To Do: Tour DC Houseboats to Benefit Potomac River Conservation

Before I got some sense and bought my condo, I was obsessed with buying a house barge and living aboard at the Southwest Waterfront in Washington, DC. They aren't outrageously priced and I am absolutely smitten with the life style (she says as she has never lived aboard a boat.)

Seriously, can't you just see me there... reading my iPad on the deck with coffee in hand, Ike in my lap? Hosting July 4th parties where we watch fireworks over the river with the Washington Monument in the background? (Hmmm... wonder if I can Kickstarter a houseboat?)

In real life, there were a few deal killers. You have to have a lot more money down - as much as 40-50% from what I heard. And, DC is about to renovate the marinas. I wasn't sure what I would do with a homeless barge for a few months.

But I haven't let the dream die. So, you know I'll be there on August 13th for the Southwest DC Waterfront Boat Home Tour. For an $11 donation (benefiting Potomac River advocates Alice Ferguson Foundation and Earth Conservation Corps), you get to see twenty three different live aboards - from sailboats to house boats to barges!

I'm most excited to check out the "green" boats with gardens and composting aboard... but you know I'll be swooning for kitchens, patio and all around amazing small spaces designed well. 

So, get your ticket. Check it out and help a good cause. And, afterwards, meet Blair and me for a cold beer at Cantina Marina. [UPDATE: Show your boat tour ticket at Cantina Marina for 10% off!] See you there!

[PS. If you're a houseboat junkie too, follow my Houseboat Pinterest board - and share your favorite ones with me!]

To Do: Party to Help Tune Inn Team

When I first moved to DC as a lowly intern in the office of Rep. Tom Manton, (how'd a Florida girl end up working for an Irish former cop from Queens? Another post...) the first place I really felt at home was at The Tune Inn.

The Tune Inn was - and is - one of the best spots to grab a beer in town. It's where union guys, locals, Congressmen and, yes, interns sit tail-to-tail at the bar and suck down brews at non-Beltway prices. Things have changed a bit, but back in the early 90s, you could get a burger, fries and a beer for $5 and play 10 songs on the jukebox for $1. There was a running joke that if you played Patsy Cline, one of the waitresses would get pissed and skip the song and make you do a shot... so we did.

For those of you that served time in Tallahassee, this is like Ken's World Famous Friendly Tavern transported up to the Mason-Dixon line, minus the mugs and add liquor and a stuffed deer butt over the bathroom door.

It's got character. And it's real. And that goes a long way in this town where virtually everyone's lobbying for something. So when a morning kitchen fire sparked a few weeks ago, fans of The Tune Inn panicked. I scoured Twitter for the latest reports from people in the neighborhood who ran down to see how bad the damage was and luckily it's not terrible. In about 90 days, owner Lisa Nardelli thinks they will be up and running.

But consider what those 90 days mean to the hardworking staff... and you'll know why you need to make your way down to the American Legion Post 8 this Friday night and pitch in. In order to support the 10 staffers not covered by insurance, The Tune Inn is working to raise $50,000.

photo via WAMU

So, I'm gonna lobby you to go to the event - there will be bands, a raffle and a chance to buy some Tune Inn memorabilia. They'll also be selling limited edition plaques - which is WAY cooler than getting your name up at Smith & Wollensky or The Palm. And if you can't make it to the event, please consider donating directly online.

What: Fundraiser for Tune Inn staffers
When: July 15, 3-10pm
Where: American Legion Post 8, 224 D Street SE, Washington, DC
More info: http://friendsoftuneinn.org/the-event/

I promise you, I'll toast you at the reopening party. Maybe Guy Fieri will come too!

Farmer's Market: July 8, Washington DC

It's primetime for Washington, DC area farmers markets - check out my haul today from the 14th & U Streets market:

Sweet corn, eggplant, green tomatoes, patty pan squash and tear drop yellow tomatoes (photo: Tammy Gordon)

So, now comes the challenge... what can I make with these amazing ingredients? Here's what's inspiring me:

• Summer Squash & Cornbread Panzanella by Arugula Files (made with this buttermilk cornbread)
• Slow Roasted Tomatoes with Sea Salt by Orangette
• Eggplant Parmesan by The Bitten Word
• Fried Green Tomatoes (with Crystal Hot Sauce #ftw) or Fried Green Tomato Po Boys by Southern Living
• Tomato & Sweet Corn Pie by Smitten Kitchen
• Olga's Mom's Eggplant at Mango & Tomato

And I want to pair all of those with shrimp boils, lobster rolls and blueberry-peach cobbler! Gosh, I love summer!

