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Had I known the lobster cost $300, I would have brought it home and kept it as a pet.
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Nothing lights up a child’s face like a cookie, so these three holiday events should be popular with kids of all ages. Best of all, since they each benefit charity, the sugar rush is guilt-free.
The Fairmont: Cookie decorating is just one of the activities at this hotel's annual tree-lighting ceremony happening December 3rd. The hotel's courtyard will dazzle with thousands of tiny white lights, shimmering Christmas trees and over 30 animated reindeer. Santa and Rudolf will make guest appearances, the Georgetown Visitation Madrigal singers will perform holiday classics, and families and guests will enjoy free hot chocolate and cookies. There’s no charge to attend, although guests are asked to bring an unwrapped toy to be donated to the U.S. Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program (5–6:30 PM; 202-429-2400).
Hook: At this December 7th event, the Georgetown seafooder will provide five cookies to be fancied-up with frostings and sprinkles, and your $5 donation will benefit Share our Strength’s efforts to combat childhood hunger. A gingerbread creation from pastry chef Heather Chittum will be unveiled during the festivities (3:30–4:30 PM; for information, call 202-625-4488).
Wildfire: A hands-on cookie-making session on December 14th will yield treats to take home along with a goody bag (1–2:30 PM; $10 fee covers up to two children and one adult and benefits Food for Others, an organization that feeds hungry people in Northern Virginia; 703-442-9110).
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- – A 2.15-pound truffle is having a terrible time selling in New York. [Gothamist]
- – Beaujolais' big days are behind it. [WSJ]
- – Massachusetts' wine shipping laws have been thrown out. [Bostonist]
- – The feud between Taco Bell and 50 Cent is getting intense. [NYDN]
- – In a new advertising campaign, Burger King is leaving wallets around the country. [AHT]
- – Genes may play a role in shaping our dietary choices. [Independent]
- – Robert De Niro's Ago outpost in New York may be on the way out as early as next week. [Strong Buzz]
- – The insatiable Gael Greene is out at New York. [Feedbag]
- – Wait, really? Disgraced Dinner Impossible "chef" Robert Irvine is coming back to the Food Network for more? [AP]
- – Still looking to wow 'em on turkey day? Whip up a turbaconducken. [Bacon Today]
- – "Semen is inexpensive to produce and is commonly available in many, if not most, homes and restaurants." [Food Chain]
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Apparently, wild swings on Wall Street don’t scare Robert Wiedmaier (Marcel's, Brasserie Beck), because in February 2009 the lauded chef is planning to open a three-concept dining experience in the Lorien Hotel & Spa. The main restaurant, Brabo, will serve Belgian cuisine with American inspiration. Adjacent to its main dining room will be the more casual Tasting Room, which true to its name will offer plates for sharing while sipping wine. Finally, a gourmet shop called The Butcher Block, will sell wine, beer, cheese, olives, charcuterie and more (1600 King St., Alexandria).
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Can't get enough of Top Chef? You're not alone. Each Thursday, it seems that food sites on the Internet stop to take a collective look at what went down on the chopping block the night before. So if you're looking to kill some time reading recaps and the like, here are some spots to start.
- – In case you missed it, last night's episode in 30 bullet points. [Hungry]
- – Nothing brings laughs to a recap like solid LOLcat humor. [Eater]
- – Joshua Stein thinks the TC rejects who helped judge were, save one or two, "vindictive anal worms." [Gawker]
- – The minute "ostrich egg" and "quiche" were mentioned, Adam Platt knew that trouble was coming. [Grub Street]
- – This episode proved that you should "cook what you know." [Amateur Gourmet]
- – Wait a second, "is this Top Chef New York or Top Chef Europeland?" [Best Week Ever]
- – Good to know? Fabio claims to have eaten 50 or so hot dogs on his rare days off during the New York shoot. [BravoTV]
- – Have we mentioned that last season's cheftestant (and D.C. burger-meister) Spike Mendelsohn is live-Twittering each episode? He is. [Twitter]
- – Unrelated, Salon thinks Tom Colicchio is a very, very sexy man. [Salon]
- – Finally, Chicagoist checked back in with former TC runner-up Dale. [Chicagoist]
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Zagat's new iPhone application
Starting today, iPhone and iPod Touch owners will have one more reason to obsess over their favorite gadgets. Available now in the iTunes App Store for the bargain price of $9.99, ZAGAT TO GO '09 gives you access to over 40,000 restaurant, nightlife, hotel and shopping listings in over 100 cities around the world. Users can browse ratings, photos and maps, as well as the indispensable Top Lists. Its location awareness enables you to search spots nearby – you can even make reservations through OpenTable. Zagat content has never been more convenient – or more affordable.
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- – The definition of organic milk in the U.S. may soon be finalized. [USA Today]
- – In defense of disliking dishes. [MenuPages]
- – PETA, which really doesn't like Thanksgiving, has pulled up some very disturbing turkey videos. [NYT]
- – Is ordering takeout environmentally sound? [Slate]
- – A "punk" beer in the U.K. that describes itself as a "twisted merciless stout" has been banned for promoting irresponsible drinking. [Independent]
- – Robert De Niro's Ago outpost in New York may have a lawsuit in its future. [Page Six]
- – At least grocers are doing ok these days. [SF Chronicle]
- – A sushi guide for your iPhone seems like a no-brainer to us. [Serious Eats]
- – Who needs a turducken when you can enjoy a quaducant (a quail in a duck in a pheasant)? [Serious Eats]
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As first reported by the Washington Post, the Downtown outpost of the Anthony Bourdain–affiliated bistro Les Halles served its final steak frites last night.
