#40.4 - THE NATIONAL -Ada
by lablogotheque

weekender: homegrown

After this weekend, I really feel like a "foodie," a term used frequently in the blogosphere, but I'm not sure all its users know where it came from. According to Wikipedia, Paul Levy and Ann Barr coined the word, foodie, in 1981 when they published The Official Foodie Handbook. Referring to the growing group of food and drink aficionados, foodies are "amateurs who simply love food for consumption, study, preparation and news."

Well, I would proudly consider myself a member of this hobbyist group, even if it is a recent obsession. I was inspired to cook after seeing the newly restored "Bon Appetit!" exhibit featuring an exact replica of Julia Child's kitchen. This woman is amazing. I went to the kitchen twice. All her copper pots and crazy kitchen tools... totally inspiring. I mean, look at her!

On Saturday, I walked a few blocks to visit the Mt. Pleasant Farmers Market. I love the way farmers markets make me feel, appealing to all the senses: the smells of fresh cheese, peaches and arugula, the heat of the sun and breeze through the tents, listening to the whines from the greedy children with their bartering parents and seeing the colorful, if misshapen produce picked fresh from the vine.

Mt. Pleasant is a nice market because it's small. It is ideal for those that live nearby and are able to build relationships with the farmers. However, the prices seemed a bit steep for the fixed quantities that were for sale. Compared to other markets in DC, there's more elsewhere for a better price. But if you're into the neighborhood gathering type thing, Mt. Pleasant is great. I left with a loaf of kalamata olive bread, tomatoes, feta and a lovely arrangement of fresh flowers.

Then I met a friend downtown for a picnic on the mall. We made a stop at the Cowgirl Creamery for some goat cheese, hummus and drinks. What a neat shop. Based out of California, the DC creamery is simple, but has so much to offer; especially for picnickers.

Then on Sunday, some girlfriends and I drove out to Homestead Farm in Poolesville, MD. We picked peaches and blackberries (and ate plenty along the way). Ben and Maureen Allnutt also grow lots of fresh vegetables on the farm, and you can buy them in a small barn near the entrance. Delicious maroon heirloom tomatoes, clean and polished green beans, zucchini, squash, corn, bell peppers, eggplant, etc. It was marvelous. And spending under $20 for 11 pounds of homegrown fruit and vegetables was a steal! Stay tuned for whatever yummies develop from my fresh farm purchases. More updates on Mid City Caffe coming soon as well.

always hungry in philadelphia

Have you ever visited a city for a day where the extent of your tour revolved around food? My friends and I got in the car to drive to Philadelphia with only a piece of paper. There were a few words written on it: Dim Sum, sushi, gelato, coffee… You get the idea.

This being my first trip to the city of brotherly love, I felt a tinge of remorse about missing out on some historical monuments. However, we managed to squeeze in a peek of the Liberty Bell, the stunning architecture of City Hall and a panoramic view of the city from the steps of the National Museum of Art.

Our morning began at Ocean Harbor in the heart of Chinatown. If you've never had Dim Sum, it is certainly an interesting experience. It’s like a Chinese buffet for lazy people. Instead of trekking your plate through aisles of unidentifiable hot plates, the food comes right to your table.

When the cart arrives, it’s safe to point at what you want rather than ask what each item is. Don't worry about being extra polite, and don’t expect a friendly attitude from the staff. In traditional Chinese culture, wait staff do not receive tips and therefore they are not accustomed to pampering their patrons. Additionally, the concept of dim sum is that each table is served several small plates and each cart is constantly circling the restaurant. My favorite dishes are the fried sesame pastries (jin deui- pictured), rice porridge (congee) and dumplings (gow).

We took a stroll down Delancy Street, with its many colored doors, floral window boxes and a healthy canopy of trees that allows the light dance on the cobblestones as the wind blows. A few photos later, we headed down South Street to check out the shops. Among the plethora of cheap clothing stores and Philly cheese steak joints, there are some odd antique and vintage thrift shops, namely Orphelin Vintage and C. Neri Antique Lighting.

We stumbled upon Bistro La Minette for a late afternoon snack. Everything about this French café was simply adorable. The mustard colored walls, the porcelain bar and a row of copper pots hanging from the ceiling in front of the open kitchen give the interior a vibe that is serene and sincere.

