August, 2007 -

by BS

How Green Was My Gazpacho

First off, yes I know it is a faux pax to include back-to-back posts about green. But hey, we like green around here.

My suburban brother stopped by this week with about 8 gardens worth of fresh vegetables. After polishing off the tomatoes by making several batches of Edouble’s salsa, I turned my attention to the cucumbers.

This green gazpacho is an original taste, mostly inspired by my current sweet-and-spicy fixation. I know Gansie is still not on board with last year’s trend of fruits intermingling with veggies, and I admit the flava profile here is a bit crazy, but it is a work in progress, albeit already a tasty one. Recipe after the j.

Bistrot Du Coin

Not everyone in this country hates the French, and that’s fully apparent at the rowdy Bistrot Du Coin: Mussels, fries, and (fake?) French accents run wild in this two-level drunken haven. Start by sharing the perfectly dressed mesclun salad (forget the French onion soup,) and you can also get away with splitting a grown-up version of mac and cheese: [baby] ravioles du royan, which has a thick cream sauce with Swiss and gruyere. But, please, save room for the best steak deal in town— le steak maison, an enormous flat, long and juicy cut of beef topped with butter and fresh herbs. You’ll want to smother it with a gravy-boat sized portion of bernaise sauce, and hey, no one would blame you—but you’d be better off saving some to dip the fries in.
For: A steak dinner that doesn’t need an expense account

Entrees: $15-24. 202-234-6969. 1738 Connecticut Ave., NW

Originally in the Onion / DC local edition / July 5, 2007

Photo: Bistrot Du Coin

in Red Meat 5 comments

by gansie

J-Lo & DeNiro

Okay, so don’t tell anyone, but I actually didn’t start eating Mexican food til I was late in my college years. My fam just never really went out for Mexican; we were more the Italian strip mall, order-in Chinese suburban family. I guess the closest thing was my brother ordering the chicken fajitas at TGI Fridays.

Regardless, now my fridge is always filled with something that has an Hispanic feel to it – jalepenos, chipotles, tortillas… By using the plethora of Hispanic markets down the street to my advantage, I can easily throw together one of my go-to dinners – tortilla pizza. Tortilla pizza works best as a leftover haven.

Find out how Hispanics and Italians mingle post-jump

Tintol Tapas Bar

Spanish Tapas joints have become commonplace enough in America that the trendiness factor is pretty much completely worn out. Enter Portuguese Tapas…ooh, pretty edgy, right?

The narrow, low-key bar at Tintol is out of place on a gaudy block just East of Times Square, and the restaurant is a welcome addition to an area not known for originality in eating establishments.

Tintol does offer some of the favorites among traditional Spanish Tapas, including lightly-breaded Croquetas and perfect Papas Bravas (golden fried potatoes loaded with a spicy paprika kick). The menu also includes more specifically Portuguese specialities such as grilled sardines (fresh and light fish that I am now aware can be far, far tastier than the oily, canned varieties – they’re second from the top above); and Almondegas (ground lamb meat balls stewed with diced vegetables).

For those seeking lighter fare, there are healthy servings of Serrano Ham, cheese and olives, but this isn’t the type of Tapas place that leaves you wondering when the main course is coming; the portions are big enough that two to three plates per person will leave you stuffed.

The Tapas are supplemented by a lengthy list of reds, whites and sherries, and the dessert menu features Pudim Albade de Perisco, a super-rich and delicious Portugese take on flan.

All in all, I’m in favor of Portuguese Tapas. Get ’em now before they’re trendy.

155 W. 46th Street, 212.354.3838

UPDATE: Tintol is moving on up….

Photo: Tintol

in Fish / Trends 2 comments

by BS

Corn off the Cob Salad

Made this one for a family picnic….it’s a good way to use up leftover summertime corn on the cob, which of course should not go to waste. The sweet grape tomatoes complement the corn nicely, and although it’s not trendy enough to do away with mayo completely, the dressing is thinned down with vinegar so it doesn’t get all gooey in the sun.

Full recipe after the jump.

Rudy Giuliani Eats Terrorists for Breakfast

It’s August in America’s workplaces, a.k.a time to waste a month of your company’s time browsing YouTube and reading blogs. In that spirit, start the week off by taking a look at this Daily Show clip, which examines the presidential candidates’ pretentious and pandering eating habits. It’s at least kind of about food.

in TV 0 comments

August 2007