rbrand2911

Taste of the Nation DC has announced a new element to this year's event... Rising Stars!! In honor of the theme ‘Seeds of Change,’ Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation® DC will recognize a selection of young chefs as Rising Stars. These chefs exhibit a strong commitment to Share Our Strength’s cause of eliminating childhood hunger, and are leaders in the DC culinary community. This year’s Taste of the Nation DC Rising Stars are: Victor Albisu, BLT Steak Tony Chittum, Vermilion Scott Drewno, The Source Daniel Giusti, 1789 Nicholas Stefanelli, Bibiana David Varley, Bourbon Steak Bryan Voltaggio, VOLT In addition to being recognized as a Rising Star, Bryan Voltaggio will also serve as Honorary Chef chair of the event. Each Rising Star recipient will be featured in VIP lounge during the special VIP preview hour from 6 -7 p.m. before joining the main floor. Hope you all can join us on the 12th! Taste of the Nation DC 2010 Volunteer Planning Committee TasteOfTheNation.org/Washington

Taste of the Nation DC has recently updated their website to let you know who has already signed up to participate on April 12th. Full list of participants here We are looking for day-of volunteers! Would you like to volunteer at Taste of the Nation DC? Just email DCTaste@gmail.com to learn more about how you can help us out the day of the event!!

Reservations are filling up! Be sure to book your table today on opentable.com or by call BLT Steak (202-689-8999).

Sorry for the confusion - they are running the regular menu, but at discounted prices to reflect the original location's opening on March 3, 2004. So most menu items will be $33.04! Exceptions include the Kobe beef and lobster. Hope to see you on the 3rd!

WASHINGTON’S CULINARY COMMUNITY UNITES TO FIGHT CHILDHOOD HUNGER Share Our Strength’s 22nd Annual Taste of the Nation Washington, DC April 12, 2010 Local award-winning chefs and mixologists have joined forces with Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation to host the capital’s pre-eminent culinary extravaganza and raise the crucial funds needed to help end childhood hunger in America. This year’s event will be held on Monday, April 12th at the historic National Building Museum from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. with a VIP reception beginning at 6:00 p.m. More than 60 of the city’s finest restaurants, mixologists and wine bars will come together to create a culinary night to remember. Chef Chair RJ Cooper of Vidalia, Mixologist Chair Derek Brown of The Passenger and Wine Chair Sommelier Nadine Brown of Charlie Palmer Steak lead the culinary community in hosting an amazing event alongside local talents – Top Chef’s Bryan Voltaggio of VOLT, BLT Steak’s Victor Albisu and 2009 RAMMY Rising Culinary Star of the Year Tony Chittum of Vermilion. This premier event is a showcase of the area’s finest talents in the food and beverage industry, gathering together to ensure no kid goes hungry. “Taste of the Nation is our effort as a culinary community to reach those who are not as fortunate,” says Brown. “Childhood hunger is a real issue that we get to tackle head on through doing what we do best.” “It’s all about the children— for that five-year-old who’s never had a fresh apple before,” notes Cooper, a James Beard Award winner. Guests can look forward to decadent cuisine, tantalizing specialty cocktails and a wide variety of wines. Additionally, live entertainment will be provided by local DJs Will Eastman and lil’e. Luxurious auction items include an exclusive evening with a special menu prepared by Cooper and drink pairing created by Brown; a $1,000 gift certificate to Charm City Cakes of Food Network’s Ace of Cakes; and a Frederick, Maryland getaway package complete with theatre tickets, hotel stay and dinner at VOLT’s Table 21. VIP attendees can expect a stunning lounge with sleek stylish furniture provided by Syzygy on the second floor of the National Building Museum, overlooking the main event. VIP guests will enjoy dishes prepared by Chef Cooper as well as other notable DC chefs, complimented by select wine, beer and cocktail pairings. Wait service will be provided to allow VIP guests to sample offerings from the main floor while enjoying the exclusive lounge atmosphere “An end to childhood hunger in the United States is within reach,” said Bill Shore, Founder and Executive Director of Share Our Strength. “With all the participants in Taste of the Nation Washington, DC sharing their strengths, we are creating more resources for the greater good of DC and our great nation.” One hundred percent of ticket proceeds from Taste of the Nation will go to Share Our Strength’s efforts to end childhood hunger thanks to generous support from our national sponsors American Express, Sysco, Food Network, Brown-Forman, Stella Artois, Hoegaarden, Leffe and S.Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water. With nearly 17 million children nationally and 23,887 children in Washington, D.C. struggling with hunger, Taste of the Nation promotes awareness of Share Our Strength’s efforts. Since 1988, Taste of the Nation has raised more than $73 million for organizations in the United States, Canada and abroad, including more than $1.5 million in Washington, D.C. Local beneficiaries include Capital Area Food Bank, D.C. Hunger Solutions and Mary’s Center. Tickets for Taste of the Nation Washington, D.C. can be purchased by calling 1-877-26-TASTE or visiting TasteOfTheNation.org/Washington. General Admission tickets are $85, VIP tickets are $125. # # # About Taste of the Nation® Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation® is the nation’s premier culinary benefit dedicated to making sure no kid grows up hungry. Each spring and summer, the nation's hottest chefs and mixologists donate their time, talent and passion at nearly 40 events across the United States and Canada, with one goal in mind: to raise the critical funds needed to end childhood hunger. Taste of the Nation is nationally sponsored by American Express, Sysco, Food Network, Brown-Forman Corporation, S.Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water and Stella Artois. Since 1988, Taste of the Nation has raised more than $73 million. Funds raised in 2009 supported 135 organizations in the United States, Canada and abroad. To purchase tickets or to get involved, visit TasteOfTheNation.org. About Share Our Strength® Share Our Strength is a national organization working to make sure no kid in the U.S. grows up hungry. We weave together a net of community groups, activists and food programs to catch children at risk of hunger, and surround them with nutritious food where they live, learn and play. We work with the culinary industry to create engaging, pioneering programs like Taste of the Nation, The Great American Bake Sale, Operation Frontline and A Tasteful Pursuit. For more information, please visit Strength.org.

