Dining in DC’s Foodie Itinerary: Sept. 29-Oct.3

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.

All Weekend (Friday-Sunday)

Oktoberfest on H Street: Biergarten Haus celebrates Oktoberfest German style with eleven new festival drafts in addition to the twelve already on tap. 1355 H St. NE, b/t 13th & 14 Sts. (202-388-4085).

Greek Fest: St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church: There is something for everyone, whether you’re looking to wine, dine, shop or hop. This “Taste of Greece” has home-made traditional Greek food and desserts, arts and crafts, and live Greek music with dancing (Opa!). Open to the public with Free admission and parking. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. All weekend: Friday-Sunday. 3149 Glen Carlyn Rd. Falls Church, VA

Friday, October 1st

French Wine Fest: Ooh La La! Wine?! Mais, Oui! The Willard  InterContinental and Cafe du Parc host their annual celebration, “Les Vendanges” an Autumnal French wine harvest festival on Friday, October 1st, 5:30- 9:00pm featuring authentic dishes, different styles of regional French wine and beers. Enjoy dancing, grape-stomping, good food and wine!  Tickets for the event start at $20 for four items to be redeemed at food and wine stations set up throughout the courtyard. The restaurant and terrace will also be open for service. It will feature a 3 Course Pre-Fixe Menu priced at $35! This menu will include the choice among 3 appetizers, 3 entrees and 3 dessert dishes, all selected and prepared by our Chef de Cuisine, Angelo Galang. Cafe du Parc @ The Willard InterContinental is located at: 1401 Pennsylvania Ave., NW DC

Saturday, October 2nd

Art on the Avenue, Del Ray’s 15th Annual multicultural arts festival, takes place this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  on Mt. Vernon Avenue in Alexandria. The event is free & open to all. Art on the Avenue features over 350 area artists & craftspeople, international food, three stages of live music, & free children’s crafts & entertainment. Artist demonstrations, a pie-baking contest & a community mural painting complete the day’s program. Pie judging begins at 12:15 p.m. Slices are $3. Free DASH transportation will be provided from the Braddock Road Metro. For more information visit www.artontheavenue.org.

Taste of Bethesda: The 21st annual Taste of Bethesda will be held this Saturday, October 2, 2010 with more than 55 participating restaurants including the new Bistro Provence by Yannick Cam, Georgetown Cupcake, Morton’s, Olazzo, and Jaleo.  Enjoy four stages of entertainment featuring a variety of music. Don’t miss the chance to sample the delicious restaurants, enjoy the live entertainment and visit the kid’s corner for face painting and arts & crafts. Admission is free and Taste tickets are sold on-site in bundles of four tickets for $5. Food servings cost one to four tickets.

An evening with Chef Michel Richard: Enjoy an evening of food and wine at Bloomingdale’s Tysons Corner (Level 3) at 6:00 p.m.  with World-renown Chef Michel Richard and St. Francis Winery & Vineyards.  Bloomie’s is hosting this special event Legendary Pairings – a three course tasting with special guest and winner of the 2008 James Beard Best New Restaurant Central Michel Richard, Chef, Michel Richard with Chef, Levi Mezick.  Experience culinary cuisine at its finest, as each course will be paired with a selected St. Francis wine.  Demonstrations and courses will be prepared using All-Clad cookware.  Tix $50.00 and include a $25.00 Bloomingdale’s Gift Card.  To reserve contact:  Kit 703.556.4519 or 703.556.4500.

Sunday, October 3rd

Willow Chefs Kate Jansen and Susan O'Grady

World Fare: A Street Food-Style Festival: The local exchange of Women Chefs and Restaurateurs (WCR) with over 30 participating chefs, including Nora Pouillon, Jamie Leeds, Ris Lacoste, and Carla Hall, presents a culinary extravaganza on Sunday at Willow Restaurant. This indoor “street food festival” will feature regional specialties from Europe (including crêpes made to order), Asia, Near Asia, North America, and Central/South America. Tickets are $50 and may be purchased in advance at the WCR website (womenchefs.org) or at the door. Proceeds support WCR scholarships and intern programs for women in the culinary arts. Willow restaurant: 4301 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington. Closest Metro: Ballston (Orange line) 5-8 p.m.

