One of the best things about spring is the numerous food-centric festivals cropping up all over town. It’s a chance to soak up the sun, sample various foods, and sip wine. A few weeks ago my husband and I attended the National Harbor Food and Wine Festival. A highlight for me were the cooking demonstrations, […]
Blue Duck Tavern Refreshes its Menu for Spring
May 17, 2014 · by · Leave a Comment
Ask a DC food lover for a list of their favorite restaurants, and Blue Duck Tavern is likely to appear. I count myself as an admirer. I love the feel of the place, as it manages to be simultaneously elegant and informal. The waitstaff is abundant, attentive, and yet appropriately restrained. You’ll never need to […]
The Tasting Room: Exhibiting Good Taste
May 9, 2014 · by · 2 Comments
My compass usually points south towards the district when I think about where to dine on a Saturday night. But a recent drive up Route 270N to the Maryland city of Frederick proves to be particularly satisfying. Many Washingtonians associate Frederick dining with Bryan Voltaggio’s excellent establishment, Volt. Just a few blocks away is another […]
Maple Ave Restaurant: Full of Surprises
April 28, 2014 · by · 3 Comments
My obsession with restaurant research generally yields positive results. But I must admit, it’s exhilarating when I stumble upon a restaurant and have a stand-out meal. Maple Ave Restaurant in Vienna, Virginia takes me by surprise with its diverse menu, bold flavors, and low-key vibe. Maple Ave Restaurant (MAR) isn’t exactly a sleeper. It is […]
NYC’s Balaboosta: From Strength to Strength
April 20, 2014 · by · 3 Comments
Walk. Eat. Shop. Repeat. This is my mantra for a three-day weekend in NYC with a girlfriend. Late Saturday afternoon we head to Nolita to browse through the boutiques. Despite being reservation-less, we hope to snag a table at Balaboosta. Is this chutzpah, or the way most people go with the flow when it comes […]
NYC’s Betony: A Best Bet-in-NY
April 13, 2014 · by · Leave a Comment
A question that I get asked frequently is where should I eat in NYC…this weekend? It’s a question that leaves me cringing. My New York trips have always involved hours of obsessive research. I mark my calendar for the exact moment I can call for reservations, since many spots won’t reserve more than a month […]
Aggio: Expanding a Restaurant’s Range (CLOSED)
April 8, 2014 · by · 2 Comments
Note: This restaurant has closed in Chevy Chase, Md. but is open in Baltimore. Change can be difficult, particularly as one ages. I have deep admiration for a friend, who at the age of 60 abandons his consulting business and enrolls in L’Academie de Cuisine. He plans to become a personal chef upon graduation. I […]