On March 3, the original BLT Steak on 57th Street in Manhattan turns six years old, and all its BLT Steak siblings are getting in on the fun. The restaurant’s birthday also commemorates six years of serious steaks and attentive service that led to the worldwide expansion of the BLT brand. BLT Steak and BLT Prime restaurants across the country will celebrate by serving specially priced entrees, sides, desserts and cocktails. BLT Steak DC is located at 1625 I Street NW (202-689-8999; www.bltsteak.com). Executive Chef and Partner Laurent Tourondel says, “Thank you to all of our customers and friends who have supported BLT Restaurants over the last six years. We are grateful for a fantastic run and look forward to celebrating many future birthdays together.” For one day only, BLT Steak’s expertly cooked filets, rib eye and New York strip steaks, Dover Sole and signature blackboard main courses will be priced at $33.04, representing BLT Steak’s birth date, March 3, 2004. Sides that have now become staples like Jalapeño Mashed Potatoes, Creamy Spinach and Hen of the Woods mushrooms that normally range from $8-$10, will be $3.03, as will signature cocktails, which are regularly $14-$15. What would a birthday be without something sweet? Favorites like Peanut Butter Chocolate Mousse with banana ice cream, Crêpe Soufflé with passion fruit sauce and Caramelized NY Cheesecake with citrus soup and blood orange sorbet will be $3.03 also, reduced from $10. Birthday specials are valid at lunch and dinner on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at all BLT Steak and BLT Prime locations in the U.S. Certain exclusions apply. Reservations recommended. For more information and to view birthday menus, please visit www.bltrestaurants.com.

