OF FREE PARKING & GREAT AFTER SHOW PLACES TO CONTINUE THE FUN.  Reston Town Center is a destination in itself.  Come to the show, stay for shopping, dinner and a movie.

WIN 2 Tickets!

CONGRATS to Malaka Gharib and Claire O’Neill, Editors of the Runcible Spoon who won two (2) tickets to the Great Taste in Reston, VA on Saturday, September 11. (Winners were picked at random)

Join Chef Todd Gray’s Web Chat about the “Chefs Move to Schools” initiative.

Did you know that one in three children in America are overweight or obese? The statistics are startling and there is only one way to tackle the problem — together. A comprehensive, collaborative, and community-oriented initiative started by First Lady Michelle Obama, the Let’s Move! campaign, has an ambitious national goal of solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation so that children born today will reach adulthood at a healthy weight.  Let’s Move! will help to impact the health of children by providing schools, families and communities simple tools to help kids be more active, eat better, and get healthy.

“We are going to need everyone’s time and talent to solve the childhood obesity epidemic and our Nation’s chefs have tremendous power as leaders on this issue because of their deep knowledge of food and nutrition and their standing in the community. I want to thank them for joining the Let’s Move! Campaign” – First Lady Michelle Obama

Chefs across the country are answering Mrs. Obama’s call to get involved with their local schools as part of the Chefs Move to Schools initiative, run through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including Equinox Restaurant’s Executive Chef Todd Gray.

Chef Gray with Michelle Obama. Photo Courtesy of thewhofarm.org

On Monday, September 13th at 2 p.m, Equinox Restaurant’s Executive Chef Todd Gray will participate in a live web chat in conjunction with WHYY’s nationally broadcast “Chef’s Table,” to discuss his work with Michelle Obama’s “Chefs Move to Schools” initiative and his recent keynote speech at Michelle Obama’s White House breakfast introducing the Chef’s Move to Schools program. In addition, Chef Gray will discuss Adopting a School–his work here in the District of Columbia with the Murch school.

Chef Gray has been very active in the community and is an instrumental force in driving this movement. Not only is Todd Gray a Chef — he’s a parent! Interested in hearing about the Let’s Move! campaign? Join the conversation!

Bethesda Row Restaurant Week kicks off April 26 for the “fashionably hungry”

Just in time for the beautiful spring weather, Bethesda Row located in the heart of Bethesda, Maryland, known for its chic shopping and upscale dining is offering Restaurant Week Monday, April 26 through Sunday, May 2. Eight of Bethesda Row’s top restaurants, including Jaleo, Redwood, and Assaggi Mozzarella Bar, will offer diners a special three course prix-fixe lunch menu for just $15 and three course prix-fixe dinner for only $30.

Bethesda Row, brings the ultimate in dining while giving locals an opportunity to view spring’s latest fashions from trendy boutiques including Urban Chic, Wear It Well, and Ginger.  In addition to hot clothes and assessories, patrons can shop for imported Italian pottery, cooking supplies, or the the new iPad. One lucky diner will also win a $200 dinner certificate to any Bethesda Row restaurant; diners can visit www.bethesdarow.com to register to win.

Participating Spring 2010 Restaurants ( menus here).

Jaleo- World-renowned Executive Chef, Jose Andres has created a menu that offers over 60 unique hot and cold tapas dishes that reflect the rich regional diversity of traditional and modern Spanish cuisine.

Lebanese Taverna- Lebanese Taverna, rich in family and tradition, has crafted a variety of authentic and delicious Lebanese dishes including vegetarian and kid-friendly options.

Parker’s American Bistro- Classic All-American cuisine is Parker’s specialty. Diners can partake in variety of steaks, burgers, seafood and salad – the American way.

Raku- A fusion of contemporary Asian cuisine and an unbelievable array of sushi, Raku has a lively environment and a breath-taking modern Asian-inspired interior. 

Assaggi- The Italian word for “tastings”, Assaggi definitely will have your taste buds dancing. For anyone who loves fine Italian dining, this is the place for you. Assaggi specializes in mozzarellas from the United States and Italy.

Mon Ami Gabi- With a bustling atmosphere and delicious cuisine, Mon Ami Gabi is a classic French bistro. Weekend brunch, live jazz, and an exciting happy hour are just some of the highlights of renowned and highly respected Chef and Owner Gabino Sotelino.

Redwood- Showcasing a seasonal menu, Redwood features only the best mid-Atlantic ingredients available. Redwood encourages flavorful, organic, farm-raised, and sustainable food choices whenever possible.

Le Pain Quotidien-Le Pain Quotidien is dedicated to providing guests with great wholesome, quality food. The restaurant also provides a warm and relaxing setting perfect for a meal anytime.

Photo courtesy of Crescent Plaza Blog

In addition, the Bethesda Central Farm Market will open its second season beginning May 6. Located on Bethesda Lane in the center of Bethesda Row, the market will be open from 3-7pm on Thursdays from May 6 through October. Bethesda Central Farm Market also runs a Sunday market from 9-1 off Elm Street between Wisconsin and Woodmont Avenues.

The Thursday market will feature a selection of the region’s best local farm fresh produce, including fruits and vegetables, as well as locally raised, grass fed beef, lamb, pork, artisan cheeses, breads, poultry, eggs, boutique olive oil and vinegar, sausage and salami, flowers and plants, prepared foods and condiments. Click here for a list of featured vendors.

The market will also continue to showcase local chefs and restaurants with ongoing demonstrations from restaurants including Redwood, Raku and Lebanese Taverna.

About Bethesda Row

Bethesda Row is a 521,000 square foot shopping, dining and living destination in the heart of Bethesda, Maryland. With a tremendous collection of national retailers, local boutiques, eclectic restaurants and 180 luxury apartments, Bethesda Row is the best of Bethesda, all in a row. For more information, please visit www.bethesdarow.com

Support *Me* and Food & Friends’ Dining out for Life, March 11.

As you know, Hunger is an important issue to me. In November I supported Food & Friends through their annual Thankgiving pie sale, “Slice of Life”  and raised over $1,300. I thank you for your support – and more importantly, Your neighbors battling life-challenging illnesses thank you.
 
This year, I have decided to support the thousands of children and adults who receive Food & Friends’ life-sustaining services, by volunteering to serve as a Restaurant Ambassador for Dining Out for Life.

As an Ambassador, on Thursday, March 11th, I will be stationed for dinner at Taste of Morocco (8661 Colesville Rd), one of 150 local restaurants raising awareness for Food & Friends. To help, all you have to do is DINE OUT! I am looking forward to seeing all of you there! See their website for more information: www.tasteofmorocco.net

If you can’t join me in Silver Spring, dine out near your work or home. It’s easy! Choose a restaurant, invite your friends and family to join you, and dine out knowing you are making an impact in the lives of your neighbors battling life-challenging illnesses.

If you are unable to Dine Out, please make a tax-deductible contribution to Food & Friends using the link on this page.