The Houndstooth Gourmet

 I know many Houndstooth Gourmet readers enjoy local ingredients and seasonal cooking as much as I do, which is why I’m excited about a dining event series which I discovered when reading The List Are You On It (registration required).  The series joins the Neighborhood Restaurant Group (NRG), local farmers  and you-to dine together. This is an excellent opportunity to support our local farmers and restaurants who support sustainable growing, humane farming and quality food.

Vermillion, Rustico, Evening Star Cafe and Tallulah will all be offering “Farm to Fork” dinners- kicking off with Rustico on Slater’s Lane in Alexandria. The four course dinner with one seating at 7pm on Feb. 6th, offers a delicious sounding menu crafted by Executive Chef Frank Morales. Featured farmers, who will talk about their products ,will include Babes in the Wood, Tree and Leaf and Firefly Farms.

Executive Chef Frank Morales will speak about how local farm products and relationships with farmers influence his cooking and menu choices.

First Course

Cauliflower Bisque with Preserved Fruit and Hearth Roasted Ciabatta

Second Course

Roasted Butternut Squash, Firefly Goat Cheese with Apple Butter Bernaise Relish

Third Course

Roasted Pork Loin Canneloni, Winter Cabbage and Glazed Carrrots and Rosemary Honey

Fourth Course

Pumpkin Creme Donut with Heavy Seas- Peg Leg Imperial Stout Hot Chocolate

$49pp + $15pp optional beer pairing. Tax and gratuity not included.

Babes in the Wood raises their pigs on 75 acres of pasture and woods in Dillwyn,VA. The pigs are given freedom to forage and roam in a low stress environment, and are not raised with antibiotics or hormones. According to Babes in the Wood, this gives their pork a distinctive flavor which superceeds intensively produced pork.

Firefly Farms from Maryland’s Allegheny Plateau is a familiar site at the Dupont Farmers Market. They make artisinal cheeses such as chevre, bouche noir, blue and most recently, New French-a St. Andre style cheese.

Tree and Leaf Farm, also a staple at the Fresh Farm Market, sustainably farms vegetables, herbs and flowers in Virginia’s Loudoun County. In addition to bringing their vegetables and herbs to our farmers markets, Tree and Leaf has a 21 week CSA which serves Loudoun County and the Mount Pleasant neighborhood of Washington D.C.

Tags: events, farmers markets, Virginia, Restaurants by Ramona
1 Comment »

 

Todd Kliman is reporting this morning that celebrated foul-mouthed and immensly entertaining (in a car wreck-I can’t help but look-kind of way) chef Gordon Ramsey is all but certain to take over the kitchen at Maestro in Tyson’s Corner. Ramsey is reported to be working out money issues at this time and plans to put a female protege at Maestro’s helm to execute his menu (a Hell’s Kitchen winner, perhaps?).

Maestro has been dark since last fall when lauded Chef Fabio Trabochi pulled up steaks (and most of his staff) and headed to Gotham City to become the Executive Chef at Fiamma.

I think it’s a good sign that internationally known chefs are choosing to add the Beltway region to their balliwick of restaurants. It has certainly worked out well with Chef Eric Ripert who opened Westend Bistro and Wolfgang Puck who opened The Source.

Just don’t rename Maestro “Hell’s Kitchen”. Please.

What do you think of big name chefs dipping their toes into our dining pool? Good, bad, no difference? Does it make it more difficult for local grass roots restaurants to survive or even come to frution? Does it change the dining culture in DC?

 Let me hear your thoughts in the comments section and take the poll at the top left of the page. The poll will be open through Feb. 5th.

Tags: a la minute update, Virginia, Restaurants by Ramona
4 Comments »

Let Them Eat Crepes

Fontaine Caffe and Creperie (Update: Grand Opening Tuesday, Feb. 5th 2008)

Fontaine brings Old World European crepes to Old Town Alexandria. Separated into a front Blue Room and a rear Gold Room (for desserts and private parties), Fontaine will offer sweet and savory crepes. Other dishes currently on the menu include pate, mussels, a cheese plate, soup du jour and tartlettes.

