We said, "Wow!" You said, "Wow!" Looks like we all agree that our new rich media digital video component brings you up close and personal to local chefs and their kitchens. Watching 2941's Executive Chef Jonathan Krinn cooking up delicious delights in his beautiful kitchen before our eyes was as close to being there as one can get...without being there, of course. Thanks for your many kind words about this new feature in TheListAreYouOnIt.com. Now...prepare to say WOW again. Barboursville Vineyards, producers of some of Virginia's finest vintages, wines that are respected the world over, now also joins our video "network," providing a delightful piece on who they are and why their wines are so highly regarded.

With the advent of spring (finally!) comes a slew of events, spring menu launches, patio openings, new restaurants and more, all of which you'll find covered in this issue of TheListAreYouOnIt.com. Check out the Buzz column for the very latest on all the restaurants opening soon, chef changes and new menu and drink promotions guaranteed to get you up off that couch and out into a glorious Spring 2007 of culinary excitement. We also have something a little out of the ordinary for those of you who haven't yet gotten around to summer getaway plans yet. Some of America's foremost inns and boutique hotels have some irresistible offers, and we tell you all about them in our Get Out of Town roundup.

Maybe the blossoming of a new season is some form of subtle inspiration. Maybe it's a coincidence. All we know is that there's been a spate of new restaurant openings the last few weeks, and some are downright exciting. Run, don't walk, to Openings to learn about every restaurant opened in the last two weeks. 

What's it take in terms of inspiration, education and perspiration to create a business of, by and for the grape? Find out in this issue's Grapes & More column, when guest columnist Laurent Guinand, founder and CEO of GiraMondo, takes you into the world of the wine entrepreneur.  And, speaking of entrepreneurs, do not fail to read the Chef's Column, for an exclusive look into the world of personal chef Bryan Davis, who makes his (good!) living catering to the individual tastes, whims and, sometimes, idiosyncrasies of his upscale clientele.

Did we mention that our Local Events calendar is bursting at the seams?! There are hundreds of events to read upon there - cooking events, open markets, wine seminars and more, if you can't find it there, well, it isn't anywhere. 

With five kids, two dogs, and a shut-in cat and -- oh, yeah, TheListAreYouOnIt.com -- you'd think we never have time to breath, let alone go out. But, we do, because there's just so much out there that enriches our lives even more. Here's where you're likely to find us over the next few weeks?

