Reston Farmers Market

Reid's Orchard offered samples of local berries. Photo by Lisa Shapiro

Today the Shapiro family was in Reston for a free childrens puppet show, DinoRocks at the Lake Fairfax Amphitheater. Along the way we came across the Reston Farmer’s Market. As soon as the show was over we rushed over there hoping it would be open past 11 a.m. — and we were in luck. Even though it was very hot, the market was very busy. Folks were browsing and sampling at various vendors who brought their goods from area farms all over the tri-state area. There was a great assortment of vendors offering goods such as meat, baked goods, ice cream, produce, dairy, flowers, and even ice cream.

Reid’s Orchard from Buchanan Valley, PA, had a variety of fruits and vegetables and flowers. My favorite part about going to the Farmer’s Market is being able to taste the fresh produce. Reid’s offered some blueberries, both sour and sweet cherries and gooseberries.  Since we enjoyed their sample so much, we bought some ripe juicy and delicious sweet cherries. My son,

Reid's Sweet Cherries. Sold!

Alex who is 6 tried a sour cherry for the first time. I was surprised when he said that he liked it. I tried a gooseberry for the first time. It tasted like a tart grape. The market is an opportunity for me to shop but I’m also trying to make it educational by teaching my children that the food that we eat comes from the ground (or animals that eat food that comes from the ground). It’s amazing how everything is in some way traced back to the Earth’s goodness.

Glascock’s Produce from spa town, Berkeley Springs, WV offered mostly herbs and plants and jarred goods such as, apple and peach butter. J & W Valley View Farm from Montross, VA had a variety of fruits and vegetables available including melon, potatoes, corn, and squash. Blue Ridge Dairy Co. from Northern Virginia who uses fresh Jersey cows’ milk from a family farm in Carroll County,  Maryland, and Fertile Plains and Custom Pork from Martinsburg, WV is “a fourth generation working farm where many of their ingredients are homegrown. All chickens and hogs are raised right there,” according to AssociatedContent.com. They apparently don’t have a website. I bought a huge thing of garlic, also from somewhere. God knows what I am going to do with it all.

Sinplicity Ice Creams & Sorbets.

I barely escaped Sinplicity Ice Creams & Sorbets. I would have been easily persuaded, considering how hot it was today. Their website says that they have a location in Falls Church — that’s not far from my home 😉 Also, I noticed a print out that they had advertising that Washingtonian magazine had listed them as a “Best bite”. The Washingtonian is all the convincing I need. I live and die by the magazine — and have done so since high school (sad but true).

Wisteria Gardens Samples.

Wisteria Gardens had a variety of greens such as arugula and offered many samples of their products, such as salsa, hummus dips, and spreads. And of course, the kid’s favorite,  Colonial Kettle Corn, founded in 1999 but offers, “a two hundred year-old traditional popcorn cooked in a specially designed kettle” offered samples of their sweet and salty treat. We couldn’t leave until Alex got what he wanted. That’s fine … just proves that the Farmer’s market has a little something for everyone.

It was fun and now I’m motivated to go to the one closest to home — the Kingstowne Farmer’s Market. There are completely different vendors, according to the vendors list, so we’ll see.

In March 2009, we opened the doors to our winery tasting room and began doing business as Reid’s Orchard & Winery.

Tax Day in DC = Free Stuff Day!

Washingtonians can stick it to the man today all over the city. Many DC area restaurants, bars, and services are offering a little relief to us all.

Jason Koebler of the Washingtonian put together a nice little guide for folks looking to stick it to the man (my words, not his!). Metromix also has a nice roundup. I’m also including a bit of information that I collected myself.

My favorite!! Chipotle is good ANYday but today if you buy a burrito, burrito bol or salad keep your receipt to redeem for a free meal on April 17 or 18. With an unlimited number of tasty combinations, this is sure to be a caliente deal.