We ordered a house white wine, the cheese platter and a chocolate mousse- my ideal afternoon snack. Although the portions were a bit small (almost too small for sharing), the flavors were good and the prices were fairly reasonable.

Our waiter was also very kind and offered to show us the family dining room and outdoor patio area. From the strings of white lights above the wooden tables outside to the dimly lit banquet-style room, both spaces felt authentically French. I left Bistro La Minette wishing there were a place like this in DC that I could frequent often.

After browsing through a Jewish synagogue transformed into a vintage flea market, we took the subway (and trolley!) to the waterfront. The incredible weather made it a popular day for a wedding, as we witnessed two separate bride-and-groom photo shoots in the gazebos overlooking the Schuylkill River. We then walked maybe a mile to our next destination: Capogiro Gelato.

Capogiro is a mainstay in Pennsylvania, and they have an appreciative clientele for good reason. Having recently returned from Italy, I wanted to be critical of Capogiro. However, they offered authentic Italian flavors, including Nocciola (hazelnut), Pistacchio (pistachio) and Cannella (cinnamon). Needless to say, this gelato was heaven. And to top it all off, the male servers were gorgeous.

With room left for dinner, we walked down to RAW Sushi & Sake Lounge where we had reservations. My friend Annie had been raving about this place for months, so I was really excited for some tasty sushi. RAW also has a pretty reputable following around the city and they really deserve it. We were seated in the newly renovated outdoor courtyard, and RAW certainly boasts an awesome vibe, i.e. check out their website for photos. (Note: There are no photos of our decadent rolls because we were too busy eating them.)

The menu was a little extensive for a sushi bar, but as I looked around at the other orders I could tell that each dish was prepared fresh by a perfectionist. Most of us at the table ordered from the "specials" list, which was well worth it. My Snow Castle roll was large and in charge. Although there seemed to be a lot going on (snow crab, tempura shrimp and a spicy crab sauce), it was absolutely delicious.

I thoroughly enjoyed my 14 or so hours in Philly, and would love to visit again soon. If you've never toured a city on a culinary itinerary, I highly recommend it. Better yet, you should schedule it around Restaurant Week...

*photos courtesy of Joe Dickerson, gophila and wikipedia.

let me tell you about July...

This has been an interesting month. Highlights and lowlights follow:

1) My friends and I took a day-trip to Philadelphia. We managed a sort of international culinary walking tour, witnessed two wedding photo shoots in the most pleasant summer weather and got our annual fix of vintage antique shops. For details about the food and art (along with more awesome photos like the one to the right, taken by my friend Joe) stay tuned for my trip review.

2) Several of my Fridays have been spent on a blanket with fruit, cheese and friends at "Jazz in the Garden," sponsored by the National Gallery of Art. The music has been mediocre, but the atmosphere and company are well worth the experience. Plus- it's free!


3) I finally caught the summer film series, "Screen on the Green." Watching "Dog Day Afternoon" for the first time on the National Mall with hundreds of other respectful viewers on a pleasantly breezy July night was a memorable experience. Note: In 1975, Al Pacino was a stud.

4) As a volunteer for mediabistro, I recently attended a seminar on food writing. Jane Black, the food writer for The Washington Post, served participants her well-seasoned insight and some juicy stories about the food writing scene.

5) I've also pulled a couple of all-nighters this month (one on purpose, one on accident). Lying on the roof of a friend's apartment building on 16th St as the sun rose was beautiful. Closing down the local bar and realizing my keys are inside the house as I get to front door was not cool. Thank goodness for my sweet neighbors :)

6) I will soon be working as a barista for MidCity Caffe. Thus, chances of this blog actually living up to its title are promising. I will likely share some industry news, tricks of the trade and crazy customer stories (hooray.) And obviously, if you live in the area, please come by and visit!

more later...

testing 1, 2, 3: cafe frappe

For the hectic summer mornings when you're strapping on your shoes, rummaging for your keys and forced to forfeit your coveted cup of coffee, don't even fret. It may take a little planning, but a homemade iced coffee frappe could be just the thing to revive your manic Monday.

Since the days have gotten warmer, I've fallen hard for the Espresso Frappe down the street (found at Columbia Heights Coffee in DC). However, in my current financial state, I cannot justify paying $3.63 for the creamy goodness. (Although I already have, too many times to count...) Many of you may also be addicted to the Starbucks trademarked, Frappuccino, which can be even more expensive. The photo above, featuring three authentic Greek Frappes, is brought to you by Robert Gourley via flickr. It's DIY time, folks.

