If you prefer your beer with a side of Peeps, tonight’s 6 to 8 p.m. happy hour at Whitlow’s on Wilson is your spot. The Going Out Gurus partnered with the rooftop bar to host the winner and finalists from this year’s Peeps Show V, the Washington Post’s annual marshmallow confection competition.

Whitlow’s is also celebrating tax day by offering free pulled pork sandwiches, wings, chips and salsa, and veggies and dip for those with shallower pockets. Drink specials include $1 Coronitas, $2 PBRs and $3 Double Wides — the bar’s signature drink which combines Miller Lite and orange juice in a mimosa-like beverage.

Speaking of Easter, Brunch and the City is thinking ahead about the best brunch spots for this Easter Sunday. If you’re looking for a place in the Capitol Hill area, Montmartre, Belga Cafe and Art and Soul are the recommendations. Downtown, the best brunches can be found at the Tabard Inn, Old Ebbitt Grill, Georgia Browns, Acadiana, the Bombay Club, Kellari Taverna, and Founding Farmers. Birch & Barley and Masa 14 are the favorites in the 14th St./Logan Circle area. Finally, Alexandria’s best spots include Overwood and Indigo Landing.

The Brunch and the City blog also offers a variety of brunch recipes for cooking at home, from a Spinach and Potato Frittata to Ricotta Pancakes.

Upcoming events:

• Who: Wine lovers and weekend warriors – it’s an all day affair x2!
• What: Great Grapes Uncork The Fun! 2011 Tour
• Where: Reston Town Center
• When: April 30th & May 1st, 2011 | 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

• Who: Foodies, wine connoisseurs, and regular winos like me!
• What: 2011 Wine & Food Festival
• Where: National Harbor
• When: May 14th & 15th, 2011 | 12:00 p.m. (VIP); 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

• Who: Foodies in search of good deals!
• What: Taste of Arlington
• Where: Wilson Boulevard in front of Ballston Common Mall | Arlington
• When: May 22nd, 2011 | 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Tip: Tickets for Arlington’s biggest food festival are normally $20 in advance and $25 at the gate, but for the next 10 days they’re being sold for $15 through local deal-of-the-day website What’s the Deal.

Recipes:

• Eat More Drink More's Goat Cheese Souffle.
• I Flip for Food's Spicy Korean Rice Cakes with cheese.
• Plum Pie Cooks' Chicken Scaloppine.

Yes. This week is Bethesda Row Restaurant Week, where you can indulge in a three course meal at one of the neighborhood’s top restaurants for only $30. The deals started yesterday and will be running through Sunday, April 17. A list of participating restaurants and menus can be found at bethesdarow.com. The list includes local favorites Jaleo and Redwood. Don’t forget that special offers are also available at lunch, with three courses for $15.

Also happening in Bethesda this week, the Florida-based grill and wine bar chain Seasons 52 has opened its first Washington spot across from the White Flint Mall. No single dish served at Seasons 52 exceeds 475 calories, but each is packed with flavorful vegetables and proteins. Try the Sonoma goat cheese ravioli or the cedar plant roasted salmon.

Is Bethesda off the menu for you? There are a lot of other exciting openings in the District this week. Lincoln Restaurant opened yesterday in McPherson Square. The lunch menu features a fresh mix of soups, salads and sandwiches, all celebrating local farmers and healthy ingredients. The Lincoln burger is made from 100 percent Meyer Farms beef, topped with watercress, Pipe Dream Farms goat cheese and house made tomato jam.

Upper Crust Pizzeria is making its first appearance outside of the Boston area today on Pennsylvania Ave. between the White House and the World Bank. The New England chain tweaked the menu of thin-crust pizzas to reflect District culture. To give you a taste of it, the "Senate" is a version of the meat-lover’s pizza, topped with pepperoni, sausage, and hamburger. Another 10 locations are expected to pop up in the area over the next year or two.

Fiola‘s opening has had local foodies excited for months. The Penn Quarter spot (on Pennsylvania Ave., entrance at 678 Indiana Ave.) isn’t open just yet, but a recent tweet suggests that reservations are available for the April 18th opening.

Recent TBD blog network recipes

• Eat More, Drink More suggests a farmer's market-inspired buffalo burger.
• Plum Pie goes back to an old favorite: blood orange olive oil cake.

Isabella walks you through Graffiato (video by Chandler Clay)

Located in the heart of Penn Quarter, across the street from the Verizon Center, Graffiato’s restaurant will specialize in pizza and reasonably priced Italian fare (ranging from about $5-10 for small pasta plates to $15 for a pie). Isabella says he has high hopes for the restaurant to become a neighborhood place. He plans to reel in locals on the weekends, serving pizza until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

“I want it to be their hangout, I want them to come in here, and I want to know who all of them are,” Isabella said. “You know, have a drink with them sometimes, and just make it that place.”

The layout of Graffiato is as open as its chef, with the pizza bar located at the center of the main floor where Isabella will be cooking every night.

“Everyone always came to the kitchen when I was at Zaytinya,” Isabella said. “It’s just like, ‘I’m right here, cooking, how you doing?’ ”

From the Italian word for “scratched,” the original form of graffiti, Isabella said the name had a personal connection, and resembled the mark he wanted to leave on the D.C. restaurant industry.

“D.C. keeps growing, keeps expanding,” said Isabella, who signed the lease for the Penn Quarter spot last July and has been working on the concept and construction for months. “For me, that’s where you want to be.”

A cupcake with a conscience.

According to Pamela’s Punch (and confirmed by the store's website) Crumbs Bake Shop’s cupcake of the month is a charitable cherry blossom. During the cherry blossom festival Crumbs is donating 15 percent of sales to the Red Cross’ Japanese relief efforts.

Crumbs isn’t the only District cupcakery with cherry blossoms on the brain. Georgetown Cupcake has a vanilla and cherry cupcake with fondant cherry blossom topper for sale until April 12th. Cake Love, with locations on U Street NW, in Silver Spring, and Northern Virgina, has a special vanilla cupcake with cherry butter cream to honor the trees. Even the new cupcake kid on the block, Sprinkles, is getting in on the action with a cherry cupcake that used pureed cherries in both the cake and the frosting.

If you can’t get enough of cherry blossom specials check out the List’s series on blossom-inspired dishes .

Restaurant openings/closings

Though there are a few notable restaurant openings in the near future, no opening has been as blogged about as Medium Rare. The Cleveland Park steakhouse/neighborhood restaurant opened Monday with a prix fixe menu that included artisan bread, a house green salad, and steak with house-cut fries. Cleveland Park 2.0 offered a sneak peek before the grand opening. Capital Bites was won over, writing, “This restaurant is a temple of simplicity.”

Medium Rare wasn’t the only new restaurant making waves this week. Toki Underground opened Friday at 1234 H Street to good reviews. H Street Great Street remarked after tasting the food at a soft open, “Our only initial concern is when we're ever going to be able to get a seat there again.” DC Event Junkie was also pleased with Toki, saying, “there is no better way to top off a great weekend than recovering in a big steaming bowl of ramen!”

Monday brought another new restaurant to the H Street Corridor, The Queen Vic, which claims to be a real gastropub for D.C. DC Event Junkie needs a little more time to be convinced.

Spring is a busy time for District restaurants, with new restaurants opening up at least once a week.The Washington Post is tracking Fabio Trabocchi’s Fiola, which is set to open on Friday.

Penn Quarter Living writes that PAUL Bakery (801 Pennsylvania Ave. NW) will open in Market Square on May 2.

Cleveland Park 2.0 reports that first D.C. location to Penn Quarter.

The 42 Bus is keeping its eye on Bistro 18 in Adams Morgan as it gets ready to open “sometime soon.”

With Monday’s beautiful weather it is easy to see why market opens and street/truck vendors have been in the buzz. DC Street Vendor says that Monday was a great day for food vendors, those who stayed through the winter said, “business has picked up considerably.”

Business is good for farms and farmers markets, too. H Street Great Street says, “The H Street FreshFarm Farmers' Market (625 H St) returns in just a couple weeks and there will be a handful of new producers joining our market this year.”

U Street Girl is excited about Smuckers Farm, a new farm-to-market store that is set to open by end of April.

A new market opened in Mount Vernon this weekend, according to Life in Mount Vernon Square.

A few closings to report. According to ARLNow, Club 31-11 on Columbia Pike is closed. Also, Frederick Maryland Online says That Cuban Place Cafe has closed because of problems with the building.

Review round-up

Out of network:

•The Hill of Home chose the best cakes on Capitol Hill.

•U Street Girl enjoyed the pulled pork at Standard.

•Tyler Cown’s Ethnic Dining Guide tested Rinconsito Caribeno in Adams Morgan.

•Fred Foodie shares thoughts on newly opened Sumittra Thai in Frederick, Maryland.

In network:

•Florida Girl in DC had brunch at BaBay on Capital Hill saying, “the Vietnamese twist on brunch was a refreshing way to break up the whole eggs-bacon-pancakes rut.”

• Brunch and the City had a mixed experience at Leopolds's Kafe in Georgetown.

• Dining in DC says that Chima Brazilian Steakhouse is great for carnivores, but "If you’re not a meat eater, it’s not for you."

• Carry on Curry enjoyed the new concept at A Stone's Cove in Herndon saying, "the restaurant gives me the impression that they want to impress."

• DC Wrapped Dates tried the new Latin food truck Sabora Street and scored the pork well despite the greasiness.

• The Plight of the Pumpernickel says that her meal at Himalayan Heritage was worthing coming back.

• Bethesda Foodie tried Seasons 52, set to open April 11, in a food blogger event and was impressed by the low-cal kitchen.

Recent TBD blog network recipes

•Will Blog for Food posted a recipe for sandwich bread.

•DC Loves Food posted a recipe for apple strudel.

•Eat More Drink More has one way to prepare Spring chicken with a recipe for butterflied roasted chicken.

•I Flip for Food offers another chicken option, pairing roast chicken with risotto.

•For a spring chicken picnic Plum Pie spices up boring chicken salad sandwiches with cranberry and pecans.

•Mango Tomato shared a warm chocolate challah bread pudding to chase away the chill of April showers.

In other food news:

The Westover Beer Garden in Arlington is working on conforming to regulations, starting with handicapped accessible bathrooms and an entertainment permit.

Cleveland Park's Dino has been nominated for Rammys for both its wine program and pasta maker.

City Stream says more alcohol is being produced in the D.C. area, including the first vodka since prohibition.

DC Eater watched Bibiana's chef Nick Stefanelli win the Master Chef Showdown on Tuesday.

Thinking ahead Foodie Events

This weekend will bring some great food and great prices. Friday, Cuba Libre in Penn Quarter celebrates National Empanada Day with $1 empanadas during their happy hour from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, the cherry blossom and Japanese festivities continue with Sakura Matsuri, the annual Japanese street festival. There will be sake tastings and beer gardens as well as lots of Japanese food.