“Take Back Food” Ladies’ Luncheon will feature Amy Senger, adviser for A Clean Life who will discuss ways to improve health through living a fresh, local food, zero-waste lifestyle. Special guest, Chef Barton Seaver who is credited with bringing the concept of sustainable seafood to the nation’s capitol and last year he earned Esquire magazine’s ‘Chef of the Year’. Sparkling wine provided by local Virginia winery Thibaut-Janisson and a seasonal, locally-sourced meal prepared by Stir Food Group Executive Chef Bryan Moscatello of Zola Wine Kitchen. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online.

Mark Your Calendars Now!

Saturday, October 9

Bodega Spanish Tapas & Lounge Paella, 2009.

Food lovers will flock to Taste of Georgetown, the “must eat” event showcasing the spectacular cuisine of 30 of Georgetown’s finest restaurants, featuring more than 60 delectable dishes to sample, as well as beverage pairings and the jazz talents of Blues Alley, on Saturday, October 9th from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. From live paella demonstrations, exquisite fare from a Top Chef contestant, an exciting lineup of judges and creative new categories, Taste of Georgetown 2010 will satisfy more appetites and taste buds of all ages in the DC metro area this year. Tickets are $5 for one tasting and $20 for five tastings. TOG is presented and sponsored by the Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID) to benefit the Georgetown Ministry Center. The event is located at Wisconsin Avenue, NW, between M & K Streets. Attendees of the Taste of Georgetown have a number of transportation options, including taking either the Circulator line from Union Station/Georgetown or the Circulator line from Rosslyn/Dupont, which runs along M Street. For more information and advanced ticket purchases, visit http://www.TasteOfGeorgetown.com. Online ticket purchases will be available through Wednesday, October 6.

A Clean Life: The Case for Local Food at “Take Back Food” Ladies’ Luncheon.

This is not your mom’s Tupperware party. Not like there is anything wrong with that but let’s be honest. Times have changed. I’m a modern woman with a family who cares about the environment, my children’s health, and even more their education but I admit that I’m obsessed with food. I read that 2/3 of the United States’ population is considered overweight or obese and food waste does more damage to the environment than the BP oil spill. With First Lady Michelle Obama’s recent Let’s Move campaign to end Child Obesity, more now than ever we realize that food plays a greater role in the well-being of our society. My kids know that when I am away from home I’m at a restaurant. I’m sure that my six-year-old son, Alex means well but he has made comments to me about my weight. I could set a better example for my kids. I plan to … and I’m going to start now.

Amy Senger. Photo by Jared Goralnick

I’m looking forward to attending my first “Ladies’ only” event this Sunday at Zola Wine and Kitchen;  however, I can say that most of the media events that I attend are predominantly female. I’m surprised that there aren’t more aspiring male food writers especially since all the big dogs in DC Todd Kliman, Tom Sietsema, Warren Rojas, are all men. I’m attending because I think the topic of discussion is interesting; however, I’m sure that there will be a handful of attendees that are going just to catch a glimpse of hearthrob Chef, Barton Seaver. I’ve met him before, so that’s not the reason I’m excited.

This event on Sunday, “Take Back Food” Ladies’ Luncheon will feature Amy Senger, (pictured above) adviser and advocate for A Clean Life. She will share her personal story of improving health through living a fresh, local food, zero-waste lifestyle and the impact it’s had on her body and personal well-being as well as the benefits it has on the environment. It’s going to be an eye-opening discussion. Senger promises to open all of our eyes about what we’re eating, what big food industry, including the U.S. government, is doing to undermine citizens personal health (and why it’s causing so many people to struggle with their weight), and the one simple change we can do to combat it.

Chef Barton Seaver. Photo by Marvin Joseph, Washington Post.

Now for the eye candy who needs no introduction in the restaurant industry. Chef Barton Seaver is credited with bringing the concept of sustainable seafood to the nation’s capitol and last year he earned Esquire magazine’s ‘Chef of the Year’.

For those are who are interested, the afternoon will include:

• A special guest appearance by Barton Seaver, DC chef extraordinaire, advocate and National Geographic Fellow as he shares he personal mission to change food culture
• Sparkling wine provided by local Virginia winery Thibaut-Janisson (featured at the first Obama state dinner)
• A seasonal, locally-sourced meal prepared by Stir Food Group Executive Chef Bryan Moscatello
• Limited signed copies (for purchase) of locavore leader Alice Waters’ latest cookbook, In The Green Kitchen

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online.

Reminder: Kid’s Restuarant Week is going on now through June 27.

