Dining in DC

Take a taste this weekend with Bite of DC

Sean O'Brien — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:36:11 +0000

TGIF! It is time for the weekend and time to get out and about. The Nationals may be out of town, but the Navy Yard is still the place to be thanks to the one-day gastronomical celebration that is Bite of D.C.! This Saturday, May 18, five elite chefs will be serving up elegant dishes to diners at Yards Park. The concept is incredibly simple yet wonderfully elegant. Combine the culinary sophistication of fine dining yet as a live event! Culinary craft masters Ramon Martinez (Jaleo), R.J. Cooper (Rogue 24), Aaron McCloud (Cedar) Laurent Lhuillier (Windows Catering), and Luke Holden (Luke Holden) will each be making a unique dish that will be paired with sommelier selected wines and beers. Patrons can then take in the waterfront view, chow down, and enjoy live music & lawn games. TASTE: Rogue 24 - RJ Cooper Cucumber, yogurt, roe and smoked trout Jaleo by José Andrés - Ramon Martinez Empedrat de mongetes Cedar - Aaron McCloud Grilled rabbit sausage with English pea cream and pickled asparagus Luke's Lobster - Luke Holden Maine-style lobster roll with melted lemon butter and secret spices Windows Catering - Laurent Lhuillier Lemoncello crème with blueberry confit, Ladyfinger, and chocolate garnish Tickets: There are two ticket options available. For $49, you can purchase the Five Dish Fixed Menu ticket. This gives you the fixed menu pairings, a GoVino shatterproof glass, and unlimited wine and beer from the tasting and full pour tents. Not in the mood for the fixed menu? For $29, get everything listed above without the pairings offered by the chefs. Don’t worry about starving though, as there will be food trucks onsite to cater to your gastronomic demands. Follow them on Twitter or visit their website to learn more and buy your tickets. Tickets are still available, but are selling out fast! I will be there from 3-6 p.m. Hope to see you there!

Spring Suds and Silent Disco: The LivingSocial Beerfest Experience

Sean O'Brien — Fri, 10 May 2013 20:01:53 +0000

There is an old D.C. saying that I just made up that says "April showers bring May growlers." The sun comes out and people begin to venture outside for a season worth of outdoor events complete pints full of beers. For many this means patios and barbecues. For LivingSocial, this means a celebration worthy of an entire weekend: the LivingSocial BeerFest. This past weekend saw LivingSocial taking over the the Half Street Fairgrounds for a weekend of moustaches (no they won't go away), food trucks, colorful sunglasses, and of course many craft beers. Partygoers could play pass the time by playing a number of games or by getting down to live music from Drop Electric, Ghost Beach, and Kristen and The Noise. LivingSocial topped off the entertainment off with something different: a"Silent Disco Dance Party" powered by Silent Storm. Imagine, if you will, a dance party unlike any other. A tent full of people people dancing around to tunes you could only hear if you were wearing headphones. While I refused to partake (my dancing is bad enough without adding accessories), it looked like everyone in the tent was having a good time. This year's craft beer festival featured more than 50 craft breweries and a handful of vineyards that seemed almost as out of place as Justin Bieber in room full of real musicians. I decided to skip the vineyards and set out in search of suds. My mission for the day was simple: to stop off and top off my glass at every beer station. While I didn't make it to every brewery, I was able to visit the majority and there are some definite winners from the day. After stopping at Stix for bacon wrapped filet mignon and grabbing a bite of the "foregridden love," from Grid's Waffles, I began my mission. First up was Starr Hill Brewery and their Starr Pils. I was in the mood for something light (I just ate a red velvet waffle with cream cheese and whipped cream), and this Pilsner was just what I needed. Golden with just a bit of hops, it set the stage for the rest of the day. Next up in my quest was Boulevard Brewing Company. Boulevard is probably most known for their Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale. The Tank 7, which was one of the beers they were pouring, is a great take on the traditional saison style beer. It has a strong fruity aroma (with just a few spices) and ends very crisp and dry. The Tank 7 is delicious and bit dangerous at eight percent alcohol. Boulevard also won huge points in my book with two other very distinct beers that were big crowd pleasers, the seasonal Nommo Dubbel and the year-round 80-Acre. The Nommo, its name is derived from a Dogon word meaning "to make one drink," has a rich amber color and a sweet malt profile. The beer really shows off the the cinnamon, coriander, and star anise used in brewing. You don't have to be the biggest Belgian style beer fan to appreciate the flavors, but fans will like how they pair with the clove and banana notes from the yeast. The 80-Acre is a hybrid mashup of flavors you would typically find in an IPA and in a wheat beer. It leads with a very citrusy aroma, and has strong flavor traditional of a wheat beer, but ends with gentle bitterness. A great beer for people who are on the fence about IPAs or wheats. Spring means beer, but it also means seafood boils, particularly crawfish boils. A few stops down the line was Abita Brewing Company, and I had a hankering for a pint from Louisiana's most well known brewery. Abita was pouring two beers for BeerFest: the Jockamo IPA and the Turbodog brown ale. I had to ~~play fetch with~~ ask for a Turbodog (see, I CAN avoid a pun). It pours very dark with a thick head, and it has fantastic notes of dark chocolate and toffee. A great beer to have if you are in need some of something different. Speaking of different, I can't think of a better word to describe my next beer. DuClaw Brewing Company, out of Bel Air, MD, was on hand and pouring Sweet Baby Jesus chocolate peanut butter porter. Not since Talladega Nights has their been a more appropriate use of a baby Jesus phrase. The Sweet Baby Jesus (lets just call it the SBJ for the purposes of brevity), has a very heavy nose that pretty much smells exactly like a Reese's cup. It really doesn't follow through in taste, as the roasted malt really takes over. Not something you would drink all evening long, but a decent and unique beer. Another surprising beer was the Widmer Brothers Columbia Common seasonal beer. I've seen Widmer around D.C., but mostly only their Hefeweizen (which is an okay but not great beer). The Columbia Common, named for the Columbia hop used to brew the beer, has very mild grassy and spicy notes and was surprisingly amber in color. I was really taken by this beer as I had some preconceptions before having my pint. It was really easy to drink, but is complex and interesting enough to not be boring. Ommegang, fresh off the victory that was their Game of Thrones-inspired Iron Throne blonde ale, was a must on my list of breweries. As it happened, they were serving two of my favorite beers: the Hennepin farmhouse saison and the Rare Vos amber ale. The Hennepin is a great beer year round, but was especially fantastic as the sun came out. Light, refreshing, and yet full of flavor. The Rare Vos is a "traditional cafe-style ale," and is much more subtle but just as equally flavorful as the Hennepin. It has a brilliant and bright amber hue. The nose features traditional Belgian style notes, but with more fruity and sweet notes (you will pick up on orange right away). It is a great balance of sweet and spicy notes, and has a refreshing crisp and dry finish. A great beer for a night out (especially if you are going to pair with some typical bar food). One of the best beers I had towards the end of BeerFest was from Great Lakes Brewing Company. This brewery has a fervent almost cult-like fan base (search for "Great Lakes Oh Christmas Ale" if you don't believe me), and the reputation is well earned judging by the Dortmunder Gold and Rye of the Tiger IPA they were pouring. I've had the Dortmunder before (it has made its way to many a happy hour), so I was excited to try the Rye of the Tiger. The rye malts really add a lot of complexity to the beer, giving it a slightly spiced and subtly sweet flavor to balance against this hop-forward beer. It's not my favorite type of beer, but a refreshing take on an IPA. Whether a silent dance party is your thing or not, it is hard to disagree that LivingSocial knows D.C. and know what its residents want. They regularly put on a wide array of events and manage to keep finding ways to raise the bar. This year's Beerfest was a great time, and in my opinion, was even better than their last one. So LivingSocial, I raise my glass to you and wish continued success to you and request more outdoor events and many more malty beers from our D.C. social overlords. I look forward to their next shindig and I hope to see you there dear readers. Sean O’Brien, Men’s Interest Editor is Dining in DC’s only (and therefore strongest and most intelligent) male contributor. Before he became a Daywalker, Sean was a bartender and bar manager for longer than his parents care to admit. A Marylander born and raised, Sean has spent the better part of his twenties exploring and tasting D.C. from every corner. His wish for the world is that every week involve crabs, Saison-style beer, bourbon or Old Bay.

