What I've Been Eating: Brunch at Tabard Inn

One word: donuts.

Photo by Tammy Gordon

Ok, now here are a few more. It doesn't matter if it's gorgeous and sunny (sit on the back patio or open air indoor seating) or cold and rainy (pick out a spot by the roaring fireplace or a cozy upstairs nook), Tabard Inn is one of my favorite spots to relax over a meal or drink in DC. It's is just so authentically itself. With a constantly changing seasonal menu that works with local farms, whatever you order, you know it will be made with the freshest ingredients.

If you haven't yet been, go... now. But if you're like me, sometimes you get distracted by the shiny new restaurant in town. Don't forget about stalwart, quaint, perfect little places like Tabard that made you fall in love with DC.

PS. For you eco-friendly junkies, check out their green roof! It's so cool.

PSS. Tabard Inn is now on Twitter and on Facebook.

Tabard Inn is located at 1739 N Street NW in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, DC. It's metro accessible from either the Dupont Circle or Farragut North stations. 

14th & U Farmers Market: Spaghetti Squash Challenge & Hydrangeas

I'm going out of town again next week, so this is another 'well-curated' (which means forced small haul) trip to the market. Alejandra and I met up for some Open City coffee and a jaunt to the 14th & U Farmers Market.

I decided my next farmers market challenge will be spaghetti squash. Everyone tells me it's so simple, but I've never made it myself. I got a mess of grape tomatoes and an adorable purple pepper too - so share with me your favorite ideas on what I should make. I'll blog the results and share with you.

PS. Aren't those hydrangeas GORGEOUS? They are from Plantmasters Farm - the newest vendor at the 14th & U Market. Read the Borderstand scoop here.

PSS. Oh, we also may have gotten sucked into another farmers market bake sale for November... stay tuned!

Where I'm Eating: Jaleo $11 Lunch Specials

Everyone from Bibiana to Proof are offering delicious lunch deals at the bar, but my old stand by is the $11 lunch special at Jaleo in Penn Quarter. The menu changes with the seasons and you can pair up a substantial sandwich with a hearty soup or salad at an affordable price.

Photo by Tammy Gordon using the Hipstamatic iPhone app. [NOTE: For photo framing purposes, I only photographed half of the sandwich!]

Today, I had Chef Jose Andres' Tuna Salad sandwich which was served on a thin loaf of flauta bread. The tuna had just enough oil, but wasn't weighed down by mayo or other ingredients. And, it was served with thinly sliced hard-boiled egg.  I selected the half salad to go with it and got an pop of green apple, fennel and Manchego cheese salad with a few crunchy walnuts mixed in. I ate every single bite... and I feel fantastic.

MORE: Follow Chef Jose Andres or Jaleo on Twitter.

Win-Win: Eat at Cuba Libre, Help Restore The National Mall

It's America's front yard: The National Mall. We run on it, we host enormous festivals and parties on it, we take endless pictures of it's monuments... and it looks like it. Our National Mall's lawn looks like a goat track most days and we can help it shine like the monuments that sit on it. Despite being the nation’s premier national park, it suffers from more than 30 years of neglect and dwindling resources. 

Photo by Tammy Gordon

On Thursday, October 28th, 100% of food sales from the newly opened Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar will be donated to the Trust for National Mall. Heck, we all want to try out this new joint anyway, so make a reservation today so that your good eating will help restore, revitalize and preserve one of the most beautiful places in our town.


If you can't make dinner, you can always make a donation at http://www.nationalmall.org/

LOCATION: Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar is located on 801 A 9th Street, NW just two blocks from the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro station.  Valet parking is also available in the evenings for $12 per car. 

Clooney v Kass: How Did He Know?

P101210PS-0465, originally uploaded by The White House.

How did George Clooney know that I was cheating on him (in my head) with White House Chef Sam Kass? They always know when another man is entering the picture and resurface, don't they girls?

Sure they were discussing Sudan... See ya later George... (in my head)...

Decorating Inspiration on a Budget: Lonny Magazine

I told you once I bought a place, I was going to get obsessed with making it more me (on a budget and as enviro as possible.) One of my favorite sources of inspiration is Lonny Magazine, which is free and online. (Also, if you were a Domino magazine addict like me, you'll recognize some of the names at Lonny.)