I'm on a mission to make my own fabulous frappe- a recipe that I can make a batch of, freeze it and then transfer to the fridge before I want it the next day. After some conscientious web searching, I found a few different recipes to try, nay, to test.

This is a test, and I invite anyone to try these recipes (or others) and report back with your favorites and why. I will be judging the recipes based on these criteria: cost of ingredients, ease of assembly and the ultimate-taste. This post will include the recipes, and later this week I will share my verdict.

Cafe Frappe Uno
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup cream
1/2 tsp cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbs coffee substitute or 1 tsp instant coffee
(optional additives: nutmeg, cinnamon, coconut extract, hazelnut syrup, etc)

Mix all in a blender, then add about 2 cups crushed ice (or 3 cups cubed). As the drink gets thick, like a milkshake, stop adding ice and enjoy.

Cafe Frappe Due
1/2 cup cold strong coffee
or 1 teaspoon instant coffee and 1/2 cup cold water
2 cups cold milk
1/4 - 1/3 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups ice
(Flavorings can be added.)

Put all in a blender and blend till a consistency you like.

Cafe Frappe Tre
3 tbs sugar
1 cup 2% milk
2 cups ice
2 small scoops vanilla ice cream
(Add chocolate for mocha flavor.)

Blend until ice is completely crushed.

restaurant rated: eatonville

After visiting the newest Andy Shallal eatery, Eatonville, I was dying to share my thoughts. As he has successfully done with the Langston Hughes-inspired coffeehouse, Busboys and Poets, Eatonville is a lively tribute to the author and folklorist, Zora Neale Hurston. Named after Hurston's beloved hometown in Florida, Eatonville is a true exhibition of the senses. From the murals and annual ZNH Arts & Humanities Festival posters on the walls to the homemade lemonade served in old mason jars, this restaurant well worth a visit. Pictured below is the Hush Puppy appetizer.

Restaurant Rated: Eatonville

actual location: 2121 14th St. NW Washington DC 20009
cyber location: www.eatonvillerestaurant.com
hours: lunch from 12:30p to 2:30p weekdays, dinner from 5p to midnight
price: $$
seating: bar, booth, table, patio
brunch: yes, Sunday 10a-3p
cash/credit: both

Restaurant Rating:
Food: B
Drink: A (lavender lemonade? Mmmm)
Service: B
Atmosphere: B (eclectically comfortable)

You can read a full review of Eatonville soon at allthingscottage, as well as several other of my recent articles. Our summer issue is up and just getting started, so keep checking back for new material.

weekly recipe: black bean brownies

Ok. Yes. I have noticed that my recipe posts tend to be desserts... From the beginning, this was not planned. What can I say? I love sweets. And my middle name is Baker. So there you are.

This week's recipe is an adaptation of Heidi's Black Bean Brownies at 101 Cookbooks. I know the idea may raise an eyebrow or two, but you really have to try them first. My friend and I made these as the feature presentation in a birthday package for our friend in New York. Despite the unique texture, these brownies are deliciously chocolately with a caffeinated kick.

LB & SB's Black Bean Brownies

Ingredients:
-4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
-2 sticks unsalted butter
-1 can black beans
-1 tablespoon vanilla extract
-¼ cup ground coffee (espresso works best)
-¼ teaspoon sea salt
-4 large eggs
-1½ cups honey (agave nectar is preferred, but hard to find)

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease an 11x18 or 9x13 inch baking pan lightly with canola oil spray.

Melt the chocolate and butter in a glass bowl in the microwave for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes on high. Stir with a spoon to melt the chocolate completely. Place the beans, the vanilla extract, and a couple of spoonfuls of the melted chocolate mixture into the bowl of a food processor or blender. Blend about 2 minutes, or until smooth. The batter should be thick and the beans smooth. Set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together the remaining melted chocolate mixture, coffee substitute and salt. Mix well and set aside.

In a separate bowl, with an electric mixer beat the eggs until light and creamy, about 1 minute. Add the honey and beat well. Set aside.

Add the bean/chocolate mixture to the coffee/chocolate mixture. Stir until blended well.

Add the egg mixture, reserving about 1/2 cup. Mix well. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Using an electric mixer, beat the remaining 1/2 cup egg mixture until light and fluffy. Drizzle over the brownie batter. Use a wooden toothpick to pull the egg mixture through the batter, creating a marbled effect. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the brownies are set. Let cool in the pan completely before cutting into squares.