When he is not working or eating, Sean is likely to be found running or hiking around D.C. Follow him on Twitter at @sotweets, but be prepared for sarcasm and snide comments about people who say “YOLO” (You only live once) or “totes.”

Summer Food Festivals and County Fairs 2013

Lisa Shapiro — Mon, 06 May 2013 00:38:18 +0000

From fests to parades, there's always something going on in the nation's capital in the summertime. Us locals are a little spoiled, especially since visitors often save for months or spend their life savings to come here when we have access to the greatest tastings, festivals, fairs, and events year round. Don't be afraid to venture out to fests in the 'burbs. You can have some fun, enjoy some good eats, and breathe some fresh air (for a change). For a comprehensive look at what's happening throughout the summertime, check out my listing below for fun, food, and of course, tippling, but without the gamble.

Upcoming Food Events

20th Annual Taste of Georgetown - June 1: The only opportunity to taste one's way through Georgetown in an afternoon, 11am-4pm, Taste of Georgetown will offer the opportunity to sample up to 60 signature dishes from 30 popular Georgetown dining spots. This year's Taste of Georgetown includes a new emphasis on unique craft brews, transforming the signature tasting pavilion into a brew-lover's paradise featuring an extensive variety of unique craft beers as well as wines. Enjoy live music and jazz talents, as well as other playful entertainment and activities including a culinary showdown, a balloon sculptor and face painter. For the first time in the event's history, teams led by some of Georgetown's hottest chefs will face off, testing their culinary skill during Taste of Georgetown's Iron Chef-style Competition judged by DC's top food experts and media. This longstanding event in Georgetown is hosted by the Georgetown BID and benefits the Georgetown Ministry Center's services supporting the homeless. Tickets are $5 for one tasting and $20 for five tastings, and can be purchased in advance online at www.TasteOfGeorgetown.com through May 31. Craft Beer and Wine Pavilion tickets are $10 for 3, and $4 for 1 tasting. Ticket proceeds benefit the Georgetown Ministry Center's services supporting the homeless, a cause the Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID) has helped raise more than $120,000 for since 2004. Taste of Georgetown is presented and sponsored annually by the Georgetown BID. Celebrate Fairfax- June 7-9: This annual community-wide celebration is held at the Fairfax County Government Center in Fairfax County, Virginia (12000 Government Center Parkway) and hosts more than 70,000 visitors each year. Now in its 31st year, expect the very best! Sample more than 30 food vendors with a variety of menus, styles and tastes at the Coca-Cola Food Court. Enjoy more than 130 performances on 8 stages (see lineup) located throughout the festival and are free with daily general admission. Big acts this year include The B-52s and Spin Doctors!! Kids will love their huge carnival and games area, including the enormous ferris wheel. All-you-can-ride handstamps will be sold for $25 on-site and may be purchased for a discount in advance online. Nightly fireworks, presented by SAIC, are a highlight of the festival, and one of many great family programs.or more information about ticketing, visit the festival's Tickets Page. Save money by ordering online $9 Adults; Kids $4. At the door: General Admission: Adults $12; Kids: $5 Festival Hours: Friday 6pm-12am, Saturday 10am-12am and Sunday 11am-7pm. Taste of Reston - June 14-15: Northern Virginia’s largest outdoor food festival, produced by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, will take place on Market Street at the Reston Town Center (11900 Market Street Reston, VA). This year’s event marking their 23rd year celebration, will feature more than 30 area restaurants, a full line-up of musical entertainment, a kid’s activity tent, and for returning is their chef’s demonstration stage or "Wine n' Dine" area. Judges include Dining in DC's, Lisa Shapiro! Best of all, admission to Taste of Reston is FREE, but Taste Tickets and Carnival Tickets are necessary to sample food or take a spin on your favorite ride. Taste Tickets are $1 per ticket or $20 for a sheet of 24 tickets! Each sample ranges from 1-5 tickets. Hours: FRI 3-11 pm; SAT 12-11 pm; Carnival Only SUN 10 am-8 pm. Avoid the lines and buy taste tickets online here. Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival - June 14 & 15: You'll not want to miss this fest for a great day of beer sippin', bourbon tastin', music listenin', cigar smokin', and barbeque eatin' at the gorgeous National Harbor (137 National Plaza, National Harbor, MD). Your admission buys you a sampling glass so you can enjoy an ALL-YOU-CARE –TO-TASTE sampling of beer and bourbon. There will be 40 Bourbons and 60 Beers on Tap. Some of the best barbeque vendors are on-site if you get hungry all while enjoying seminars in the tasting theater and live music all day. Enjoy the great barbeque selection – pulled pork from whole hogs, ribs, brisket, chickens, sausages and any fixin’ you could imagine. Enjoy Seminars in the Tasting Theater with Master Distillers, Brewmasters, and Pit Masters From the Deep South. Fest Hours: Friday 6– 10:00pm & Saturday 12 – 6pm. General Admission (At the Door): $35; Two-Day access: $85 The Safeway Barbecue Battle: June 22-23, 2013 This year will mark the 21st Anniversary of Safeway bringing great food, music and fun to the streets and people of the Nation’s Capital. The two-day festival (Saturday: 11 AM to 9:00 PM; Sunday: 11 AM to 7:30 PM) downtown (1100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW) includes delicious barbecue and tasty treats of all kinds from top vendors, plenty of delicious free food samples and live entertainment including 30 bands on multiple stages all surrounding one of the nation’s top barbecue cooking competitions. The ever-popular Safeway Sampling Pavilion showcases a line-up of delicious and tempting free food samples while celebrity chefs and cookbook authors entertain with cooking demonstrations on the Safeway Demonstration Stage. Musical entertainment includes nationally-known bands. Besides all the great food, music, cooking entertainment and competition, there are activities for kids of all ages to enjoy. Children’s rides and activities and sports attractions, including NBA basketball stars and court action help make the Safeway Barbecue Battle the perfect way to kick off summer in Washington! Get your tickets to one of US’s top BBQ competitions in the country here! Hours: Saturday: 11 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. General Admission: Adult $15; Child $5. Weekend pass (both days): $20. Alexandria Food & Wine Festival - June 22-23 (2013): Sips, slurps, chomps, and laughter will fill the air in Old Town Alexandria in the Carlyle District ( 300 John Carlyle Street) as the local community gathers together to enjoy the diverse restaurants of Alexandria and Virginia’s wineries for its 2nd Annual Alexandria Food & Wine Festival. Enjoy this new lively festival, complete with live entertainment, a children’s corner, food and wine tasting, a food demonstration showcase area and a VIP networking reception for our sponsors. Local restaurants will compete for the best appetizer, the best main course and the best dessert. Judges include Dining in DC's, Lisa Shapiro! Attendees will be able to sample food and wine from a variety of local restaurants and Virginia’s wineries, including The Chart House, Indigo Landing, and wineries Mattaponi Winery, Unicorn Winery, Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery, and Cedar Creek Winery. Cost: This is a FREE event to attend; however tickets are needed to sample food and beverages. Each booklet is comprised of a total of 25 Taste tickets at the price of $20. Each food item costs between 1 to 5 tickets. Hours: 12-5 p.m. Smithsonian's Folklife Festival - June 26- June 30; July 3-7 This engrossing two-week festival on the National Mall juxtaposes the rich traditions of various corners of the United States and cultures around the world. Highlights include traditional dance and music performances, storytelling, and ethnic food of all sorts. Themes this year include Hungarian Heritage: Roots to Revival; One World, Many Voices: Endangered Languages and Cultural Heritage; The Will to Adorn: African American Diversity, Style, and Identity. The Festival is held outdoors on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between the Smithsonian museums. Activities include daily and evening music performances, crafts and cooking demonstrations, storytelling and discussions of cultural issues. There is no admission charge. Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