Tonight & Tonight Only At Rustico enjoy their, “Big Taxation Relief Glassware Giveaway” and four All-American Beers + Free Glassware From 6-9 p.m.
Join other Americans who hate paying their taxes at Rustico bar tonight from 6-9 as they join together to drown their taxable sorrows in no fewer than four fantastic all-American craft drafts. Rustico be dispensing freebie glassware too, so you can spare your shekels for those new stems and stock your cupboards while you’re here instead. Things get going right about 6 and we’ve only got but so much to give away, so be sure to come early.

If you are craving some yummy lettuce wraps, guess what, you’re not alone and you can get 15 percent off your entire food order at P.F. Changs today! No catches! No forms to fill out and no papers to sign! Yippee!

CityShopGirl reported today that BLT Steak is offering half off all alcoholic beverages. Yes, you heard that right.  50% off  today only – in honor of Tax Day – All cocktails, beer, wines by the glass, and bottles of wine will be sold at 50% off all day long! BLT Steak is located at 1625 I Street

If you owe this year or waited til the last minute, or both — not to worry! You can still drink for free.  Cork Market & Tasting Room is offering a free tasting of at least eight French wines today from 6 to 9 p.m. If you buy a bottle of one of the sampled wines, it’s 10 percent off. Make sure you RSVP here.

In Gallery place/Chinatown, Zola is offering a fixed-priced meal which will be exclusively served at the bar and includes an appetizer, entrée and dessert priced at $20.15 for lunch and $35.15 for dinner. Zola will also be providing IRS tax forms, calculators, envelopes and #2 pencils. The restaurant will even mail your tax forms and pay for the postage if you complete your forms at Zola’s bar by 11 p.m.

Save a couple bucks at any area McCormick & Schmick’s with its $10.40 bar menu. Entrées vary by location, so call ahead. The bar is serving tax-themed cocktails: In the Red, In the Black, In the Green, and In the Clear—variations on classic cosmopolitans, martinis, margaritas, and Manhattans.

This one will take a bit of work and research, but it might be worth it. Baja Fresh is offering $2 burritos to its Facebook fans. The only problem is that many area locations aren’t participating. For the coupon and a full list of nonparticipating locations, see facebook.com/bajafresh.

 You deserve a steak. And some bubbly. A grilled bistro steak with a glass of wine, Champagne, or beer will set you back just $10.40 at Bar Rouge, a stylish lounge in DC’s Dupont Circle.

At Helix Lounge, pair a cocktail with any appetizer, including fried oysters or roasted mini crabcakes, for $10.40.

The mixologists at Capitol Hill’s Lounge 201 are still tinkering with the recipe for a $5 Taxtini cocktail they’ll serve all night. Draft beers are half off all night.

For everyone who pulled an all-nighter to prepare returns, Starbucks is doling out free jolts all day. Bring a reusable mug to any Starbucks location for a free fillup. Hey, look at that—you’re saving money and the environment at the same time!

Topaz Bar is offering any cocktail paired with your choice of soy-grilled or stir-fred chicken wings or Bolivian beef empanadas for $10.40. If you’re in for a long night, the bar will “deduct” your third cocktail with a three-for-two special.

How about some Dairy Queen? The Blizzardmobile will be located at IRS building in D.C at 10th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. today only from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. handing out FREE Dairy Queen blizzards.

Best of Washington Party 2009 to benefit Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The evening of July 13, 2009 more than 1,500 foodies, celebrities, restaurateurs, and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society supporters filled the National Building Museum to sample, sip, and socialize for Washingtonian’s annual ‘Best of Washington’ Party.

For the past 30 years, Washingtonian has invited their loyal readers to vote for their favorites in various categories, such as best people, places, and services in the area. The July Issue features “The Best Of …”of which readers were given the opportunity to vote for their favorites – from popsicles, pizza parlors, pot stickers, and cocktails. Of course, the Washingtonian editors didn’t allow us layfolk to decide what’s best (wink); they to weigh in with their own picks of what and whom they feel is the best in Washington. Next to the January 100’s Very Best Restaurant issue and June’s Cheap Eats, the July Reader’s Favorite is one of the most anticipated issues of the year. Copies of the magzine were displayed for reference of for the taking at the event.