Makes 45 (2-inch) brownies.

Consumption tip: The brownies will be a bit gooey even after they cool. I recommend refridgerating them overnight before consuming, and they age well too.

my first time: coffee cupping

I've been surprised how many coffee drinkers I know have never heard of the ritual of coffee cupping. It just goes to show how little we caffeine addicts really know about our precious brews. My friend and I went to a free cupping hosted by Counter Culture Coffee's regional training center in DC. It was a neat experience: informative, challenging and satisfying.

After a short introduction about the nature of cupping, CCC's representative Alex, explained how the process worked. Each person received a cupping form on which we were to mark our reactions to the six different stages of the cupping. Here you can find each step and its purpose. CCC uses the following categories: fragrance, aroma, break, brightness, flavor and aftertaste. During the cupping, participants are asked not to talk about the coffee so as not to influence each other's taste buds.
Throughout the cupping, I discovered that my sense of smell and taste proved to be at a loss for words. (And I was certainly shown up by the baristas who do this sort of thing for a living and were able to extract flavors like cedar, steamed broccoli and fig from their palates.)

We tasted three different coffees from Burundi, Colombia and Sumatra. Overall, the Colombian La Golondrina roast was my favorite during the cupping process, but the Bwayi Lot #8 from Burundi coffee was better brewed in the cup. You can read the complete cupping notes from last week at the CCC DC blog here.

If you're into coffee (or have done any other kind of tastings before), I recommend cupping. Especially with Counter Culture Coffee because their coffee is delicious, their employees are knowledgeable and the cuppings are free.

travel tip: eco-aviary

The "Go Green" movement has impacted a lot of different areas in our everyday lives, especially transportation. And with summer heat creeping in through the window, you may be itching to take a trip. If you really want to be a environmentally conscious traveler, check your airline's CO2 emissions and compare them with others.

What's that you say? You didn't know that was possible? Well, it is.

And, of course, our trusty Internet has a plethora of information on the subject. Most helpful, although not perfectly up-to-date, the TRX carbon emissons calculator shows the pollution produced from a particular flight when you give the airline and the destination. To find out more about your carbon footprint from the plane, check out this three-part series in Tree Hugger.

Next time you fly, be sure to calculate your CO2 emissions to choose the most eco-friendly flight.

cottage style: curiosity shoppe

Smarts & Crafts is a site I tend to frequent, but not only for the art. Created by super crafters Derek Fagerstrom and Lauren Smith, this blog is simple, creative and inspiring. The photo on the left features Derek and Lauren in this month's issue of 7x7 magazine.

The weekly photo assignment is one of my favorite features. In addition to writing books, teaching craft workshops and taking their work to art galleries, they also own a craft shop in California. The style is small and sweet: great gift-giving material. So next time you're in San Fran, check out their goods at The Curiosity Shoppe.

"Wallpaper Projects," pictured on the right, is their first book. It is chock full of neat design ideas that even non-crafters can manage. Go here to find and buy it.

media rated: theatre: "fever/dream"

Playing with Convention:
Mammoth defies it, Callaghan satirizes it

The Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company continues to “defy convention” with the world premiere of Shelia Callaghan’s “Fever/Dream,” which opened Monday night to a hopeful full house.

This was my debut visit to the theater as well, and I found the modern structural design of the building to appeal to today’s theatergoers, as well as provide a ideal setting for this slightly absurdist drama about the secrets and truths of corporate morality.

Starring newcomer Daniel Eichner as Segis Basil, and Mammoth veterans, Kate Eastwood Norris, Kimberly Gilbert, Mike Willis and KenYatta Rogers, this cast has remarkable talent and chemistry.

To the drama aficionados, this tale is not new. It is Callaghan’s present-day version of Pedro Calderon de la Barca’s 16th century classic, “Life is a Dream.” The basic storyline—father gives company to son, son f***s up, others fighting over the company, relations are patched, etc) is There is even a particular scene in the play where Bill Basil, owner of multimillion dollar company, Basil Enterprises, spies on his son from above the stage in a robe and slippers. (“Arrested Development” fans, eat your heart out.)

