Hott Links - - Page 19

by gansie

Hott Links: Summer School

As much as I’d like to become more of a “reader,” I’m a pretty slow reader and therefore, I don’t finish the hott books until at least 2 years post their prime. Which, actually can suck: I finished The Da Vinci Code mere weeks before the movie hit theaters, resulting in my hating the film even more than the average viewer who finished the book, idontknow, four years before.

Anyway, I just finished My Life In France, Julia Child’s own tale of how she moved to Paris and started being really fucking anal about measuring. I mean, whole months of her life were dedicated to figuring out exact amounts of different ingredients. Of course, Julia’s my girl, and I’m in awe of her humility, but boy would she hate our nonchalant paradigm of cooking at ES.

This summer, though, I have a few books on my list as I plan to spend time out of the kitchen <gasp> and out on the Jersey Shore.

The Apprentice: My Life In The Kitchen [Jacques Pepin]

If you only watch one cooking show for the rest of your life, make it Jacques’ current show, Fast Food My Way. Jacuqes is an adorable, older, Frenchman. He is so funny, so talented and so entertaining to watch. And, he is a remnant of a soon to be gone generation, not just in the food world, but of a population that grew up during World War II. In a very selfish way, Jacques reminds me of my grandmother. I find comfort in him, his warmth and his excitement for food and life. I’m currently reading his memoir.

A Truly Enjoyable Fire In My Butt

I really know how to find them.

When I moved to Eastern Market, there was a Popeyes, a 711, Marty’s and a little place we liked to call Fire Butt. Fire Butt had musty windows and no real signs to clue pedestrians in on what they cooked. But they did spell out “breakfast” in those white stick-on letters. (Breakfast is served all day as well!)

I also happened to work in that neighborhood — same fucking street, to be honest — and my first day on the job I checked the place out, to the utter shock of my new coworkers (which if you haven’t figured it out yet, included BS, 80 and El). No one had yet to dare (or even want to) explore that tiny little eatery. But that day I discovered the best, cheap breakfast sandwich this side of my kitchen: A real egg, fried, covered with (swiss) cheese and served in a croissant. Along with a carton of their kinky fries, this combination eased hangovers for many a coworkers for years to come.

Soon though, E-Mark started to blow up. In a matter of 2 years, 8th Street, SE gained: Finn macCools, Belga Cafe, Ugly Mug and much more. It was pretty cool to watch the neighborhood grow, but also kinda of weird to watch some things close. Luckily, Fire Butt is still alive and serving fried grub and Rap Snacks (!) to plenty of happy/hungover customers.

But now I live in Mt. Pleasant (Columbia Heights) and there is a new dawn of restaurants — chain and original — ready to invade our tiny stretch of previously uninhabited land. Well, or land that housed only Mexican/El Salvadorian/Pupuseria restaurants. Who knows what will stay open, close or reproduce in my new ‘hood.

And, I still haven’t found anything to replace my Fire Butt in Mt. P/CoHi.

Building Columbia Heights: D.C. USA [Express]

by Liza

Liza’s Tips to Eating #3: It Tastes Like a Rainbow

After a ridiculous night out on U Street a couple of months ago when BS came to visit DC, I not only thought it was a good idea to break out the video camera, but I also decided to introduce BS and Vi to an awesomely amazing snack staple of mine that I usually keep very secret: The Oscar Myer Microwavable CHEESE FILLED HOTDOG .

Now, I know what you’re thinking – how does such an awesome thing exist, and more importantly, HOW do I eat this, Liza? Never fear, here are my simple instructions, in video form:

[youtube hPUHGqSwVaI]

Previous Tips:
Roast Beef Sandwich
String Cheese

in Uncategorized 6 comments

by gansie

Fried From Fish

I’m such a procrastinator that when I was in college I went to a session on how not to procrastinate so I wouldn’t have to do my homework. My frosh/sophomore roommate, aka rooms, also struggled with this affliction. We dubbed our room the procrastination station, enticing all of our dorm friends to visit us (the constant supply of cookie dough in the mini-fridge helped) to help us avoid studying. (Side note – I’m going to visit rooms and her husband in Maine this coming weekend. Be on the lookout for my New England cooking adventures!)

Well, I still haven’t been cured from procastinationitis. The research journey of my latest Express feature will surely prove this point. I pitched to write about three different fish counters in the area. I had already eaten at Eamonn’s a few times, so I figured I could skip that place and write on memory. But I still had to try Tackle Box (from the hottie owner of Hook) and the classic lunch-counter, Crisfield. Slacking-contributer Tim had been talking up Crisfield for a very long time, and I was excited that I would finally be able to try it – and write about it.

Georgians, Giraffes and Grammar, Oh My!

These hott links are brought to you by the letter g.

– Slashfood has a tasty piece on Georgian food (The former SSR, not ATL). Sign me up for some Kapchuri (pictured above).

– Finally, the answer to the question that’s been bugging you ever since that Talmudic safari in Uganda. Yes, giraffe is kosher.

– WaPo reporter Jane Black brilliantly lays out the secret pain of people who love both food and grammar: why won’t they let us correct the typos on the menu?

in Eggs 1 comments

by gansie

Hot Sauce Makes the World Go Round

Unlike my brother, I’m not the type to smother almost everything I eat in hot sauce. But, I do respect his ability to withstand most of his food with an extra kick.

I discovered Uncle Brutha’s hot sauce at Eastern Market. A few years back they sold it outside the market at a table. I bought my brother their two signature sauces:

Fire Sauce No. 10 – Four Chiles and Garlic
Fire Sauce No. 9 – Chile Verde Garlic and Ginger

SAG quickly became obsessed and every time I came home to visit he’d request new bottles. Luckily, the man behind the Uncle opened a store right near the Eastern Market. It was wall to wall hot sauces and spices. I would look around at the millions of brands featuring millions of chilies, but I would always walk out with the Uncle Brutha’s brand.

Unfortunately, when EM burnt down, a lot of local businesses went down with it. Via Metrocurean I read in the Wash City Paper that Uncle Brutha’s was closing at the end of June. 80P and I stopped by for one last visit and to buy SAG some hot sauce. I finally bought myself bottles of the sauce, although we will be able to find it at Whole Foods. (I highly encourage you to stop by one last time!)

But this brings me to a completely different story. While 80 and I were waiting for a table at Granville Moore’s, we walked next door to drink a beer at The Pug. I glanced at the menu and noticed an absolute steal – a dog and chips for just a few bucks. Basically an unheard of cheap eats. And while I scanned the bar for toppings, I was especially pleased to see a hometown hot sauce on the bar: Uncle Brutha’s.

This weekend, while UB’s fans were stocking up, I ran into The Pug owner.

Boxers and Hot Dogs: The Pug [Express]

Bison Country: A Four-Footed Spring Treat [Express]

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by BS

Top Chef: Tonight’s the Night

The finale of ES Top Chef Live Blogging goes down tonight at 10pm! You won’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind event. To whet your appetite, check out these extra hottt Top Chef links:

– Capital Spice has an exclusive interview with axed cheftestant Spike, including word on his upcoming D.C. restaurant.

– Grub Street chats with ES favorite Tom Colichio, complete with a very inappropriate comment from Tom’s wife.

– And Eater has word on the upcoming Top Chef spin-off. I kid you not, Top Chef for Teens is on the way.

in TV 2 comments