I know that I posted about this a week or so ago, but I wanted to remind you, just in case you missed the June 7 posting. Last year in June 2009, the very first DC Kids’ Restaurant week debuted in DC area with a series of events including cooking demos, special events, cooking classes, and participating restaurants offering a special prix-fixe menu especially designed for kids, exposing them to “grown-up” dining experiences. The 2nd Annual Washington, DC Restaurant Week for Kids produced by Destination DC, the official convention and tourism corporation for Washington, DC will be held June 20-27. Kid’s Restaurant Week is designed to promote healthy eating, culinary awareness and family connections.

Alex Shapiro at Zola

Some of the area’s best restaurants throughout DC including Art and Soul, Clyde’s, Jaleo, Kellari Taverna, Taberna del Alabardero, and Zola will cater to families by serving special children’s menus during lunch and early dinner seatings (between 5 PM-6:30 PM). Kids 11 and under pay their age, with purchase of adult entrée.

At Taberna del Alabardero, kids will be invited to tour the kitchen and pose for a picture with the chef. Acadiana will offer balloons its youngest diners. Through a partnership with DC Public Schools, chefs will also visit third grade classrooms to offer cooking demonstrations and tastings.

See Listing of participating restaurants

2nd Annual DC Kids’ Restuarant Week June 20-27.

Back by popular demand!! Last year in June 2009, the very first DC Kids’ Restaurant week debuted in DC area with a series of events including cooking demos, special events, cooking classes, and participating restaurants offering a special prix-fixe menu especially designed for kids, exposing them to “grown-up” dining experiences. The 2nd Annual Washington, DC Restaurant Week for Kids produced by Destination DC, the official convention and tourism corporation for Washington, DC will be held June 20-27. Kid’s Restaurant Week is designed to promote healthy eating, culinary awareness and family connections.

Alex Shapiro at Zola

Some of the area’s best restaurants throughout DC including Art and Soul, Clyde’s,  Jaleo, Kellari Taverna, Taberna del Alabardero, and Zola will cater to families by serving special children’s menus during lunch and early dinner seatings (between 5 PM-6:30 PM). Kids 11 and under pay their age, with purchase of adult entrée.

At Taberna del Alabardero, kids will be invited to tour the kitchen and pose for a picture with the chef.  Acadiana will offer balloons its youngest diners. Through a partnership with DC Public Schools, chefs will also visit third grade classrooms to offer cooking demonstrations and tastings.

See Listing of participating restaurants

Julie & Julia Craze Sweeps DC! (dant dant dant dahhhh)

Julie Powell

Featured in Capitol B …

Foodies flocked to theatres over the weekend to see the new movie Julie & Julia, which opened on Friday, 7 August, 2009. It has been years since Hollywood has made a film that caters to food lovers … or butter worshippers; in this case, it’s both. Julie & Julia is comedy about the love of food, relationships, honesty, and self discovery. It is based on two real life stories, the first about world renowned culinary icon Julia Child (Meryl Streep), and the other about Julie Powell (Amy Adams), a young woman living in New York City who is unhappy about her life as a secretary and feels that she is in a dead-end job. In August 2002, Julie Powell set out to cook all 524 recipes from Child’s cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, in one year and write a blog about her daily trials and tribulations.

To Read the Full Article … Click Here …

DC’s 1st ever Kids’ Restaurant Week Recap

Last week from Saturday, June 13 thru Sunday, June 21 local DC area restaurants participated in DC’s first ever “Kids’ Restaurant Week” - joining Cookie and Gourmet magazines’ new promotion that allowed families to enjoy dining out in some of DC’s best restaurants and enjoying a delicious three-course meal at a discounted price. 

Here is a recap of some of the week’s events: 

• Announcement: Cookie and Gourmet magazines announced Kids’ Restaurant Week and the list of participating DC restaurants was published. Listing of restaurants’ menu offerings and special events.
• Kick-off Event: Local Chefs Travis Timberlake of Art and Soul restaurant, Greg Lloyd of Zola, and Danny Bortnick of Firefly provided kid-focused cooking demonstrations, Saturday, June 13 at Eastern Market which marked the kick-off for DC’s first ever Kids’ Restaurant Week.
• Dining Reviews of Participating Kid’s RW Restaurants
  • Zola - see photos and what my son Alex actually ate
  • Art & Soul - the mac n’ cheese balls are a must try!
• Baby Food for the Soul: The Toddler Edition -  Chef Travis shared his secrets to twenty-five parents of toddlers during Baby Food for the Soul: The Toddler Edition on Saturday, June 20, 2009 – a lesson in nutrition and how to prepare kid-inspired dishes. See photos and details about Art & Soul’s next cooking class.