Text messaging, video blogging and conversations of a failed economy were all too familiar to this audience. . Within the first five minutes, the crowd was laughing aloud at the literal concept of Segis (Eichner) chained to his desk in a basement office as a (gasp) Customer Service Representative. The audience seemed to relate to the statuses and attitudes of the characters, which is a positive reflection on Callaghan’s story and the actors’ performances.

The Basil boys dream sequences embody the title, and though they are central to the theme, the scenes came across a bit garishly. Bill Basil’s nightmare of his son in the basement featured the young Basil singing a lame rap about his depressing life. Much more memorable was the biting wit of the female characters as they delivered one-liners such as, “And don’t say my name like you know how to fold it.”

Stella Strong (Norris) is her name personified, and is a delight to watch. Her character represents the growing presence of women in the corporate field, but is also an exaggerated version feminine corporate leader. Stella’s confident yet prickly personality may indicate some of the author’s personal attitude about society's creation of the female dichotomy.

“I don’t like women. I don’t like women that roll themselves out like a hallway mat, then get up and wonder where all the footprints came from.“

For an opening night performance, the production was incredibly seamless. The set design, featuring an elevator and hole-in-the-floor basement cell, is sleek and versatile, using lights and shadows to represent many different times and places. The small size of the theater makes each scene feel intimate to the audience member.

There are still two weeks of performances, so if this sounds like your cup of tea- check it out. I also highly recommend a trip to Woolly Mammoth anytime. Keep in mind that the first two shows of each play are "pay-what-you-can." The 2009 season looks pretty entertaining, so stay tuned.


Media Rated: Theatre: “Fever/Dream”

Where: Woolly Mammoth Theatre
641 D St NW
Washington, DC 20007
When: June 1 through June 28, 2009
Ticket price: ticket and seating info
Length: two and a half hours
Intermission: 15 minutes
Featuring: Mammoth Company members Kimberly Gilbert, Kate Eastwood Norris, KenYatta Rogers, Mike Willis

To See or Not to See:

Storyline: old tale, new spin
Acting: drama queens steal the show
Script: written with wit
Production Design: seamless scene changes
Choreography: mini corporate coup? awesome.

weekly recipe: snickerdoodle cake

So I found a recipe for snickerdoodle blondies. I was very excited, until I realized the pan I need was in the middle of a rinse in the dishwasher. Since I'd already started mixing, I switched to a pie pan. I wasn't sure it would bake as well because of the thickness... Fortunately, it was fabulous.

Snickerdoodle Cake

-from dozen flours

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon grated or ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup butter, room temperature
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
a pinch nutmeg

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease and/or line a 9 inch pie pan. Combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and set aside.
2. In large bowl, beat together butter and brown sugar for 3-5 minutes. Add in the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla, and beat until smooth.
3. Stir in the flour mixture until well blended. Spread evenly in prepared pan (mixture will be somewhat cookiebatter-ish, so it’s best to spread it out with a greased spatula or your hands). Combine the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a little bowl. Evenly sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture over the top of the batter.
4. Bake 25-30 minutes or until surface springs back when gently pressed. Cool before cutting.

It's actually better the next day than straight from the oven. And it's a perfect accompaniment to vanilla ice cream...

homemade ice cream: shake it

My friends and I had homemade ice cream tonight- without the churner or a long wait. This method is quick, fun and foolproof (nearly- potential messes are dependent on plastic.) If you've never had ice cream this way, you should. And for your convenience (and entertainment), I've included a short instructional video....

restaurant rated: founding farmers

Last weekend, my friends and I had dinner at Founding Farmers in DC. I had heard good things about this unique restaurant, but nothing could have prepared me for such an amazing dining experience. The concept of Founding Farmers is a fascinating story in and of itself: a fully sustainable green restaurant owned by 40,000 or so local farmers with a mission of providing customers "true food & drink." Check out this video from USNews for more info.

The atmosphere suitably blends a chic urban style with the 'family farmhouse kitchen' look. We sat on wooden stools at a long table made of reclaimed driftwood. Had we known our meal would last three hours, we probably would have requested more comfortable seating. But it's important to note here that meals should be eaten this way: slowly. Founding Farmers has a reputation for being slow, and they need no excuses. You will not find a restaurant that serves a more fresh meal, and the chefs are culinary geniuses.