Among the savory crepes are the Alexandrian, filled with ham, mushroom, thyme and Swiss cheese ($10.95), the Moroccan, filled with spinach and feta cheese, topped with a mint-yogurt sauce ($11.95) and the Parisian with roasted chicken, ratatoullie and brie cheese ($13.95). Beguiling sweet crepes invite with Wild Berry filled with strawberry and lemon creme ($7.95), and The Viennese Waltz with glazed apricots and rich chocolate ice cream, topped with apricot brandy ($7.50).

Starters embrace dishes such as mussels in a white wine sauce ($7.95), chicken liver pate with cornichons, mustard and toast ($8.95), savory Alsacian style mini tartlettes with ham caramelized onion and goat cheese ($7.95) and a soup du jour ($3.95 for a cup and $6.95 for a bowl).

Alluring desserts called finishers include a Grand Marnier creme brulee and warm apple tart with rum ice cream and red wine caramel sauce.

Epicurean Delights with Coffee, Wine and More

Grape + Bean

Wine + Coffee + More

Grape + Bean on South Royal St. appears to be completing construction and is scheduled to open late January 2008. From their webiste:

“Grape + Bean, opening January 2008, is an independent, locally owned business created by long-time Alexandria residents David Gwathmey and Sheera Rosenfeld. Grape + Bean, a specialty beverage and food retail boutique, is located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, steps from Market Square, City Hall, and the newly renovated Hotel Monaco. Grape + Bean will focus on high quality wines, single-origin eco-friendly whole bean coffees, and custom brewed coffee, serving Old Town residents and visitors alike. Grape + Bean will also offer freshly extracted juices, artisanal cheeses, chocolates, and other gourmet items as well as high quality glassware, wine supplies, and coffee brewing equipment to meet your consumption needs.Grape + Bean’s mission is to encourage and expand the appreciation of these products through education, experimentation, and excellent service all in a comfortable, friendly environment. Grape + Bean will have a sophisticated yet comfortable feel to it with its original heart pine floors, exposed brick walls (building is circa 1850) and a welcoming tasting bar where patrons will be encouraged to taste something new (wine, coffee, chocolate, etc.) on each visit.”

A Philadelphia Tradition Comes to Old Town Alexandria

Bookbinders

The Old Original Bookbinders has been a Philadelphia institution since the 1860’s. In 2000, Bookbinder’s opened a second location in Richmond, VA followed by locations in Midloathian and Christianburg, and now Bookbinders is expanding to include a location in Alexandria, VA. Stephen Parry, owner of the existing VA Bookbinder locations, is teaming up with the owners of Union Street Public House and King St. Blues, to open the St. Asaph St. restaurant in the former Portner’s space. Bookbinders Old Town plans to bring a cosmopolitan taste to the traditional steak, seafood and wine menu, while preserving the dark wood and stained glass windows look of the place. Bookbinders opens for dinner only on January 30, 2008.

Fontaine Caffe and Creperie

Website

119 South Royal St. Alexandria, VA 22314(703) 535-8151

Hours of operation:

Tues-Sat: 11am-10pm

Sunday Brunch Service: 9am-3pm

Directions

Grape + Bean

Website

118 South Royal St.

Alexandria, VA 22314

Bookbinders

109 S. Asaph St.

Alexandria, VA 22314

Hours of operation;

Mon-Thurs: 5pm-10pm

Fri-Sat: 5pm-11pm

Sun: 4pm-9pm

Lounge: Open daily at 4:30pm

Tags: a la minute update, Virginia, Restaurants by Ramona
1 Comment »

Although upon my last visit to the Arlington market I was a bit depressed and longing for the vibrancy of Spring, I wished for the handful of vendors this past Saturday. I drove to Courthouse about 11:45 am and found an empty parking lot. “I swear they’re open year-round” I thought aloud. “Did I miss an email or something?” Apparently I did. The hard working folks at the Arlington market took a much deserved day off for the Holidays. They should be returning to business as usual after the New Year.