The new issue came out and two of my favorite design ideas they feature can be done without buying ANYTHING new:

 This simple room looks creative and unique, just by flipping the pillows at an angle! Brilliant.

Consider arranging books on a bookshelf not by size or author... but by color!



Go check out the latest issue of Lonny for more gorgeous ideas and inspiration.

Thank You for Coming Out to Proper Swap!

I wanted to let you know how the Proper Swap went yesterday... we collected three entire racks and several boxes of gently worn clothes for Martha's Outfitters. In addition, shoppers donated an additional $125!

Rockin' a fierce find...

Thanks so much to Anna at Proper Topper for hosting. Make sure to stop by their Georgetown store this month for HUGE discounts - it's closing at the end of October. Their landlord is taking over their building so they are consolidating with their Dupont store until they find a new location. Which means, you benefit from the crazy sale!

Bonus, seeing tons of great Twitter pals come out to support Martha's Outfitters. Shout out to @cdrhoo, @lexilooo, @EA_Sportz, @efstewart, @WxSquid, @travelingquill and of course @ProperTopper! (If you didn't fess up and tell me your Twitter handle, please tweet me - I really appreciate you coming out.)

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Nutmeg Buttercream Frosting

The number one thing people have asked me since I bought my condo is "What is the first thing you are going to make in that kitchen?" Well, due to work travel and a cold, it took a little longer than I thought...

The answer is... pumpkin cupcakes with nutmeg-buttercream frosting and candy corn toppers for today's Proper Swap event at Proper Topper Georgetown!

Pumpkin Cupcake Ingredients
Adapted from MarthaStewart.com
Makes 50 mini cupcakes or 12-18 regular cupcakes (I doubled the recipe for more)

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 15 oz can of pumpkin pie mix
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 4 eggs, lightly beaten
• cupcake liners and cupcake pan

Cupcake Instructions

1. Melt butter and then place in refrigerator to chill.
2. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pan with liners and set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cooled butter and eggs. 
5. Add dry ingredients, whisk to blend.
6. Add pumpkin mix, whisk to blend.
7. Fill each cupcake liner with batter about 3/4 of the way.
8. Bake until tops spring back when pressed. Should be about 20-25 minutes depending on the size cupcakes you are baking.
9. Remove and rest on wire racks to cool before frosting.
10. Frost with buttercream (I used the recipe from Food Network but added a pinch of nutmeg to compliment the pumpkin) and top with a candy corn. [FAST TRACK: If you're rushed for time, you can just add a pinch of nutmeg to whipped vanilla frosting.]

Metro Pet Peeves: People Wearing Giant Backpacks

Let me start out by saying how happy I am to be back on an easy Metro commute. I'm getting to work quickly and reducing my carbon footprint by not driving. But, it does mean I have to interact with fellow humans and usually before the coffee has taken effect. So, I imagine this is the first in a series on Metro Pet Peeves.

Hey, lady with the ginormous backpack, your body doesn't end at your back... it protrudes out at least another foot... and is slamming into me. For some reason, you don't feel that you are hitting a solid object... maybe because the force has thrown be back three times.

And that's not counting the fashion citation for wearing this Christmas sweater in October, when it's 80 degrees on Metro. And also, not counting that you jumped in front of me to take a seat... for one stop. I loathe you.

OK, I feel better now.

Talkin' Turkey: Where to Get Your Thanksgiving Bird

Getting ambitious and wanting to cook your own turkey this Thanksgiving? You can start ordering your bird from a variety of local farms in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed region courtesy of your neighborhood FRESHFARM Markets.

Make sure you ask when you order at the farmers market, but birds will most likely be fresh and will be fine if refrigerated 5-7 days before cooking. If you brine it, it will last even longer.

