Dine & Dash

Sweet Spot: Life-Size Gingerbread House

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:19 -0500

WHAT WE WANT to know is, how did the witch in "Hansel and Gretel" not manage to eat her own house by the time those two greedy brats showed up? Just imagine an 8-foot-tall structure made entirely of gingerbread, glued all over with candy, even a fireplace — OMG THERE IT IS!!

If you're knocking around the Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City beginning on Friday, Nov. 28, you will be treated with the sight of this dream come true — a life-size gingerbread house baked and built by the good witches of the Ritz' kitchen. The tasty home is occupied by three stuffed bears, but they won't mind if the tinies walk through with an adult to take in all the details. On Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, pastry chef Noree Hathaway leads kids in two gingerbread house-making workshops each day.

» The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City, 1250 S. Hayes St., Arlington; life-size house, free, on display through Jan. 2; workshops are at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., $54 for children, including lunch; $45 for adults; 703-415-5000, www.ritzcarlton.com/pentagoncity. (Pentagon City)

Photo by Julia Ewan for The Washington Post

The 365 Days of Thanksgiving: T-Day Food Anytime

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:17 -0500

WHILE THANKSGIVING ISN'T for another week, area restaurants have us saying, "Holy yams!" to these fabulous Turkey Day-inspired edibles and drinkables, which are available year-round.

Bo Blair, owner of the popular Georgetown sandwich shop Jetties deserves a Nobel Prize for deciding to sell a Thanksgiving-leftovers sandwich. The eatery's specialty sammy, the Nobadeer, is stacked with carved turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce on sourdough bread. Look how much Blair's colleague David Scribner is enjoying it in the picture! Get one yourself, and then, if you need a side dish on the way home, stop by the well-known Cafe Saint-Ex for its one-of-a-kind sweet potato fries.

Our Sacred Constitution: Drink Up -- It's the Law

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:59 -0500

ON DEC. 5, the DC Craft Bartenders' Guild is hosting a repeal party featuring Repeal Day Bourbon Punch with Old Forester's Repeal Day Bourbon, December 5th Cocktail with Domaine de Canton Ginger Liquer, and Tom & Jerry with Mt. Gay Rum, St. Remy VSOP and Tom & Jerry batter.

Revenue prices go toward drinks, snacks and a donation to the City Tavern Club's Preservation Fund and the Museum of the American Cocktail.

» City Tavern Club, 3206 M St. NW, Repeal Day Ball, Dec. 5, 8 p.m.-midnight, $80, $90 after Nov. 20.

Written by Express contributor Stefanie Gans
Photo courtesy of Old Forester

What Is This Stuff? Yes, We Have No Turkey

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:16 -0500

EQUINOX OWNER-CHEF Todd Gray proves that turkey is, well, for the birds with his apple cider-brined tofurkey.

The five-course vegetarian Thanksgiving tasting menu also includes chestnut soup; capalacci (large ravioli) gingered kabocha squash; mushroom, frisee and hazelnut salad; and vanilla bean carrot cake. It's offered all through Thanksgiving week, and we all know calories don't count for vegetables.

» Equinox, 818 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-331-8118. (Farragut North)

Written by Express contributor Stefanie Gans
Photo courtesy Equinox

Long Live the Beer!: Chimay Anniversary Celebration

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:31 -0500

BELGIAN BEER LOVERS everywhere know about Chimay. And even though I'm more of a wine gal, I am a huge fan of these tiny brown bottles with their red, white and blue labels.

The red (Rouge) has the least alcohol and is easiest on puny palates. The Blue (Bleue) is the most alcoholic and is the classic Chimay. The white (Blanche) is mediumly alcoholic and only for the most refined of beer drinkers. Although, who am I kidding, none of these are for a Miller Lite fan.

Adams Morgan favorite The Reef is celebrating the arrival of these fine suds on American shores 25 years ago with a Chimay Anniversary Celebration tonight: expect Chimay beer, Chimay cheese, prizes and other Belgian beers from Allagash.