Speaking of the New Year, I went to the market in search of a couple ingredients for a dish I was making to post on DC Foodies. I needed Savoy cabbage and scallions for a braise called “Braised Savoy Cabbage Gratin with Saint-Marcellin” by Molly Stevens from her terrific book “All About Braising”. Since the market was closed, we wound up at the Arlington Whole PaycheckWhole Foods Market. It’s an older WFM and is rather small. Shopping there was like playing bumper cars with shopping carts. But, we got what we needed in addition to duck rillettes pate, a nice bottle of pinot noir and a Paisan baguette from Firehook Bakery.

Earlier in the day, we visited Cheesetique to pick up the Saint-Marcellin cheese for the gratin dish. I was in the mood to try a different cheese for snacking, and boldly ordered 1/4 pound of Stinking Bishop (it was just taunting me to try it) when our helper looked at me askance and said “Uh…have you tried Stinking Bishop before?”. “No” I said shyly, “but I like epoisse” as if that gave me some gravitas. “Here, try some” she said. What can I say about the taste of this pungent cheese? I’ll say dirty socks in a non-ventilated hamper for about a week, that’s what I’d say! Yeah, this cheese is for serious stinky cheese lovers…who won’t be kissing anyone anytime soon. A burp 10 minutes after sampling the malodorous morsel recreated the experience vividly. Not for me. To those who love it and it’s funky friends, more power to you!

Instead, I picked up a piece of Chimay, a Belgium cheese made by those same Trappist monks who make the beer. Chimay is creamy with an assertive nutty flavor and yes, can be a bit pungent. It paired nicely with a Drambuie brand Spicy Apricot Mustard and the Pinot, and made for a relaxing afternoon of braising and noshing.

Tags: Arlington, farmers markets, cheese, Virginia by Ramona
4 Comments »

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve passed by Mancini’s Cafe in Del Ray. It appeared to be a very popular neighborhood place to grab a casual bite to eat, based on the crowds. So when Frank and I were in the mood to have breakfast out before we went to the Arlington Farmers Market (which wasn’t running yesterday, what’s up with that? Holiday hiatus?) and Cheesetique, we decided to give Mancini’s a try.

Walking in the door, Mancini’s is every bit a bistro. Black and white tiled floors meet muraled yellow walls bringing a cheery and open feel to the place.

There is a large display case filled with savory and sweet prepared foods where you walk up to order your breakfast. I decided on one of my perennial favorites-eggs Benedict and Frank got eggs and corned beef hash. Both dishes came with Lyonnaise potatoes and a small cup of melon. Frank’s included toast as well. For around $9, it’s a lot of food.

We had a bit of an extended wait at our table-about 20 minutes or so before a runner called Frank’s name and delivered our breakfasts-not exactly hot, more like luke warm unfortunately. The traditional eggs Benedict comes with a thick slab of tomato under the egg, which in theory is a nice combination with the Canadian ham and Hollandaise sauce. However, this time of year the tomato should be 86′d as it tastes of nothingness. I’m a firm believer in serving tomatoes only in season or if you happen to get a winter tomato that has flavor (Campari tomatoes comes to mind-I buy these throughout the winter from Costco). The melons on the other hand tasted sweet and refreshing. The Hollandaise sauce tasted homemade; it was creamy and lemony and the egg were done perfectly. Another beef of mine is serving eggs that saw poached about 5 minutes before they’re actually taken out of the water- you’ve got to have a runny yolk to blend with the Hollandaise sauce, it’s that simple.

Frank enjoyed his dish and his over-easy eggs were done perfectly as well, so I’d say we’ll be back for breakfast and beyond. Perhaps we hit Mancini’s when they were crunched, hence the long wait and luke warm food. I’m an optimist.

Mancini’s Cafe and Bakery

www.cateringbymancinis.com

1508 Mount Vernon Ave
Alexandria, VA 22301
(703) 838-3663
Get directions

More information »
Open Mon 7am-3pm; Tue-Sat 7am-9pm; Sun 8am-3pm

Tags: Deli, Alexandria, breakfast, Virginia, Restaurants by Ramona
No Comments »