Simone Sez

Acadiana has brought the customary Louisiana dining experience to D.C. -- CRAWFISH SEASON ain't over yet! We just got word from our sources in Louisiana that crawfish is in abundance and can enjoy the season for another two months. If you haven't gotten your fill of crawfish since the season began, you now have until Friday, August 31. Acadiana presents outdoor diners only with an authentic Louisiana Crawfish Boil: priced by the pound, a savory, spicy mound of the beloved "mud bugs," potatoes, and fresh corn on the cob boiled with a sack of Zatarain's, the preferred Louisiana seasoning, will be brought to your table. Wash it down with an iced bucket of Abita beer. First come, first served! No reservations necessary! The Crawfish Boil is offered every Friday until August 31, from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm only. The Crawfish is priced at $13/pound [before the corn and potatoes are added], and a bucket of four ice-cold Abita Lights is $12. Substitute succulent shrimp for crawfish at $17/pound. For More Information: Simone Rathlé 703.534.8100 / simonepr@aol.com

Connecting Cultures through Cuisine: Smithsonian Folklife Festival and TenPenh Restaurant host a Cooking Demonstration and Lunch on June 30th The Smithsonian Folklife Festival and TenPenh restaurant have teamed up in celebration of the 41st Annual Folklife Festival showcasing unique flavors and ingredients of the Mekong Delta. As TenPenh embraces Southeast Asian food and culture, it is the perfect venue to present the rich heritage of the Mekong Delta. Join renowned chefs, Jeff Tunks and Cliff Wharton of TenPenh Restaurant, Washington, DC; Nongkran Daks of Thai Basil, Chantilly, VA; and Southeast Asian food and culture expert David Quang at TenPenh Restaurant at 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW on Saturday, June 30, from noon to 3:00 pm as they demonstrate the traditional cooking techniques and dishes of the differing flavor methods that distinguish the foods of the Mekong River countries. Drawing from the cuisine, feast on cuisine from the Mekong countries including Pad Thai of Thailand, Vietnamese Summer Rolls of Vietnam, Loatian Grilled Chicken with Green Papaya Salad of the Loas; Cambodian Spicy Stir Fried Beef of Cambodia and Yunnanese Steamed Stuffed Asian Pear with Honey and Dates of Yunnan. Prior to opening TenPenh, Chef Tunks spent three weeks in Thailand and Vietnam extensively researching ingredients and immersing himself in the customary Asian approaches through varied cooking schools and restaurants. “I am honored to be a voice for the festival because of commitment I made in bringing distinctive flavors and authentic presentation from those regions. My mission was to live and learn Southern Asian traditions and bring the best of what I was taught to Washington, D.C. With the festival in our backyard, I will have the opportunity to not only teach what I learned seven years ago, but to explore other traditions and customs new to me. Vietnam’s fertile Mekong Delta is the large, intensively cultivated region in the southeast of the country where the mighty Mekong River branches out into nine distinct arms in its approach to the South China Sea. The longest river in Southeast Asia, the Mekong [whose name in Vietnamese translates as “the Nine Dragon River”] has its source in the Plateau of Tibet, and travels through six countries, including Thailand and Cambodia, on its way to the sea. The Delta itself is rich with agriculture from shrimp farms to rice paddies. According to legend, during the winter months a dragon appears to many of the region’s people, bringing them good health and wisdom. The price for the event is $98 per person for Smithsonian resident members and $133 per person for non-members. All proceeds will go directly to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. For reservations and information, please call 202.357.3030 or visit the Smithsonian online at ResidentAssociates.org, CODE: 1B1-520. A two-week celebration, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival will run June 27-July 1 and July 4-8. TenPenh Restaurant 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004 202.393.4500

"INVITATION TO THE SOUTHERN TABLE” WHAT A PARTY IT WILL BE! Jeff Tunks, Gus DiMillo, and David Wizenberg of Passion Food Hospitality are opening their doors to serve Southern food galore, spirits will be flowing and music will be playing! This is a benefit to raise money for the most anticipated museum to open its doors in New Orleans in 2008. Sunday, June 10, 2007 6pm until 9 pm ACADIANA RESTAURANT 901 New York Avenue New Orleans, Louisiana A Museum Representing the Cuisine and Culture of Sixteen Southern States Participating Restaurants & Chefs: Acadiana Restaurant, Washington, DC- Jeff Tunks, David Guas Cashion’s Eat Place and Johnny’s Half Shell, Washington, DC- Ann Cashion Louis at Pawley’s, Pawley’s Island, South Carolina- Louis Osteen Restaurant Eugene, Atlanta, Georgia --Linton Hopkins Vidalia, Washington, DC --Jeff Buben Only $100 per person (Minimum donation) for a Selection of Southern Dishes, Open Bar and Signature Southern Drinks PLEASE COME AS NEW ORLEANS NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT For reservations or information: 202. 222. 0987 or sofab@acadianarestaurant.com For Reservations or Donations On-Line: www.acadianarestaurant.com/sofab.htm All proceeds from this June 10, 2007 event will go directly to the Museum, whose New Orleans home is scheduled to open fall 2008.