» The Reef, 2446 18th St. NW; Wed., Nov. 19, 6-11 p.m., free; 202-518-3800. (Woodley Park)

So Saucy: Chef Jacques Pepin

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:16:56 -0500

IT'S THAT TIME of year when food is on everyone's mind. Whether it's choosing which brine to use for a turkey or how to avoid eating too many pumpkin products, the cold weather months will surely have you tuning to the Food Network.

But, wait, there is a way to revolt against the monopoly that is the Food Network, Giada, Bobby and Paula.

Enter Jacques Pepin and public television.

Pepin is not overstylized. Pepin is not going to use cream of mushroom soup as a base for a green bean casserole. He grew up in France, living through a world war and cooking for top restaurants. Once stateside, he whipped through plenty of cooking assignments, even landing as a director of research and new development at Howard Johnson's. He counted Julia Child as a friend and has written 26 cookbooks.

With his new PBS show, "More Fast Food My Way" (a sequel to the show/book "Fast Food My Way") and companion book, the 73-year-old, heavily accented chef is tearing through the country on a P.R. tour — and getting really mad about thick sauce reductions posing as punctuation on a plate.

The Department of Tasty: Political Food at Asia Nine

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:24:10 -0500

SINCE NOV. 4 passed, we've safely, if cautiously, emerged from behind our computer screens. But in area restaurants, the recent presidential election is still a creative inspiration.

Asia Nine continues to roll out the themed novelty dishes with a selection of maki sushi inventions in honor of the new administration -- and as a tip o' the toque to the outgoing administration. Owner Nuthinepan Tantivejakul and chef-owner Boonrod Yotmanee are whipping up the Obama Roll -- mixed green vegetables, basil and a dusting of sesame seeds -- and a crabmeat-cucumber-wasabi concoction dubbed the "Biden Roll," meaning, we assume, its flavors are generally well liked but don't inspire passion.

We're all for change, but not too fast -- we want a Lame Duck Roll (roasted duck, cucumber, scallion, crunchy soy nuggets and hoisin sauce) before the current administration becomes history. All selections are paired with a sparkling sake flecked with gold for $15; a la carte sushi orders are $12 each.

» Asia Nine, 915 E St. NW; 202-629-4355. (Archives-Navy Memorial)

The Galaxy Is Expanding Every Second: Lunch at Galaxy Hut

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:09:01 -0500

CLARENDON CLUB Galaxy Hut began serving lunch this week. The menu is the same one you've always known, but now you can eat beginning at 11:30 a.m. (except on Saturdays). Our favorite part: their happy hour now starts at 11:30 a.m. and goes straight through till 8 p.m. Way to take the edge off a workday.

» Galaxy Hut, 2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; 703-525-8646. (Clarendon)

Photo by Gerald Martineau/The Washington Post

Burgers for Everyone! Five Guys

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:50:46 -0500

WE STILL REFUSE to call it "NoMa," but we might have to start calling the area of town North of Massachusetts Ave. something. Because they, like the rest of the civilized world, have a Five Guys now.

The delicious, no-frills burger joint now has 262 locations, and the newest one is next to the New York Ave. Metro Station at 2nd and N Streets NE.

Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post

Tastes Like Healthy Chicken: Chix

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:15:39 -0500

AS SOON AS the first piece hits your lips, there's only one reaction to have: "Mmm. Tastes like hormone-free chicken. Marinated in an exotic spice blend and served with delicious sides." You want some, don't you? Visit Chix just off of U Street.

While it has been around for a while, this eco-friendly, health conscious establishment deserves a reintroduction. Chix falls into that miraculous category of eatery — it's not fast food, but at $8-$10 an entree it won't break the bank either. It's also perfect for a sit down meal in the restaurant's modest dining room or to take home. Finally, we must note their brilliant reverse happy hour on Friday and Saturday nights, when bottles of wine are $10 from 8-10 p.m.