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To start off dining news, this week Jamie Leeds, the lesbian chef/owner of CommonWealth and Hank’s Oyster Bar, was named president of Women Chefs & Restaurateurs, a national non-profit devoted to promoting "the education and advancement of women in the restaurant industry and the betterment of the industry as a whole." Congrats, Jamie!
You wouldn't know from the state of restaurants in D.C. that we have a weak economy. New restaurants have been opening left and right, and I have notes from recent eating expeditions to share.
Sou'Wester, which opened recently in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, has fun cocktails (like the Root Beer Float, made with Jack Daniels) and Southern dishes, like a lovely poached egg with grits and sweetbreads, and chicken and dumplings.
Bibiana opened last month downtown, and the new Italian spot offers plenty of tasty dishes. Highlights include figs stuffed with ricotta, gnocchi tossed with Brussels sprouts, black spaghetti with blue crab and the chocolate bombe for dessert.
Masa 14 is just one more new restaurant to open in the 14th Street corridor, which is exciting for U Street and Logan Circle residents. (Birch and Barley/ChurchKey, in the old Dakota Cowgirl space, also just opened there, and I'll have more on that soon). Masa 14 is the combined effort of Kaz Okochi (Kaz Sushi Bistro) and Richard Sandoval (Zengo), and the menu reflects their Latin and Asian influences in small plates. I like the grilled baby octopus with pickled vegetables and the vegetarian hand roll made with sweet tofu.
SeventhHill, a new pizza spot in Eastern Market, makes some of the best pizza I've had in D.C. Pizzas are named after Capitol Hill neighborhoods (I like the Eastern Market, with goat cheese, herbs and Portobello mushrooms). It's very cozy inside, and there are also daily soups and panini.
Saturday is Halloween, and whether you're throwing a party or not, here are recipes for two fun Midori drinks developed by mixologist Victoria D’Amato-Moran, which are perfect for Halloween night.
Midori Halloween Harvest
1 part Midori Melon Liqueur
1 part dark rum
1 part light rum
2 part white cranberry juice
1 part unfiltered apple juice
1 part simple syrup
Juice of one lemon
(For a Punch Bowl (32 ounces) use this recipe times 8.)
Add the liquid ingredients and mix well. Top with apple slices, blueberries, and melon balls.
Midori Spider’s Kiss
1 part Midori Melon Liqueur
1 part SKYY Vodka
Juice from ½ lemon
Chocolate syrup
Grenadine
With chocolate syrup, draw a web on the inside of the martini glass. Chill glass. Shake Midori, SKYY and lemon juice with ice and strain into martini glass. Drizzle grenadine down the side for a blood effect.
Posted by Amy Cavanaugh,
News Reporter | Oct. 29 at
11:57 AM | acavanaugh@washblade.com
Permalink: http://www.washblade.com/blog/blog.cfm?blog_id=27845
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