The menu is extensive and seasonal, and our server, Charles, was excited to give explanations of dishes and answer our questions about the restaurant. Each plate was full of flavor (and luckily, everyone was eager to share.) After savoring my handmade pasta dish (which was tossed in a light broth with asparagus, thick-cut bacon and mushrooms), I wasn't sure if I had room for dessert. We were all happily stuffed, but my friend kept singing praises of the dessert menu. We decided on a slice of carrot cake, cheesecake and red velvet cake to split among the six of us. As I am not usually a fan of carrot cake, I was surprised when I found myself wanting to continue eating it alone. This recipe changed my mind about about carrot cake, and thus, the restaurant earned my utmost recommendation and gratitude.

Founding Farmers is a testament to the pleasures of real food, as well as the future of "green" dining. If you are in the DC area, make reservations at Founding Farmers, and I promise you will not be disappointed.

actual location: 1924 Pennsylvania Ave NW DC
cyber locations: www.wearefoundingfarmers.com
hours: daily 8a-10 or 11p, more details
price: $$
seating: bar, table, booth
cash/credit: both
brunch: yes, sundays

RESTAURANT RATED:
Food: A+
Drink: A (they make their own ginger ale, c'mon)
Service: A
Atmosphere: A

flavor of the (memorial day) week(end)

Memorial Day makes me think of chilling and grilling out in the sun. Not that I spend my holiday this way, but isn't that how we Americans like to celebrate long weekends in the summer?

After your hamburgers or barbecue, digging into a vanilla ice cream-topped berry dessert is a great way to end a meal. Strawberries are actually the freshest right now, but this King Arthur Flour recipe for Blue Ribbon Pie looks delicious. A perfect afternoon pie for the long, lazy weekend.

I absolutely love this chair, and not just for its name (it's called the Lazy Bastard.) True, this seating may be more suited for the bookworm-types and less for the beer drinkers, but I don't think it would take long to become a favorite in any home. Find out more about it and its designer, Montis, here. Dwell also featured some other lovely products in their weekly review that I believe are worth sharing, so check them out.

And how about hanging these blown-glass beauties out on your deck for your friends and neighbors to admire? I'm a big fan of this new multi-bulb lighting trend. This photo is from MoCo LoCo's post on modern lighting at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, which took place last weekend in New York.
Obviously, there are numerous ways to create this effect with the DIY method by using recycled glass, Christmas ornaments or assorted plastics. Here are Modern Urban Living's Top 10 homemade chandeliers, just to give you some ideas.

weekender: fine arts edition

Starting this week in Charleston, SC, the 32nd annual Spoleto Arts Festival will be taking over the streets. This year's events include a racy theatrical performance inspired by Mozart's "Don Giovanni," a punk operetta "Addicted to Bad Ideas," and a one-man dance performance to a choreographed light show and soundtrack by the highly acclaimed Japanese Hiroaki Umeda.



Ticket prices for these and other performances are fairly steep for the average Charleston resident, so there's also the Piccolo Spoleto Festival. This arts festival caters more to families and children, and really takes advantage of all Charleston has to offer by utilizing the arts community and its venues. If you've never been to Charleston, this is certainly a great time to visit. And if you can't make it to the festival this year, allthingscottage will feature a detailed re-cap of some of the top acts. Stay tuned.

For anyone in the district, this is a great weekend for jazz. The National Gallery of Art begins its free "Jazz in the Garden" concert series, featuring R & B jazz vocalist Lady A on Friday at 5pm. If you're more interested in jazz instruments and have some cash to contribute, head over to Twins Jazz. Cuban saxophonist Luis Faife will be exhibiting a blend of latin jazz on Friday and Saturday at 9pm.

Speaking of jazz, there will be no jazz festival this year for New Yorkers. Festival Network, the company responsible for hosting the acclaimed festival has lost some big sponsors amid the financial crisis. On the other hand, this may mean that all the big jazz acts will be touring more this summer in a city near you, so don't get down about it.

chocolate peanut buddies

This recipe (from Nestle) happened to fit perfectly with the ingredients I found in the kitchen. However, my peanut buddies are extra chocolatlely (I used 2 11 oz. bags of chocolate chips)- oh the cravings.

They are delicious fresh out of the oven, but be prepared to lick your fingers. You can also put them straight into the refrigerator to solidify the chocolate layer on top. Whatever you do, make sure you've "got milk."