According to Borderstan, “the No. 68 Project is hosting nine theme parties with celebrity chefs and mixologists from New York and D.C., based on themes “discovered” in Chinese fortune cookies.” There are still two more events of food and discourse. One on April 10, featuring Daniel Singhofeni Executive Chef/Eola, and the second on April 17, featuring Jaime Montes de Oca, Jr., Executive Chef of Zentan.

If all of this cherry blossom hype and rich food has you in a need of a drink, next week there’s a great event for you. According to GregsListDC, Yelp’s drink week offers 50 per cent discounts all day on select drinks at select bars in the District.

Capital Cooking says Cultural Tourism DC's Embassy Chef Challenge is her favorite food event of the year.

Sunday April 10, the cherry blossom closing ceremony and wine tasting will be held at Savour.

There are plenty of places to celebrate and indulge in pints of Guinness and traditional Irish fare today. Here are some to get you started...

• DC 101’s Kegs and Eggs -- Admission is free, and doors open at 7 a.m. for early drinking.

• Flanagan’s Harp & Fiddle -- Keg & Eggs, live music, and Irish dancers. Admission is free.

• McFadden’s -- Doors open at 8 a.m. with drink specials all day long.

• McGinty’s -- The all-day event includes green beer, live music, and Irish fare. $10 cover after 6 p.m.

• Tacklebox -- Green cocktails and happy hour food/drink specials, from 4 p.m. to midnight.

Please be safe...

The SoberRide program will be offering free cab rides from 4:00 pm, Thursday, March 17 to 4:00 am, Friday, March 18, 2011. To receive a free cab ride home (up to a $30.00 fare), please call 800-200-8294 (TAXI) or #8294 (TAXI) on your AT&T wireless phone.
Important note: All requests for SoberRide service must be called to and dispatched from 1-800-200-8294. Do not call a taxi company directly for SoberRide service as the ride will not be covered under this program.

Free half-smokes at Ben’s Chili Bowl

If fish and chips and shepherd's pie aren’t your thing, then what about free half-smokes? D.C. United is taking over Ben’s Chili Bowl and turning it into “Ben Olsen’s Chili Bowl” with free giveaways today. Any guest wearing D.C. United gear will get a free half-smoke from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. at Ben’s.

SAX: Cabaret performers, French-inspired cuisine, and more

The owners of Oya and Sei are opening a new dining concept called Sax that combines elegant and risqué performances, art installations, and small plates serving French-inspired cuisine. The two-level restaurant, at 734 11th St. NW in the former Posh space, features portraits of celebrities and political figures and includes a 20 foot stage that’s visible from every angle in the restaurant. Jonathan Seningen of Oya will serve as Sax’s executive chef. Owners Nancy Koide and Errol Lawrence are aiming for a May opening.
• More on Sax’s design and entertainment (Washington Post)

Beers and barbecue coming to Asylum

Changes are coming to Asylum, and according to PoP, those changes are in the form of craft beer and barbecue. The Adams Morgan bar at 2471 18th St. NW, will be rebranding its upstairs bar into a craft beer establishment, featuring both domestic and international brews, and a menu showcasing barbecue. Owner John Andrade expects the renovations to be completed by the end of the July. In the meantime, he’s hosting a competition to name the new bar. The winner receives a $1,000 gift certificate to the new beer and barbecue space.

It’s... Here

Asylum certainly isn’t the first to reach out to the public for help in naming its new restaurant or bar. Megan Merrifield and her husband asked for community assistance before they changed the name of the historic Brickskeller to Bier Baron. And Karen Barroso and Rolando Juárez, owners of the new Latin-inspired restaurant at Artisphere in Rosslyn, have also asked for public help recently. A decision has been made, and it’s...HERE — a name pulled from the last four letters in Artisphere. HERE is hosting a free public launch party on April 1, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. (h/t WCP)

Food trucks and restaurants

“Restaurants want to draw more customers. We want to create more street activity in downtown Silver Spring. Food trucks seem like a way to kill two birds with one stone,” says Dan Reed of Greater Greater Washington in response to Silver Spring Singular’s worries about food trucks killing business for eateries in the area.

In other food and restaurant news...

• Fadó, a chain of Irish bars with a branch in D.C., is named one of the world’s best Irish pubs. (TBD)

• Hank’s Oyster Bar expansion will begin in May. (Borderstan)

• Sankofa Cafe joins the growing number of coffee shops applying for liquor licenses. (PoP)

• Jane Black and Brent Cunningham move to West Virginia to follow up on Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. (Charleston Daily Mail)

• Japan’s radioactivity could enter the food chain. (Reuters)

• Local fundraisers for Japanese relief efforts. (Washington Post)

• The benefits of beer. (Belancio)

From TBD’s Community Network

• Fabulous Food Find: Spilling the beans
• Metrocurean: Art & Soul’s mini doughnuts
• We Love DC: Stinky cheese classes at Cheesetique

• EatMore DrinkMore: Recipe: Shepard’s Pie
• Will Blog for Food: Recipe: Guinness Ice Cream

• Mango & Tomato: Review: Ted’s Bulletin
• Lunching in the DMV: Review: Greek Village

Plan Ahead -- Upcoming food and drink events

• March 14-17 -- Tequila and Mezcal Festival
• March 19 -- Makes-Me-Wanna SHOUT! Coconut Cake Contest Semifinals

Sweet Deals

• March 20 -- Free Italian Ice at Rita’s

Food trucks!

The space at 1523 17th St. NW, has been transformed from Pasha Bistro to Pizza No. 17 in under two months. The new eatery recently held a free pizza tasting for the public. And according to PoP, the owners say they hope to officially open early next week.

Over in Virginia, ARLnow reports that Naked Pizza will be taking over the former Pizza Milano space at 1101 S. Joyce St. According to the Washington Business Journal, the New Orleans-based all-natural pizza chain sees potential for up to 25 locations in the Washington, D.C. area. In addition to the Arlington space, the company has already secured deals on four other locations — Bethesda, Reston, McLean, and Foggy Bottom. The owners hope to have the first store open by April.

Oh, the food trucks...

Austin Grill’s food truck is ready to roll and plans on serving at Georgetown Law and Gallery Place Chinatown tomorrow. The menu will feature some items similar to their restaurant menu, including burritos, burgers, and Austin wings.

The Arlington-base food cart Tasty Kabob will be rolling out into District in an actual truck on Monday, says Food Truck Fiesta. The cart is usually stationed around Courthouse, Rosslyn, or Pentagon and serves Middle Eastern-style fare, including kabobs and gyros.

Before the doors to barbecue restaurants Hill Country and Standard opened this past weekend, Carnivore BBQ rolled out onto the streets first. In fact, according to Washingtonian, the truck, featuring pulled pork, smoked chicken, and beef brisket has been serving at Maryland farmers markets for nearly three years before making its District debut.

Food Section:

• First bite: Curry Mantra
• Wine: First growth Virginia
• Smoke signals: Scaling Hill Country
• Does the perfect bourbon exist?
• The mission at a restaurant where the Obamas dine: Remain calm

More developments in Wheaton

Renderings for a new watering hole in Wheaton have been revealed by SCALEhouse design. According to one of the firms architects, the new bar, called Eagle, will be located on Elkin Street between Legends Billiards and The Limerick Pub. The neighborhood bar will “serve great beer and wine along with a one of a kind gritty smooth menu.” (Just up the Pike)

In other food and restaurant news...

• DC Grey is hosting its second Grey Farmers Market at Local 16 on May 21. The event allows local unlicensed/ uncertified vendors the opportunity for exposure and sales. The non-profit organization hosted the first Grey Farmers Market at Kushi last February. (PoP)

• BGR: The Burger Joint preparing to open its Clarendon location next month. (ARLnow)

• Small desserts are a big trend at chain eateries. (Washington Post)

• Celebrity chef Jaime Oliver is launching his own cheese line. (Eater)

• Or make your own cheese! D.I.Y. Cooking Handbook... (New York Times)

From TBD’s Community Network

• Every Food Fits: Help D.C. Central Kitchen start a truck farm
• Borderstan: Five places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

• We Love DC: First look: Hill Country
• We Love Food: Review: Zorba’s Cafe
• DC-Wrapped Dates: Review: Eola
• Two DC: Review: Noodles on 11

• Eatniks: Recipe: Indian spiced chicken
• Plum Pie: Recipe: Slow roasted tomatoes

Plan Ahead -- Upcoming food and drink events

• March 14-17 -- Tequila and Mezcal Festival
• March 19 -- Makes-Me-Wanna SHOUT! Coconut Cake Contest Semifinals

Sweet Deals

• March 20 -- Free Italian Ice at Rita’s

Find a food truck

Sad news for Pound Coffee fans in NoMa. The coffee shop and cafe, located at 1300 2nd St. NE, shut its doors for good Monday morning.

Pound Coffee celebrated the official grand opening of its second location on Capitol Hill the very same day — after its soft opening last week — and although the owners intended to operate both shops, they say a lack of space and difficulty dealing with the landlord were their reasons for closing their location in NoMa. (Eater)

In the world of food trucks...

The District food trucks may soon be required to pay the same 10 percent sales tax as traditional brick and mortar restaurants. Currently, all vendors — food trucks, food carts, souvenir vendors, etc. — pay a yearly $1,500 fee to operate in the city, but today D.C. Council member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) plans to introduce legislation that would end their sales tax exemption, reports the Washington Post. Evans, chairman of the council's finance and revenue committee, says the current system is “no longer fair or working” for brick-and-mortar restaurants, and he wants to level the playing field. However, some food truck owners say the sales tax would decrease their efficiency and hurt their business.

Chef Spike Mendelsohn’s forthcoming kosher food truck, Sixth & Rye, won’t be totally kosher, says the Feast. In collaboration with  the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, the former Top Chef contestant plans to serve traditional Jewish fare, such as corned beef sandwiches and knishes. But his truck won’t be kosher but "kosher-style," a distinction the Feast does not dwell on. Sixth & Rye is scheduled to roll out this April, when it will begin with a Friday-only lunch service.

Chinatown Coffee Co. is bringing back Food Truck Thursdays. During the food truck happy hour series, the coffee shop will feature a different mobile food vendor from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. outside its store at the corner of 5th and H streets NW. Patrons will be able to order food from the truck and enjoy their meals inside the shop. The weekly event also features $3 beer specials. Takorean is scheduled to kick off the first Food Truck Thursday on March 31. See the full schedule here.

Barbecue, oh barbecue

The New York-based Hill Country, featuring Texas style barbecue, debuted in the District’s Penn Quarter neighborhood last Saturday.