Hello all this morning we are here making sandwiches by the box load and ready to sell sell sell. And I saw the e-mails about some may be worried about where the money is going. I am the founder of PO BOY POWER and I can assure you the money is going directly to the farmers, oyster and shrimpers and the LOuisiana Cultural Foundation was developed by LT Governor Mitch Landrieu who will be here to today to speak to those coming to get po boys and in the afternoon to folks on the hill about this Foundation. He is the brother to Senator Mary Landrieu and his father was a past time Mayor of New Orleans. He is most qualified and trustworthy to funnel the funds we make today to the ones in need. The cultural foundation gives money to chefs, artists, musicians who have lost it all. I just came back from my hometown New Orleans this past Sunday and it is horrific. I wish we could sell more than 1,000 sandwiches today as they need so much more than what is exposed on TV! Please come down and buy a sandwich. Also I was appointed to the commitee with Slow Food to make sure the funds went to the farmers they are in touch with in Slow Food. Also all the chefs of Les Dames d'Escoffier are here to support as well. I hope we have your support today. Thank you Simone

Food for the event has been donated by restaurant suppliers and vendors and other companies have also made cash and in-kind contributions. All of the $25 goes to the relief efforts; the money is being split between Slow Food International's Terra Madre Fund and the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation. Thank you for your support and we hope you'll all stop by for a po' boy tomorrow between 11:30 and 2:30 at Acadiana.

We will be offering shrimp remoulade po' boys and roast beef po' boys as we did last time. Updated details about the event, including the chefs and politicians who are participating, is below. Thanks! “Po’ Boy Power!” Is Rolling Out The Dough Women Chefs and Louisiana Delegates Taking Charge, November 1, 2005 in DC Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu Is Ordering His Po’ Boys In Person Following the success of its initial event, a second “Po’ Boy Power!” fundraiser has been scheduled with the support of the Washington DC chapters of Les Dames d’Escoffier and Slow Food International. This event will be held November 1, 2005, All Saints’ Day, a religious holiday widely celebrated in New Orleans. Po’ boys will be sold for donations of $25 and up at Acadiana (a Louisiana style restaurant under the direction of Executive Chef Jeff Tunks), located at 901 New York Avenue, NW, in Washington DC. Sandwiches will be sold from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. The po’ boys will be assembled by female chefs from the DC area paired with politicians and other local personalities with ties to Louisiana. The Louisiana dignitaries who have come on board are The Honorable Lindy Boggs, Congressman Charlie Melancon, former Senator John Breaux, and former Congressman Robert Livingston. And guess who is coming to dinner, well, lunch really – Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu (LA) will be in attendance with his staff; they have made a special trip to DC to discuss his newly established foundation. Donations from this event will be used to limit the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina on Louisiana farmers, harvesters, fishermen, seafood purveyors, and the cultural arts community. The funds raised will be distributed to two groups, Slow Food International’s Terra Madre Program which will benefit the farmers directly and The Louisiana Economic Culture Foundation recently established by Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu. Can the women top the $27,000 the group of male chefs raised in September? So far, we can look forward to the talents and efforts of Laurie Weber Alleman (The Swiss Bakery), Susan Callahan (Synergy Arts), Ann Cashion (Cashion’s Eat Place and Johnny’s Half Shell), Gillian Clark (Colorado Kitchen), Patrice Dionot (L’Academie de Cuisine), Lynn Foster (private chef), Ruth Gresser (Pizzeria Paradiso), Carla Hall (Alchemy Caterers), Kate Jansen (Willow Restaurant), Jamie Leeds (Hank’s Oyster Bar), Janis McLean (redDog Cafe), Bridget Meagher (Alexander’s in Charlottesville), Joan Nathan (cookbook author/writer), Nona Nielsen-Parker (Stone Mill Bakery, Cafe & Catering), Caroline Bruder Ross (Rick’s Wine and Gourmet), Anna Saint John (Catering by Anna Saint John), and Susan Wallace (Black Salt). The first “Po’ Boy Power!” fundraiser was held at Acadiana restaurant in Washington DC on Monday, September 12, 2005 and raised more than $27,000 for the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation.