(Very) Chocolate Peanut Buddies

1 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
6 tbsp butter, softened
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 3/4 cups chocolate chips, divided (doubled for very version)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat peanut butter and butter in mixing bowl until smooth. Beat in sugar, eggs and vanilla extract. Then beat in flour and salt. Stir in 3/4 cup of the chocolate chips. Spread into ungreased 13 x 9" baking pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until edges are golden. Sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips. Let stand for 5 minutes or until chocolate is shiny; then spread evenly on top. Let cool completely and then cut into bars.

still on the coffee kick...

What is specialty coffee? This Salon interview with coffee expert Michaele Weissman just scrapes the surface of this question. My blog will likely cover more in-depth information about coffee in the future, so this short Q & A is a fine place to start. Weissman makes a significant point during this interview, in that, for the most part, coffee is a misunderstood commodity with the majority of its consumers.

Therefore, I hope to provide some helpful information for all you caffeinated readers. Stay tuned.

Coffee Factoid: "The value of the coffee in a typical Starbucks coffee is about 6 cents."

True story.

cafe rated: big bear cafe

Last Monday I went to the Le Droit Park/Bloomingdale area for lunch. Located on the corner of 1st and R St NW, is a rustic neighborhood coffeehouse called Big Bear Cafe. A few quiet customers looked up from their laptops and newspapers as I walked in. I was excited about most of the items on the menu (individual French press coffee, large selection of teas, specialty salads, etc). Since I had already consumed two (or three) cups of coffee that day, I ordered a Chai tea and a hummus sandwich.

I did notice that Chai was not on the menu. And I thought it odd that a place like this would not serve it, because it is popular. So this was sort of a customer service test... Luckily, the male barista said,

“I can make you a Chai. How sweet do you like it? We brew it ourselves.”

Fantastic.

While I waited for my receipt to print, someone put Ratatat's "Classics" album in the stereo. This is one of my favorite CD's to listen to while working. Again, fantastic.

Due to the friendly, comfortable atmosphere (and the neighborhood), the café probably attracts a lot of interesting loners, which made for good people-watching. There are some really lovely photographs on the walls that look familiar to me somehow. Then I read the signature on the matte and see that they are from Claude Taylor Photography, the popular international print shop in Dupont. It makes me smile to think about local community support in a big city like DC.

Monday was a gorgeous day, the sun almost blinding because we had not seen it in four days. But I chose a table inside because it was also extremely windy. The outdoor stone patio of Big Bear Café, open yet intimate, wraps around the exterior of the corner location. There are large planters chock-full of greenery and wooden boxes housing bulbs or flowers waiting to bloom that border dining area.

I watched from the window as a passerby walked up to the planters and pruned a bit off one of the plants. I then realized that it was rosemary. In fact, all the planters were filled with herbs. A community herb garden sponsored by the neighborhood cafe. How neat! This realization was also a testament to the freshness of Big Bear's ingredients. You can check out photos of the cafe's history and of the herb garden's progress here.

For less than $10, I ate a delicious toasted hummus sandwich, complete with roasted red peppers, cucumbers and arugula, with a mixed green salad on the side. Of all the coffeehouses I’ve been to so far, Big Bear Café definitely takes the cake. I only wish it was in my neighborhood.

actual location: 1st & R NW DC
cyber location: www.bigbearcafe-dc.com
hours: M-F: 7a-6p, Sat: 7:30a-6p, Sun: 8:30a-6p
price: $ (of $$$, which is too much)
outdoor seating: yes.
cash/credit: both.
wi-fi: yes.


CAFE RATED:
Coffee: A (they serve only Counter Culture Coffee [which I love] made with the French press, so although I had a Chai tea, I believe I would have been satisfied with the coffee)
Food: B
Service: A
Atmosphere: A

blossom shots

I now understand the anticipation-overload that precedes the Cherry Blossom Festival. Although I missed most of the parade, I was able to catch the pale pink beauties at their peak. I believe the wind was averaging about 20 mph (the perfect day for a kite festival... oops), but otherwise it was a lovely day. Here are a few of my photos, and you can find more at flickr.

flavor of the week: easter edition

The flavor of the week is a sort of compilation of neat things I've stumbled across on the world wide web that are worth sharing. I'll do my best to get a variety of visuals, tangibles and edibles.

space savers: this corner coat rack will hold lots of jackets, scarves, children, bags, etc. it might look a little bulky, but for a tight spot, it's worth the functionality. and moving outside, these stair-like tier planters would be a fun DIY spring project. there's a unique aesthetic about them... a spacious alternative to the basic flower box.