 

Here's the farmers market schedule and who's got turkeys:  

• Silver Spring Farmers Market (Sat. 9-1): Rocky Ridge Apiary and Groff's Content
• Foggy Bottom Farmers Market (Wed. 3-7): Haskins
• Crystal City Farmers Market (Tues. (3-7): Haskins
• H Street Farmers Market (Sat. 9-Noon): Garden Path
• Bethesda Farmers Market (Sat. 9-1): Garden Path
• White House Farmers Market (Thurs. 3-7): Garden Path
• Penn Quarter Farmers Market (Thurs. 3-7): Groff’sContent
• Dupont Circle Farmers Market (Sun. 9-1) : Smith Meadows, Eco-Friendly
• Annapolis Farmers Market (Sun. 8:30-Noon): Springfield Farms-David Smith

NOTE: HHS and St. Michaels markets will not be taking turkey orders. Thursday markets will not be open on 11/25, so pick up is for the week prior to Thanksgiving.

What I've Been Eating: Commonwealth Gastropub

Since I've moved, I've been to that Columbia Heights shopping center about 432 times. It doesn't matter how much stuff you have, when you move it seems you still are required to go to Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond to get more.

Luckily for me, right around the corner are some great eats. On my last visit, I popped into the bar at Commonwealth Gastropub for lunch. I always get the crispy lemon olives when I go to Commonwealth, but this time I had the simple, bacon-stuffed CW BLT. Natch, I took pics for you.

CW BLT

Crispy Lemon Olives (this is a half order, because half were in my belly before I thought to snap a pic.)

If you're looking for an excuse to visit Commonwealth, they are having a beer dinner on October 17 - four courses, four beers for $45.  Follow them on Twitter and like them on Facebook to get the latest from Chef Jamie Leeds & team Commonwealth.

Commonwealth is located at 1400 Irving Street NW, Washington, DC. It's right across the street from the Columbia Heights metro.http://twitter.com/CommonWealthPub

Where I've Been Staying: The Peabody Hotel Orlando

I've been down in Orlando for AARP's Orlando@50+ event and staying at the Peabody Hotel. Now, I used to live in Orlando, and I've always treated the International Drive area like kryptonite. This trip changed my mind a little bit. There are good restaurants, shops and even an Ice Bar where you have to bundle up and drinks are served in glasses made of ice.

Here are five reasons you should stay at the Peabody Hotel if you find yourself in the area:

1) Huge, soft, fluffy towels. Hotels, you have no idea how annoying it is to get out of the shower and try to wrap a hand towel sized towel around your hair or body. These felt luxe and spa like.

2) The hotel is super eco-friendly. Even the hotel hallway lights are motion detected so that they save energy when no one is using them.

3.) It's also a techy dream. The wi-fi worked like a champ. There are motion-detected LED lights under the bathroom sink so that you don't have to turn on a light if you wake in the middle of the night. And, get this... there is a TV embedded in the bathroom mirror. I really didn't miss one minute of Morning Joe while getting ready for work. (Bonus: They actually had MSNBC. Still no Bravo, but progress!)

4.) I like to get out of the hotel to eat, but the Peabody had a lot of options. The coffee shop was solid on the latte, but earned bonus points for flaky croissants, mini macarons, and chocolate dipped red velvet sandwiches (yes, cut in the shape of ducks!)

5.) The ducks. I thought this might be all hype, but it really is so cute and fun. I snapped a video so you could get a sense, but I think you have to be there to absorb the excitement.

I'm headed back to DC shortly. See you all there soon!

What I've Been Eating: Lobster Truck DC

I've been traveling a lot again and photos of crazy, yummy food are backing up in my iPhoto gallery.  I've just got to start posting them for you. Before I left for Orlando, I *finally* tried the new DC Lobster Truck!

Like many food trucks, half of the fun is chasing the truck on Twitter and running out to get it when it comes to your neighborhood. It's like some kind of psychological embed from the childhood ice cream truck days.

I grabbed Jen & Beth and we braved the daunting line to be rewarded with sweet lobster claw meet on a soft bun. It's a delicious lunch, but comes with a hefty price tag for street food: $15 for the lobster roll (or $18 with chips & a drink)

I'd definitely go again, but the experience reminded me how much I love the lobster roll and skinny fries at Hank's Oyster Bar. That's where I *really* need to go soon.