We just posted this under Hurricane Relief Efforts. All of the details are below. Thanks for your support! “Po’ Boy Power!” Is Rolling Out The Dough -- Women Chefs and Louisiana Delegates Taking Charge, November 1, 2005 in DC Following the success of its initial event, a second “Po’ Boy Power!” fundraiser has been scheduled with the support of the Washington DC chapters of Les Dames d’Escoffier and Slow Foods International. This event will be held November 1, 2005, All Saints’ Day, a religious holiday widely celebrated in New Orleans. Po’ boys will be sold for donations of $25 and up at Acadiana (a Louisiana style restaurant under the direction of Executive Chef Jeff Tunks), located at 901 New York Avenue, NW, in Washington DC. Sandwiches will be sold from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. The po’ boys will be assembled by female chefs from the DC area paired with politicians and other local personalities with ties to Louisiana. The first Louisiana dignitaries to come on board were The Honorable Lindy Boggs, Congressman Charlie Melancon, and former Congressman Robert Livingston. Donations from this event will be used to limit the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina on Louisiana farmers, harvesters, fishermen, and seafood purveyors. All funds raised will be distributed directly to affected farmers through Slow Food International’s Terra Madre Program. Can the women top the $27,000 the group of male chefs raised in September? So far, we can look forward to the talents and efforts of Laurie Weber Alleman (The Swiss Bakery), Susan Callahan (Synergy Arts), Ann Cashion (Cashion’s Eat Place and Johnny’s Half Shell), Gillian Clark (Colorado Kitchen), Patrice Dionot (L’academie de Cuisine), Ruth Gresser (Pizzeria Paradiso), Carla Hall (Alchemy Caterers), Kate Jansen (Willow Restaurant), Haidar Karoum (Asia Nora), Janis McLean (Red Dog Cafe), Bridget Meagher (Alexander’s in Charlottesville), Joan Nathan (cookbook author/writer), Nona Nielsen-Parker (Stone Mill Bakery, Cafe & Catering), and Anna Saint John (Catering by Anna Saint John). The first “Po’ Boy Power!” fundraiser was held at Acadiana restaurant in Washington DC on Monday, September 12, 2005 and raised more than $27,000 for the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation. “I got the power! I ate a po’ boy!” For more information: Simone Rathlé simonepr@aol.com

We greatly appreciate all of the support we received for the first Po' Boy Power event held in September immediately after Hurricane Katrina. We've got another fundraiser coming up on November 1st to provide continued assistance to those in need. Details are below. We hope you'll help to spread the word, please, and stop by and get a po' boy. “Po’ Boy Power!” Is Rolling Out The Dough -- Women Chefs and Louisiana Delegates Taking Charge, November 1, 2005 in DC Following the success of its initial event, a second “Po’ Boy Power!” fundraiser has been scheduled with the support of the Washington DC chapters of Les Dames d’Escoffier and Slow Foods International. This event will be held November 1, 2005, All Saints’ Day, a religious holiday widely celebrated in New Orleans. Po’ boys will be sold for donations of $25 and up at Acadiana (a Louisiana style restaurant under the direction of Executive Chef Jeff Tunks), located at 901 New York Avenue, NW, in Washington DC. Sandwiches will be sold from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. The po’ boys will be assembled by female chefs from the DC area paired with politicians and other local personalities with ties to Louisiana. The first Louisiana dignitaries to come on board were The Honorable Lindy Boggs, Congressman Charlie Melancon, and former Congressman Robert Livingston. Donations from this event will be used to limit the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina on Louisiana farmers, harvesters, fishermen, and seafood purveyors. All funds raised will be distributed directly to affected farmers through Slow Food International’s Terra Madre Program. Can the women top the $27,000 the group of male chefs raised in September? So far, we can look forward to the talents and efforts of Laurie Weber Alleman (The Swiss Bakery), Susan Callahan (Synergy Arts), Ann Cashion (Cashion’s Eat Place and Johnny’s Half Shell), Gillian Clark (Colorado Kitchen), Patrice Dionot (L’academie de Cuisine), Ruth Gresser (Pizzeria Paradiso), Carla Hall (Alchemy Caterers), Kate Jansen (Willow Restaurant), Haidar Karoum (Asia Nora), Janis McLean (Red Dog Cafe), Bridget Meagher (Alexander’s in Charlottesville), Joan Nathan (cookbook author/writer), Nona Nielsen-Parker (Stone Mill Bakery, Cafe & Catering), and Anna Saint John (Catering by Anna Saint John). The first “Po’ Boy Power!” fundraiser was held at Acadiana restaurant in Washington DC on Monday, September 12, 2005 and raised more than $27,000 for the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation. “I got the power! I ate a po’ boy!” For more information: Simone Rathlé simonepr@aol.com

Our sincere and heartfelt thanks to all of you who stopped by to make a donation and get your po' boys. The participating chefs arrived at Acadiana at 9:30 this morning to get started on the preparations. The po' boys sold fast! We sold out in about 2.5 hours and raised more than $26,000 for the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation. We're organizing another po' boy event to provide continued support and will let you know the details when they are finalized. We appreciate your support in helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina. -The Po' Boy Power Committee

We're hoping lots of people will come out, eat po' boys, and help the relief effort. The reason we have 21 top chefs clamoring to make po' boys is that New Orleans was such an important culinary center, and we all feel the loss. We love the food, we care about the people in our industry, and this is what we can do to help. - Po' Boy Power Committee