But it wasn’t the only barbecue eatery that opened its doors for the first time this weekend. Standard offered an introduction as well. The new barbecue joint at 14th and S streets NW offers smoked and grilled sandwiches filled with various meats, including pulled pork, barbecued brisket, and German bratwurst. A selection of six drafts and handful of soda pops are also on the menu. The new eatery, owned and operated by New England natives Tad Curtz and David Rosner, will be closed on Mondays and Tuesday until the weather warms up. (h/t PoP)

Sixth Engine to debut in late 2011

An upcoming American Bistro called Sixth Engine will open in the former firehouse at 400 Massachusetts Ave. NW owned by Douglas Development. According to a news release, the upcoming restaurant, operated by the same team behind the Dubliner and Town Hall, will debut near the end of this this year.

Gainesville gains a Potbelly’s

A new Potbelly’s Sandwich Shop opens today at 7352 Atlas Walk Way in Gainesville. The new location is open Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m, and delivery is available Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Chicago-based eatery has 38 stores in the D.C. metro area.

In other food and restaurant news...

• Kushi is donating 100 percent of its pork belly sales to disaster relief efforts in Japan.

• The secret to baking the perfect buns. (Science Daily)

• Diners rescued from a floating restaurant. (CTV)

• Are food marketers facing their Mubarak moment? (The Atlantic)

• Michelin-starred chef wants a taco. (CNN)

From TBD’s Community Network

• Fabulous Food Finds: Smoke in the Kitchen
• DC Loves Food: Chocolate cake and blood orange sorbet

• DC-Wrapped Dates: Review: MeatHead
• Bon Appetit Foodie: Review: Two Amys

• Mango & Tomato: Recipe: Russian stuffed cabbages
• Metrocurean: Recipe: Apple pecan crisp

Plan Ahead -- Upcoming food and drink events

• March 14-17 -- Tequila and Mezcal Festival
• March 19 -- Makes-Me-Wanna SHOUT! Coconut Cake Contest Semifinals

Sweet Deals

• March 20 -- Free Italian Ice at Rita’s

Food trucks!

Have you had your breakfast yet? If not, here’s a little inspiration to fulfill your most important meal of the day.

The menu for Todd Gray’s upcoming Watershed is out, revealing a selection of smoothies, buttermilk pancakes, and farm egg dishes for breakfast. Gray’s lunch and dinner menus feature items from the restaurant’s raw bar and regionally inspired entrees like pulled pork barbecue, crab cakes, and a grilled 10 oz. New York strip steak. The new restaurant is scheduled to open this April in the Hilton Garden Inn at 1225 1st St., NE.

Scott Drewno claims victory at Cochon 555

Congratulation to The Source’s chef, Scott Drewno, who was crowned the new D.C. Prince of Porc after beating out four other local chefs in this year’s Cochon 555. Drewno’s next challenge will be at the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, where he’ll compete in the finale to claim the title of King of Porc. The annual traveling culinary competition took place Sunday and featured five chefs, five pigs, and five wine makers. The other participants were Jamie Leeds of Hanks Oyster Bar, Bryan Voltaggio of VOLT, Adam Sobel from Bourbon Steak, and Tarver King from Ashby Inn + Restaurant.

New chef at Central Michel Richard

Jason Maddens is the new executive chef at Central Michel Richard, according to a tweet from Tom Sietsema. Maddens was the sous chef at the new Michel in Tyson’s Corner and also served as executive sous chef at 2941 Restaurant in Falls Church. (via Eater)

Founding Farmers on Food Network

Founding Farmers will be featured in tonight’s season premiere of Food Network’s Meat & Potatoes. To celebrate their time in the television spotlight, the Foggy Bottom restaurant will be hosting a viewing party in the bar area on the first floor. Tonight’s episode will highlight Founding Farmers’ Yankee pot roast, fried green tomatoes and the Bone cocktail. The party starts at 9:30 p.m., and the show begins at 10 p.m. And if you’re looking for a good reason to watch the premiere at the restaurant instead of the comfort of your home, here’s one: free bacon. Guests can enjoy complimentary bacon lollies during the viewing.

In other food and restaurant news...

• Restaurant Eve, PX, Rustico made Imbibe’s list of 100 best places to drink in the South. (via Eater)

• After five years, Baltimore-based pastry chef Duff Goldman ended his Food Network reality show, Ace of Cakes, last Thursday. The show followed the operations of his custom cake shop, Charm City Cakes in Baltimore. Although Ace of Cakes may be over, Goldman has no intention of stepping out of the spotlight. The Feast reports that the chef is planning to open a Charm City Cakes in Los Angeles and will document his cross-country move in a new television show.

• If you’re attending D.C. United’s season opener against Columbus at RFK Stadium this Saturday, be on the lookout for some food trucks. According to Washington City Paper, United team officials announced last week that  Eat Wonky, Dangerously Delicious Pies, DC Slices, and BBQ Bandidos will be serving in Lot 8 prior to the game.

• SocialGrub’s Facebook app and Foursquare 3.0 give restaurants more control. (NRN)

• A day in the life of a NASA space food scientist. (GOOD)

• Can dogs survive a vegan diet? (CNN)

From TBD’s Community Network

• French Twist DC: Some like it raw
• Fabulous Food Finds: Why we need to return to our roots
• DC-Wrapped Dates: Review: Delirium Cafe
• EatMore DrinkMore: Recipe: Vegetarian Moussaka
• Will Blog for Food: Recipe: Naan Bread

Plan Ahead -- Upcoming food and drink events

• March 14-27 -- Tequila and Mezcal Festival
• March 14 -- Meat and Potatoes Viewing Party at Founding Farmers
• March 14 - A Night with the Beers of Haandbryggeriet
• March 19 -- Makes-Me-Wanna SHOUT! Coconut Cake Contest Semifinals

Sweet Deals

• March 20 -- Free Italian Ice at Rita’s
• March 21 -- Free Nutella latte at Pound on the Hill

Food trucks!

Lou’s City Bar held its grand opening in Columbia Heights yesterday. The new sports bar, located at 1400 Irving St. NW, features a 45-foot bar, a couple dozen flat-screen TV’s, and a heated outdoor patio, which is expected to open this weekend. 

The American-focused menu includes Angus burgers, prime rib, and specialty sandwiches. Mimosa lovers take note: According to Eater DC, a complimentary glass of the OJ-champagne concoction comes with any brunch entree starting this weekend. Also this weekend: A St. Patrick’s Day party.

Black Squirrel opened the doors to its new basement bar earlier this week, showing off graffiti-covered walls, a 50-foot bar, and 32 beers on tap -- the third largest selection in the city -- reports the Washington Post. A menu filled with bar snacks and sandwiches is expected to roll out this weekend.

Opening Saturday: Hill Country DC, Rita’s Italian Ice

The New York-based Hill Country restaurant is opening its doors in D.C. Saturday evening. The eatery will feature Texas-style barbecue modeled after the legendary Texas barbecue joint, Kreuz Market, and its distinctive dry-rub style. The restaurant, located at 410 Seventh St. NW in Penn Quarter, will also feature live country and southern music.

Rita’s Italian Ice is coming out of hibernation and opening its doors this weekend for the warmer months. The Pennsylvania-based chain features a variety of frozen treats, including gelati, frozen custard, and Italian ice. Note: Rita’s will be giving away free Italian ice on March 20 to celebrate the start of spring.

In other food and restaurant news...

• Fast Gourmet, the popular sandwich shop located in the gas station at 1400 W St. NW, is expanding, says PoP. One of the owners says the plan to open a couple more locations in Dupont and Georgetown.

• Matchbox’s move to the suburbs, and what they had to do differently. (The Feast)

• Hot dogs, chili and fries... all on a food truck is in Silver Spring. (Thayer Avenue)

• Sticky Fingers’ Doran Peterson gets a cookbook. (Eater DC)

• Charlie Sheen’s hands are winning. (Zagat)

From TBD’s Community Network

• DC Loves Food: Dining on a shoestring
• Metrocurean: New $15 power hour lunch at Ris
• Mango & Tomato: Recipe: Nick Malgieri's Bake!
• Every Food Fits: About: Meyer Lemon Curd

• Two DC: Review: Mussel Bar
• DC-Wrapped Dates: Review: Mussel Bar
• Bitches Who Brunch: Review: La Boum Brunch at L’Enfant Cafe
• We Love DC: Drinks special: Irish Whiskey
• We Love DC: Carnival at Cafe Atlantico

Plan Ahead -- Upcoming food and drink events

• March 7-13 -- Frederick Restaurant Week

Sweet Deals

• March 8-12 -- Sprinklesmobile giving away free cupcakes
• March 10-12 -- Free Starbucks Petites from 2 to 5 p.m.
• March 20 -- Free Italian Ice at Rita’s
• March 21 -- Free Nutella latte at Pound on the Hill

Food trucks!

Mount Pleasant will soon be home to Last Exit, a new speakeasy from the owners of Tonic.

The adjacent space will be accessible through Tonic and will seat about 30 people. Last month, manager Desiree Herschberger told TBD that they were aiming for a March 10 opening, but it looks like that date will be pushed back until the end of the month. When the doors are open, patrons can expect craft cocktails and a cozier atmosphere. Herschberger says drink prices will be a little higher than Tonic’s but probably more reasonable than what you would find at other speakeasies in the District.

William Jeffrey’s Tavern coming to Arlington

The owners of Rhodeside Grill and Ragtime in Arlington and Dogwood Tavern in Falls Church are working on a new project slated to open this fall. The group will occupy a 6,530 square foot space in Siena Park, a mix-used development on Columbia Pike. According to a news release, the restaurant and bar will be called William Jeffrey’s Tavern and will feature eclectic-American cuisine, space for private parties, weekend brunch, live acoustic music, and multiple HDTV’s.

Welcome to Silver Spring, Skew Works

A new quick-service eatery has joined the downtown Silver Spring neighborhood. Skew Works, tucked on the ground floor of the Crescent Condominiums at 930 Wayne Ave., held its grand opening yesterday. The Asian-inspired eatery features skewered vegetables and meat — beef, lamb, chicken, shrimp — fried rice, and puff pastries stuffed with chicken and potato curry. Items range from about $4 to $16 dollars.

Free today

• From 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Roti Mediterranean Grill is giving away free lunch in exchange for any monetary donation for DCCK.

• From 2 to 5 p.m., Starbucks will be giving away free Petites in honor of its 40th anniversary.

• Sprinklesmobile will be giving away free cupcakes on U Street.

Foodies

Foodies, the new comedy series that mocks food-obsessed individuals, premiered yesterday on freefoodies.com. Creator Japhy Grant tells HuffPo Food,“I was actually in a dinner club with some very sort of wannabee society people (I was dating one of the members) and somewhere between preparing the gazpacho sorbet and the conch shell fritters, I realized this rarefied world was ripe for comedy.” New episodes come out Wednesdays and are five to seven minutes long.

In other food and restaurant news...