County Fairs

August 4-5 (No 2013 date Announced)

Fairfax 4-H Fair and Frying Pan Park Farm Show: This 64th Annual event is great fun for the whole family! Fairgoers will also enjoy the fantastic Frying Pan Park Farm Show and Fairfax County Park Authority's 1920's-era Kidwell Farm. Held at Frying Pan Park (2709 W Ox Rd.), activities include live entertainment, carnival rides and games, hayrides, cow milking, blacksmith and farrier demos, animal washing and grooming, sheep shearing, and lots more! There will be a $5 parking fee, however admission to the Fair is free. Saturday: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m

August 7-11 (2013)

Arlington County Fair: Now in its 37th year, enjoy a classic county fair with carnival rides, face painting, competitive exhibits, arts and crafts, great international cuisine, live entertainment, pony rides, pig and goat races, a petting zoo and much more, held at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center (3501 South Second St.). Cole Shows Amusement Company will return this year to provide amusement rides, midway games, and nostalgic carnival food for fair-goers of all ages. All of the most popular rides from past years, including the Zipper, the Heart Flip, and the Rainbow, will be back! Rides: single tickets for $1, 24 tickets for $20, and 48 tickets for $40. Catch an outdoor flick at the fair: Friday night’s movie will be family-friendly and Saturday night’s movie will be for teens. The movies will be shown on the tennis courts next to the midway and will start as soon as the sun goes down.Wed/Thur: 5-10 p.m.; Fri/Sat: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Admission: Free

August 9-17 (2013)

The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair is the largest county fair in the State of Maryland. Since 1949, the Fair (500 Perry Pkwy, Gaithersburg, MD) has been a showcase of farm life and is a family event with lots of carnival rides, great entertainment, wonderful foods, and fun activities for all ages. This event is chock full of amazing events and performances, including dog show, pick races, demolition derby, tractor pull, monster truck rides, and more! Click to see the full event schedule. Adult: $10 (12yrs+); Child: FREE (11yrs and younger). Ticket packages and discounts available online. 10am-midnight.

August 9-17 (2013)

The Prince William County Fair started in 1949 by a group of WWII veterans, and is the largest in the state of Virginia, held at the Prince William County Fairgrounds (10624 Dumfries Road, at Route 234). The annual event includes livestock exhibits, home arts exhibits, tractor pulls, a rodeo, demolition derbies, baby contests, live music and a variety of midway shows. Adult: $8 in advance; Child/Senior (5-13yrs and 60+yrs): $5. This year, Half Price Day will be Sunday, August 12th. Admission to the Fair and ride wrist bands will be half price! That’s $4.00 for adult admission and only $10.00 for the ride wrist band.

September 5-8 (2013)

The Prince George’s County Fair is Maryland’s oldest, dating back to 1842. The annual family friendly event held at the Show Place Arena (14900 Pennsylvania Ave., Upper Marlboro, MD) includes carnival rides, live animals displays, family circus, fireworks, live entertainment, food, arts and crafts, beautiful baby contests, and much more. With much of the fair indoors at the Show Place Arena, you don’t even have to worry about bad weather! Adults: $6; Child (6-17 yrs): $5; 5yrs and under: Free. Thur: 4-11 p.m., Fri: 5-11 p.m.; Sat: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

How to Keep Chuggin’ Down the Healthy Track when Dining Out

Lisa Shapiro — Fri, 03 May 2013 01:53:46 +0000

Dining in DC is pleased to welcome Life and Health Coach/Counselor, and now author, Kimberly Hammond a.k.a Healthy Chick as a Contributor. In this introductory post, Kim offers sage advice to us foodies (those who live to eat and not eat to live, you know who you are) on how to be healthy (make smart choices) when dining out. Healthy Chick strives to take the 'wha-wha-whaaaaat?!?' out of being and lively a healthy lifestyle in a hip, entertaining, and FUN way (KEY element). Not only can HC be your daily energizer bunny, but your go-to source for all things health and wellness. Without further ado ... One of the most common questions I get is, “How do I eat healthy when dining out?” Living in the “Land of Junkitarians”, I’m not gonna’ lie; this can be quite a challenge. And in some parts of the country, say in the South, it can be downright depressing (I know. Most of my family lives in “Fry-Me-Up-Anotha’-Mississippi”). BUT. You can feast and feel good about it without feeling guilty (you should never feel “guilty” when it comes to enjoying food. What that points to is a disconnect, and signals a need for a redefining/ a relationship-revamp with yourself and with the Almighty Edible. To that I say, you need to be workin’ with me!). At the end of the day, there’s nothing that a dash of willpower, a pinch of determination, and maybe even a lil’ bit of creativity can’t overcome. So, with that in mind, fork up, folks. Let’s dive into this plate of “How To”. Questions to ask yourself:

Does this food support my overall health and weight goals, or does it totally sucker punch it in the face? (Big Picture Approach)
What has my (calorie/fat/sugar) intake been today so far? (Daily Calculation Approach)
What has my activity been like today? How mobile have I been? (Eat for your Activity Level Approach)
How nutritionally dense is what I’m about to break into? (Eat “Nutrient Dense” Approach)
How hungry am I, really? How good am I feeling about my ability to gauge when enough is enough? (Self Monitor Approach)
How often does this opportunity come around to enjoy this particular niblet? (Seize the Opportunity Smart Approach)
What’s the main ingredient in this edi-target o’ mine? (“Conscious-Eat” Approach)
How many plant-based foods are there vs. animal and flour- based? (Checks N’ Balances Approach)

If you’re at a “Foodie and the Feast” event or at a fine n’ fancy sit-down (read: “pretty” food is, literally, jumping out of the wall-cracks and volleying for your attention), gracefully take a “round about” of the room/ menu. Survey each station/ course and what the goods are. Go ahead. Place judgment. Make a mental list with an “I. Am. SO. All Over This One” column, a “Maybe… If It’s Lucky” column, and a “No WAY Am I Putting THAT In My Bod-Pod!” column. Mentally categorize each dish you see. After that exercise, you’re now ready for your second round-about. Ready, set, GO:

Take a small piece or portion of what you’d like to try. If there are 50 food stations, now, don’t go fillin’ your plate (or plates) up with 50 different foods. Choose the best of the best, “keep it smart”, sample n’ savor.
Employ the One Bite Rule. If you’ve got a number of different things you’d like to try, make ‘em one biters. Take a bite, enjoy, then move on.
Determine if it’s “calorie worthy”. ‘Nuff said.
If the main ingredient of a dish is plant (read: it’s tough to tell anything else that’s in it), go for it. If it’s flour or animal product, put it on the “One Biter” or “Maybe” list.
Don’t forget that liquids count, too. Cocktails n’ spirits come with extra party favors, too, and can get waaaay up there in terms of calories, sugar, fat and grams of useless carbohydrates. Make sure you take these into account and add them to your list when creating your mental “Menu of Enjoyables.”

So, there you have it. Eating out doesn't have to be a nutritional disaster. You can easily keep the muffin top, food coma, and, therefore, the shame spiral at bay. You can sample, taste, savor and enjoy without the guilty after party. Just be mindful about what and how much you’re taking in, and you’ll be aaaaa-okay. Party On. Stay tuned for news from Kimberly about her new book, “The UN-Diet Diet”.

Earth Day Chef Challenge: Verlasso Salmon

Lisa Shapiro — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 18:04:49 +0000

When you think of Earth Day events and activities, many such things come to mind, such as planting trees, cleaning up a watershed, or recycling, or as Mr. Dining in DC says, "Some other nature thing." Us foodies (that includes You) always include food in everything that we do -- including Earth Day. On Monday, April 22, 2013, I had the distinct pleasure in being a spectator at a one of a kind DC event, The Verlasso® Salmon Chef Challenge, where four Washington D.C. area Chefs competed on behalf of a local charity in a live challenge to create the most delicious, sustainable Verlasso salmon dish. Hosted by Verlasso®, the world’s first provider of harmoniously raised fish, Samuels and Son Seafood, and LivingSocial (918 F St. NW), Chef Massimo Fabbri, Executive Chef at Tosca; Chef Yuh Shimomura of Pembroke Springs Retreat, formerly of Kaz Sushi Bistro; Chef Takeshi Nishikawa of the New Heights, and Chef Alberto Contestabile of Trattoria Alberto, competed in a live quick-fire stadium challenge in order to impress the panel of judges including Jessica Sidman, Food Editor of the Washington City Paper, Bree Hester, blogger at Baked Brie, and Executive Chef Xavier Deshayes of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center; food and travel writer, Kate Parham. The chefs were being judged on presentation, taste, and use of the fish in their dish. In addition to the judging panel, all attendees had the opportunity to taste each of the four dishes. This event was not open to the public, but was very educational. The Verlasso Salmon Chef Challenge was an opportunity to provide D.C.-area chefs and media a chance to learn about the benefits of Verlasso, while experiencing the salmon’s mild, delicate flavor and silky texture. Verlasso has been lauded by chefs for its consistent flavor and texture, no matter what way the fish is prepared. Verlasso salmon are raised differently, reducing depletion of ocean resources, protecting biodiversity and creating a better environment for the fish – all while making sure the salmon still provide an amazing taste and the optimal health benefits of fish that have eaten a diet rich in Omega-3s. The chefs awarded Chef Yuh Shimomura of Pembroke Springs Retreat with having the "Best Dish". Chef Shimomura described how he used the head bones of the fish and cooked them down so that they had a jelly like texture. The texture reminded me of like a thick daikon radish. The clear broth was delicious and was very aromatic with the drops of truffle oil. The stark contract of the square bowl was a beautifully modern presentation. I can see why it won the judges over. It was definitely a very inventive dish. I really enjoyed the dish by Chef Takeshi Nishikawa of the New Heights Restaurant. Chef explained that for his dish, he brined the salmon, garnished it with smoked pumpernickel, and fresh dill. It was colorful, and incredibly light and flavorful. I love the use of the different textures with the crackled salmon skin, and jelly squares, and the pumpernickel dust. If I were in a restaurant, I would have ordered another plate. It's a perfect dish for spring or summer. Chef Fabbri of Tosca Restaurant also made a very seasonal dish a thin salmon carpaccio with pickled ramps and seasonal greens. The lemon vinaigrette elevated the natural flavor of the salmon. Verlasso’s harmonious approach to aquaculture includes:

Raising salmon at half the pen density of traditionally farmed salmon, resulting in leaner fish
Saving 5.5 million pounds of overharvested feeder fish over the course of a year while still raising salmon rich in Omega-3s
Never using growth hormones or preventative antibiotics
Keeping pens empty for three to six months after each harvest to rejuvenate the waters
Requiring 75 percent fewer wild caught feeder fish than traditional salmon farming
Attaching a QR-coded gill tag to every fish directing customers to a website with background on the farm, farm manager and more where their salmon was raised

More about Verlasso: Verlasso® is committed to continuous improvement in its aquaculture practices, working in concert with some of the world’s leading thinkers to sustain people, fish and the planet. Verlasso’s harmoniously raised salmon was recently recognized by Seafood International magazine as a “Best New Food of 2011”, and as a “Top Food Trend of 2012” by Specialty Food magazine. To learn more about Verlasso, please visit www.verlasso.com, their blog, 'Like' on Facebook, or follow on Twitter @VerlassoSalmon.

