January 30, 2012

We have been pretty busy.  Along with our usual labors keeping everything in The List up-to-date, our food and wine radio and cable show, Foodie and The Beast, has been breaking some new ground (for us, at least) and having more fun than we should doing it.  On Sunday, January 15, we were live in front of a happy and hungry studio audience at Carmine's in Penn Quarter for a live (as in live, bay-be) broadcast of the show.  Our guest list that day was a veritable cavalcade of greats, running the gamut from chefs Michel Richard (Citronelle, Central, Michel), Jeff Black (Black Restaurant Group), Scott Drewno (Wolfgang Puck's The Source), Nick Stefanelli (Bibiana) and Terry Natas (Carmine's), along with James Beard Award-winning cookbook author Joan Nathan and DC Central Kitchen's Brian McNair, all in the house under the watchful eye of our host and grand toastmaster, Jeff Bank, Carmine's CEO.

The event literally rocked from start to finish, especially with the help of Carmine's Beverage Director Erin Ward. Throughout the show Erin mixed up an array of cocktails for those of us up on stage and for the 120 people sitting in the audience. And ... no ... we were not just plying the audience with liquor. There was food too.  Plates of pasta were cooked up by Chef Terry Natas and the rest of the Carmine's kitchen staff.  Want a sneak peek of what you missed? You can listen to the whole show here. For visuals, take a look at the fantastic shots taken by photographer (and cameraman) Nick Andersh in the slide show below:

The following Sunday, January 22, we were back in the radio studio for our regular, live Sunday gig  -- no audience -- but an array of guests who were no less luminous (see pics of guests in slideshow above).  Top Chef's talented Jennifer Carroll was in with Chef Alon Shaya (who cooking up a storm in the John Besh restaurant, Domenica at New Orleans's fabled Roosevelt Hotel) to talk Sunday Suppers that benefitted DC Cenral Kitchen and Martha's Table.  The Rappahannock River Oysters' Ryan and Travis Croxton, were in-studio with wit and wisdom about oyster varietals and serving up the tasty treats with the world's sharpest shucking knife.  Kevin Logan of Logan's Sausage and Peter Kaldes of Kaldi Olive Oils, were both in with samples of their products and updates on the upcoming International Wine and Food Festival (February 11-12 at the Reagan Building). And pouring wine ... because we always have somebody pouring something ... was our old friend, Florentine Filippo Bartalotta of Le Baccante Wine Tours.  Filippo came in with a selection of some of his favorite Italian wines. Some from Tuscany. Some from Umbria. What can we say, it's a tough job but somebody has to do it (and we are happy to!). Take a listen at the fun you missed here.

So, on to this new issue of The List, where this month we celebrate Chinese New Year (The Year of the Dragon ... roar), Super Bowl, Valentine's Day, Mardi Gras and Carnevale and more.  For anything and everything special and interesting happening across the DC area for these and other special events, check out Local Events. Events aren't the only thing happpening in the DC food scene. A click over to our always-in-the-know Buzz Column will keep you completely up to date.

Restaurants keep popping up and open at a dizzying pace in and around the Beltway.  Click to Openings for what's new on your dining out menu, and visit Coming Soon to see what's soon to be in your sights.

In our exclusive Chef's Column, meet Executive Chef Kevin Longmire of Shab Row Bistro and Wine Bar in Frederick.  A CIA graduate, Kevin spent time in culinary school as an extern at Bryan Voltaggio's Volt. After graduating from CIA, Longmire was invited back to Volt where he continued to hone his craft. Just a year later, Longmire joined the team at neighboring Shab Row Bistro and Wine Bar, where he jumped from sous chef to executive chef in less time than it takes to say, "foie gras!"  Kevin describes himself as, "sometimes neurotic, eccentric, and extremely detail-oriented" - an interesting mix for the guy who's preparing your food.  Check out his fascinating article and find out why Shab Row is, as they say, "Shabby Chic!"  

In Grapes & More, get to know more about one of the region's largest importers of Spanish wine, Maryland-based South River Imports from Owner and Managing Director, Howard Friedman. Howard has traveled across Spain exploring the different wine-producing regions such as Jumilla, Ribera del Duero, Rueda and more. South River Imports will be showcasing several of these Spanish wines at the upcoming 13th Annual Washington, DC International Wine & Food Festival, February 11-12, at the Reagan Building. To know more about these fabulous wines (and about how you can get a taste), click to Grapes & More as soon as you're done with the Chef's Column. Or vice versa.

February 2012 is moving and shaking with an incredible spectrum of choices for things to do, taste, see and learn.  Get out there and ...

Enjoy!