• Food truck war? Earlier this week, owner of the Human Rights Campaign chased away Sprinklesmobile...and its free cupcakes. (Examiner)

• Ray’s Hell Burger in Arlington and Palena in D.C. were among Food & Wine’s list of the 25 best burgers in the U.S. (TBD)

• Q&A with Robert Wiedmaier on rebounding restaurants and no-reservations policies. (WCP)

• Not your grandmother’s brunch. (Examiner)

• Grubwithus is launching in D.C. The concept brings a new way for people to meet one another by combining social media and group dining. The steps are simple: sign up, find a restaurant, reserve a seat, and show up to eat, and socialize. You can earn credits by signing up friends, and if you’re the first person to make a reservation for that meal, you can receive 10 to 20 percent off. (h/t DCist)

• A field guide to Yelp’s unhappy, unhelpful eaters (The Atlantic)

From TBD’s Community Network

• Bon Appetite Foodie: Help DCCK start a truck farm
• We Love DC: 2011 Tequila Mezcal Festival at Oyamel
• The Hill is Home: Things we take for granted: Harris Teeter

• Fabulous Food Finds: Five tips for staying healthy in the office
• Metrocurean: Five local beers to drink now

• Bitches Who Brunch: Review: ChurchKey brunch
• Girl Meets Food: Review: Michel
• Capital Cooking: Recipe: Tuscan Panzanella Salad

Plan Ahead -- Upcoming food and drink events

• March 10 -- Dining out for Life

Sweet Deals

• March 8-12 -- Sprinklesmobile giving away free cupcakes
• March 10 -- Free lunch at Roti
• March 10-12 -- Free Starbucks Petites from 2 to 5 p.m.
• March 21 -- Free Nutella latte at Pound on the Hill

Food trucks!

U Street’s newest sports bar, Touchdown, opened its doors yesterday in the former space of Momo’s Sports Bar, which closed last October. The bar is decked out with flat-screen televisions and old photographs of the Washington Senators from the 1924 World Series.

On the menu, diners will find fancy takes on traditional bar food, such as Caribbean salad and Applewood smoked bacon cheesesteak. Two daily happy hours — 3 to 7 p.m. and midnight to close — features 25 percent off rails, drafts, and appetizers. (Eater)

Station 4 coming to the Waterfront

A new bistro called Station 4 is coming to the Waterfront Station on 4th Street. According to Southwest Quadrant blog, advisory neighborhood commissioner Bob Craycraft reports in a monthly newsletter that the new eatery “looks to be very contemporary and uses plenty of wood, metal, glass, and even stone to echo the modernist architecture of Southwest.” The restaurant comes from the same owners behind Tunnicliffs and Stoney's and is aiming for a May opening.

The buzz around 14th and U

A new “boutique steakhouse” from the team behind Local 16 will be occupying the second and third floors in the space at 2001 14th St. NW. The restaurant/lounge has been named Lost Society, and will feature regional seafood dishes and items prepared from locally sourced ingredients. (CityStream)

Dunkin Donuts and Subway will be joining Lost Society on the first floor of the building. (PoP, DCist)

Double the goods, double the fun, free shrimp dish

Curbside Cupcakes and the DC Bocce League will be giving away free cupcakes today to dedicated followers with knowledge of the secret password, which will be revealed on Twitter and Facebook this morning. The special promotion is to celebrate spring bocce registration.

Sprinklesmobile is still giving away free cupcakes. You can find the truck around Foggy Bottom/GWU today.

Today’s random freebie: Golden Treasure shrimp from Panda Express

Thursday: Free Lunch Day, Dining Out for Life

Roti Mediterranean Grill has partnered up with D.C. Central Kitchen for tomorrow’s Free Lunch Day. In exchange for any monetary donation, the fast-casual eatery will be giving away a free salad, sandwich, or Mediterranean plate between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. from its newest location at 1275 1st St. NE in NoMa. All of the donations will go to DCCK to help fund programs that use food as a tool to transform lives. You must be in line by 1:30 in order to receive a free lunch.

The annual Dining Out for Life event is taking place this Thursday as well. This year, over 150 restaurants in the Washington, D.C. area will donate 25 to 100 percent of their proceeds to support Food & Friends, an organization that provides meal deliveries and groceries to local residents living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-challenging illnesses. To take part in the event, simply dine out at one of the participating restaurants.

Food Section

• Review: Central Michel Richard
• Beer Madness 2011: Celebrating US craft brews
• Smoke Signals: Texas ‘cue (via NYC) comes to D.C.
• The power of poppy seeds
• Q&A: Jessica Harris on African-American food and 'High on the Hog'
• Meet Eater D.C. editor Amy McKeever

In other food and restaurant news...

• On Kojo Nnamdi today: The art of urban farming.

• Java Shack glimpses its past as Nazi headquarters. (TBD)

• Bibiana chef Nicholas Stefanelli’s new neighbors are Smith Commons, Granville Moore’s, and Sticky Rice. The chef recently purchased a 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom home near the H Street NE corridor for $630,000. (WBJ)

• New survey results reveal that 54 percent of the District say they ate five or more servings of fruits and vegetables on at least four of the past seven days. (NYT)

• Columbia Pike Giant aims to open in June or July. (TBD)

• The secrets of D.C. cake bakers. (Capitol File via Curbed DC)

• Prices for food cart permits skyrocket. (WSJ)

From TBD’s Community Network

• Metrocurean: Sunny kitchen accessories
• French Twist DC: Recipes: Crepes
• Capital Cooking: Recipe: Caipiroska

• Two DC: Revew: Banana Leaves
• Mango & Tomato: Review: Lunch at Cava Mezze in Eastern Market
• Clarendon Culture: Review: Circa at Clarendon
• Bitches Who Brunch: Review: Indigo Landing Brunch
• DC-Wrapped Dates: Review: Marcel’s
• EatMore DrinkMore: Review: Robert Wiedmaier’s BRABO Tasting Room

Plan Ahead -- Upcoming food and drink events

• March 7-13 -- Frederick Restaurant Week
• March 10 -- Dining out for Life

Sweet Deals

• March 8-12 -- Sprinklesmobile giving away free cupcakes
• March 9 -- Free Golden Treasure Shrimp at Panda Express
• March 10 -- Free lunch from Roti on Thursday
• March 10-12 -- Free Starbucks Petites from 2 to 5 p.m.
• March 21 -- Free Nutella latte at Pound the Hill

Food trucks!

Ireland comes to Wheaton, and you can go to Ireland

Wheaton’s long-awaited Irish eatery has finally arrived. After several delays due to permitting issues and construction, The Limerick Pub, at 11301 Elkin St., is officially open for business.

The menu features a combination of traditional Irish and modern American dishes, including corned beef and cabbage, Guinness beef stew, and vegan meatloaf. Patrons will find the bar area stocked with Irish beers and whiskey, and various types of entertainment on different nights of the week. Owners Neil Foley and Tom Stanton have a designated area for darts, which will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. They’ve also organized a competitive darts team that will participate in the Washington Area Darts Association league. The pub will feature live traditional Irish music performed by Foley and his friends on Fridays and Saturdays, and a pub trivia night on the second Thursday of each month. If none of those activities catch your fancy, then perhaps you might be interested in the pub’s Master’s in Beer Appreciation (M.B.A.) Program -- a one-year immersion course in beer tasting and history. Or, if you’d like to learn a little more about the Irish culture first-hand, the owners are offering a “Limerick Pub to Limerick Ireland” 10-day vacation package that’s scheduled for this October.

MacQuaid out at Orso

There’s a new set of hands manning the pies at Pizzeria Orso. The Washington Post’s reports that Edan MacQuaid has parted ways with the restaurant, and has been replaced by Chris Nye, a sous-chef from the eatery’s sibling, 2941 Restaurant. Also gone is MacQuaid’s wife, Thea, who served as Orso’s manager.

Gourmet hot dogs coming to Bethesda

Looks like there’s a new tenant coming to 4901 Fairmont Ave., in the space recently left vacant by Ben & Jerry’s. Bethesda Patch reports that Bold Bites, a new gourmet hot dog eatery, will be taking over the location. Owners and brothers Alonso and Alvero Roche will offer a variety of hot dogs and locally made sausages. The menu for the fast-casual operation will include a selection of sauces, artisanal rolls, and toppings for patrons to build their hot dogs with. The menu will also feature other snacks such as churros and Belgian fries. The brothers are aiming for a late spring or early summer opening.

Free cupcakes continues

Georgetown newcomer Sprinkles Cupcakes will be giving away free sweets from its Sprinklesmobile each day this week.
Tuesday — Dupont Circle
Wednesday — Foggy Bottom/GWU
Thursday — U Street
Friday — Bethesda
Saturday — Clarendon

In other food and restaurant news...

• The South-Korean fried chicken franchise BonChon is opening its third location in Centreville. (WBJ)

• Baltimore Oceanaire’s former executive chef, Benjamin Erjavec, will be heading the kitchen at the upcoming Seasons 52, scheduled to open this spring at 11414 Rockville Pike. (Bethesda Magazine)

• Lou’s City Bar open this Thursday in Columbia Heights. (PoP)

• Starbucks at 237 Pennsylvania Ave. SE will be hosting a special toast at 11:45 a.m. to celebrate the company’s 40th anniversary.

• Maryland may overturn the “no dogs at restaurants” law. (DCist)

• 10 best restaurant chains for families. (Baltimore Sun)

From TBD’s Community Network

• Metrocurean: Become a guest judge for the upcoming Banh Mi Throwdown
• EatMore DrinkMore: A night at Zentan with Chef Susur Lee

• DC-Wrapped Dates: Review: Pound the Hill
• We Love DC: Get ready for ARTINI

• Arugula Files: Spanish tortillas
• Metrocurean: Recipe: Butternut squash and sweet potato soup

Plan Ahead -- Upcoming food and drink events

• March 7-13 -- Frederick Restaurant Week
• March 8 -- Café Atlántico’s Brazilian Carnaval
• March 10 -- Dining out for Life

Sweet Deals

• March 8-12 -- Sprinklesmobile giving away free cupcakes
• March 21 -- Free Nutella latte at Pound on the Hill

Food truck time

Pound Coffee’s second location at 621 Pennsylvania Ave. SE is having a soft opening today. Dubbed Pound the Hill, the new coffee shop features coffee roasted from Kickapoo Coffee’s organic beans and a globally inspired lunch menu similar to shop’s original location at 1300 2nd St. NE.

Pound the Hill will be open for coffee service everyday this week from 6:30 to 11 a.m. The food menu will be available next week on March 14, when the shop officially opens for business. Free coffee alert: For 10 days beginning on March 21, Pound the Hill will be giving the first 100 people a free Nutella latte.