Argia’s: buon appetito!

AMorris — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 01:41:00 +0000

Growing up, my favorite day of the week was Wednesday. Why? Because Wednesday was spaghetti night where my mom would make her classic marinara sauce with onion, mushrooms, and ground beef. Although simple, it was satisfying, comforting and, most importantly, soulful. Satisfaction, comfort and soul can also be found in authentic, family-style Italian restaurants like Argia’s (124 N Washington St. Falls Church, VA). Slightly off the beaten path, Argia’s is a hidden gem that offers traditional, well-executed dishes, as well as signature Italian entrees with a twist. Whether you’re in the mood for something rich and creamy, or want to stay on the lighter side, there are plenty of options to choose from. The first time I went to Argia’s, the head chef was Aimee Suyehiro, one of the restaurant’s former owners. A graduate of L’Academie de Cuisine in Bethesda, MD, Aimee’s French training brought unique, original recipes to Argia’s for 13 years – many of which are there to stay. In January of 2013, Aimee and her business partner Adam Roth sold Argia's to a Pragun and Salina Rana, who decided to temporarily close the restaurant for renovations. After the restaurant reopened, Aimee stayed on as head chef for a brief period of time. A big lover of seafood, I asked our server for recommendations at my initial visit, and the first thing he said was that I had to try the mussels. Served in a white wine, garlic and basil sauce (Marinara is also an option), the little guys are addictive. Aside from Pearl Dive Oyster Palace (1612 14th Street NW), they were probably the best mussels I’ve ever had. My friend and I then proceeded to split a couple of entrees. The first was the Fileto di Mailale, a pepper crusted pancetta-wrapped pork tenderloin with a potato, pancetta and Portobello hash, served with sautéed spinach and an Amaretti cookie sauce. Additionally, we had the Gnocchi di Ricotta, homemade ricotta gnocchi with spinach and Gorgonzola cream sauce, topped with toasted pistachios. Both were excellent and the portions were huge, which, luckily, Italian food makes for great leftovers. Although I don’t normally order dessert, I couldn’t resist after a peak at the menu. The house-made Mascarpone Cheesecake served with raspberry sauce was the perfect finale to our incredibly rich, carb-laden meal (and an incentive to hit the gym hard the next week.) When I learned that Aimee was leaving and her sous chef, Ryan Baldini, had been promoted to her position, I decided to go back and try out Argia's revised menu. One of my coworkers suggested I try the Arancini fried risotto balls with creamy fontina and parmesan cheeses. They were delicious and not over-battered, which is one my biggest pet peeves when it comes to anything fried. We then moved on to split the Italian shrimp and grits, a rich dish comprised of sauteed shrimp, pancetta, scallions and cream sauce over parmesan polenta, followed by the chicken and porcini mushroom stuffed cannelloni topped with a tomato-bechamel sauce, and a lighter pasta entree of angel hair tossed in olive oil with shrimp, tomatoes, fresh basil and mozzarella. Although I was more than too full for dessert, Chef Ryan wanted us to try the first dessert he had ever made - a bread pudding with cranberries and raisins. Being more of a chocolate and cheesecake type of girl, I wasn't quite sure if I would dig it, but I actually found it delicious and would recommend it to anyone who typically orders bread pudding. Additionally, Argia's has a fantastic new wine list with your typical Cabernet, Pinot Noir and Malbec options. But they also offer unique Italian wines, such as Begali Valpolicello, a Baby Amarone from Veneto, Italy, La Lecciaia, a Sangiovese and Tati Barbera, a Piemonte that is light and fruity. Overall, I highly recommend the mussels, fried risotto balls and pasta tossed with shrimp. But if you're wanting to try something different, the servers are extremely knowledgeable and will be more than happy to help make sure you are 100% satisfied with your selection.

Buon appetito!

Argia's:

124 N. Washington Street

Falls Church, Virginia

(703) 534-1033

Mon-Thu: 11:30am-9:30pm

Fri-Sat: 11:30am-10:30pm

Sun: 5pm-9pm

Post by Dining in DC Contributor, Ashley Morris Ashley Morris moved to DC in May 2011 after graduating from Baylor University (Yeah RG3!) and works at a media relations firm in Alexandria, VA. A lover of food, wine, traveling, and photography, she truly enjoys the diverse culture that DC has to offer. Spending time with friends and family to her is of utmost importance, and she couldn’t think of a better way to bond with them than by enjoying a meal and some drinks at one of DC’s latest hotspots.

DC-Area Restaurants Support Food & Friends Annual Dining Out for Life

Lisa Shapiro — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:05:24 +0000

On Thursday, April 25^th, diners across the Washington, DC area will join hundreds of thousands of others from across North America to stand up against HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses by sitting down and enjoying a meal at one of the many restaurants participating in this year’s Dining Out for Life® fundraiser. More than 100 area restaurants have pledged to contribute 25% to 110% of that day’s proceeds to benefit Food & Friends’ clients living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses throughout the National Capital Region. When: Thursday, April 25^th Where: Food & Friends is thrilled to have more than 100 restaurants on board, including those that are donating their entire evening’s proceeds to Food & Friends – Freddie's Beach Bar & Restaurant (110%), Annie’s Paramount Steak House (100%), and Ristorante Tosca (100%). A complete list of participating restaurants can be found at www.foodandfriends.org/dol. Reservations can be made on OpenTable.com or through the restaurants directly. Photo-Op: Thousands of diners enjoying a meal at locations around the city. Volunteers wearing red aprons mingling with diners. Once again this year, Queen Force One, a enthusiastic troupe of Drag Queens, will be visiting different restaurants throughout the evening.

“Diners can easily make a huge impact on the lives of so many in need in our community simply by going out to dinner on April 25^th,” says Food & Friends’ Executive Director Craig Shniderman. “Funds raised by big events during the year like Dining Out for Life® make it possible for us to serve thousands of meals each day to those living with the challenges of HIV/AIDS, cancer and other debilitating illnesses.”

Last year, more than 25,000 diners, restaurants and volunteers participated in Dining Out for Life®, raising more than $280,000 to support Food & Friends’ mission. ABOUT FOOD & FRIENDS Food & Friends is the only organization in the Washington Metropolitan area providing home-delivered meals, groceries and nutrition counseling to people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses free of charge. Since 1988, Food & Friends has provided more than 15.8 million life-sustaining meals to more than 22,600 individuals. Our service area encompasses 5,346 square miles including the District of Columbia and 14 counties in Maryland and Virginia. For more information about Food & Friends, please visit www.foodandfriends.org.

