Finally My National Debut

I know it’s a small debut, but how does one react when they get published in their favorite magazine! InStyle is by far, if not, my favorite. I have been a longtime subscriber. I take in each page, each article. So, when I finally got an email from the editorial department that they would love to publish my “letter to the editor”, I jumped with glee. It reminded me of the  first time I got published.  Ironically, it was on the same subject matter, ” Cooking Lessons with My Mother.”  Is this a sign with more to come? I hope.

Check out the April issue. It’s short, yet sweet!

In the Kitchen with Eventide Restaurant’s Executive Chef Adam Barnett

Executive Chef Adam Barnett jokes that he has a face for radio not television, but I don’t believe that! Recently, he took a few minutes to demo a dish that he plans on featuring this month Eventide Restaurant.

Favorite Moments at The Reading Connection’s Of Wine & Words

Last night I attended The Reading Connection 8th Annual Of Wine & Words and can I just say “What a night.”  Upon arrival, you could feel a sense of excitement in the air. Everyone there was in support of fighting illiteracy in our community while having a fabulous time!

This year,  some of Arlington’s top restaurants along with Virginia winery Chateau O’Brien, Tallgrass Brewing  and 300 guests came together in support of The Reading Connection.

As I mentioned earlier, there was something in the air last night. One could feel the energy throughout the room all night.

I have been honored to serve on the planning committee for the last two years. And, to see the event come to life in the form that it did last night–well it left me speechless.  But, of course, this wouldn’t be a true Sher in the City blog post if I didn’t talk about some of my favorite moments of the evening. So, here they are:

• Jarrett J. Krosoczka’s reading of Ollie the Purple Elephant.  I absolutely loved his reading of it, and the evening band’s contribution of adding a personal score to the storytelling truly made it magical.
• Food. Glorious food. These events are a great way to delight one’s palate and experience new flavors. With 10 restaurants, where does one begin? I began at Eventide Restaurant’s table (of course! I had to say hello to friend Chef Adam Barnett and Co-owner Nick Freshman), and check out the spread. Chef Barnett created House Cured Citrus Salmon With Gold Beet  Tartar Chermoula for the affair. It was delicious that I took a sampling of more than one. The combination of the salmon with gold beets was absolutely divine. The Lambtinis by Lebanese Taverna were awesome and I absolutely loved the presentation. Hummus, a pita bite topped with a lamb kabab in the martini glass made a perfect treat. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to make it to dessert.  Lyon Hall’s Chef Rob Valencia (and this year’s chef chair) had made an assortment of desserts. I got there too late to grab a mini chocolate cupcake. Next time!
• The empowerment of the reverse auction.  This has always been my favorite part of any event, but to stand there with my friends with each of us raising our paddle to support The Reading Connection’s programs was simply empowering. I liked how it was done because it gave everyone an opportunity to make a contribution.
• Introducing the cause to my friends. I have been volunteering with The Reading Connection for more than two years now, and I love it! But, when an event inspires your friends to volunteer that’s a good feeling.
• Spending time with great friends and meeting new ones! I really enjoyed spending time with some of my best friends here in DC. And, meeting new ones. It makes me realize more and more how DC is truly becoming home.

Did you attend this year’s event? What were your favorite moments?

Just Another Day: Video Shoot at Eventide Restaurant

I recently got to put my journalistic skills back to work. I spent a couple of hours at Eventide Restaurant hanging out with Executive Chef Adam Barnett and Bar Manager Tim Irwin. With the Cherry Blossoms 100th anniversary less than a month away, the team at one of Arlington’s favorite restaurants  is planning to roll out a signature drink inspired by the beautiful blossom, but it doesn’t have a name yet.  Tim is asking for patrons, fans, friends and family to help him name the drink.

Check out the video below and post what you think Eventide should call this drink on its Facebook  page. Stay tune for Chef Adam Barnett’s. He creates a Japanese inspired dish.

My Search for Degas Ends

A few years ago, I was meandering through The National Gallery of Art wanting to see one of my favorite artist’s works–Degas. Well, I finally found him! A couple of months ago The Phillips Collection hosted an amazing exhibition earlier this year featuring the artist’s sketches and oil paintings. I ended up going on the final weekend of the exhibit and I wasn’t the only one waiting until the last minute to see the paintings.

Some of my favorite paintings were on display like “The Dancers on the Barre” and the “Dance Rehearsal.”

Are you a Degas fan? What are your favorite paintings?

Where Did Manners Go?

A few months ago,  I had a story I had written about a visit to Newport, Rhode Island, published on TangoDiva.com, an online woman’s travel magazine. The story was about my tour of one Newport’s beautiful mansions, and exploring the importance of etiquette in the late 19th century.  During the Victorian age, etiquette was integrated into people’s daily lives–it defined the person/the family. Unfortunately, the importance of etiquette has been thrown away with so many other things.

Here’s a good example. The other day, I was taking my dog, Nikki out for a walk. We boarded the elevator in our apartment building. Nikki quietly stood next to me, eager to go out for her walk when a gentleman who I had never met before decided it was appropriate to make a comment directly pointed at her, “She’s a rather big dog to live in an apartment,” he said.  Though, I was a bit offended by this stranger’s comment, I simply replied, “she is very happy.” He simply gave me a blank stare looked back Nikki and then at me. We got off the elevator and went in separate directions.

What gave this person the right to make such a statement? Why couldn’t he had just said “Good Morning,” or stood there and minded his own business?

I never ended up seeing him again-thank goodness, but then again, most probably his mother never taught him, “If you can’t say something nice then don’t say anything at all.”