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When General Store and Post Office Tavern, Gillian Clark’s eagerly awaited casual American, opens later this month in Silver Spring’s Forest Glen, customers will step up to a former postmaster's window to order Clark’s famed crullers, fried chicken, mom-like casseroles (tuna, chicken pot pie), soft drinks in mason jars and waffles for brunch. Meals will be enjoyed at salvaged tables and booths in Americana-themed rooms decorated with crockery and vintage produce-crate labels or on homey porches and patios. Planned for winter: a brick-walled pub downstairs offering a late-night (for the area) pizza menu (6 Post Office Rd., Silver Spring; 301-562-8787).
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Whether you’re scouting for spots for that pre-holiday lunch gathering or just looking for a good deal (so you’ll have money left for holiday gifts!), here are some lunchtime bargains worth celebrating.
Assaggi Mozzarella Bar: This new Italian in Downtown Bethesda serves a choice of entree salad, panini, pasta or secondi plus dessert for $15 (midday through December 19th; 301-951-1988).
The Liberty Tavern: A pint of beer and a burger for 10 bucks is the deal at this rustic restaurant in Arlington’s Clarendon neighborhood – best of all it’s available all afternoon on weekends to accommodate football fans (Wednesday–Friday, 11:30 AM–2:30 PM; Saturday–Sunday, 11:30 AM–5:00 PM; 703-465-9360).
Restaurant Eve: For $13.50, this New American in Old Town Alexandria offers two picks from its “Lickety Split” menu, which includes choices like mussels with lamb merguez, an Irish BLT or even a cocktail or a glass of wine (available in the bar and lounge Monday–Friday, 11:30 AM–4 PM; 703-706-0450).
Vidalia
photo: courtesy Vidalia
Vidalia: The Southern-inflected New American tasting lunch here costs $19.90 – that’s also the address of its Golden Triangle location (1990 M St. NW). Guests can choose a small-sized portion of an appetizer, entree and dessert from the entire menu (202-659-1990).
Teatro Goldoni: Stylish Italian dishes like slow-cooked pork ribs with cabbage and potatoes or a polpettone hamburger with tomato sauce, mozzarella and zucchini fries are offered at the bar for $13.95 at lunch (202-955-9494).
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The Jockey Club updates the house salad.
photo: Courtesy of Jockey Club
Dark wood, red plush banquettes, equestrian art, Nancy Reagan’s chicken salad – it'll all be there at this Wednesday's relaunch of the Jockey Club, the legendary hotel dining room (once known as "DC's 21 Club") in The Fairfax at Embassy Row; its signature decor has been brightly restored, while the pricey American menu utilizes local produce and new techniques to update longtime favorites like duck à l' orange and trout amandine, and also offers more modern fare like tuna tartare to appeal to 21st-century players.
2100 Massachusetts Ave. NW; 202-835-2100
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- – The New Yorker's annual food issue is out and chock full of interesting reads. [New Yorker]
- – Spam? The beloved canned meat product is gunning for a comeback. [NYT]
- – Business lunches ain't exactly what they used to be. [Chicago Tribune]
- – In a few years the scallop crop on the East Coast should be boffo. [Boston Globe]
- – Mario Batali and Tony Bourdain get nasty. [Short Order]
- – Bush Sr. didn't like broccoli. Barack Obama doesn't like beets. [Diner's Journal]
- – Top Chef might want to be careful how it spells guest judges' names. [Amuse Biatch]
- – The newest shows on the Food Network seem a bit familiar. [Grub Street]
- – Too lazy to call to order pizza? You can do it on your TiVo now... [Gizmodo]
- – Ben Franklin was a fan of a good old-fashioned electrocuted turkey. [Washington City Paper]
- – The internet's love of bacon and cute merge with bacon taped to a cat. [Whatever]
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Only the flies on our table enjoyed the meal.
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Party like it’s 1933 on December 5th, in honor of the day the 18th Amendment was repealed and Prohibition ended. Top mixologists, including Owen Thompson (Bourbon) and Gina Chersevani (EatBar), will be shaking and stirring cocktail classics in the historic setting of the City Tavern (3206 M St. NW), and a 1930s jazz band will set the mood while diners sips and tame hunger panes with hors d’oeuvres. Organized by the DC Craft Bartender’s Guild, the event benefits the City Tavern Club’s preservation fund and the Museum of the American Cocktail (8 PM–midnight; $80 before November 20th, $90 after; price includes drinks; get more info and buy tickets).
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- – Milk-based products from China have been blocked by the FDA for fear of contamination. [NYT, WSJ]
- – When you eat fast food you are mostly eating... corn. [Time]
- – At least one blogger is done with pandering to the Internet's bacon obsession. [Accidental Hedonist]
- – The new Momofuku Milk Bar in New York has an incredible looking take on the Egg McMuffin. [SE: NY]
- – A brief history of the LA bagel. [LAT]
- – It isn't easy getting to be a master sommelier. [Feedbag]
- – Want to buy a two-pound white truffle? [Grub Street]
- – Forget the Weber: put a pizza oven in your backyard instead [Slice]
- – Seriously, who makes fetus-shaped cookies? [Salon]
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