Food News Roundup

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RANDOM

Tomorrow all the heavy hitters will be in the building.  By building, I mean GW’s Jack Morton Auditorium.  Jane Black (food writer) will moderate a panel including Jose Andres (minibar, Jaleo), Todd Gray (Equinox), Spike Mendelsohn (Good Stuff Eatery and We, the Pizza) and Nora Pouillon (Restaurant Nora) sharing their personal insights on healthy eating from planning menus to animal treatment and satisfying customers.  The event is sold out but you might have a slight chance of getting in on the lecture by hitting here:  http://gwu-big-night.eventbrite.com

Michel Richard’s Central announces the appointment of new executive chef, Jason Maddens.  Chef Maddens background includes his stint at Michel of Tyson’s Corner, executive chef of Jackson’s Bistro of Tampa and a graduate of the metro area’s own L’Academie de Cuisine.

Get freaky with Hank’s Oyster Bar.  The restaurant will host the 4^th annual Oyster Fest on April 16, 2011 (11 am-3 pm) at both restaurant locations.  Tickets are $75 pp for an all-you-can-eat day of oysters and more oysters…

The area food bloggers usher in this Spring with a bit of creole seasoning. April’s happy hour, hosted by Dining in DC and Cuisine Queen, is at Bayou Bakery on April 6, 2011 from 6 pm-8 pm. RSVP here. Bring Mardi Gras beads and toast a cocktail, Cheers!

©JohnnaKnowsGoodFood

Fun times at Taberna del Alabardero for the restaurants 22^nd Anniversary. Plenty of freshly sliced meats, cheeses and gazpacho to go around alongside enough sangria to host an open bar happy hour for a week (*such an exaggeration, but it was lots to go around…). Check out the cheese lollipops (above) that I fell in love with at the celebration, Happy Anniversary Taberna! (*Apologies for the picture quality…as luck would have it, I forgot my memory stick…smh…)

THE CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

The Cherry Blossoms are here!  If you do not live in the District, let me tell you a little something about the cherry blossom festival:  it should be an official holiday in the District.  Washingtonians flock to the Tidal Basin to take in the overflow of some of the areas most beautiful flowers.  Area restaurants like to celebrate too:

Café Promenade is offering a 4-course prix-fixe Cherry Blossom menu for $44 which includes selections such as seared organic salmon and cherry walnut roulade with cherry vanilla gelato for dessert.

The Roof Terrace Restaurant has the cherry dessert for $12, a black forest which is a chocolate twist of a sacher biscuit and crème brulee with kirser syrup and Chantilly cream.

Ping Pong Dim Sum never disappoints with a cocktail: the Cherries and Bourbon Cocktail is on the menu for $11.

Ted’s Bulletin has $2.99 cherry “Pop Tarts”.

Ris is featuring a cherry pick dessert:  Black Forest Cake with Chocolate Cherry Sauce.

OPENINGS

Rogue 24 is set to open across from the Washington Convention Center this Spring.  James Beard award-winning chef, RJ Cooper, opens his first restaurant with an urban fine dining menu.

Cities Restaurant & Lounge opened March 19, 2011.  The K Street restaurant showcases dishes inspired by Athens, Havana, Beijing and of course, the District.  Think Cuban spiced clams meet sweet pork spareribs.

DONATE

Savor Bristol Bay Week ends this weekend (March 27-April 2).  The week long campaign seeks to stop a gold mine near Bristol Bay in Alaska to protect the wild sockeye salmon that flourish there.  Over two dozen of the Districts restaurants are participating by featuring the Bristol Bay Salmon on their menus.  See more info here to participate.

Tags: cherry blossom festival, Italian food, new chef, news, open for business, washington dc

Category: Announcements, Food.Fun.Stuff., Washington D.C.