*** Also open this weekend *** Belga Cafe is open this weekend as is VOLT up in Frederick, Maryland. For those venturing up to Frederick and need a place to stay... Frederick Marriotts are offering special Blizzard rates listed below! Due to the impending inclement weather this weekend, both the Courtyard and Fairfield Inn & Suites have implemented a “blizzard rate” of $89. The rate will be available starting tomorrow, Friday, 2/5/10, through Sunday, 2/7/10. Guests who would like to take advantage of this steeply discounted rate must request the “blizzard rate” when making their reservations. Hotel contact information is as follows: Frederick Courtyard Marriott (www.marriott.com/wasfd): 5225 Westview Drive Frederick, MD 21703 301-631-9030 Frederick Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott (www.marriott.com/wasfr): 5220 Westview Drive Frederick, MD 21703 301-631-2000.

Kababji Grill (1351 Connecticut Ave. NW; Washington, DC; 202-822-8999; www.kabab-ji.com) is celebrating this winter weather as they stay open for those Washingtonian's looking to dine out this weekend. Serving their authentic Lebanese cuisine, Kababji will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. both Friday and Saturday as the snow piles up outside. For those hoping to stay inside during this winter weather, Kababji will deliver to locations within a two-block radius of the eatery! --- [NB I encouraged rbrand2911 to post this after receiving the press release. I also encouraged her to write about 2911's other restaurants. The same to other publicists - please DO post here about your restaurants that will be open. People want to know! Cheers, Rocks]

Announcing ‘Grill Night’ Every Wednesday Night Enjoy a Grilled Feast by Executive Chef Rodney Scruggs on the Outdoor Patio Downtown’s historic icon, Occidental Grill & Seafood (1475 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW; Washington, DC; 202-783-1475; www.occidentaldc.com), is heating up the fall with the launch of a weekly grill-out on the recently refurbished and decorated patio. Beginning this Wednesday, September 16th, Executive Chef Rodney Scruggs will feature an exquisite grilling menu only offered on Occidental’s expansive outdoor patio. Enjoy the refreshing night air at this DC institution located on Pennsylvania Avenue, just two blocks from the White House, while feasting on cuisine coming straight from the charcoal grill. Each Wednesday, weather permitting, Chef Scruggs will elevate surf and turf delights offering guests Freshly Ground Virginia Bison Burger, Filet Mignon, Prime NY Strip Steak, Yellowfin Tuna or Jumbo Prawns, all prepared right before your eyes and served with Grilled Fresh Vegetables. Prices range from $18 to $39. To accompany your evening of al fresco dining, ‘Grill Night’ will also feature live music on the patio for your listening pleasure. Guests are welcome to relax and unwind in Occidental’s new outdoor lounge. Complete with soft, stylish, plush outdoor love seats and lounge chairs, the lounge is surrounded by colorful garden planters that enhance the view and create a most cozy, perfect place to sip on handcrafted cocktails, created by Assistant General Manager Lawrence von Weigel and Manager Lamont Proffit, before indulging in a finely grilled meal. Favorite cocktails include Pennsylvania Avenue Punch, a mixture of fruit juices, Pyrat Rum and Chambord, as well as the Goulart Sparkling Mojito, a delicious twist on a traditional mojito, topping the mint and lime flavored drink with the sparkling Goulart Rose Cava from Spain. The Dolly Madison is an adult spin on the traditional Arnold Palmer with the addition of Bourbon. Make your reservations today to ensure you enjoy late summer into early fall at Occidental Grill & Seafood (202) 783 - 1475.

Join Fontaine Caffe & Crêperie (119 S. Royal Street; Alexandria, Virginia; 703-535-8151; www.fontainecaffe.com) as they celebrate fine wine from New Zealand and Australia on Monday, September 21st. From 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., discuss the wine making process with Dan Dineen and Michael Kerrigan while sipping on their product and snacking on light fare prepared by Fontaine Chef and Owner Kyong Yi. Priced at $20 per person, Fontaine’s wine tasting is the ideal way to start off the week. The evening will highlight different wines from the New Zealand and Australian vineyards where Dineen and Kerrigan have created successful, award winning vintages through the years. To compliment the evening, tastings of Yi’s delicious sweet and savory crepes will be passed along with delicious domestic and international cheeses and Yi’s house-made pâté. ‘Kiwi’ Dan Dineen, owner and winemaker at Central Otago’s Maude Wines, has worked in vineyards across the Western hemisphere, including McWilliams Wines in Australia’s Hunter Valley and Iain Rigg’s Brokenwood vineyard. Serving as winemaker at Brokenwood, Dineen made the 1999 Rayner Shiraz, which won ‘Best Red Wine in the World’ at the London International Wine Challenge. Hay Shed Hill’s owner and winemaker Michael Kerrigan is determined to keep the winery’s tradition of producing some of the finest wine in Australia. Having previously served at Howard Park and Madfish Wines, Kerrigan learned to utilize fruits from all regions of Western Australia and to create wines at all price points. His work at Howard Park earned him a nomination in 2003 for Qantas ‘Winemaker of the Year.’ Chat with these esteemed winemakers, while sipping on their creations in the French café setting of Fontaine Caffe & Crêperie. For reservations, please call (703) 533-8151. [/font]