Spring Kicks Off With the Return of FRESHFARM Markets Farmers Markets

Lisa Shapiro — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:54:16 +0000

On Wednesday, April 17th, Foggy Bottom FRESHFARM Market opened for the season. The first signs of spring herald the return of FRESHFARM Markets’ producer-only farmers markets to communities across the Washington, D.C. region. Other markets will return to full-season hours, such as the Dupont Circle and Silver Spring FRESHFARM Markets. The remaining markets will open in April and early May.

As a non-profit organization whose mission is to build and strengthen the local, sustainable food movement in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, FRESHFARM Markets will hold local food focused events on opening day at all of the markets. The re-opening of the markets is a signal that the bounty of the region’s farms and artisanal producers is again beginning. Shoppers can expect to find their favorite farmers and producers alongside talented newcomers with offerings that add to the diversity of product found at market, including FRESHFARM Markets exclusive products from Border Springs Lamb and North Cove Mushrooms. See below for market specific information and a list of new farmers, producers and products.

The popular Chef at Market cooking demonstrations will take center stage. Emily Hagel, Assistant Director of Kitchen Operations of Miriam’s Kitchen was there on Wednesday to kick-off opening day of Foggy Bottom FRESHFARM Market. Miriam's Kitchen is the gleaning partner for the Foggy Bottom FRESHFARM Market, which means they received donated product from the markets' farmers and producers which they in turn use to provide healthy meals to their clients. She was also there to promote their big fundraising event 100 Bowls of Compassion Gala on May 2nd. The food Miriam's Kitchen will be serving will be sourced from FRESHFARM Markets farmers and producers.

Other Chefs doing Market cooking demonstrations participating include: Wes Morton of Art & Soul (H Street NE), Tracy O’Grady & Kate Jensen of Willow (Ballston), Ed Witt of 8407 Kitchen Bar (Silver Spring), Justin Moore of VIN 909 (Annapolis) and Michael Costa of Zaytinya (Dupont Circle).

Additional highlights of the 2013 season include:

New locations for three markets: Crystal City FRESHFARM Market and Foggy Bottom FRESHFARM Market already have new market homes. St. Michaels FRESHFARM Market will be at Muskrat Park on April 20 & 27, then the market moves to the municipal parking lot off of Talbot Street behind Sweetie’s Bakery for the remainder of the season.
H Street NE FRESHFARM Market open through December 21, a month later then past years.
A new setting for the popular Chef at Market area at the Dupont Circle FRESHFARM Market. It’s moving to Dupont Triangle Park at Q Street on the north end of the market. Highly anticipated book signings and cooking demos this year include acclaimed Persian chef Lousia Shafia, writer and cookbook author Joe Yonan and chef/author Bruce Aidells.
Ballston FRESHFARM Market now accepting SNAP (EBT/Food Stamps).

“Spring is always hopeful and fresh. Our farmers begin again with new energy, our customers anticipate the good food to come and the markets again draw shoppers in with color, flavor and bustle,“ said FRESHFARM Markets Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director Ann Yonkers.

“Spring flowers are at markets now, but be patient for produce like asparagus which is arriving in late April this year,” said FRESHFARM Markets Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director Bernadine Prince.

FRESHFARM Markets will continue partnerships and collaborations with neighborhood groups and like-minded organizations including the Environmental Film Festival, the Phillips Collection and Think Local First, just to name a few. Additionally, event programming that connects the market communities in new and dynamic ways is in development.

New farmers and producers at market include:

Annapolis FRESHFARM Market

· Luke’s Premiere Foods – Small batch heirloom tomato juice, tomato nectar and Bloody Mary mix

· Slippery Slope Farms – Herb plants, herbal-based products including salves and tinctures, goat milk soaps and lotions; and spinning fiber from sheeps and goats

Ballston FRESHFARM Market

· Coulter Farms – Organic beef and lamb, pork, aged raw cow’s milk cheese, eggs and honey

· Panorama Bakery – Baked goods including breads, muffins, pastries, scones and more. They are expanding their offerings to include savory and sweet crepes.

By the White House FRESHFARM Market

Baywater Greens – Hydroponic lettuces and microgreens
Loulies – Seasonal, fresh Central American inspired tacos based mostly on plants from the dynamic duo of Suzanne Simon and Bettina Stern

Crystal City FRESHFARM Market

Breezy Meadows Farms – Poultry, eggs, buffalo milk mozzarella, water buffalo and rabbit

· Cavanna Pasta – Fresh-made Italian pasta and homemade sauces

· The Farm at Our House – Organic fruits and vegetables

Downtown Silver Spring FRESHFARM Market

· North Cove Mushrooms – Oyster and shiitake mushrooms

· No. 1 Sons – Barrel-fermented products, including kimchi and sauerkraut, that combines regional ingredients with traditional fermentation methods and recipes from diverse cultures.

Gone Native – Jarred tomatoes and sauces showcasing the art of local tomatoes

Dupont Circle FRESHFARM Market

Gordy’s Pickle Jar – Artisanal pickles and relishes.
The Red Zebra – Seasonally inspired pizzas made fresh in a wood-fired brick oven at market.

Foggy Bottom FRESHFARM Market

Baklava Couture – Assorted baklava and Greek cookies
Suttler Post Farm – Cut flowers
Three Little Pigs Characuterie & Salumi – Cured meats and sandwiches

H St NE FRESHFARM Market

Frenchie’s – Hand-made croissants
McCaulley’s Peppers – Roasted pepper relish based on a family recipe
Shells Yes! Crab Cake Company – Crab cakes, crab dips and crab soup

Penn Quarter FRESHFARM Market

Gone Native – Jarred tomatoes and sauces showcasing the art of local tomatoes
PA Bowen Farmstead – Raw milk cheeses and variety of pasture-raised meats including pork and beef
Border Springs Lamb – Cuts of lamb, lamb sausage, ground lamb and more. Popular with many DC chefs, this is the only DC-area farmers market where they will be selling their products.

St. Michaels FRESHFARM Market

· Route 33 Baking Company – Seasonal artisan baked goods featuring local ingredients

Sweet Bay Cottage – Farmstead eggs

2013 Markets and Hours

Penn Quarter

Thursdays, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. March 21 - December 19

North end of 8th Street, NW, between D St. and E St., NW

Dupont Circle

Sundays, Year-round

April 7 – December 29: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

January 5 – March 31: 10:00 a.m. – 1 p.m.

20th St., NW between Massachusetts Ave. and Connecticut Ave., in the adjacent parking of PNC Bank

Downtown Silver Spring

Saturdays, Year-round

April 6 – December 28: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

January 5 – March 30: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Ellsworth Dr. between Fenton St. and Georgia Ave.

