How Sweet It Is!

Chef David Guas of Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery stopped by the National Honey Board to share his favorite back to school lunches, perfect for any brown bag (no matter how old you are!)

Women of Washington

The Jefferson, Washington, D.C. recently hosted the ladies of CBS News as they did a photo shoot for CBS Watch! Magazine's January/February 2012 issue. Here's a peek at Norah O'Donnell, Chief White House Correspondent; Sharyl Attkisson, Investigative Correspondent; Jan Crawford, Political and Chief Legal Correspondent; and Nancy Cordes, Congressional Correspondent.

TenPenh Bids a Fond Farewell.

TenPenh Bids a Fond Farewell

TenPenh’s landmark Asian-inspired restaurant closing June 30, 2011

Being unable to finalize a mutually beneficial agreement between the partners of TenPenh Restaurant [Jeff Tunks, Gus DiMillo, David Wizenberg] and the lessor, an amicable resolution has been reached whereby; the jewel-colored silk-upholstered dining room of TenPenh closes its doors at the end of this month. It will leave behind a legacy of sophisticated Asian-inspired cuisine and glittering memories – of delectable lunches, exotic dinner feasts, and festive suckling pig roasts right there on Pennsylvania Avenue just blocks from The White House.

Eleven years ago, following an intensive research trip to Asia, we brought authentic flavors and flair to our Asian inspired establishment.  The interior made its mark with brilliant color, silk lanterns, antique Asian statuary, and servers in raw silk jackets. TenPenh’s menu introduced the Washington area to the joys of whole fish, taking the fear out of that dramatic presentation.  It also gave a home to executive chef Jeff Tunks’ Chinese Style Smoked Lobster, which became its signature dish.  During the tenure of Tunks’ longtime Philippine-born chef de cuisine, Washington learned to embrace upscale Philippine cuisine.

Praised in the press from Bon Appétit to The New York Times [and with a coveted listing in the late great Gourmet Magazine’s Guide to America’s Best Restaurants under its glamorous belt] Not to mention, Esquire Magazine gave it the notable honor of being one of only twenty “Best New Restaurants 2000.” TenPenh’s high style and distinctive cuisine always attracted luminaries.  The kitchen was honored by visiting chefs Cristeta Comerford [of The White House] and America’s master of Asian cooking, Susanna Foo.  Its dining room was graced by the likes of Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Dr. Ruth, Barack Obama and John McCain, U2 and John Travolta.    

Although much discussion is whirling around about a possible relocation, we would like to simply focus our energy and time on our independent ongoing ventures and the two new independent endeavors poised to open on Washington Circle this August.

Gus, Jeff and David are indebted and thankful to their loyal supporters, distinguished press, friends and family for their continued commitment to TenPenh. And most importantly, they are sincerely grateful to their dedicated staff for all their efforts and hard work over the past 11 years.

“A fond farewell for now! Thank you for the memories,” says Gus, Jeff and David. 

Happy 4th of July

Hope everyone had a Happy 4th of July! There's nothing like spending it with family!

My nephew, Max, and sons, Spencer and Kemp.

Mixing it Up with Mixtress Gina Chersevani of PS7's at the 2011 RAMMY's!

Step out on the town with Mixtress Gina Chersevani and the DC Dining Scene at this year's RAMMY Awards!

The "Promised Land"

It has been a long time since I visited my blog and almost eight years since I last stepped foot in the “promised land” of wine & great food.  I finally made it back to Napa, California this past week for a little bit of work—and lucky enough for me—a little bit of play!

My first stop was San Francisco, where I made a quick visit to good friend, Randy Lewis’ newest Restaurant, Criolla Kitchen.  I took a looksie around and it gave me a feeling of being home in New Orleans.  Bright orange accents enhance the raw and simple lines of the décor.  Vibrant, large photos of memorable New Orleans visuals grace the walls, like Mardi Gras indians or jazz musicians.  Unfortunately Randy wasn’t there for us to catch up as he was out of town for the day. Drag, no lunch as it was only 10:30 AM!  But I was glad to see the restaurant for myself.  The place serves up everything with a traditional Louisiana flare—New Orleans and Southern cuisine mixed with Northern California ingredients for the purest results. 

I cannot pass up the noon hour without thinking lunch.  I had already made contact with pastry chef Emily Luchetti to visit Waterbar on the waterfront, where I slurped down two dozen California oysters and the cleanser was a beautiful glass of Rosé from the Sonoma region.  Briny goodness topped with just a squirt of lemon.  Emily joined me for some desserts.  Every single one I sampled.  And who has a sweet tooth?  I do and usually control it, but not with a pastry chef sitting right there.  You didn’t have to twist my arm!  Oh my mouth was salivating over the Lemon Roulade as it had the citrus twang you want so your tastebuds start dancing.  The Cherry Pie came neck-in-neck with getting my sweet tooth rockin’ with just the perfect topping of Almond Ice Cream. 