Pacifico closer to Barracks Row

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee for a Capitol Hill Advisory Neighborhood Commission agreed to support a liquor license for Pacifico, a new restaurant planned for Barracks Row, reports EMMCA. Neighbors are protesting the restaurant’s license application because of concerns about possible noise coming from eatery’s rooftop garden, which would stay open until 1 a.m. on weeknights and 2 a.m. on weekends. According to EMMCA, owner Xavier Cervera compromised by agreeing to enclose four sides of the garden area and reducing the number of seats from 75 to 45. Residents can protest before the city’s Alcoholic Beverage Regulatory Agency on April 13. If ABRA approves the license, the restaurant could open as early as six months.

Sixth Engine moving forward

The owners of the Dubliner and Town Hall are planning to open Sixth Engine at the historic firehouse at 400 Massachusetts Ave. NW. The Washington Business Journal reports that the new concept will be an American tavern featuring upscale comfort food that’s similar to the menu offered at Town Hall. The restaurant is expected to open at the end of this year.

Society coming to Silver Spring

Former NBA player Jason Miskiri’s upcoming restaurant and sports bar is expected to debut in Silver Spring this May. Society, located at 8229 Georgia Ave. in the space previously occupied by Nicaro Restaurant Lounge, will feature Caribbean cuisine during lunch hours and modern American fare during dinner hours. Miskiri tells the Gazette he may host poetry and game nights and live jazz music.

In other food and restaurant news...

• Banana Leaves is closed after a fire broke out at the restaurant Saturday night. The Asian eatery, located at 2020 Florida Ave. NW in Dupont Circle, suffered about $200,000 worth of damages that was caused by a malfunctioning gas water heater. No injuries were reported. PoP has photos here.

• Jerome Laurent, owner of the Michelin one-star restaurant Le Cilantro in Arles, France, will serve as a guest chef at Bezu in Potomac this month. (Bethesda Magazine)

• Cleveland Park’s Cereal Bowl will not be reopening as the company had hoped. The cereal-focused eatery closed last November, less than a year after opening. (Cleveland Park 2.0)

• Wondering what the next hottest restaurant will be? America’s Next Great Restaurant is looking to find it. In the new competition-focused reality show that premiered last night on NBC, 21 contestants are offered the chance to compete to have their restaurant concept fully funded and come to life. Celebrity chef Bobby Flay is among the four investors that will fund the concept and serve as mentors to the contestants.

• “Fecal matter on your shopping cart doesn’t matter.” (GOOD)

From TBD’s Community Network

• Metrocurean: Chef Bites with Mike Isabella
• Will Blog for Food: Savouring Bells Hopslam Ale
• Girl Meets Food: Six Provocative Cocktails

• Capital Cooking: Recipe: Mardi Gras Beignets
• We Love DC: Cafe Atlantico celebrate Carnival
• We Love DC: Beer dinners at Lyon Hall

• We Love DC: A first look at Pound Hill
• EatMore DrinkMore: Review: Yamas Mediterranean Grill
• Lunching in the DMV: Review: AGAINN Tavern

Plan Ahead -- Upcoming food and drink events

• March 7-13 -- Frederick Restaurant Week
• March 8 -- Café Atlántico’s Brazilian Carnaval
• March 10 -- Dining out for Life

Sweet Deals

• March 21 -- Free Nutella latte at Pound the Hill

Food truck time

Breakfast
Bayou Bakery
“You want to talk about brunch. I mean, do you really want to talk about brunch? Do you want to talk about beignets so hot and sugar-coated that taking one bite emulsifies your mouth until it’s dripping with glaze? If so, Bayou Bakery (in Courthouse) is where it’s at. Chef David Guas’ much-hyped ode to New Orleans pays its dues with heavenly biscuits, the aforementioned beignets, and home run “muff-a-lotta” sandwiches. Some might gripe that there isn’t real Creole or Cajun cooking on the menu, but that doesn’t bother me. It’s a pastiche. And plus, it’s simply impossible not to like a restaurant that posts a sign reading: “All gamblers and fancy women must sign up with captain before boat leaves for New Orleans.” Laissez les bon temps rouler!
- Elliot Kort, aggregation editor

Brunch
Café Dupont
“I couldn’t decide between protein and carbs at Café Dupont, and when faced with a difficult food choice, I generally choose both. A friend and I split a plate of pancakes with berry compote and a plate of scrambled eggs and apple-smoked bacon. With coffee and tip, I paid less than $20. Also: the café’s wide windows let you watch all the beautiful Dupontians stroll by.”
- Jenny Rogers, reporter

Lunch
Zpizza
“Zpizza’s new Rosslyn location has some kinks to work out these first weeks, but it will soon be a real source of cheap eats. My favorite is the Napoli. Mmmm.”
- Lisa Rowan, community host

Dinner
Columbia Firehouse
“The building that Old Town’s Columbia Firehouse occupies on South St. Asaph Street used to be home to the Columbia Steam Engine Fire Company. Nearly a century later, the historic building serves Alexandria with tremendous food and a sweet atmosphere. The exposed brick interior walls and wood-lined bar set the stage for an excellent wine and beer list along with a diverse menu where even picky eaters will find something to like. You can’t go wrong with the Sunday special: Mama’s Meatloaf with French fries. You just can’t.”
- Justin Karp, aggregation editor

The quick service chicken chain will be giving away a free medium order of waffle fries from 2 to 4 p.m. The catch? All you have to do is simply ask to try the new Heinz Dip & Squeeze.

Oh, and you can get a free cupcake today too. Sprinklesmobile will be on Capitol Hill.

Food truck woes

A group of restaurant and business leaders are asking the District to begin charging sales tax on the city’s food trucks. Mobile vendors and traditional vendors (souvenir stands, hot dog carts, etc.) pay an annual $1,500 fee instead of taxes. Some critics say the city is losing money for not charging the 10 percent prepared-food tax that’s in place at traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants. But would it be fair to impose a food tax on all 600-plus vendors in the city? A DCRA spokesperson tells the Georgetown Dish that the agency doesn’t distinguish between the different types of mobile vendors, so basically a standard hot dog cart that serves $2-3 dogs could be required to pay the same amount of taxes as the Red Hook Lobster Truck, which charges $15 a roll and gets five times as much business.
• VIDEO: Sales tax urged for D.C.’s food trucks (ABC-7)

While mobile vendors may not have worry about food taxes just yet, they do have to be concerned about licenses. Apparently, the newly launched SOL Mexican Grill was forced to pack up and roll home yesterday. According to Food Truck Fiesta, the truck, featuring burritos and tacos, is licensed, however the individual who holds the license was not in the truck during service. Oops.

Top Chefs: Food trucks and DCCK

Former Top Chef-All Stars contestant Spike Mendelsohn will be hitting the streets this spring with his own food truck. The Feast reports that Mendelsohn’s newest venture will be a kosher food truck serving traditional Jewish items. The Top Chef star is working in collaboration with the District’s Sixth & I Historic Synagogue. The new set of wheels dubbed 'Sixth & Rye,' will be available only on Fridays for lunch.

Meanwhile, another former Top Chef-All Stars contestant, Carla Hall, has joined D.C. Central Kitchen’s board of directors. Hall’s experience with the organization began when she started leading cooking classes at their Culinary Job Training program. "It is the most moving experience to see these students take that incredible step forward in changing their lives," she says. (h/t DCist)

On the way...

• Rosa Mexicano is opening a new location at 5225 Wisconsin Ave. NW in Friendship Heights, reports the Washington Business Journal. The restaurant, featuring modern and authentic Mexican cuisine, is aiming for a November opening.

• Rita’s H Street location reopens March 11. The Italian ice shop that features a variety of frozen treats will celebrate their reopening with free ice water on the first day of spring -- March 20. (H Street Great Street)

• The Los Angeles-based barbecue joint Baby Blue BBQ is looking to open a location in D.C. (Eater DC)

• Klassy Kakes is opening a location at 705 Kennedy St. NW. (The Brightwoodian, PoP)

In other food and restaurant news...

• Have you voted for the Artisphere cafe's new name? (TBD)

• How Kyle Bailey won Food and Wine’s Mid-Atlantic category (Washington Post)

• Bethesda’s Pizzeria de Marco has delayed their opening from March 28 to mid-April. (Eater DC)

• The political unrest in the Middle East might force us to go on diets. (The Daily Beast)

• Love Nightclub will be hosting a Top Chef style competition to determine the executive chef for the newly managed venue. According to the news release, each contestant will be required to prepare three courses for a panel of three judges and 150 guests. The event takes place tonight at the nightclub, located at 1350 Okie St. NE.

From TBD’s Community Network

• Capitol Bites: Review: ChiDogO’s A-Go-Go
• DC-Wrapped Dates: Review: Estadio
• One Bite at a Time: Review: DC Noodles
• We Love DC: Drinks: Sake at Kushi
• Plum Pie: Recipe: Fig and blue cheese savouries

Plan Ahead -- Upcoming food and drink events

• March 7-13 -- Frederick Restaurant Week
• March 10 -- Dining out for Life

Sweet Deals

• Feb. 28 - March 6 -- Free cupcakes from Sprinkles
• March 4 -- Free waffle fries at Chick-fil-A

Food truck time

In case you somehow missed the news, the recently launched Sprinklemobile has been rolling around the District, giving away free cupcakes all week. The truck is scheduled to serve at Gallery Place this afternoon. And if you happen to be in Georgetown this morning, there’s another chance for you to score a complimentary sweet treat.

Sprinkles Cupcakes’ storefront location officially opens today at 3015 M St. NW in Georgetown. The first 100 people to whisper “D.C.” will receive a free cupcake of their choice. Husband-and-wife owners Charles and Candace Nelson opened their first Sprinkles five years ago in Beverly Hills, Calif., and the business has since expanded to 11 locations across the country. This is the Nelsons' first shop in D.C.

DC Cupcakes Giveaway

Will Sprinkles arrival alleviate Georgetown Cupcake's long lines that form out their door and down the block? I’d say not very likely since the second season of owners Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Kallinis’ reality show, DC Cupcakes, premiered last Friday. But if you’re a huge fan, one way to get the goods without wasting half your day is to try and win it. TLC is offering a DC Cupcakes giveaway, and all you have to do is give the network your e-mail address. The grand prize is a year’s worth of Georgetown Cupcakes, valued at $479.40. Fifteen other winners will receive first and second place prizes, which include the first season of DC Cupcakes on DVD...but no cupcakes. Enter here.

Now open: Roti Mediterranean Grill

Another fast-casual eatery has opened its doors to the District’s lunch crowds. Roti Mediterranean Grill welcomed patrons to its newest location at 1275 1st St. NE, in NoMa’s Constitution Square yesterday. The build-your-own-meal menu features a choice of three bases — pita sandwich, salad, and Mediterranean plate — several meat options, and a variety of vegetables to add as toppings. The menu also offers a few of Roti’s own creations for the less inspired diner, including a double chicken kebab plate and a Mediterranean chopped chicken salad. The Chicago-based eatery has one other D.C. location at 1747 Pennsylvania Ave. NW and plans to open three more in the District later this year — L’Enfant Plaza in April, Square 54 at GWU in May, and 1629 K St. in June.