Foggy Bottom

Wednesdays, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

April 17 - November 27

23^rd and I St , NW Walkway

(G World card accepted here)

H Street, NE

Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

April 20 – December 21

13^th and H St., NE

St. Michaels

Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

April 20 - October 13

Location: Will be at Muskrat Park on April 20^th & 27^th. The market then moves to the municipal parking lot off of Talbot Street behind Sweetie’s Bakery for the rest of the year.

Crystal City

Tuesdays, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

April 30 - November 26

Corner of 18^th St. and S. Bell St., adjacent to Crystal City Metro

Ballston

Thursdays, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

May 2 – October 31

Welburn Square between N. Taylor St. & N Stuart St.

by the White House

Thursdays, 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

May 2 - October 31

810 Vermont Ave., NW (between H St. and I St., NW)

Annapolis

Sundays, 8:30 a.m. – 12 noon

May 5 - November 24

Donner Parking Lot, Compromise St, on the Harbor in Downtown Annapolis

Taan Noodles Adds to DC's Ramen Explosion

AparnaK — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:38:50 +0000

DC is in the midst of a ramen explosion. Although wait times are measured in hours at these trendy, no-reservation small spots, many make long treks out to get some of that soothing broth and noodles, especially on a day like today. When a ramen place recently opened within walking distance of home, of course I had to check it out.

Location:

Taan DC (1817 Columbia Rd., NW), located within the vibrant Adams Morgan neighborhood, it is literally only a block away from another new ramen joint, Sakuramen and adjacent to the acclaimed Mintwood Place. Even with all the ramen hype in DC, Taan Noodles has a somewhat downplayed presence in Adams Morgan. There is no signage outside, so unless you know to look for it, you will probably miss it.

Luckily for us, there was no wait and we were seated immediately. The ground floor, where we were seated is all high top tables and bar seating. The décor is minimalistic but cozy and casual, with old doors adorning the walls. There is also an upper deck “waiting area”. There is not a lot of seating available in general, and while I did not have to wait for a seat I can definitely see why there would be a longer wait on busy nights.

The food

When I first looked at the menu, I was a bit surprised by how few choices there were. There were only a few different appetizers and four different types of ramen. Not an extensive menu, but as I would find out with my meal, solid flavors and quality in their offerings.

We started with warm sake, which was perfect for the cold evening. For starters, we got the pork belly tamale which was on special. Yes, a tamale in a ramen shop. I’m glad we ordered this, because it was delicious. Slightly spicy, slightly tangy pork belly in a perfectly steamed tamale. A great start to the meal.

I was intrigued by the vegetarian ramen which had a beet based broth. I can’t say I am a fan of beets, although I don’t dislike them. Turns out the vegetarian ramen was surprisingly good – a beet borscht broth loaded with pickled beets, charred corn, baby carrots, tomatoes, noodles, yuzu crème fraiche, and basil scented olive oil. I cheated a bit and added the chicken meatballs. The pickled vegetables stood out, as did the spicy roasted tomato. I also liked that they used fresh corn charred off the cob, instead of frozen. Definitely worth the effort. The chicken meatballs were amazing too, super tender and flavorful. All in all, the ramen was something truly unique and I was very pleased with the generous portion.

My husband got the “everything but the sink” dish - pork belly, duck confit, chicken confit, pickled cucumber, tomato, charred corn, scallions, mushrooms, mustard greens, chilies, nori, and egg yolk. Whew – definitely a meat lover’s dream; however, the maze-men did not come with any broth –only a small amount of soup that wets everything in the bowl. This was explained to us by our server, but my husband decided that he needed the broth and decided to get it as an add-on. He was very pleased with his dish, but felt that the vegetables were a bit too prominent for his liking and taste. You wouldn't know it thought, as he polished off the entire bowl.

While Taan is not exactly cheap ($12-$15 for a bowl, and $7-$10 for an appetizer), you really can’t complain when you are getting duck confit and pork belly. The interesting flavor combinations at Taan by itself warrants a visit. While the drinks were a bit on the pricier side, I was very pleased with the service and the food overall.

I think it's great that Adams Morgan now has 2 ramen shops right next door to one another and I know I’ll be back. If you want a fun place to go to for some legit but unique ramen flavors, head on over to Taan.

Taan is located at 1817 Columbia Rd., NW and opened in November 2012.

Post by Dining in DC Contributor, Aparna K.

As a little girl, Aparna remembers sneaking pots and ladles from the kitchen

buy levitra

to her room and pretending to add and stir imaginary ingredients. Grown up now, Aparna is still a foodie at heart. Her day is spent in the corporate world, but you can find her eating her way around the District at night. When not obsessing over food, she can be found playing a drum with Batala Washington, shopping for jewelry or planning her next vacation. Aparna is also a contributor at Borderstan. You can follow her on Twitter @aparnakris

Prepping for a Doubleheader: Where to Go Before or After Nationals Games

Sean O'Brien — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 01:17:14 +0000