Join Taste of the Nation DC For a Volunteer Happy Hour at PS 7’s Love DC’s culinary scene? Can’t get enough of the District’s restaurants? Are you a foodie looking to do good for the community? Join Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation® Washington, DC committee chairs as they host an informative volunteer recruitment happy hour at PS 7’s on Wednesday, September 9th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Taste of the Nation DC is one of the city’s premiere culinary tasting events. Last year’s sold out event featured 50 of Washington’s top restaurants, chefs and mixologists, raising a staggering $150,000 that benefited local charities including Capital Area Food Bank, DC Hunger Solutions and Mary’s Center. And Taste of the Nation 2010 promises to be bigger and better than ever, scheduled for Monday, April 12th at the National Building Museum. Snack on complimentary hors d’oeuvres and sip on special select $4 wines and $3 beers, while learning more about Taste of the Nation and volunteering on the 2010 planning committee. Whether interested in assisting on a committee or finding out about volunteering at the actual event, join Taste of the Nation committee chairs to learn about what you can do to end childhood hunger in our area. Taste of the Nation 2010 will feature Chef Chair R.J. Cooper of Vidalia, Mixologist Chair Derek Brown of Gibson, and Wine Chair Sommelier Nadine Brown of Charlie Palmer Steak. PS 7’s is located at 777 I Street, NW; Washington, DC 20001. Please RSVP to DCTaste@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you there! # # #

The downtown power spot BLT Steak (1625 Eye Street, NW; 202-689-8999; www.bltsteak.com) will host a wine dinner featuring the renown Pahlmeyer Winery of Napa Valley (www.pahlmeyer.com). On Thursday, June 18th, beginning at 7 p.m., BLT Steak’s own Sommelier Nicole Saladyga invites guests to join her and Pahlmeyer’s Director of Winegrowing and resident Winemaker Erin Green to take part in this exclusive six-course dinner menu featuring the creations of Chef de Cuisine Victor Albisu, complete with wine pairings. A Helen Turley protégé, Green has been Winemaker since 1999 and has been coined by Robert Parker as Pahlmeyer’s “exhuberent winemaker.” Both Saladyga and Green will enlighten guests with extensive insight on the winemaking process making this event a must for oenophiles. Guests will sip on seven different selected varieties from this Napa Valley favorite during this six- course fête. Pahlmeyer Winery, which began in 1972, and earned critical acclaim for its 1986 Pahlmeyer Red Table Wine (94 points by Robert Parker). On June 18th, guests will be enticed throughout the evening by: 2005 Pahlmeyer Merlot, a bright ruby colored wine with hints of blueberry and Asian spices; 2005 Proprietary Red (96 points by Robert Parker), a full- bodied and vibrantly, deep colored wine with complex aromas of tobacco, dark chocolate, dark fruit and spice, as well as the 2006 Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Chardonnay, which is aged in 90% new French oak barrels giving it a rich, creamy, complex palate balanced with toasty oak components. In addition to snacking on BLT Steak’s signature popovers, guests can expect Albisu’s creative cuisine with dishes such as Grilled Octopus with zucchini flowers, sundried tomatoes and aged balsamic, Crispy Soft Shell Crab with a brown butter tartar, sorrel and golden beets as well as Kobe Skirt Steak “Steak ‘n’ Cheese” Roulade with caramelized onions and gruyere. Green’s passion and palate have driven her to become a perfectionist when creating Pahlmeyer’s vintages. Rather than adhering to traditional practices such as fermenting individual tanks and aging each lot separately, Green has a gift for blending and tasting wines, which yields Pahlmeyer’s extraordinary bottles. BLT Steak looks forward to hosting this celebration of fine food and wine and welcomes DC’s oenophiles to join them at this magnificent event. Priced at $175 per person, this intimate evening is limited to 20 guests. To make a reservation for BLT Steak’s exclusive Pahlmeyer Wine Dinner, please contact Erica Frank at (202) 689-8999 or Erica@bltrestaurants.com.