A bit of Italy teams up with America’s pastime

The selection of snacks at Nationals Stadium just got a little bit cooler. The Washington Business Journal reports that gelato from Dellaccio's Dolci Gelati will be available at four different vending locations around the stadium.

Chefs...

Pastry chef Chris Ford is leaving Trummer's on Main to work for chef R.J. Cooper’s forthcoming Rogue 24, scheduled to debut late spring. According to the Washington Post, Trummer’s chef Clayton Miller plans to replace Ford with an internal hire when he departs in April.

Birch & Barley’s chef Kyle Bailey won Food & Wine magazine’s The People’s Best New Chef competition for the mid-Atlantic region. Bailey has been with the Logan Circle restaurant since it opened in 2009. Congratulations, chef!

In other food and restaurant news...

• A new addition to the District’s street food scene is planning to roll out this May. Borinquen Lunch Box will serve Puerto Rican dishes, including empanadillas, mofongo, and a few traditional soups and sandwiches. (Food Truck Fiesta)

• Alberto’s Pizza in Adams Morgan is closed. (PoP)

• Grocery bags in Montgomery County might soon get costly. (Gazette)

• How much do you love bacon? (Fredflare.com)

From TBD’s Community Network

• Metrocurean: Mardi Gras eating schedule
• Metrocurean: $16 bottles of wine at Local 16
• Fabulous Food Finds: Five ways to meet snack attacks

• Bitches Who Brunch: Review: Meridian Pint Brunch
• EatMore DrinkMore: Review: Earl’s Sandwich Shop
• We Love DC: First Look: brgr:shack
• Mango & Tomato: Recipe: Puerto Rican lasagna

Plan Ahead -- Upcoming food and drink events

• March 3 -- Local Restaurants for Local Kids
• March 7-13 -- Frederick Restaurant Week
• March 10 -- Dining out for Life

Sweet Deals

• Feb. 28 - March 6 -- Free cupcakes from Sprinkles
• March 4 -- Free waffle fries at Chick-Fil-A (h/t/ Gut Check)

Find a food truck

Good news for District Taco fans: The owners of the Arlington-based taco truck are planning to return to the streets next week. The truck, affectionately dubbed “El Torito,” was serviced in the shop for a bit. But it sounds like it’s almost set and ready to roll again. In the meantime, patrons can get their fix at District Taco’s storefront location at 5723 Lee Highway.

Speaking of shop service, Sabor’a Street is out sick today. The Latin-inspired street food truck is working on repairs and plans to return on Thursday.

Austin Grill’s launch into the District’s food truck scene has been pushed back a couple of weeks to March 15. The local Tex-Mex chain’s new food truck will serve several items from the restaurant’s menu, including burgers, burritos, and wings.

Looks like another truck took over Austin’s Grill rollout date...and it also serves burritos. Sol Mexican Grill debuted yesterday outside of the World Bank. It's planning to serve at 4th and M streets SW today, L’Enfant Plaza on Thursday, and McPherson Square on Friday. In addition to burritos, the menu also includes tacos and a burrito bowl.

The globally inspired food truck Sâuçá launched its fourth set of wheels on Monday. SAUCA GRILL features savory sirloin and lamb kabobs served over a choice of aged basmati rice, griddled flatbread, or a lettuce and tomato salad. Additional flatbread is available for $1.

Sprinkles will be giving away free cupcakes from its Sprinklemobile in Dupont Circle today.

Food Section

• Review: The Atlas Room

• King cake: new ways of approaching the Mardi Gras favorite.

• Smoke Signals: Welcome to the year of barbecue

• A contest to decide the best gourmet banh mi

• Michel offering simpler, inexpensive dishes; Central’s new chef will be announced next week.

• Eventide executive chef Miles Vaden and chef de cuisine Justus Frank will be leaving the Arlington restaurant after this weekend.

Now open: Paila Chilean Grill, zipzza

Paila Chilean Grill opened in Columbia Heights last week, reports PoP. The family-owned eatery at 1424 Park Rd. NW, serves churasco sandwiches, Baja fish tacos, and kosher beef frankfurters prepared Chilean style. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Attention, Rosslyn-area workers: zpizza is now a lunch option. The new pizzeria, located at 1100 Wilson Blvd., officially opened for business yesterday serving fire-baked pies, sandwiches, pastas, and salads.
• Related: zpizza now open in Rosslyn

Sichuan hot pot on the way

Mala Tang is opening at 3434 Washington Blvd. The new restaurant will feature Chinese fondue, also known as Sichuan hot pot. According to ARLnow, the owners applied for a liquor license yesterday, and are in the process of hiring full-time supervisors. Chef and restaurateur Liu Chaosheng is overseeing the menu. Chaosheng has been cooking Sichuan cuisine in the D.C. for over a decade. He also owns Hong Kong Palace in Falls Church, and helped launch Uncle Liu’s Hot Pot.

In other food and restaurant news...

• The Fresh Market is coming to Rockville’s Congressional Plaza. This will be the grocery store’s first Washington, D.C. area location. (Bethesda Magazine)

• Trader Joe’s signs lease in Clarendon. (ARLnow)

• Mary Cheh wants to make vending machines healthier. (DCist)

• 12 Healthiest packaged foods (ABC News)

• Interpreting your food dreams (The Daily Meal)

• Replacing swear words with food names...  (So Good)

From TBD’s Community Network

• Every Food Fits: Celebrating Mardi Gras with Acadiana chef Brant Tesky
• Bon Appetit Foodie: Review: Brunch at Birch & Barley
• DC-Wrapped Dates: Review: Bayou
• Clarendon Culture: Photos: Mad Rose Tavern
• One Bite at a Time: Recipe: Meat sauce
• Capital Cooking: Recipe: French onion soup

Plan Ahead -- Upcoming food and drink events

• March 3 -- Local Restaurants for Local Kids
• March 7-13 -- Frederick Restaurant Week
• March 10 -- Dining out for Life

Sweet Deals

• Feb. 28 - March 6 -- Free cupcakes from Sprinkles

Food truck time

If you’re a flapjack fan or a fan of free goods, head over to IHOP anytime between 7 a.m and 10 p.m. to receive a complimentary short stack. In return, the restaurant chain is asking diners to consider making a voluntary donation to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. IHOP started National Pancake Day in 2006 to support local charities.

Looking for the closest IHOP?

Also free: Cupcakes

Sprinkles’ complimentary cupcake giveaway continues. The bakery’s food truck, Sprinklesmobile, is scheduled to serve around Georgetown University today.

Chipotle’s Asian concept heading to Dupont

Earlier this month, Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. registered the name ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which may be the name of the company’s new fast-casual Asian concept. According to PoP, the company has signed a lease at 1516 Connecticut Ave. in Dupont Circle.

Last fall, the company announced plans to develop its new Asian concept, which would be similar in pricing and serving format to Chipotle. The new restaurants are expected to debut this summer.

Burger news: No Go Burger, Burger 7 opens

It appears that Go Burger’s plans to open a location at 1317 Connecticut Ave. NW in Dupont Circle have halted. PoP reports that the Go Burger sign that had been attached to the front window since last spring has been removed, and little construction for the space has been completed.

Burger 7 recently opened its doors for business in Falls Church. The new eatery, located at 7505 Leesburg Pike in the former Burrito Brothers location, features grass fed beef burgers, sliders, and hot dogs. The menu also offers fresh-cut Idaho potato fries and sweet potato fries cooked in olive oil. Shakes made with organic milk are also on the menu. Flavors include vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. (h/t DonRockwell)

In other food and restaurant news...

• Harsh winter causing tomatoes to disappear from sandwiches. (TBD)

• Public Bar is opening a second location in Tenleytown. (WBJ)

• The Dock at Lansdowne in Leesburg has has closed. According to Northern Virginia Magazine, the owners are trying to renegotiate the lease with their landlord.

• Looking Glass Lounge will be featured in a student independent film project. (Park View, D.C.)

• 7-Eleven became the retailer with the most number of stores worldwide after it opened its 40,000th location. The Dallas-based convenience store chain opens a new location every three and a half hours. (CNN Money)

From TBD’s Community Network

• ARLnow: Community garden plots: A tragedy of the commons?
• Capitol Bites: Down by the Bayou Bakery
• DC-Wrapped Dates: Review: PorcMobile

• DC Loves Food: Closest thing to Top Chef: Number 68 Project
• Metrocurean: Bucket of chicken, Michel Richard style
• Girl Meets Food: Cherry Blossom Roundup

• We Love DC: Capital Chefs: Kyle Bailey, Tiffany MacIsaac, Parts 1 and 2
• Mango & Tomato: Recipe: Cream cheese pancakes with fruit salad

Plan Ahead -- Upcoming food and drink events

• March 1 -- Mustaches4MS Charity Event at Whitlow’s on Wilson
• March 3 -- Local Restaurants for Local Kids
• March 7-13 -- Frederick Restaurant Week
• March 10 -- Dining out for Life

Sweet Deals

• Feb. 28 - March 6 -- Free cupcakes from Sprinkles
• March 1 -- Free IHOP pancakes for National Pancake Day

Find a food truck...

Cupcake news

Georgetown Cupcake’s competition hits the streets of D.C. today. Beverly Hills-based bakery Sprinkles held its pre-opening event yesterday at its newest location at 3015 M St. NW. in Georgetown. While their shop doesn’t officially open until March 3, cupcake lovers can get free goods from their mobile truck that rolls out today.

Sprinklesmobile will be giving away complimentary cupcakes at various locations around the District for two weeks.

Where to your get your free Sprinkles...
• Monday - Franklin Square
• Tuesday - Georgetown University
• Wednesday - Dupont Circle
• Thursday - Gallery Place
• Friday - U.S. Capitol
• Saturday - Friendship Heights
• Sunday - Eastern Market

Meanwhile, the Georgetown Cupcake sisters are aiming to maintain their place in the spotlight. The second season of DC Cupcakes premiered last Friday on TLC. The reality show follows owners Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Kallinis as they run their cupcake shop in the District. So, how did the premiere go? Some tweeps weighed in...

@itsVeniceD: DC cupcakes' sisters talks so fast! I feel so rushed when i watch it. lol

@JoelDavid1987: The women on DC Cupcakes are amazing actresses - #WhyAmIFascinatedWithCupcakeShows

@Kyutopia: DC Cupcakes is the stupidest show. It's so scripted it irritates me. "Oh my! The cup-cakes are ruin-ed. What are we go-ing to do?" >____>

@iqerz: DC Cupcakes is kinda addictive #tlc #tvshow#marathon

@IAmKneeGrow: Cake Boss? DC Cupcakes? Isn't The Learning Channel supposed to help me LEARN something? Well.. I guess it teaches me how to get diabetes..

