School Lessons I Like
©JohnnaKnowsGoodFood (Mixologist Matt Perkins)
In just a little under a month, we will usher in another summer. The first thoughts that come to mind are chilled, BBQ’d and sun. This summer in between my various travels, I am looking for new ways to reinvent my 2012 summer memories. One way is to work on those thirst quenchers called cocktails. I know how to mix and match a good gin to a lime but there are so many details I miss out on because I am not a licensed bartender or mixologist. Recently, I visited Cedar Restaurant’s cocktail course, which is the 2nd part in their dinner series The Sunday Experience, and was inspired to implement more activities like this in my summer plans.
Besides the obvious draw to a cocktail class, libations and more libations, Cedar has tapped into a trend that I’m hoping will continue to grow. Cedar, not only provided guests with lessons on the cocktails, they provided small plates courtesy Chef Aaron McCloud. Chef McCloud specifically designed a seasonal menu to compliment each cocktail, which is usually vice versa in this field. Drinks are usually designed to compliment the food and not the reverse. I like where this is going.
©JohnnaKnowsGoodFood ("The Therapist")
On this particular evening where my emotions were flaring all over the place, The Therapist cocktail fit my mood perfectly. In need of something with a bite and soothing all in one, The Therapist hit the spot with a combination of Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur, Vodka, Chocolate Mole Bitters and espresso beans. Cedar’s lead mixologist, Matt Perkins, informed us that the cocktail was inspired by a marriage therapist who visited the bar often and liked the mixture of ginger and chocolate with vodka.
©JohnnaKnowsGoodFood (Cedar Angus beef)
Chef McCloud played the perfect matchmaker with Medium Rare grass fed Angus beef, mole pearl onions, honey carrots and pumpernickel tuile accompanying The Therapist.
I left feeling like I need to do this more often and no, not because I was buzzed, but because this is actually a cool concept. Food+Cocktails+Getting Educated=School Lessons I Like.
Category: Food.Fun.Stuff., Washington D.C.
About the Author (Author Profile)
Johnna French is a Harlem NY native with deep roots in Panama, Washington, DC and North Carolina. All four places have heavily influenced her life and the foods she loves today. After graduating Howard University School of Law and beginning her life as a young professional in the city she was led to start Johnna Knows Good Food in November 2007 to keep family, friends and colleagues updated on where to go and what to eat while dining in the nation’s capitol. French, who still practices law, leads a team of three writers to cover the ever expanding Washington, DC food scene. French has been featured in print and television, appearing in Washingtonian Magazine and is a regular contributor to various local TV affiliates including WUSA 9, FOX 5 DC and WJLA (ABC Affiliate) News Channel 8. During the 2016-2017 football season, Johnna aired on Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic (CSN) show, Redskins Life, as the weekly tailgate host. Johnna is currently a regular contributor to the FOX Baltimore Weekend morning show.Subscribe
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