In the spirit of the winter season, downtown destination, Mio (1110 Vermont Avenue NW; Washington, DC 20005; 202-955-0075 www.miorestaurant.com), is proud to announce its very first Beer Dinner. On Tuesday, January 27th, the restaurant will partner with Portland, Maine, export Allagash Beers for an evening of festive dining and drinking. Inventive, talented Executive Chef Nicholas Stefanelli has handpicked Allagash for this launch event — a perfect collaboration to compliment his refined, ingredient-based cooking. Renowned for finely crafted Belgian-style beer, select seasonal brews will be paired with a divine four-course menu of Modern American fare. Stefanelli will call upon the four distinct brews for inspiration to create each course, noting distinct flavors to enhance each dish. To complete the dessert pairing is Pastry Chef Tom Wellings, who will round out the sweet-to-ale combination finale. Five brews have been selected, though maintaining the confidentiality of two of the more difficult blends to find till the eve of the dinner. The additional three include Interlude (French Oak barrel aging), Curieux (aged Allagash Triple Ale in Jim Beam barrels), and Black (brewed with German 2 Row barley and Belgian dark candi). The event will begin, as guests are welcomed with a celebratory glass of beer and unfold into an evening of fine dining and education in the craft of artisan brewing. The four-course meal will include discussions lead by Stefanelli and an Allagash Brew Master, providing insight to guests about each pairing. Mio invites beer mavens and foodies alike to share in this special evening of fine fare and fermentation. For reservations, please call Mio at 202- 955-0075. This special four-course beer dinner is $90 per person and will begin at 7:30 pm.

Sorry to hear you can't make it! We love feedback and just wondering which past event at Mio you enjoyed so much?

In the spirit of the winter season, downtown destination, Mio (1110 Vermont Avenue NW; Washington, DC 20005; 202-955-0075 www.miorestaurant.com), is proud to announce its very first Beer Dinner. On Tuesday, January 27th, the restaurant will partner with Portland, Maine, export Allagash Beers for an evening of festive dining and drinking. Inventive, talented Executive Chef Nicholas Stefanelli has handpicked Allagash for this launch event — a perfect collaboration to compliment his refined, ingredient-based cooking. Renowned for finely crafted Belgian-style beer, select seasonal brews will be paired with a divine four-course menu of Modern American fare. Stefanelli will call upon the four distinct brews for inspiration to create each course, noting distinct flavors to enhance each dish. To complete the dessert pairing is Pastry Chef Tom Wellings, who will round out the sweet-to-ale combination finale. Five brews have been selected, though maintaining the confidentiality of two of the more difficult blends to find till the eve of the dinner. The additional three include Interlude (French Oak barrel aging), Curieux (aged Allagash Triple Ale in Jim Beam barrels), and Black (brewed with German 2 Row barley and Belgian dark candi). The event will begin, as guests are welcomed with a celebratory glass of beer and unfold into an evening of fine dining and education in the craft of artisan brewing. The four-course meal will include discussions lead by Stefanelli and an Allagash Brew Master, providing insight to guests about each pairing. Mio invites beer mavens and foodies alike to share in this special evening of fine fare and fermentation. For reservations, please call Mio at 202- 955-0075. This special four-course beer dinner is $90 per person and will begin at 7:30 pm.