@BrookeJoElla: Fruit, coffee & DC cupcakes:) perfect saturday morning!

@xX5P1K3Xx: DC cupcakes sucks... Its trys to be Cakeboss but it cant ,vary lame and there stuff stucks.. TLC you know better...

@aicragana: Im so in love with @JustinBieber, that Im watchingDC Cupcakes and I SWEAR that they said "Bieber". Apperantly, They said "Beeper"..

Last Exit entering soon

A bar inside of a bar. That’s essentially what Last Exit is. The newest venture from the owners behind Tonic has a speakeasy feel and will be located inside of Tonic’s Mount Pleasant location at 3155 Mount Pleasant St. NW. The new space will seat about 30 to 35 people and will have an intimate feel, says manager Desiree Herschberger to TBD. The drink menu will feature crafted cocktails and high-end brews. A food menu is also in the works and is expected to be ready by opening day on March 10.

Nando’s in Chicken Out’s space

Nando’s Peri Peri is coming to Bethesda. The international chicken chain signed a lease for the space at 4829 Bethesda Ave. last Friday, reports Bethesda Magazine. The corner space was formally occupied by local fast-casual chain Chicken Out, which closed its Bethesda location last December after failing to reach an agreement over its lease with the property manager. Alan Wollenschlaeger, director of operations for Nando’s Restaurants, tells BM they’ve been interested in the space for a long time. Nando’s beat out several other perspective tenants, including Silver Diner. The company, specializing in spicy flamed-grilled chicken, has four other locations in the D.C. metropolitan area. A fifth location in Gaithersburg is slated to open this summer, and this sixth location in Bethesda is aiming for an October opening.

A little bit of Irish coming soon to Wheaton

After several delays due to inspections, permitting issues, and interior construction, the Limerick Pub is Wheaton nearly ready for the public. The Irish pub, located at 11301 Elkin St., completed its third day of staff training on Sunday is aiming to officially open its doors on March 7.

In other food and restaurant news...

• More Arlington restaurants are falling behind on their meals tax, reports ARLnow. According to the latest delinquency list from the county, Kora Restaurant, Champion Billiards, Tandoori Nights, and Front Page are among the culprits. However, to highlight a bright note, Roberto Donna appears to making progress on his court-ordered payments to county. The Galileo III chef pleaded guilty to felony embezzlement  last summer for failing to turn over more than $150,000 worth of meal taxes from his now-defunct Crystal City restaurant, Bebo Trattoria.

• A new USDA report shows that 16 cents of each dollar you spend goes to the farm. Where does the rest of the dollar go? According to the report, the rest of the dollar pays for packaging, energy, advertising, and legal services. (Food Politics, GOOD)

• White House executive chef Cristeta Comerford shares her thoughts on cooking for the commander in chief. (WSJ)

• Breast milk ice cream... a hit in London. (NPR)

From TBD’s Community Network

• Plum Pie: Recipe: Granola Bars
• Girl Meets Food: Drinks: Five sidecars with a kickstart

Plan Ahead -- Upcoming food and drink events

• March 1 --  Mustaches4MS Charity Event at Whitlow’s on Wilson
• March 10 -- Dining out for Life

Sweet Deals

• Feb. 28 - March 6 -- Free cupcakes from Sprinkles
• Feb. 1-28 --  Free drink at Buddha Bar
• March 1 -- Free IHOP pancakes in honor of National Pancake Day

Find a food truck...

Breakfast/brunch
Ted’s Bulletin
“It’s always brunch time at Ted’s Bulletin, thanks to their new breakfast-served-anytime policy, which TBD believes should be mandated everywhere by D.C. Code. A safe bet is the Big Mark Breakfast: 3 eggs, bacon, sausage, hash brown, toast, and a homemade pop tart. Because what’s brunch without a homemade pop tart?”
- Dave Jamieson, reporter

Brunch
Evening Star Café
“Brunch presents many opportunities: the chance to pay $20 for French toast, for instance, or to wait in line for an hour as your blood sugar drops like Charlie Sheen's Q Score. No, my friend, you can keep brunch. Unless you're going to Evening Star, in which case I'll meet you there and maybe even treat. Because not only is the food terrific, but the portions are reasonable and the prices are even better. It's Del Ray, so there will be children there the whole time -- pick somewhere else if you're looking for peace and quiet. But then again, if you had standards, you probably wouldn't be brunching anyway.”
- Andrew Beaujon, arts and entertainment editor

Lunch
Bread and Brew
“Bread and Brew in Dupont Circle is really fun, they're actually a green restaurant that gets most of its ingredients from local suppliers. They have a selection of specials for food and drinks that changes daily, but their quiches are probably their signature, as well as their pizzas--although if you're looking for appetizers to share, try the sweet potato tots.”
- Rosemary D’Amour, intern

Dinner
Vaso's Kitchen
“I used to be Mayor of Vaso’s Kitchen in Alexandria when my son and his family lived in Alexandria. Great family atmosphere, excellent Greek and Italian food. I love the gyros, but most times we ate there, everyone got something different and everyone loved it all. It’s an old barbecue place, called the Dixie Pig, I think, and is a local landmark that still has the pig on top, even with the Mediterranean cuisine. A fun place that I still take DC visitors occasionally, even though I no longer have family nearby.”
- Steve Buttry, director of community engagement

Burgers, burritos, wings...oh my

Roll over, Fojol Bros and Takorean. Another set of wheels is about to come through.

Tex-Mex restaurant Austin Grill has joined the street food action, and is expected to roll out next week. The restaurant is the second brick and mortar eatery to launch a food truck operation. Penn Quarter’s forthcoming District of Pi Pizzeria rolled out their truck last week — before the grand opening of their storefront operation, which the owners hope to have ready by early next month.

Austin Grill, on the other hand, is not quite as young. The local chain opened it first location in Glover Park in 1988, and over the years has spawned several other stores in the area. A few have closed, and some are still open, including Alexandria, Rockville, Silver Spring, and Penn Quarter. The company’s mobile truck, slated to roll out March 1, will feature items from the restaurant’s menu, such as burgers, burritos, chicken sandwiches, and wings. You can follow Austin Grill Truck's updates on Twitter here.

Pizza Autentica owner going Italian

A new Italian restaurant is coming to 3201 New Mexico Ave. NW, in the space that formerly held Balducci’s. The Washington Business Journal reports that the new venture comes from entrepreneur Hakan Ilhan — the same man behind the Pizza Autentica chain. Ilhan signed a lease to open Antica Neapolitan Pizzeria, which he hopes will be ready by late fall.

This weekend: 1K Wine Walk

Studies say that moderate wine consumption can help reduce heart disease. Studies also say that cardiovascular exercise such as walking can be beneficial to your heart. So, it only makes for the benefits to increase when you put the two together, right?  This weekend is your chance to find out.

The Washington Wine Academy is hosting a 1K Wine Walk through the underground shops of Crystal City. Participants will sample 45 wines before they hit the finish line. Cheese and bread will be available to help keep energy levels up throughout the course.The event is offered on Saturday and Sunday, from 2 to 6 p.m.

In other food and restaurant news...

• On March 1, Whitlow’s on Wilson will be hosting an evening of mustache contests, raffles, games, and drink specials to help support Mustaches4MS, a charity aimed at raising awareness for Multiple Sclerosis and money for disease research. Beer specials will include $2.50 Corona and Corona Light, and 15 percent of the evening’s proceeds will go to the cause.

• Video: Columbia Heights is hot right now. And so is the restaurant scene there.

• Reminder: D.C. Cupcakes Season Two premieres tonight at 10 p.m. on TLC.

• Google is hungry, and it’s going after your recipe searches. The company launched Google Recipe View yesterday, which allows users to narrow their search results, help find specific ingredients, and keep them on track with calorie consumption. (PC Mag)

• Alleged oysters poachers arrested in Maryland. (Washington Post)

From TBD’s Community Network

• We Love DC: Drinks: Homebrew your own hard cider
• Metrocurean: Top spots for vegetarian tasting menus
• Every Food Fits: Breakfast showdown: Kashi Go Lean vs. The egg
• DC-Wrapped Dates: Review: Lyon Hall

Plan Ahead -- Upcoming food and drink events

• Feb. 15-27 -- National Harbor Restaurant Week
• Feb. 26-27 -- 1K Wine Walk

Sweet Deals

• Feb. 28 -- Free cupcakes from Sprinkles Cupcakes
• Feb. 1-28 --  Free drink at Buddha Bar
• Feb. 7-27 -- Free Coffee Days
• March 1 -- Free IHOP pancakes for National Pancake Day (h/t DCist)

Find a food truck

Sabor’a Street’s roll-out yesterday was delayed again, this time due to mechanical failures. Between paperwork issues and truck problems, these guys just can’t seem to get a break.

Maybe today will be their lucky day. Chef Jorge Pimentel and co-owner Christine Sarapu are hopeful. The mechanical issues were fixed yesterday, and they plan to roll out their Latin-inspired street food truck later today. You can follow their tweets for updates.

Free cupcakes on the way

If you’re planning to open a cupcake shop in a city already filled with several red velvet variations and endless gourmet creations, then you’d better do it in a way that’ll get people’s attention. Free food usually does the trick. And free cupcakes? Well, that’s something to smile about. But the upcoming Sprinkles Cupcakes is taking it a step further, and plans to give away free cupcakes for two weeks while rolling around in its mobile truck. Metrocurean reports that the bakery’s wheels will debut at Farragut Square on Feb. 28. It’ll be parked at other locations around the city throughout the two weeks. Their brick and mortar store is slated to open on March 3 at 3015 M St. NW, just a couple of blocks away from the city’s ever popular Georgetown Cupcake.

DC Cupcakes returns Friday

Speaking of which... Season two of DC Cupcakes will premiere this Friday at 10 p.m. on TLC. The reality television series follows the experiences of Georgetown Cupcake owners Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Kallinis as they run their cupcake shop in the District. The sisters filmed 12 episodes over the course of five months — September to January — compared with just six episodes for season one. LaMontagne and Kallinis went on Let’s Talk Live yesterday and shared some info on the upcoming series, including what it’s like to hang out with Oprah.

BYOB updates in Virginia and Maryland

The Virginia House of Delegates approved a bill that would allow diners in Virginia restaurants to bring their own bottle of wine to dinner. The House voted 78-18, according to ARLnow, and if signed by Gov. Bob McDonnell, restaurants with liquor licenses will be able to charge a corkage fee to open and serve diners’ personal bottles. Advocates of the measure say BYOB is necessary because without it the eateries would lose business to restaurants in the District where bringing home-brought bottles is allowed.

Meanwhile, Maryland’s stance on the corkage law still hasn’t popped. According to the Baltimore Sun, one of the bill’s opponents, the Restaurant Association of Maryland, says “Our member restaurants fear that, as a result, the law change will...create confusion about serving control and regulatory compliance."