On the Set of Foodie & The Beast

Last Sunday, I started my day on a fun note! I spent it on the set of Nycci and David Nellis’s Foodie & the Beast with The Reading Connection’s Executive Director Courtney Kissell, Chef Rob Valencia of Lyon Hall and Tallgrass Brewing’s Bill Desrosiers to talk about the organization’s annual fundraiser Of Wine & Words. The studio was filled with some of DC culinary worlds popular faces, including Bibiana’s Executive Chef Nick Stefanelli, Mary Kong of Girl Meets Food and a few others.

The studio was buzzing with excitement! Food, wine, beer and coffee were being passed around and everyone was just having a good time. We got to watch live as two of DC’s favorite bloggers, Mary Kong and Russell Warnick took part in an Iron Chef Competition (with Chef Stefanelli as the judge) to promote the upcoming Lamb Jam while LAMILL Coffee demonstrated and served some amazing coffee. I have to admit, watching the coffee brewing in such a creative manner was impressive.

We were were excited to talk about Friday’s upcoming Of Wine & Words, but we were also excited to meet some new friends. I am looking forward to returning later this month when Eventide’s Executive Chef Adam Barnett joins Nycci and David in the studio.

Listen to the show.

The Fun Things I Get to Do: Getting Ready for The Reading Connection’s Of Wine & Words

Next weekend is The Reading Connection’s (TRC) Eighth Annual of Wine & Words (Friday, March 9.) For those of you who are not familiar with this organization, let me tell you about it. TRC is an Arlington based organization dedicated to fighting illiteracy in the area. It’s mission is to empower kids through reading. For the last couple of years, I have volunteered as a read aloud volunteer and served on this annual fundraiser’s planning committee.

As a volunteer, you get a chance to read to some amazing kids and watch them grow into confident readers and students. It’s a great way to spend a weeknight evening. Our team has done a lot of fun things. We’ve made s’mores and read books about camping, celebrated Dr. Seuss every year and just had a blast. The kids are a lot of fun and are so excited to see all of us each month.

Serving on the Of Wine & Words committee has also been a treat–not only have I made some really great friends over the last couple of years, I have had the chance to work on some cool projects like this PSA below with this year’s Chef Chair Rob Valencia, Executive Pastry Chef of Lyon Hall. Check it out and get your tickets online at TheReadingConnection.org!

Big Thank You to Melissa Bader for her editing skills and helping make this PSA happen!

DC Wine Week Kicks Off With a Bang at Sonoma DC

Sonoma DC is by far one of the best wine bars and restaurants in D.C. Located just a few blocks from the U.S. Capital, you can never go wrong with it.  The restaurant’s ambiance combined with its delicious foods and exquisite wine list, makes it the perfect night out. And, the truth is, I’ll make any excuse to go there. So, when I found out that DC’s Wine Week Opening Party was to take place there, I knew I had to go!

There is one word to describe last night’s affair-”WOW!” There was the sense of excitement in the room. You could feel it with the energy in the room, smell it with the variety of delicious foods, and taste it in the wine selections.

Upon arrival to the party, my friend Aimee and I meandered our way to the bar. With so many selections to choose from, I decided to go with what I love the most–sparkling wine.  The bartender offered to pour me a glass of Schramsberg’s Mirabelle Brut.  The wine was simply divined and a total treat to my palate, plus it complimented the dishes and cheese selections very well.

Chef Michael Bonk really did an amazing job with the evening’s menu, offering a selection of delectable vegetarian tastings like the Leek Gazpacho with nutmeg and the black beans with a bit of tangy taste, which reminded me of one my favorite Indian dishes. But, I will admit,  I loved the meatballs. They were divine and paired well with my glass of wine.

The evening was by far a memorable one. It was fun to mingle with so many people. Few highlights of the night included chatting with Phenice Jones and DC Event Junkie Lisa Byrne.

The fun didn’t end with the party. We made our way downstairs to the bar and enjoyed one of the restaurant’s charcuterie spreads  with Focaccia bread (Thank you Evette!).

Are you planning to attend any events for DC Wine Week? Which ones?

My Favorite Books with Wine Themes

With the official kick off of DC Wine Week just a couple of days away, I thought I would share with you some of my favorite books that relate to wine and food. Well, here they go:

• Under the Tuscan Sun: I actually saw the movie before I read the book. And, I loved both. There was something about the combination of the pleasures of food and wine set in Tuscany. Francis Mayes takes you away in this novel, and makes you wonder-maybe I can do that one day too!
• Almost French: An interesting story of how I came across this book. It was by chance of course. I had never heard of Sarah Turnball, a freelance journalist who met a French writer during a visit to Romania and decides to drop everything for this stranger, and who finds herself passionately in love with her new beau and new home in Paris. But, my ultimate favorite part of the book is how she finds herself having an amazing time at a friend’s party, pouring champagne and chatting up a storm, but learns later on, that she completely embarrassed beau. Talk about wine etiquette!
• A Good Year: I have a connection to France (I don’t know what it is of course), and to the Provence region. While I have not been able to visit the one place in the world that I am destined to go, I will say, reading A Good Year by Peter Mayle, takes me away to the region each time I read it (I’ve read it more than once), can you tell?! Between trying to create an impeccable wine to the love between Max and Fannie, I couldn’t help myself but wish I was Fannie (a restaurateur in Marseilles being wooed by a handsome investment banker). But, it’s by far how wine seems to play a pivotal role throughout the book. From its pairing with foods to of course the wine making process-it’s by far a wonderful story!
• Lunch in Paris: Again, another book I just came across.  A story of a young woman who adventures to Paris, falls in love and finds herself in awe with the food, wine and of course culture. Can you see a reoccurring theme here? Elizabeth Bard shares delicious adventures of her life in Paris.  There is something about the combination of recipes with a fabulous story.

These are by far some of my favorite books related to wine and food. What are yours?