It's baseball season once again. Presidents with giant heads have laced up their running shoes and fans have donned their favorite Nationals gear. While we may not all have “Natitude,” many Washingtonians are looking forward to a trip to Nationals Park. Hot dogs, cold beer, and the seventh inning stretch (or as I call it, the loosening of seven notches on the belt) hold a special place in our hearts. Nationals Park has a plethora of dining options inside the stadium, but I refuse to subside strictly off of foot long hot dogs, peanuts, and cold aluminum bottles of Bud Light. Last year I put together a list of places to go before and after Nationals games (I wanted options besides The Bullpen and a trip to Chinatown). Since last season a few other options have opened up, so I'm back with an updated list of the best places to go before or after a Nationals game. Play Ball! Navy Yard (Navy Yard Metro): Last year Navy Yard had only one option worth checking out. By the end of this season Navy Yard will be awash with great options for filling your stomach or getting three sheets to the wind. If you forgot to wear your walking shoes or you are trying to wait out the metro, these are your best gets for neighborhood gems. Justin’s Café (1025 1st St., SE): Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the metro, you'll find this neighborhood watering hole. I loved it last year and I love it again this year. Set into a corner of the Velocity Building, Justin’s Café provides a great (albeit small) place to grab a bite to eat and a drink before or after the game. The food is great and a wide array of craft breweries make this Café a slugger in it’s own right. The Sweet Potato Fries (sprinkled with cinnamon) have had my companions eating off my plate, and the Bison Burger (served with horseradish cheddar cheese on an Onion Brioche bun) is among the better bison offerings I have had in D.C. If you can grab a seat at this café, you will not be disappointed. Gordon Biersch (100 M St., SE): Wunderbar! The new kid on the block is the latest outpost of the brewpub Gordon Biersch chain. Serving up an array of German beers, this is not a place for people looking to watch their carbs (I mean you could, but you’d be more miserable than a carnivore with a bacon allergy). With a seating capacity of 226 and seating outdoors on their patio for 88, this restaurant can easily accommodate a large crowd before or after a game. Order some of their famed garlic French fries and a pint of beer. You may not be cheering for the Nats but you will definitely cheer for “mehr Bier bitte!" Park Tavern (202 M St., SE): This new addition to the Navy Yard scene has been on the verge of opening for months. The doors of this contemporary American restaurant finally opened. Park is unique in that it features a large patio overlooking a water park during warm weather, which turns into an ice rink during the winter. Chef Steve Rosenthal was most recently behind the line at Green Pig Bistro, and he has crafted a menu featuring flatbreads, sandwiches,and entrees for people looking for an upscale dinner around the Navy Yard. While Park has a workable beer menu, their main focus is on wine. The menu highlights the restaurant's "personal connection" with some of their winemakers and features a large array of wine from Oregon, California, and Washington. Bluejacket (300 Tingey St., SE): Okay... so this restaurant is not yet open, but I would be run out of this city faster than a Republican with a Stalin tattoo if I did not include Bluejacket on my list. Located a few blocks away from Nationals Stadium in the Boilermaker Building, Bluejacket is planning a late-May or early-June launch. This brewpub from the growing empire, Neighborhood Restaurant Group, is casting quite the shadow on the D.C. restaurant scene. The 7,000-square-foot former boiler factory is going to be the playground to beer director Greg Engert and head brewer Megan Parisi (who came to DC from the Cambridge Brewing Company). With 19 fermentation vessels in house, they have plenty of toys to play with. Beer lovers from all over the D.C. area are excited to sample the wide array of beers that will be served up by Bluejacket (current plans include 15 drafts and five cask ales at all times). While the beer gets the bright lights, the food will likely be a fan favorite knowing Neighborhood Restaurant Group (the same group that has brought us other beer-centric joints, such as Birch & Barley, and Rustico). So get ready D.C. (and God be with you if you get in line before me), Bluejacket will definitely be hitting a home run. Eastern Market/ Barracks Row: Just a short jaunt from the Navy Yard, this strip of D.C. has developed into a happening scene of good neighborhood restaurants and bars. Not only does this stretch of Eighth Street, SE provide for some outstanding options for food and drink, but also an alternative metro stop in case the Green Line is backed up. Cave Mezze (527 8th St., SE): If you’re looking for a variety of small bites or are attempting a baseball date (I’ve seen it done with great success), this is the place for you. Cava, a fixture of the D.C. metro area since 2006, focuses on serving authentic Greek small plates using only the freshest local ingredients. Cava is my among my favorite brunch spots in Eastern Market and is a great place to go if you are attending an early afternoon game during the weekend. The Cava Fries (hand-cut with oregano, sea salt, & feta) are a great mixture of flavors and are a nice compliment to the Spicy Lamb Benedict. Perfect, especially when dining on the roof deck! Matchbox (521 8th St., SE): Another staple, Matchbox toasts the competition when it comes to pizza in Eastern Market. While a visit to their Chinatown location often comes with a very long wait, you will find none of that here due to their larger dining room. You might just show up for a beer (their selection features award-winners and regional favorites like Flying Dog Brewery), but good luck sticking to that after you walk by the giant brick pizza oven set out alongside the bar. I walked in for a quick drink. I rolled out padded with pizza dough. If pizza is not your thing, you can always fill up on their renowned mini sliders or order a few of their infused cocktails (try the jalapeno-infused Margarita). Now open: new location in Mosaic District (Fairfax, VA). Ambar (523 8th St., SE): Serbian cuisine may not be what you think of when you think of baseball, but I say don’t knock it until you try it. Owner Ivan Iricanin’s restaurant is a new edition to 8th Street and it seeks to combine the best flavors of the New World and the Old World. Focusing on small plates, diners can expect dishes like grilled bacon-wrapped prunes, beef-and-pork kebabs (cevapi) and much more. I highly recommend this for anyone looking to try something new before heading to watch America’s pastime. Lola's Barracks Bar & Grill (521 8th St., SE): This bar and grill is often referred to as "Capitol Hill's Favorite Little Hideaway." Lola’s has a classic vintage feel that is increasingly hard to find in D.C. With three mahogany-laden floors and two patios, Lola’s has the capacity for everyone in your group. I highly recommend having a giant pint of Guinness and their famous “Badass Baja Fish Tacos.” Southwest Waterfront (Waterfront Metro): One metro stop from the Navy Yard or a 10-15 minute walk from National’s stadium is my favorite hidden gem of D.C. neighborhoods (biased resident alert). The Southwest Waterfront, lying along the Tidal Basin and facing West Potomac Park, is another up and coming neighborhood that will soon be a regular stop for District residents. In the meantime, the Waterfront (or simply “Southwest” as we locals refer to it) has two great options for before or after a game. Cantina Marina (600 Water St., SW): A tropical getaway within the District limits, Cantina Marina is unlike any other establishment in D.C. Situated at the end of a dock (Sittin’ On The Dock of the Basin?), Cantina is an outdoors getaway, but is only open during the warmer months of the year. Featuring a menu that focuses on Tex-Mex and Cajun-Creole dishes, it is hard to find an item that doesn't compliment a sunny day. While I would not suggest you head here in case of a rain delay, I do suggest you order their famous Shrimp Tacos or their Thai-chili pepper tossed Firecracker Calamari. Thirsty? Wash either of those dishes down with a refreshing Coronarita (Corona+Margarita= happy if somewhat hazy memories). Station 4 (1101 4th St., SW): This upscale restaurant, literally steps away from the Waterfront metro entrance, offers “modern American cuisine” and caters to a diverse crowd of baseball fans, locals, and theater patrons (the Arena Stage is located a block away). With a kitchen that opens early for brunch and stays open late, you’ll be hard pressed to not satisfy your hunger pangs here. I highly recommend trying the Charred Octopus (with Tomato-Feta tartar, smoked paprika aioli, and potato confit) or the Station 4 Pizza (topped with Tomato Salsa, Pork Belly, Blue Cheese, Caramelized Onions, Baby Arugula and a Fig Balsamic Reduction). If you come for brunch you can enjoy bottomless mimosas and bloody marys with an entree for $25. Sean O’Brien, Men’s Interest Editor is Dining in DC’s only (and therefore strongest and most intelligent) male contributor. Before he became a Daywalker, Sean was a bartender and bar manager for longer than his parents care to admit. A Marylander born and raised, Sean has spent the better part of his twenties exploring and tasting DC from every corner. His wish for the world is that every week involve crabs, Saison-style beer, bourbon or Old Bay.

When he is not working or eating, Sean is likely to be found running or hiking around DC. Follow him on Twitter at @sotweets, but be prepared for sarcasm and snide comments about people who say “YOLO” (You only live once) or “totes.”