The Margherita at 2Amys: Does it make the cut?

Earlier this week, I was noshing on the roast chicken at Palena Cafe, reveling once again in Frank Ruta’s ability to add and coax flavors from this generous, succulent portion of breast, wing, and leg meat. That’s when the thought struck me: This is, hands-down, one of the area’s greatest dishes. It deserves a spot in some sort of local culinary hall of fame.

The roast chicken is an obvious one, but what other dishes would make the cut? I’ve been pondering this and have drafted a number of nominees. The list is, by no means, complete. It needs your suggestions.

Once we get a solid roster of nominees, we’ll put them to a public vote here on the Y&H blog. The top 10 vote getters will go into the City Paper’s inaugural D.C. Dish Hall of Fame. Winners will receive everlasting glory.

The working list of nominees:

Read More “Seeking Nominees for City Paper’s Inaugural D.C. Dish Hall of Fame” »

Paul Bedard over at U.S. News & World Report runs down the 10 restaurants where you’re likely to spot what passes for celebrities in this town—lobbyists and legislators, in other words.  It’s a handy list, I suppose, if you actually know what Bob Goodlatte looks like and care about where he dines.

Frankly, I’ve eaten out hundreds of times and have rarely spotted anyone famous, perhaps because my definition of famous run more along the West Coast/Hollywood axis than the East Coast/Wonk axis. Of course, it could be that I also don’t have a table reserved at Cafe Milano, Bedard’s No. 1 spot. Don’t see that happening anytime soon either.

Bedard is promising more restaurant lists in the future, such as “the dives favored by Hill staffers, and where top federal officials huddle for after-dinner drinks…” I’m tingling in anticipation, but for now, check out his top star-magnet restaurants after the jump.

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The Atlantic’s new online food section, according to Corby Kummer, promises “twelve departments that showcase some of the wisest and most authoritative people in the worlds of food, wine, and coffee, and many delightful fresh ones. What unites them all is passion, infinite curiosity, and openness to new tastes and new thoughts.”

The debut edition features not only Ezekiel J. Emanuel’s dinner with Larry David at the Blue Duck Tavern, but also a mixology column by Derek Brown, bartender at the Gibson (2009 14th St. NW, 202-232-2154). Well, it’s not so much about mixology this time around, more like advice on how not to look like a chump when hitting on the ladies. Sample quote:

Read More “The Atlantic Launches Online Food Section With a D.C. Flavor” »