PS. Why am I not at the beach?

PSS. Not pictured above, the savory hand pie from Whisked! that didn't make it home 'cause it's in mah belly!

Cocktail Hour: Southern Culture on the Skids

I'm not a cocktail blogger. If you want an expert on that, read Urban Bohemian or Scofflaw's Den.

But when I tweeted about my farmers market peaches, Jeff Donald issued a challenge that I couldn't resist... an improvised bourbon-peach mojito that he dothed "Southern Culture on the Skids." It turned out to be a light, refreshing summer cocktail... perfect for BBQs, patio parties, or you know, a Thursday night at home experimenting with Google+ HangingOut with JC...

Southern Culture on the Skids
Serves 1 

Southern Culture on the Skids (photo: Tammy Gordon)

Ingredients
1 overripe peach (you want a soft one, but not rotten), peeled and diced
6 oz club soda
1 shot of bourbon (or more, depending on how bad your day was)
2 Tablespoons of sugar
2 sprigs of mint (one for the leaves - chiffonade them- and one for garnish)
Crushed ice

Directions
1. Muddle the peach, sugar and chiffonaded mint leaves. [TIP: If you don't have a muddler, and I don't... improvise. I heard that the handle of an ice cream scoop works, but the thing that worked best for me was my pastry cutter... really mashed it up!]
2. Add crushed ice. [NOTE: I used crushed ice from my refrigerator which was fine, but the more crushed the better. Like, Chick-fil-A crushed.]
3. Pour in your bourbon.
4. Top with club soda to taste and a sprig of mint. Enjoy!

PS.  Huge hat tip to Andrew Shapiro of Dino restaurant in Cleveland Park who hooked me up with some pineapple mint from their bar when both neighborhood grocery stores were out. Xo!

Chef Jose Andres Debuts America Eats Tavern, a Pop Up Concept

When two of my favorite gals from New York popped into town unexpectedly on business and wanted to meet for a drink near my office, I suggested Chef Jose Andres' new joint America Eats Tavern. It's actually a renovation of his Cafe Atlantico restaurant on 8th Street NW near D. You'll see familiar architecture and staff, but it's a totally new scene - an homage to Chef's adopted nation in both decor and delicious food.

Behind the bar at America Eats Tavern (photo: Tammy Gordon)

The concept is actually a partnership with the National Archives exhibit, What's Cooking. Uncle Sam? and each option includes a history of the dish and why it's important to America's culinary journey.

There ended up being four of us, so we sampled a good cross section of the small plates offered. My favorites were the refreshing Southside cocktail (visit Trevor at the enlarged, more comfortable bar), the moist hush puppies with luscious corn butter, the fried oysters with egg & bacon (ask for the story behind it!) and the refreshing grapefruit and shrimp salad. Pics of those and more:

Flickr photos: Tammy Gordon

I'm going back next week for the full dinner experience, but after just three days of being open, America Eats Tavern is one to add to your to do list!

Make a reservation while it's still in town - the concept will only last for seven to nine months. And to stay up on what's next, follow Chef Jose Andres on Facebook and Twitter.

America Eats Tavern is located at 405 8th Street NW, Washington, DC. It's super close to the National Archives building and metro stop - and only two blocks from the Gallery Place - Penn Quarter metro stop.

PS. If you're missing Minibar, it should be back in action next weekend. Right now, it's serving as America Eats Tavern's raw bar.

The Stew: Florida Girl on Food Trucks in Tampa Trib

As I was heading out the door to work this morning, I got a call from my Mom. "YOU'RE IN THE PAPER!" (at least she didn't say it like, "um, you're in the paper..." that would be bad)

I mean, it's not like I'm in the paper for savin' babies or electing a president or anything. But I *am* in my hometown paper today talkin' food trucks with fellow foodie, hometown neighbor, Twitter addict, all-around-pal, La Cubanita Cafe mayor and food editor for the Trib, Jeff Houck.

Here's a link to the story where Jeff talks about the trend and how the Bay area's starting to catch on. I gave my spin on the DC scene and a hat tip to fellow Floridian, Stephen Boillan who slings Cubans from the El Floridano truck. Did you catch my blog post where he let me ride along? Man that day was COLD.

Cuban sandwiches at El Floridano in DC (photo: Tammy Gordon)

Follow Jeff Houck's Twitter, Facebook, and blog - trust me, you won't regret it! To follow all of the DC food trucks, check out Food Truck Fiesta.

PS. Little known fact. Jeff once tried to kill me. By challenging me to a soul food marathon over Christmas break. Read about it here - and go taste a Rib Dogg next time you're in Mulberry, FL.