Volt co-owner Hilda Staples is a strong supporter of the bill. Last fall the Frederick restaurant got into a bit of hot water with the Frederick County Liquor Control Board for allowing a customer to bring and consume his own bottle of wine. Since then, she and owner Bryan Voltaggio have been fighting to get the state’s Prohibition-era laws changed.

According to RAM, 63 percent of the restaurant association’s members oppose a change to the corkage law, 19 percent support the law, and 13 percent are undecided.

In other food and restaurant news...

• Arlington County is hosting a food truck boot camp on March 9. District Taco owner Osiris Hoil is one of the scheduled speakers. According to ARLnow, Hoil “will share his insight on how he used his food truck business to secure retail space.” Representatives from the county’s health, tax, and police departments will also be present. (h/t ARLnow)

• Yola is celebrating its two-month anniversary this Saturday. The Dupont Circle parfait shop is kicking off the festivities at 11 a.m., and will feature free tastings, samples, discussions, and a Settlers of Catan tournament. RSVP to lsmith@yoladc.com (The Feast)

• Residents near the intersection of 14th and U Streets will soon have more options to eat fresh. (DCist)

• Is the anonymity of food reviewing dead? (WCP)

From TBD’s Community Network

• Dining in DC: Win a free gift card to the Taste of Iceland
• We Love DC: Where to go for an an early breakfast
• French Twist DC: Macaron fix at Tout de Sweet

• EatMore DrinkMore: My dinner date with Top Chef Ilan Hall
• Bitches Who Brunch: Review: Brunch at Bourbon
• Lunching in the DMV: Review: Benjarong in Rockville

Plan Ahead -- Upcoming food and drink events

• Feb. 15-27 -- National Harbor Restaurant Week

Sweet Deals

• Feb. 1-28 -- Free drink at Buddha Bar
• Feb. 7-27 -- Free Coffee Days
• March 1 -- Free IHOP pancakes for National Pancake Day (h/t DCist)

Find a food truck

It’s official. After a few delays due to paperwork, Sabor’a Street is finally set to hit the road today.

Chef Jorge Pimentel made some minor changes to the original menu Sabor'a released last December, but two items that Latin street food lovers can be sure to expect are arepas and fritas. Sabor’a Street will make its debut in Farragut Square at 11:30 a.m.

• Related: TBD Food Talk with Jorge Pimentel

Also open: HomeMade Pizza Company

HomeMade Pizza Company has opened its doors to its newest location at 1826 Wisconsin Ave. NW in Glover Park. Yes, the options for pizza are plenty in this town, but for those who are unaware, the Chicago-based pizza company offers an alternative to the standard pies served straight to you out of a restaurant’s brick oven. Instead, patrons can build their own pizzas or select one of the creations off the menu. The cooks will prepare the pizza, and then hand it off to the customer to be baked at home. The company celebrated its debut with a pre-opening party yesterday from 4 to 7 p.m. The festivities will continue today at the same time, and on Feb. 24 from 2 to 7 p.m. This is the company’s sixth location in the D.C. metro area. There are two locations in Virginia and three others in the District.

Food Section

• The Gastronomer on ‘modernist cuisine’: big, beautiful and worth the hype
• A beef lover’s sourcing solution: the draft
• Washington Cooks: Lorraine Wallace's soups cause a stir
• More on Ashok Bajaj’s Rasika West End
• Where to sign up for a CSA
• Review: Bluegrass Tavern

In other food and restaurant news...

• No food truck love from P.G. County? That’s the word, according to WCP. At a recent conference, Kwasi Holman, of the Prince Georges County Economic Development Corporation says, "There has been more of a movement towards eliminating those kinds of uses in the county.” The reason, Holman says, has something to do with how traffic moves.

• Former Top Chef-All Stars contestant Spike Mendelsohn will be heading off to another battle on Thursday. The chef behind Capitol Hill’s We the Pizza and Good Stuff Eatery is set to participate in this year’s Amstel Light Burger Bash. Mendelsohn took the top honors in 2009 but lost to celebrity chef Bobby Flay last year. Mendelsohn tells the Feast that the Throwdown chef is his target. (Eater via The Feast)

• When cooking with beer, you should “know what your ultimate goal of the dish is and treat your beer as an ingredient, not just a pairing item,” said Granville Moore’s chef Teddy Folkman during yesterday’s food chat.

• Down syndrome doesn’t stop 16-year-old boy from baking. (Frederick News Post)

• Sam Kass will be leading the first-ever USDA live webinar for Michelle Obama’s Chefs Move to Schools projects, which matches professional chefs with local schools. The webinar is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 24 from 12 to 1 p.m. Registration is required. (ObFo)

• A final note in regard to Adams Mills Bar & Grill. (PoP)

• Kraft wants to make your water more exciting. (USA Today)

From TBD’s Community Network

• Every Food Fits: Banh Mi boom at Eden Center
• One Bite At A Time: Croquembouche challenge

• Capitol Bites: Spicing things up in Cleveland Park
• We Love DC: One year later: Bistro Cacao
• Florida Girl in DC: What I’ve been eating: Brunch at Estadio
• U Street Girl: Thoughts on American Ice Company
• DC-Wrapped Dates: Review: Kaz Sushi Bistro

Plan Ahead -- Upcoming food and drink events

• Feb. 15-27 -- National Harbor Restaurant Week

Sweet Deals

• Feb. 1-28 -- Free drink at Buddha Bar
• Feb. 7-27 -- Free Coffee Days
• March 1 -- Free IHOP pancakes in honor of National Pancake Day (h/t DCist)

Find a food truck

Folkman worked his way up at some of the District’s most well-known restaurants, and then in 2007, he became the executive chef and co-owner of Granville Moore's Gastropub on H Street, NE. Since then, the pub has been featured in Everyday with Rachael Ray and the New York Times. Folkman also appeared on the Food Network’s Throwdown with Bobby Flay in a victorious moules face-off and was a contestant on The Next Food Network Star. When he isn’t in the kitchen, Folkman pursues another of his passions — craft beer. He, along with his friend Jeff Wells, founded D.C. Beer Week.

Folkman also serves as co-chair of the Chef’s Advisory Board at Brainfood, a nonprofit that focuses on teaching inner city kids culinary skills and peer counseling.

Limoncello, chocolate virgin olive oil, and strawberry balsamic vinegar are just a few of the hundreds of flavors that are offered at a gelato shop set to debut in the Washington, D.C. area this summer. Franchise owner Kerry Bolognese plans to open the area first Paciugo Gelato & Caffe in either Alexandria or Clarendon, reports Washington Business Journal.

The Dallas-based gelato cafe offers over 400 different flavors. Patrons can select from a little over 30 flavors that are freshly made in small batches each morning. The shop also serves coffee, espresso-based drinks and specialty coffee and gelato drinks. The company is planning to open several other locations in the area.

Opening this week: Jake’s American Grille

Jake’s American Grille is opening its doors this Friday in Chevy Chase. The new restaurant, created by the same team behind the Ugly Mug, Maddy’s Bar & Grille and District 2 Bar & Grille, features upscale American cuisine and craft cocktails. The restaurant is named after owner Gaynor Jablonski’s grandfather, Edwin “Jake” Jablonski. Jake was a retired Navy chief petty officer whose career is highlighted on the restaurant’s walls through photographs, awards, and old newspaper clippings. Chef Michael Degginger will be heading the kitchen. His experience includes working for local neighborhood restaurants and cafes, as well as national chains, including McCormick and Schmick's. Gina Chersevani will be taking charge of Jake’s bar program. Her résumé includes running the beverage program at PS7’s, crafting cocktails at EatBar, and serving as Ashok Bajaj’s head mixologist at Rasika. The restaurant is located at 5018 Connecticut Ave. NW.

Taqueria Poblano eyeing Siena Park

A new dining option may be coming soon to Siena Park residencies. Taqueria Poblano owner Dan Michel says he’s 90 percent sure that a contract will be signed, reports Pike Wire. Construction for the Cal-Mex eatery is expected to begin shortly after all the papers have been inked. The plans call for an outdoor seating area and a similar décor to the restaurant’s two other locations in Alexandria and Arlington. Michel says he hopes to open by late August.

Zoup coming to coming D.C.

The District’s first soup-focused franchise is set to debut this April at 1101 Vermont Ave. NW, reports WBJ. Zoup, the Michigan-based fast-casual eatery, not only features a variety of soup offerings, but a selection of salads and sandwiches as well. For health-conscious individuals, the menu also includes options that are dairy-free, gluten-free, low-fat, low-points, and vegetarian.

Ashok Bajaj heading to West 22

It’s true. Ashok Bajaj has signed a lease to open a new restaurant at West 22 Residencies. According to the WBJ, the restaurateur behind the Oval Room, Rasika, and Bibiana will take over a 5,600 square foot space at 1190 New Hampshire Ave. NW. The construction for the new split-level restaurant and cafe is expected to begin late summer.

Now open: Healthy Bites Cafe

Healthy Bites Cafe held its grand opening last Saturday, Feb. 19. The carryout and cafe operation, located at 5329 Georgia Ave. NW, features breakfasts, salads, sandwiches, and quesadillas. The cafe is a new addition to the company, whose primary focus is delivering healthy meals. The service offers six different meal programs to chose from. Customers can also select how many days a week they want their meals delivered. (h/t PoP)

In other food and restaurant news...

• Granville Moore’s chef Teddy Folkman will be online today at 11 a.m.

• Townhouse Tavern targeted in federal cocaine raid (TBD)

• Why Uniontown Bar & Grill could transform Anacostia. (WCP)

• Firefighters fight off pounds, finish vegan diet. (Bethesda Patch)

• Job alert: The soon-to-open dumplings and ramen eatery Toki Underground is hiring for several different positions. Knowledge of multiple languages, such as Japanese and Mandarin, is a bonus. (h/t Frozen Tropics)

From TBD’s Community Network

• Pike Wire: Behind the bar at Twisted Vines
• We Love DC: Meet Chef Adam Sobel
• DC Loves Food: dining with children with Ellen Kassoff Gray

• Gut Check: Mad Rose Taven has finally opened
• U Street Girl: Brunching with the Bitches: Creme Cafe
• DC-Wrapped Dates: The search for banh mi: Pret A Manger

• Mango & Tomato: Recipe: Moroccan chicken
• Plum Pie: Recipe: Huevos Rancheros
• Mango & Tomato: Recipe: Sweet potato vegetarian chili

Plan Ahead -- Upcoming food and drink events

• Feb. 15-27 -- National Harbor Restaurant Week
• Feb. 22 -- Victory Beer Night at Ventnor Sports Cafe

Sweet Deals

• Feb. 1-28 -- Free drink at Buddha Bar
• Feb. 7-27 -- Free Coffee Days
• March 1 -- Free IHOP pancakes for National Pancake Day (h/t DCist)

Looking for a food truck?