As I sat down to do some research on the Derby day's classic cocktail the mint julep, I came across an interesting tidbit of information: mint juleps were initially meant to be made with cognac. Say what? Being French, I feel like I *ought* to like Cognac, but I just can't seem to get into it. It's not for lack of trying... the French Embassy and l'Alliance Francaise frequently host cognac tasting, and if sipping it in the presence of Maurice-Richard Hennessy himself didn't convert me, I don't know what will. Many french people feels the same way I do about cognac whose sales were declining until hip-hop came to the rescue. In 2001, Busta Rhymes released "Pass the Courvoisier," and ...
Americana
The Sweeter Side of Red Apron Butcher
Red Apron Butcher is a meat-lovers' heaven and I gave up meat for lent. So, understandably, I was a little hesitant to check out their newest location at 709 D Street, NW. But then the tweets and instagram posts starting coming in. About their tigelles breakfast sandwiches, their scones... and their macarons. Now I had to go ;-) Tiffany MacIsaac, executive pastry chef for the Neighborhood Restaurant Group, not only bakes all the bread for Red Apron's lunch sandwiches, she also bakes pastries for the shop, including scones, a raspberry jelly filled beignet and macarons. What makes the scones and macarons special is that they're made with lard from pigs butchered at the Red Apron ...
A French Twist on A Saint Patrick’s Day Menu
Let's face it, i'm too old for green beer and bar hoping. I'm also not Irish in the slightest ;-) But it's Saint Patrick's Day and I still wanted to do a little something for the occasion. So I did what French people do and had a few people over for dinner and served a not-so-traditional Irish feast... with a French Twist of course. Menu de la Saint Patrice Irish Onion Soup Guinness Glazed Lamb Chops with Irish Cheddar Cauliflower Gratin Bread Pudding with Irish Whiskey Caramel Sauce My inspiration was Guinness. The French use red wine in a lot of dishes, and I thought what can I make where I can sub Guinness for red wine? Plus, once I had bought a four pack I was determined to put it in ...
Seeing Art Through Google Glasses
Judging by the crowds who showed up at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery this Presidents' Day weekend, Washingtonians were very exited at the idea of mixing art and wearable technology. I know I was. I must confess, when I first read about David Datuna's "Portrait of America" piece I didn't entirely grasp the concept. I just thought, ooh, cool, google glasses and art! Let's check it out. My husband and I I showed up at 11:15 on Sunday without even knowing that the Portrait Gallery only opened at 11:30. We entered on the G street Street side, slowly made our way to the line via a leisurely walk through the "Retratos: 2000 Years of Latin American Portraits" exhibit only to find out ...
Celebrating Poutine Week… in Washington, D.C.
I think I may have mentioned it a few times on this blog, I used to live in Montreal, Quebec. For 4 years. You'd think this would mean I'd be able to weather this cold snowy winter like a champ, right? Well, not quite. But it means I have learned to appreciate Quebec delicacies like shish taouk and poutine (and Molson beer... let's be honest). Montreal has changed a lot since I lived there. It's still cold. But it now has macaron shops and poutine week. POUTINE WEEK!!! Are you kidding me!?!? It's basically like our Restaurant Week except between February 1st and February 7th, there are 30 restaurants that offer special poutines for $10. Do you have any idea how all over that I would have ...
The White House Says Cheese (Virtual Cheese)
Have a question about cheese? You're in luck: tomorrow, the White House is hosting its first (Virtual) Big Block of Cheese Day, inspired by Andrew Jackson ... and the West Wing. And while one could think this would just be a way for the White House to get in the mood to host the (newly single) French president who's coming to town in a few weeks, the Virtual Big Block of Cheese Day actually has very little to do with cheese. Womp, womp. According to the White House statement, the original "Big Block of Cheese Day opened the doors of the White House to thousands of citizens to interact with cabinet members and White House staff – and carve off a slice of the four foot by two foot thick ...
Gobble Gobble: Meet Popcorn & Caramel
Popcorn and Caramel are turkeys. But not just any regular turkeys. Turkeys who get to stay at the fabulous Willard Intercontinental Hotel and meet the president of the United States. Well, technically, they are both staying at the Willard, but only one will meet Barack Obama ;-) Both will be pardoned though, and will spend the holiday season at Mount Vernon estate. They will also both get to live out their (potentially short) lives at Morven Park in Virginia. They're part of a very American Thanksgiving tradition I learned a lot about today: the pardoning of the National Thanksgiving Turkey. This tradition was officially started 24 years ago by George H. W. Bush, though ...
A French Twist on Halloween
There's nothing French about Halloween. Unless you want there to be ;-) Since Ladurée no longer offers this beautifully stunning box of Halloween macarons (le sigh), you could head to Olivia Macaron since the Georgetown shop offers an adorable pumpkin jack themed macaron. Or you could also bake the quintessential parisian treat at home... And while I'm still traumatized by my attempts to make candy corn infused vodka, maybe the Halloween Candy would work better in a macaron: If making or eating macarons isn't your thing, you might want to a) stop reading my blog b) dress up like one instead... Speaking of dressing up like a french pastry, I'm also a big fan of this croquembouche ...
5 New (Delicious) Reasons to Visit Union Market This Weekend
It's been a few months now since I published my "10 Delicious Reasons to Visit Union Market This Weekend" post. Some of the reasons I listed are still relevant. It's still great to support local food artisans, Gina Chersevani still makes a mean egg cream and Rappahannock Oysters still has the best crab cake in the city (the lamb and clams is pretty standout as well!). But I'd like to add in a few more reasons, delicious or otherwise, why you should visit Union Market before the end of the summer. 1) Gin and Tonic on Tap at Red Apron Butchery - Cocktails on tap are popping up all over the city (Sangrias at Hogo, Margaritas at Bandolero, Rickeys and Americanos at Teddy & the Bully Bar ...
National Crème Brûlée Day
Seems like everyday is a different "food" holiday of sorts. Bars around D.C. just celebrated National Tequila Day and I just received a press release alerting me that National Lasagna day is coming up this Monday. Bon Appetit published this fun article last year about How National Food Holidays Became A Thing. They're basically Hallmark holidays that brands and restaurants promote with more or less success as a marketing campaign to sell more things. And today the "thing" in question was a trio of mini crème brûlée doughnuts (vanilla, chocolate and raspberry) offered by Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken in honour of National Crème Brûlée Day. Since Nevin Martell of the Washington Post ...