For this event, Verizon Wireless and Washingtonian invited the reader favorite ‘winners’ to set up booths and serve up the best that they have to offer to partygoers. This sold-out event featured more than 50 of the metro area’s best restaurants and celebrated chefs, including Michel Richard of Citronelle, Cedric Maupiller of Central Michel Richard, RJ Cooper of Vidalia, Travis Timberlake of Art and Soul, Tony Conte of the Oval Room, Morou Ouattara of his latest venture, Kora, and Dani Arana of Taberna del Alabardero.

Power Spot of the Year Rammy winner, Central Michel Richard offered delicious mini Corned Beef Sandwichs which are offered on their lunch menu. BLT Steak offered an exquisite Tuna Tartare served on a single serving spoon – it was artistic yet functional (see photo on left). Georgetown cupcake offered a sea of tempting cupcakes in a variety of flavors, such as red velvet cake and chocolate coconut (see photo below).

Georgetown Cupcakes

In addition to the great food and cocktails, the event is also for a great cause. All funds from the silent auction and a portion of ticket proceeds will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to fight blood cancers. 

Guests of the evening included, Buzz Bakery’s Executive Chef, Josh Short, Kelly Collis Fredrick of CityShopGirl.com, Mike Ponticelli of Bisnow, and Market Director of Public Relations for JW Marriott, Mark Indre. Other public relations representatives included Jill Collins, Heather Freeman, Wendy Gordon, and Amy Bridges of Clyde’s Restaurants.

Washingtonian staff spotted amongst the crowd included Editors Jack Limpert, Ann Limpert, and Todd Kliman. Did anyone get a picture of Todd? Just kidding …

For additional information please visit: http://www.washingtonian.com/sections/bestof

Washingtonian’s Best of Washington party: Celebrating Readers’ Favs

For the past 30 years, Washingtonian has invited their loyal readers to vote for their favorites in various categories, such as best people, places, and services in the area. The July Issue  features “The Best Of …”of which readers rated for their favorites of everything from popsicles, pizza parlors, pot stickers, and cocktails. Of course, the Washingtonian editors don’t allow us layfolk to decide what’s best (wink); they too weigh in  with their own picks of what and whom they feel is the best in Washington.

July 13, 2009 from 7 -10 p.m. at the National Building Museum located at 440 G Street, NW,  Verizon Wireless & Washingtonian offer their ‘Best of Washington Party’. They have invited the ‘winners’ to set up booths and serve up their best to partygoers. In 2008 more than 1,200 guests, celebrities, restaurateurs, and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society supporters filled the National Building Museum to sample, sip, and socialize.

The sold-out event featured more than 50 of the area’s best restaurants and several celebrated chefs, including Michel Richard of Citronelle and Central, Eric Ziebold of CityZen, Tony Conte of the Oval Room, and Scott Drewno of the Source by Wolfgang Puck. I’m very excited to attend – thanks to Jill Collins!

All funds from the silent auction and a portion of ticket proceeds went to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to fight blood cancers. The Verizon Wireless Best of Washington party proved to be the highlight of the summer season. It’s a winner for sponsors, suppliers, guest, and beneficiaries.

Tickets were offered at two levels: Vice Presidential Ticket ($95) and Presidential Ticket ($125) . View photos from 2008 party:
http://www.washingtonian.com/blogarticles/people/capitalcomment/8559.html

For additional information please visit: http://www.washingtonian.com/sections/bestof

Washingtonian’s Cheap Eats Issue is Out!

Washingtonian’s Cheap Eats Issue is Hot off the presses! Check out Washingtonian’s June 2009 issue for a listing of 100 restaurants where 2 people can eat great food all for under $50. Also Check out a sneak peak online.

Some of the picks include:

•   Eamonn’s, Cathal Armstrong’s Fish & Chips
•   Etete, U Street’s Ethiopian neighborhood Gem
•   Gom Ba Woo, authentic Korean food in Annandale
•   Pho 75, the best Pho around
•   Zorba’s Cafe, quick and authentic Greek in Dupont