Steady

Post Labor Day I'll stop by traveling and be a regular in D.C. again. Until then, sorry for the intermittent posting -- for the few of you who read this.

I did a review of Il Mulino for Restaurant Week. Not a fan. Please don't take me there on a date.

A new restaurant opened in Leesburg. Cajun Experience. Pecan pie, my favorite dessert, is allegedly their speciality. If I don't go to the beach this weekend, you'll find me in Leesburg to try this cute & quaint new restaurant!

Otherwise, GO OUTSIDE!!!! =) The weather is absolutely fantastic. Lots of bistro dining to be had while The Hill staffers are still in recess. I ventured all the way to Silver Spring to find a respectable chips, salsa and margarita joint. Mi Rancho. Doesn't compare to Texas, but it passses muster for D.C.

More reviews to come!

Bingeing on Restaurant Week

I went to a glorious meal at Bistro Bis yesterday for Restaurant Week. My review for NBC can be found here. I can't wait to go back for a romantic, three-hour dinner one night ... =)

Some restaurants are extending their Restaurant Week specials. Check out the full list here.

On a side note, Frank Bruni wrote his last column for The New York Times Food Section yesterday! "Good Tips at the End of His Meals" is a foodie hit-list of his favorite restaurants in NYC. I wonder who will fill his spot at the NYT??

Finally, The Washington Post did an article the other day on the lure of iced coffee. Considering I drink coffee as my breakfast -- instead of eating a hearty meal (don't tell my mother) -- I was fascinated with the read. ENJOY!

Free Cupcake

One year birthday of "Hello Cupcake" in Dupont Circle means you can get a free cupcake! While supplies last!

IT'S DC RESTAURANT WEEK!

I'm so excited! It's DC Restaurant Week. Lunch deals for $20.09 and dinner for $35.09.

So far I have one reservation -- which is actually quite pathetic -- but that's only because I've eaten at so many of these restaurants. My sole reservation is at Bistro Bis, allegedly, according to Todd Klinman, the best restaurant week deal. I am determined to try at least 2 or 3 more.

Bring on the Bourbon Steak!

I've always wanted to go eat at the exquisite Bourbon Steak nestled inside The Four Season, but the price tag on the menu gives me sticker shock! I guess the recession must be hitting them to because they are now giving some great deals. Below is their presser for the Fall Lounge Menu. I can't wait to go!!

BOURBON STEAK Unveils A New Lounge Menu for Fall

Washington, D.C., (August 17, 2009) – Dubbed one of Washington’s hottest bar scenes, Michael Mina’s BOURBON STEAK, located at 2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW is unveiling a new lounge menu created by Executive Chef David Varley. The menu is divided into four sections: “Snacks,” “Sharing,” “Lettuce Cups” “BOURBON Bar Burgers” dishing up an array of options for guests to enjoy while relaxing in the expansive 42-seat bar/lounge or on the 47-seat, very private outdoor patio complete with three fire pits.

Tempting snacks, ideal for nibbling while enjoying a seasonal cocktail, are priced from $5 to $10, and include black truffle popcorn made with truffle butter and fine herbs; sweet & spicy beef jerky; crispy shrimp chips with Old Bay seasoning, as well as warm California olives served with garlic, and hot & spicy pepper.

For those who feel like sharing, alluring small plates are priced between $8 and $21 and include lobster corn dogs served with whole-grain mustard sauce; Cabot Clothbound Cheddar potato puffs and Hudson Valley foie gras mousse served with a port wine jelly and toasted country bread. Assortments of lettuce cups are also available for guests seeking something on the lighter side, and are priced between $9 and $19. Highlights include tempura lobster served with mustard crème fraiche; pulled pork barbeque with pickled watermelon rind; sweet shrimp “Louie” with avocado and shaved green onion, as well as Thai crispy rice and basil salad with tamarind sauce.

Juicy burgers with all the fixings have also made their way onto Chef David Varley’s new lounge menu and incorporate meat from new vendor, Master Purveyors, who are escalating the quality of product served at BOURBON STEAK. “We are very excited to incorporate these new meats from Master Purveyors into our menu at BOURBON STEAK,” says Varley. “Everything we buy from them is hand selected hanging beef, dry aged the old fashioned way on the rail with no cryovac interference. I like them because they are extreme in what they do and represent their work and product like no other in the business. Eighty percent of what we buy from them is USDA Prime and aged for a minimum of 40 days.”