• Tuesday, April 24, we're dying to check out what talented Chef Michael Hartzer is dishing up at the American Institute of Wine and Food's Spring 'Green' Dinner at Viridian Restaurant. Five-courses paired with artisan wines? Hard to pass up!
• We also may cross the river on Tuesday, April 24 for a sip of some delicious wines from the Loire Valley, when La Bergerie pours wines from Alphonse Mellot to accompany what sounds like a not-to-be-missed, four-course dinner.
• Chef Jeff Black will showcase the cuisine of Umbria Wednesday, April 25 at his BlackSalt restaurant with the help of his special guest, Chef Angelo Franchini, who will show off his culinary talents with a five-course dinner paired with some killer wines
• La cucina Italiano seems to be the theme these days. Colvin Run Tavern will put on a Marc de Grazia Italian wine portfolio dinner Thursday, April 26. Marc de Grazia Selections has promoted fine Italian wines for over 20 years and represents over 90 small estates from 14 Italian wine regions. We can't wait to get a taste of a Sangiovese or  Nebbiolo or maybe even a Nero d'Avola - just have to wait and see.
• Ladies, start your preparations! It's time again for DC's Spring Beauty Night Out on Thursday, April 26. Meet us there to jump start your spring makeovers, skincare consultations, beauty tips and mini-spa treatments. After getting your nails done, check out the spectacular shopping, cocktails and so much more.
• Heading into the weekend, it will be a tough call as to what to do first! Do we head down to the Chesapeake Bay area for the spectacular St. Michaels Food and Wine Festival Thursday, April 26 - Friday, April 29? Don't think we want to pass on the opportunity to hang with renowned chefs like Roberto Donna (Galileo and Bebo Trattoria), Brian McBride (Park Hyatt Hotel) and Bill McCarrick, (former pastry chef at Harrods of London), while enjoying tastings, cookbook signings and demos. While there, we'll also have to check in on Laurie Forster's (aka, the Wine Coach) Personality of Pinot wine dinner at the Oxford Inn on Friday, April 27. And, (so many events, so little time!) can we get back in time to check out the Annual Open-Air French Market taking place in Georgetown Friday, April 27 - Saturday, April 28? How much fun will it be to check out over 30 stores, carrying everything from antique home furnishings to designer fashions while getting samples of crêpes and café au laits?
• As the song goes, "There is nothing like a dame!" Especially when that "dame" is a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier. Monday, April 30, that venerable group celebrates The Art of Food at the Twelfth Epicurean Food and Wine Auction Gala at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. That evening, the Washington area's top female chefs will create colorful, artistically-designed cuisine, in honor of the nation's capital's ColorField remix celebration taking place throughout the city this spring. Color Field painting is a visual art movement that put Washington, DC on the art world map. Les Dames d'Escoffier joins more than 30 Washington area museums, galleries, arts organizations and businesses in participating in ColorField remix. It's a black tie evening and we'll be there dressed to the nines.
• On May 2, we're thinking food again, as Capital Cooks  features some of the Washington DC area's hottest chefs and restaurants serving up their signature hors d'oeuvres in the Design Center's luxury kitchens. Special guest this year is Walter Schieb, former White House executive chef, who will whip up meals he served during his time at the White House and share the anecdotal stories behind them. Some of the top restaurants serving up favorite menu items include 1789 Restaurant, Charlie Palmer Steak, Michel Richard Citronelle, Dupont Grille, Perry's Restaurant, and Willow.
• We love our desserts. On Sunday, May 6 we'll satisfy that sweet tooth as we check in with old friend Janis McLean in her new digs, The Morrison Clark Inn Restaurant. Women Chef & Restaurateurs (WCR) and Award Winning Cookbook Author and Baking Journalist Lisa Yockelson will be there sharing her knowledge on all things sugary. We do prefer to spend our Sundays spent in front of a scrumptious dessert buffet - who doesn't?

Want to learn more about what's happening around town? It's a snap! Just take a quick listen to my podcast to hear more about where I've been eating, where I'll be going, where I'm making my reservations and, most importantly, why!

As always, we've been out and about in the past two weeks. Here's where:

• Share Our Strength's 19th Annual Taste of the Nation is the nation's largest culinary benefit supporting the fight to end childhood hunger in America. The night of the event, more than 50 of the DC area's top restaurants joined 2007 Honorary Event Chair Chef Barton Seaver of Hook and Beverage Chair Nadine Brown of Charlie Palmer Steak to serve up an amazing evening, highlighting the best Washington, DC has to offer in food and wine. It was a spectacular evening of fine sampling, fine wines and superb fundraising for the best fall causes, the fight to end hunger. Did you miss DC's Taste this year? Not to worry, there are other Taste of The Nation events happening across the country in coming months. Mark your calendar now - The New Jersey Taste of the Nation takes place May 7th and features over 30 of the area's top restaurants.
• An evening out with friends took us to the cozy confines of Rustico, in Alexandria's reinvigorated Del Ray neighborhood. With new Executive Chef Frank Morales (late of Zola) in the kitchen and cranking out some taste bud-blowing treats, we enjoyed everything from his signature macaroni and cheese with crabmeat, to his new mosaics menu featuring the melt-in-your-mouth tuna trio and the fab sliders. It would be just wrong for us not to mention the grits - peppery, cheese-y and so good. Beer-master Greg Engert, walked us through the unbelievable beer list - 250 different types that run the gamut from just great beers to delicate brews that taste more like dessert wines than beer. We had a blast sampling different labels. Undeterred by our full stomachs, we cruised across the street to Buzz Bakery for "sweet something's" created by Pasty Chef Lisa Scruggs. All we can say is that, if it's possible to consider a chocolate chip cookie "gourmet," we had one!
• We stopped by Firefly for brunch (along with several hundred other women) and left with multiple, fabulous handbags! At the Ananas sample sale brunch we sipped on the Chic Ananas (a delish concoction created by cocktail guru, Will Earls) and snapped up some of local designer, Jennifer Lagdameo's uber-chic designs -- some were 75% off. While it was a bit of a feeding frenzy (in more ways than one!), it was well worth it -- Ananas raised $2000 for Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.  
• Sometimes we really love our work. That's exactly what we were thinking as we strolled around the New Zealand Wine Showcase at Zola Restaurant. While yummy New Zealand-inspired treats kept pouring out of the kitchen we got an education on the wines that are being produced from that country. We tasted some of the traditional Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noirs and were delighted. Standouts that day? The Wooing Tree Pinot Noir Central Otago 2005, the Kim Crawford SP Watershed Pinot Noir Marlbourough 2005 and the White Haven Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2006.
• We were invited to lunch to check out what newly appointed chef, Peggy Thompson was doing at the recently renamed, Dish & Drinks in The River Inn. The restaurant formerly known for more upscale dining has been revamped to be more relaxed and is the perfect place for a quiet lunch and an even better place to have dinner prior to a show at the Kennedy Center (it's right around the corner). The chef's new menu did not disappoint and we delighted in a the chilled tomato soup flecked with gingered beef and crispy potato and the beautifully presented salmon salad with romaine hearts and a tangy dill vinaigrette.
• Chef Richard Sandoval is introducing yet another unique new concept to lunch at Zengo - his version of the Bento Box. We were invited by Chef Sandoval and Chef de Cuisine Graham Bartlett to sample some of the signature Zengo dishes that they are now offering. Guests have the difficult task of choosing each of three courses - one sushi course, one entrée, and rice.   To make the selection process a bit easier, we milled through the menu while sipping a very light and refreshing mango mojito. The spicy tuna roll, dragon skirt steak (perfectly cooked) and the jasmine rice that we selected were beautifully presented in a traditional Bento Box.  The boxes are brought to the table and then, almost magically, opened to present the selections inside. Added to each box is a green salad and vegetables. The Bento Boxes are offered during lunch Monday through Friday, and at the prefix price of $20 are a deliciously fun (and stylish) way to enjoy lunch! 
• The Chef's came from near and far to support a great cause last week at Sweet Charity 2007 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The event celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Heart of America Foundation, an organization whose goal is to give children everywhere the tools they need to read, succeed and make a difference. Host Chef Tony Miller, the Mandarin Oriental's Executive Pastry Chef welcomed a bevy of talent from the metro region and beyond.   In addition to the unique Des Alpes Chocolate Fashion Show in which models were decked out in chocolate, we had the chance to sample some of the best bites around. Since mom always taught us to eat dinner before dessert we hit Indebleu's table for their seven spice dusted tenderloin of beef with braised young vegetables and port glazed madras onions, then it was off to Chef Geoff Tracy for tuna sashimi with wasabi aioli on a baked wonton cracker. Chef Michael Harr of Butterfield 9 prepared caramelized beet gateau with St. Pete blue cheese fondue and lavender honey -- yum. Then, we got serious and moved on to the "sweet" part of the evening! A butterscotch pot de crème from Pastry Chef Susan Wallace of BlackSalt was beautiful and delicious. The exquisitely designed cakes and cookies from both Fancy Cakes by Leslie and Tina Freels Cakes were almost too stunning to eat - we got past it. There were also tasty morsels from PS 7's, Bobby Van's, The Elkridge Furnace Inn, Palomar Hotel, and many, many more.

That's all, folks. This may be our finest issue of TheListAreYouOnIt.com yet. We've given you a great one, now you go out, make your own, and ...

Enjoy.