kitchen aids: for those of us that can't do anything without our computers anymore (like remember song lyrics, addresses, schedules, etc) here's a new mac app to help you in the kitchen. souschef is a useful software that stores recipes, photos, blogs and other culinary interests. not that you have to get rid of your cookbooks... but the voice-activated feature of this program may soon make reading while cooking a thing of the past (you say, "computer, next selection," and it tells you your next step). pretty cool.
ps: if you don't have a mac, get one. find souschef and more awesome apps for cheap here.

love this lighting: this new york city apartment is on the market and hosting an open house tomorrow from 1p to 4p. while i'm not interested in the real estate, the space and lighting in these rooms are absolutely phenomenal. what do you think?

for your fancy easter basket: these elegant eggs with custom printed words and phrases would make a gift. paloma's nest in austin, texas also makes some other beautiful ceramic and porcelain pieces as well.

most monotonous song ever: i remember learning to play "hot crossed buns" on the clarinet in junior high. although it was probably challenging at the time, the song is dumb. but there's that saying, "don't knock it 'til you try it." and i've never eaten these traditional english buns, so i'm looking forward to making them. and if you've never had hot crossed buns, you're in luck. easter is the time to eat them. here are some neat versions to try... photos ordered respectively.
- hcb from what's for lunch, honey?
- hbc from messy cook
- hcb from colloquial cooking
- hbc from southern living
- hot crossed muffin buns

weekender!

So... I'm planning to have a pretty good weekend. Every Thursday, I'll try to give a little weekend update and would love to hear about others' plans as well. This season is usually chock full of neat things all over the country... here's what I'll be up to.

FRIDAY
8:30a-5:30p- temp as a receptionist for DC broker firm, Johnston & Lemon.
6:00p-7:00p- authentic Chinese dinner at the apt
7:30p- ? - neighborhood drinks and game night! (Cranium!)

SATURDAY
9:30a-12:00p- Tossed & Found bargain sale, fundraiser for the Junior League of Washington
12:30p-1:30p- visit the highly acclaimed Murky Coffee in Arlington, VA
2:00p-5:00p- go to the dog park with the newest addition to the family, a young Cocker Spaniel/Border Collie mix-breed named Sophie. Check out her profile here. More personal photos soon to come!
6:00p-8:00p- dinner and drinks with my friend Liz B and her visitors. Hooray for visitors!

SUNDAY
10:00a-4:00p- Smithsonian Kite Festival! (aka fantastic free kick-off event for week-long Cherry Blossom Fest)

"I want to know all your plans."

ps: if you can guess what song (or band wrote it) that is, i'll send you some sweet mail :)

capitol style

It's tough to put a finger on DC home style. With so many blocks of similar rowhouses, some residents will do whatever it takes to distinguish their property from their neighbors, be it an abstract sculpture in the yard, an unlikely paint color or an especially decorative entryway.

This home, for sale on Girard St NW, is a stand-out lot on the street with its royal blue trim and golden gargoyles atop the turret. I'm a big fan of the turrets and rounded windows on houses like these. You can find more photos and real estate info on this home here.

The much anticipated Cherry Blossom Festival (which I am very excited to finally attend) begins on Saturday. And the delicate blooms have a huge impact on spring style in this city. Check out Apartment Therapy DC for some lovely cherry blossom inspired decor.

I also wanted to share a find from designsponge. This vintage-looking bedside table is part of the DIY Wednesday post, and because it is Wednesday (and I love this table!) here you are. This is a perfect craft project for those of you with some weekend time. The end result is an easy-on-the-eye original piece of functional furniture.

flavor of the week

Spring is finally here! You'll probably want to be spending more time outdoors and less time in the kitchen. This Spring Tabbouleh recipe, courtesy of the lovely Heidi Swanson at 101 Cookbooks, is a great dish to welcome the season.

I understand she's just trying a different take on the traditional Mediterranean staple, so her recipe is sans tomatoes. But in my opinion, tabbouleh without some juice-popping cherry tomatoes is lacking. So I'd add 'em.

I'd also add these yummy glazed lemon cookies to the menu. Cafe Johnsonia provides play-by-play photo instructions with her recipes, which is great. Does anyone have any favorite spring recipes to share?

Also, apologies again for the delays. I'm finally getting in the groove here, so expect a weekly schedule of neat things coming up!