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by Russell Warnick

ES Local: What’s Eating DC

Since you DC-based ESers got so excited about our snowy restaurant map, we’ve decided to roll with it. Welcome to ES Local: What’s Eating DC, our weekly update of food and dining events around the DC metro area. No more desperately searching the Internet for something new to eat. We’ve done the legwork for you, and each Thursday we’ll post the map here on ES. But check back to this post anytime as the map will be updated in real time.

Event of the Week: Order a Cuban Cocktail at Ceiba during happy hour on Monday, March 1 and get a free massage or facial.

View ES Local: What’s Eating DC in a larger map

If you are a restaurant or bar and wish to have your event listed on the ES Local: What’s Happening In DC map, please write to me at britannia(at)endlesssimmer(dot)com.

in Restaurants 0 comments

by Russell Warnick

Kumquat Cupcakes

Like most of us here, I’m no baker and don’t particularly enjoy the restrictions it brings. Exact measurements are not my thing. I like to experiment with ingredients, which is why I leave desserts alone. But, the purchase of a new Kitchen Aid mixer has propelled me into this unknown world, for my first true (not from a box) baking experience.

On a recent Sunday afternoon I was sitting at the bar of Café Atlántico when I came across kumquats soaking in St. Germain elderflower liquor. Coincidentally, later in the day I spotted some kumquats at Whole Foods, which is a rarity. It was one of those situations where you never hear or see anything for a long time and then it all comes at once. I love those moments so I bought two quarts of the fruit, not having any idea what I was going to do with them until the walk home.

by Russell Warnick

ES Local: The DC Gay Valentine’s Day Guide

Valentine’s Day is the time of the year when personal displays of affection are obligatory — a day to celebrate without any inhibitions. For the gay community this can sometimes be a challenge as restaurants are not as universally tolerant of gay couples’ PDAs. We’ve all heard the horror stories where a gay couple has been asked to leave a restaurant when either the owner isn’t happy or other customers feel uncomfortable. Yes, the gay community has its own restaurants, but there are not enough seats to fill every gay person in the city, especially this city.

Here is my guide to some great restaurants in DC where I would be happy to go on V-Day, to recommend to my friends, or to you, the readers of ES.

The First Date: 1789

As deceptive as it is great. Daniel Giusti is one of the youngest Executive Chefs in one of the oldest and grandest of dining rooms in the District, but you’d never guess by his youthful menu — my personal favourite dish is the Oyster Gratin. Actually, my experience at 1789 was somewhat overwhelming. The food really was exceptional but the surroundings and other clientele were not my usual setting. I think of 1789 as an older, more conservative restaurant, so I’m not sure that a gay couple would be comfortable showing some love. But I would recommend 1789 for a first date — first dates are not for touchy-feely situations but more for getting to know your newfound love, and 1789 can provide that conversational atmosphere. 1789 is offering a five-course tasting in addition to its a la carte menu. 1226 36th Street NW, (202) 965-1789

Impressing a Second Date: Tabard Inn

This classic standby is no stranger to gay clientele. Bordering Dupont and 17th Street, it’s a popular choice amongst my friends for weekend brunch and I suspect it will be no different come Valentine’s Day. The hotel is offering a 3-course prix fixe menu which includes Oysters, Seared Guinea Hen and a selection of desserts to choose, albeit on the pricier side at $65 per person. 1739 N Street NW, (202) 331-8528

in Holiday / Personal / Restaurants 1 comments

by Russell Warnick

Camera Etiquette for Food Bloggers

We’ve all done it at some point. A dinner plate comes our way and we’re so excited about what has come before us that we whip out the camera and snap a picture. Sometimes we might even take a picture because the food looks terrible. I’m sure many of you foodies have done that too.

For those of us who blog about food it’s a pretty safe bet that we carry around a camera or other mobile device to record a dish that we’ve eaten, either to show it off to friends or for a story.

I’ve been looking for a particular shot of an appetizer for a recent post and I recalled Ulah Bistro on U St serving some tasty apps, including their chicken wings, which was exactly what I was looking for. I was seated at the bar, myself and my other half were the only ones there so I got out my camera and started taking a couple of snaps…Within seconds the bartender shouted across the bar to me: “Why are you taking pictures, is there something wrong with the food?” in a tone that was borderline aggressive.

My response was somewhat mute as I was stunned, I did reply with a “No, the food is good” as it was, but I still felt like I had been reprimanded by my mother. And living in DC we’re all too familiar with photographer rights.

in Personal / Rants & Raves / Trends 10 comments

by Russell Warnick

Eatin’ Me Some Emu

NYE 2009 took me to the West Coast, where a couple of friends, my other half and I rented a cute little house in the Santa Ynez Valley near the Danish village of Solvang, which is famous for its wine, windmills, rolling mountains and the awful movie Sideways.

I could write about how beautiful the scenery was and how amazing the wines we tasted were but that really isn’t interesting compared to the amazing find I discovered — Ostrichland USA. In between Solvang and Buellton in the Santa Ynez Valley, this place is easy to miss, but well worth seeking out if only to gawk at the horrendously ugly and aggressive creatures that are the ostrich and emu, certainly a photo moment. But feeding these beasts and photo opportunities is not all this place has to offer…the foodie in me kicked in the moment I saw these monsters. I hit the brakes, turned the car around and said, “I want to eat that.”

in Breakfast / Eggs / Featured / Personal 4 comments

by Russell Warnick

Haiti Food Relief

We wanted to take a moment to bring to you a few of the charities that are providing relief to the people of Haiti, specifically those providing food aid to those whose lives have been devastated by the 7.0 earthquake that hit Port-au-Prince on Tuesday.

World Food Program has deployed to Haiti. The agency has sent 86 metric tons of food to provide half a million emergency meals, in addition to high energy biscuits to those without access to cooking facilities. For more information go to www.wfp.org

Operation USA is an international aid agency that is providing health care, food supplements and water purification for the people of Haiti. To learn more and ways to donate go to www.opusa.org

Food for the Poor works in Latin America and the Caribbean improving the economic, health and social lives of the people it serves. Food for the Poor is sending a crew to Haiti and they are leaving the morning of January 14 and flying to the Dominican Republic. Helicopters will take them to Haiti, to donate go to www.foodforthepoor.org

American Red Cross has a simple way to donate, text “Haiti” to 90999 and $10 will be charged to your cell phone bill. All proceeds will go directly to sending supplies and staff to Haiti, in addition to the $1 million dollars ARC has already contributed to Haiti relief. You can also go to redcross.org

Of course the are the other major aid agencies, The International Committee of the Red Cross, Medecins sans Frontieres, Clinton Foundation, Yele and CARE.

in Personal 1 comments

by Russell Warnick

Burns My Bacon: Hey Hey, Ho Ho, That Lettuce Leaf Has Got To Go

I’m an appetizer kinda guy. There is nothing more satisfying than ordering a couple of apps instead of an entree; the variety alone makes the trip worth it. However, there are many downfalls in ordering apps. The quality can be somewhat diminished: fried and often just thrown on a plate without much thought. Despite that, bar apps are my favourite, especially potato skins, nachos and chicken tenders. All deliciously fattening!

My biggest gripe with appetizer dishes is the presentation, mainly lettuce. Why does the kitchen feel the need to serve my chicken, potato skins, guacamole, shrimp…On a bed of lettuce? This makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever. If there is a reason for this please enlighten me, but for the time being I’m going to bitch…

in Personal / Rants & Raves 16 comments