Dolci Gelati and WTF serve up sweet homemade gelato in the District
Summer may be winding down, but these DC sweet spots are heating up! Dolci Gelati and WTF (Woodward Takeout Food) are crafting homemade gelatos that have people, and puppies, lining up! Gelato is perfect for back-to-school date nights, a quick treat while walking the dog, tasting flavors with an old friend, or just indulging in some decadent homemade delights. There's something for everyone at these two spots, so go ahead, treat yourself!
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Curiously Craveable
I've been attempting a Whole 30/paleo diet the past few weeks and things are going GREAT. I feel great, I've lost some weight, I'm super motivated, and I'm a lot less lethargic. The one thing saving me from my carboholic tendencies? POTATOES. My absolute favorite new potato recipe are these chile lime sweet potato fries. They take less than 10 minutes to prepare and they're ready in 40 minutes, with no mess from a deep fryer. Keep reading for this completely addicting recipe...
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Chinese/Korean Counter Service Draws Crowds in Barracks Row
The newest addition to the increasingly popular Barracks Row neighborhood is a Chinese/Korean collaboration called CHIKO. Well-known DC chefs Scott Drewno and Danny Lee team up to create the ultimate Asian-fusion concept that will leave you wanting to come back every. single. day. It is 100% my favorite restaurant of the moment, and I highly encourage you to get in to CHIKO before the line wraps around the block.
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Seasonal. Summer. Succulence.
This recipe is out of control seasonal with all of the happy summery things that are ripening up this month. For me, this bright, refreshing dish was sourced almost completely locally from my home garden and my CSA share with Three Part Harmony Farm, which is only three miles from my house. I utilized the juicy, sweet, fruits in a savory component as a salsa -- adding spicy jalapeño, zesty summer basil, crisp white corn, and tangy red wine vinegar. All of these summer fruits and vegetables work extremely well together, as do most things that grow together during a season. I topped some buttery salmon with the sweet and spicy salsa, but it's also great with chips, on a grilled cheese, or even as a taco condiment! The best part about this dish is that you only have to turn on your oven for 15 minutes and no other heat is needed, so you can stay cool in this insanely hot DC heat wave! Let me know how you like the salsa best using #hangrydistrict!
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I caught up with Dejan Zivanovic, founder of DC's Yufka BakerY, and had him show me how he makes these flaky creations, while learning the story behind his craft. Check out my interview and video with him below!
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Hey friends! Want to hear me talk about food over the airwaves? Check out my interview on a brand new podcast, The Mustache Mesa! You'll hear me talk about my favorite meals of all time, cooking tips for any level of home cook or chef, the story behind Hangry District, and so much more!
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Southern Hospitality, lovingly referred to as SoHo by its regulars, is a staple in the District's Adams Morgan neighborhood. Since opening in 2011, college grads and night life lovers have been calling this hot spot their favorite watering hole. Bartenders sling drinks at a rapid pace, always with a smile, and TVs line the bar for optimal viewing of our DC teams. It's always packed, and NOT just because of the great drink specials.
This "bar" is a restaurant, too, you guys! With a sprawling patio and upstairs dining room, it's not only a great place to take shots with your besties, but also a great place to grab a bite to eat at a reasonable price, or host an event. Yes, they are known for their brunch, but I'm telling you, you should stop by for apps during dinner service, too!
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Date Night!
Each Wednesday, hangry bf and I choose recipes from some of my many cookbooks to make for date night! It not only makes my insane collection of cookbooks seem reasonable, but it's also really fun to cook together once in a while. He does much better with a written recipe than my MacGuyver style cooking off the cuff. Last week we chose The Food Lab by J. Kenji López-Alt and picked recipes that could utilize our pork chops from Liberty Delight Farms and a whole mess of green beans. The result? Succulent maple, mustard, Bourbon pork chops with crisp beans tossed with olives and almonds. Try it for yourself with the recipe below!
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Enjoy Your Weekend, Leave the Meal Prep to V+B
Vegetable and Butcher is a subscription-based meal service that caters to the health-conscious (or simply the busy folk of DC). They’re based locally in DC and cook all of their food out of Union Kitchen in Ivy City.
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Fancy Leaves
Making creative salads is one of my favorite things to do in the kitchen. The combinations are endless, and I typically feel really good about my decision to make and/or eat a salad. That said, making salads can be one of the most time consuming dishes to make in the kitchen. Each element of the salad usually requires some sort of preparation, whether it's roasting, chopping, mixing, seasoning, etc. But the pay off sure is worth it. One of my new favorite salad ingredients is roasted beets that have been slightly pickled. I love the combination of beets and apples, so I created this show stopping salad and have been serving it at parties and catering events ever since. It's got all the things a salad needs: acid, fat, crunch, sweetness, leaves and salt. I got the winning "Yum" of approval from none other than my mom, a cook's toughest critic, so you should feel confident in this salad choice!
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Shane Hughes, founder and owner of Liberty Delight Farms, traded his Wall Street briefcase for a tractor in Maryland and hasn't looked back since. I caught up with him to discuss his passion for sustainable farming and why it's important to know where your food comes from.
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GET YOUR SLURP ON
Ramen is not just a trend, it's a movement. The Japenese comfort classic is taking the U.S. by storm with new and interesting takes on the traditional noodle bowl. With the help of photographer Andrew Sherman, I'll walk you through the BEST places to get ramen in DC. Not only will I tell you where to go, I'll tell you what to order! Trust me on this - we spent days trying ramen and I wouldn't steer you wrong. No matter where you choose to go, slurp with confidence and feel all of your troubles melt away through the power of ramen.
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Veg Out
Spring has sprung in DC! I think? Hopefully we're finally in the clear from random snow storms, freezing weather and the fear of our gardens dying overnight. So, in honor of my favorite season, I whipped up this quick and easy meatless quinoa bowl utilizing farm fresh eggs from Liberty Delight Farms, herbs from Three Part Harmony Farm, and micro greens from Little Wild Things City Farm. Enjoy!
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Chinese/French Soul Mates
Kyirisan is Chef Tim Ma's first DC restaurant, and I'm so thankful it has arrived! The modern restaurant, both in decor and cuisine, is inviting and exciting with a small, well-crafted menu designed to please the masses. The fusion of Chinese and French cuisine is exotic and unique, and is something I'm hoping to see more of if it's executed this masterfully.
As I walk in, the enthusiastic and welcoming hostess greets me and I meet my friend at the bar. The bartender wastes no time in helping me select a beverage and surprises us both with a shot of habañero vodka. It is terrifyingly hot, but you should try it just to prove you're not a pussy (hey peer pressure!). Keep reading to find out how I spent my evening.
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