Homemade Peeps (and a flamingo and shark for good measure) at Restaurant 3 If you took a nap, worked-out twice, built a hospital, and still had all the time in the world, would you then consider making Peeps from scratch? It just doesn't seem like a priority list topper, but hey. Chef Brian Robinson of Restaurant 3 in Arlington, Virginia, went for it. All week until Easter Sunday, he's treating his dinner guests to the beady-eyed confection. We had a little chat with him. First thing's first: Why?! I always loved Peeps as a kid, but as an adult and chef, I just can’t get past all the random ingredients on the label. It's a marshmallow! Let’s leave it...
Continue reading »
Photograph from Greencolander on Flickr Just outside Washington D.C. in Arlington, Virginia, local mini-chain Murky Coffee will not serve espressos on ice. “I’m sorry...it’s against our policy.” According to Murky Coffee, diluting the espresso will compromise the integrity of the coffee, and that's "not cool," as one barista told an agitated customer. "Touching a waitress’s chest is not okay. Pouring the coffee onto the floor instead of the cup is not okay." But according to blogger Jeff Simmermon behind And I Am Not Lying, requesting ice should be okay. Once the skirmish reached popular blogs, Murky Coffee owner Nick Cho responded, arguing for the "craft of coffee." While Starbucks or another corporate coffee chain might serve the ice without flinching,...
Continue reading »
In anticipation of D.C.-area geeks going gaga over the new iPhone 3G by camping out before it comes out tomorrow at 8 a.m., our own Erin Zimmer gives her picks near the Arlington, Virginia, Apple Store. View Larger Map Last year, there was talk of an Apple store opening in Georgetown but since that never happened and Washington, D.C. proper still doesn't have a store, a close alternative is in Arlington, Virginia. El Pollo Rico: For juicy rotisserie chicken head to El Pollo Rico. The half chicken is a worthy investment—easy to nibble in line and worth a couple meals. The fries aren't anything special here but get a face-lift when dunked in the spicy green sauce. Disclaimer: El Pollo...
Continue reading »
And it has streusel crumbles on top? Hm, Zabar's doesn't have that one in stock now—or ever. But D.C.–based online bakery ShoeBox Oven does. Since pickin's are slim in the District, babka-wise, ShoeBox wants to become the missing Babka Buff. Sure, the Jewish delis out in the Maryland suburbs sell a good standard loaf, but within city limits, selection is limited to Dean and Deluca's one location. Krishna Brown—the aproned, and more oftentimes overalled, lady behind ShoeBox—has been experimenting with recipes lately. At first, people told her babka and danish doughs were interchangeable. But Brown flat-out disagrees. "That's like comparing cat and man," she says. "They may have the same blood, brain and skin, but are completely individual creations." Brown...
Continue reading »