Burgers are available in either standard size, or can be ordered as a trio of sliders, with standouts such as oak-fired prime steak burger with house made pickles, Cabot Clothhound cheddar and a secret sauce; Vegetarian Falafel Burger, a recipe passed down by Chef Michael Mina’s Mother’s made with Tahini Sauce, Tomatoes, and Parsley as well as glazed salmon burger made “bahn mi” style with garden cilantro, jalapenos and shredded carrots. For the perfect pairing, guests can also choose from a trio of duck fat fries or red onion rings, priced at $5 each. Burger prices range from $13 to $16.

BOURBON STEAK, a Michael Mina Restaurant, is located at the Mobile Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond Four Seasons Hotel, at 2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. The restaurant serves lunch weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. which includes complimentary valet parking, and dinner is served nightly, beginning at 6 p.m. and ending at 10 p.m. on weeknights and from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on weekends. A fixed price pre-theater menu is also available for $59 per person with complimentary valet parking for up to five hours. This special offering is available nightly for reservations seated between 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. At BOURBON STEAK guests will find a spacious 144-seat restaurant, plus a private dining room which can accommodate parties of 22, and a handsome bar/lounge with a total of 42 seats. Additionally, an expansive outdoor patio with 47 seats and three fire pits is also serving through the fall months, weather permitting. For reservations please call (202) 944-2026.

Football, golf, beer and fruit?

Ah bliss. Football season officially kicked off last night with the first pre-season games. I'm so in love ... and it was the first day of the PGA Championship. Those two sports are the best, with college trumping pro.

In addition to watching grown men play with pigskins and drivers, you know what the "height" of sport season means dontcha? Pre-game grilling and beer. lol. Of course you can always eat those foods, but it more fun when you know that your team -- GO TEXAS LONGHORNS! GO COWBOYS! -- is going to go kick some Big 12/NFC East jerseys. =)

I like Whitlow's on Wilson. Cheap food and beer. Also, the Texas Exes watch at Rhodeside Grill. Again cheap food and beer.

Speaking of beer, I was wrong to say that it was this week. OOPS! I blame that on the "jet-lag." Instead it starts this Sunday. There is a strong likelihood you will catch me at Brassiere Beck on Monday before I head to the Meese concert at the 930 club or on Wednesday night at District Chophouse to sample one of their inhouse brewed specials.

As for this weekend, I've always wanted to visit Monticello. I've never gone -- sad, I know, considering how much of a political junkie I am! -- but this Saturday they are having a "Summer Fruit Tasting." For a mere $10, you can try the fruits of Thomas Jefferson's garden. Should be a great trip!

Enough with the chains already!

Last night, in addition to my weekly trip to The Whole Foods in Clarendon for a slice of pizza, I had three break-and-bake chocolate chip cookies from Giant. A dozen cookies for $2.99. I'm sure I'll die of diabetes one day -- 'probably shouldn't joke about it -- but for now I am going to enjoy the fact that I can eat cookies for dinner and not feel so bad about it.

My diet is pretty boring in its rotation of blandness. I've gotten into a sandwich rut, i.e. where I eat a sandwich a day. It's like I'm channeling my inner Earl of Sandwich.

I did enjoy an excellent sandwich at Corner Bakery yesterday. $6.99 for the "Uptown Turkey on Harvest Toast." Hickory smoked turkey breast, crisp applewood smoked bacon, sliced avocado, leaf lettuce, tomatoes, and mayonnaise. The bacon was too dry and the bread too hard, but for the price I felt full when I was done. Also, if you sign up for the Corner Bakery email distribution list, you get a free cookie on your return trip.

Enough of these chains though! What is there good to eat in Washington, D.C.? I'm really struggling to find good, cheap eats which aren't chains!! I need to be a better scavenger ...

I guess I'm going to have to hold out for DC's Restaurant Week in less than two weeks. The Washingtonian has a listing of some good menus here. I went to Acadiana once and really enjoyed it. Must go back.