The Latest Dish

dining out

By Linda Roth Conte

October 2008

Photo: Roberta McCain, Arnold Palmer, Kit Palmer, and LT Andy Baldwin - Lone Sailor Award honoree Arnold Palmer (who served in the U.S. Coast Guard) joined guests at the National Building Museum Gala on Sept. 30.

DC’s own Capital Food Fight returns on Tuesday, November 11 for its heavy-weight battle between top chefs!  Once again José Andrés will chair and host the chef battle. He is joined by co-chairs Barry Watkins of Eagle Bank, The Honorable Elizabeth Dole and guest host, Food Network’s Ted Allen. It’s a time to sample cuisine from the area’s finest chefs, as well as to watch top chefs battle live on stage to benefit DC Central Kitchen. Last year’s winner, Chef Barton Seaver, defends his title against 4 challengers: David Deshaies from Michel Richard’s Citronelle, Peter Smith of PS7s, Tony Conte of The Oval Room, and Stephen Lewandowski from Tribeca Grill, NY. Guest judges include: Food Network’s Dave Lieberman, and Chef Rock Harper, a Hell’s Kitchen Winner. Get your tickets early—this event sells fast. Visit www.capitalfoodfight.org. Tickets will be $175 each.

Sample the sweet bounty of fall with Westend Bistro’s new dessert menu. Westend’s passion for high-quality local ingredients inspired Le Bernardin’s world-renowned, award-winning pastry chef, Michael Laiskonis, to create new desserts featuring ingredients from the Foggy Bottom Farmer’s Market and local vendors. Sip on warm apple cider served with house-made beignets. Dessert menu items will continue to change with the seasons to best showcase weekly market finds. Visit www.westendbistrodc.com for a full menu.

This Thanksgiving, Renaissance M Street Hotel in the west end offers rooms at $119 per night, keeping your out-of-town dinner guests ‘relatively’ close (and off the couch) this holiday. In-laws won’t hover and crowd the kitchen, family stays functional, and friends stay friends - sounds like a winning combination to me. For reservations, visit www.renaissancemstreethotel.com. The hotel lobby restaurant, M Bar, has a whole new look with cozy banquettes, a communal table and a tremendous C-shaped couch to bring contemporary comfort to the neighborhood. Stop in for daily happy hour specials.

That ‘case of the Monday’s’ is a bountiful wine casket at Black Market Bistro (4600 Waverly Avenue, Garrett Park, MD)! Every Monday in October, Black Market Bistro takes half-off of most of their wine list.  Patrons at lunch or dinner can enjoy iconic California bottles like Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay for only $36 or Stag’s Leap Petite Syrah for $33 and many of Black Market’s eclectic wines from around the world.  Visit www.blackmarketrestaurant.com for menus or call 301-933-3000 for reservations.

Chef Amy Brandwein has us running to fyve Restaurant and Lounge. Athletes and foodies can fuel up and recharge with healthy, flavorful carbs on her Marine Corps Marathon inspired menu, including special whole-wheat pasta dishes available through October. Guests will find Whole-Wheat Spaghetti, Rapini and Pecoricino; Penne Arrabbiata; Pumpkin Gnocchi; and Pappardelle with Duck Ragu. For reservations call 703-412-2760.

Chef Arra Lawson warms up Addie’s, Rockville’s most romantic converted house and pre-Strathmore destination, with an autumn menu inspired by Arra’s southern roots and French culinary training. Try the fried artichoke and pinenut salad, parmesan & bacon wrapped scallops, Berkshire pork loin or a tandem of vegetable tarts. Every Tuesday, half-priced wine bottles will be offered to pair alongside the new autumnal delights. For hours and menus, visit www.addiesrestaurant.com.

While DC hasn’t considered life beyond Election Day, the holidays are right around the corner. We’re making our list and warming up to local sweetheart Gifford’s for their hot chocolate kits stocked with marshmallows and sugar sticks as gifts. The kits pair nicely with our favorite ice cream flavors or with Gifford’s creamy caramel candies. For sweet treats or corporate gift ideas, visit the online store at www.giffords.com or stop by one of their seven stores in DC/MD. 

The Zenith Community Arts Foundation (413 7th Street NW) has cooked up a great event to raise money for the Capital Area Food Bank on October 23. The theme of the show is Changing Courses, and as in the past, artworks in the exhibition will be featured in the Food Glorious Food 2009 Calendar, along with recipes contributed by top local chefs, including Jeff & Barbara Black. Highlights of the festive evening will include a silent auction and tasty treats prepared by participating chefs. Ticket fare benefits the Capital Area Food Bank at $50 per person and each guest receives a complimentary calendar. For more information contact Judith Keyserling at 202-726-1627 or visit www.zenithgallery.com and www.CapitalAreaFoodBank.org.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Café Atlantico will be raising money for the fight against breast cancer. On October 28th, Café Atlantico presents its second annual Girls’ Night Out Wine Dinner with a five-course menu specially created by Chef Terri Cutrino with wine pairings by Beverage Director Jill Zimorski, who has purchased Riedel’s limited edition Pink “O” champagne flutes for the dinner. A portion of the cost of these glasses goes to Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a group that works with breast cancer survivors. The cost for the dinner is $125 per person. Space is limited, so make reservations soon at Café Atlantico at 202-393-0812.

Return to the top