And guess what?  It was Emily’s birthday!  Now that made my lunch even more of a treat! 

Then I was off to Napa, where I was fortunate enough to visit the Culinary Institute of America for the very first time.  David (chef David Guas of Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery) has been going there for years as a presenter for several lectures and events, and I was so glad to be able see it for myself finally!  I had a special moment thinking of Michael Batterberry, my dear friend who passed away and I felt his presence there the entire time.  He gave so much to the culinary world and I was one of the fortunate ones to be a part of his world.  While at the CIA I met with the wonderfully “sweet” folks at the National Honey Board, there for “Honey Summit 2011: Inspiration, Ideation, Innovation” with a number of chefs to discuss the importance of preserving the honey bee and using honey in a variety of cooking, from savory to sweet!

Now, you all know how important work is to me, but being back in Napa I couldn’t help myself but play a little as well!  As the conversation on honey continued at the CIA, I thought I would take a personal break and see what I could squeeze out of Napa for the day.  Though many of my familiar haunts were still around, I decided to make it a day of new experiences see what new restaurants Napa had to offer! Top of my list was Farmstead Restaurant, one of the coolest restaurants I have visited in quite some time.  There I met Executive Sous Chef, Michael Markoff, who I started talking about New Orleans with happily!  Though Michael is not from New Orleans, Executive Chef Sheamus Feeley had spent some time working in New Orleans and we found plenty to talk about between bites of Caramelized Beets, Local Goat Cheese, and Brick Cooked Chicken. 

And finally, with only a half day left in the trip, I realized I had almost forgotten the most important part of any Napa excursion: the wine!  I high-tailed it right away to the beautiful Merryvale Vineyards on Highway 29, where I tasted spicy, full-bodied Petite Syrahs.  Already proven lucky twice that day with my New Orleans connections, I took a leap of faith and mentioned to my server my roots in Louisiana.  Well, he did ask where I was born, because I have an accent.  Wouldn’t you know it, his best friend not only lives in New Orleans, but is the one of the head police officers!  My girls in the office always tease me, but I can find a New Orleans connection no matter where I go!  As he poured me tastings of some of the best wine I have ever had, we talked about Mardi Gras and the Bacchus parade, until it came time for the Profile wine of the vineyard.  Knowing full well the hefty price tag of such a bottle, I respectfully declined a taste and was ready to head out with my purchases, when my server quietly poured a glass and said “it must be your lucky day!”  Only a true New Orleans gal can get away with that!

Here are a few of my artsy fartsy shots of some vineyards. 

Down and Dirty this Memorial Day Weekend

Dig into spicy, boiled mudbugs over Memorial Day Weekend 

at Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery in Arlington, Virginia.

Mardi Gras 2011 in New Orleans!

This year, the boys and I were able to travel down to New Orleans to enjoy some of the Mardi Gras festivities with their grandfather, my father-in-law. We also got to visit with my god-children - Mignon, Desiree, and Scarlett. Kem was having a great time surrounded by Southern belles! 

Mariano - or Abuello as the boys call him. 

 Kemp with Abuello.

 Spencer is ready for the parade!

Rockin' the Bayou Bakery shirt down in New Orleans - spreading the word!

 In the parade stands!

 

Spencer and Abuello in the stands. 

Kemp and his Southern belles. 

The Today Show Gets a Taste of New Orleans!

Who says Mardi Gras is only celebrated on Fat Tuesday?  It is fun to remember the good times enjoyed in New Orleans everyday!  When the producers of The Today Show reached out to me looking for a New Orleans chef ready to take on the task of cooking for Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb on Fat Tuesday, I knew the perfect gal for the job...Chef Haley Bittermann!  As the Corporate Executive Chef, Haley oversees all food and beverage operations for the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group, consisting of Ralph's on the Park, Red Fish Grill, and Jazz Kitchen in California.  Cafe b and Heritage Grill will be the newest restaurants to join the family this spring.  

She certainly showed the ladies of The Today Show a good time, bringing with her New Orleans Style BBQ Shrimp, Creole Jambalaya, Double Chocolate Bread Pudding, and of course, a classic King Cake.  And no Fat Tuesday would be complete without some Abita Beer and a Hurricane!

Sunday at Bayou Bakery Coffee Bar & Eatery!

Had a great lazy Sunday at Bayou Bakery Coffee Bar & Eatery with Geraldine Eisendrath and Mollie Chen - tasting just about everything from Muff-a-lottas to Pimento Cheese with Triscuits, Breakfast Biscuits, and Porkorn!

We Need Your Vote for David Guas

We need your vote for Chef David Guas, of Bayou Bakery in Arlington, Virginia, in Food&Wine's "The People's Best New Chef" competition for the Mid-Atlantic. Please take a minute to click on the link below and vote for David Guas - the only chef in Virginia - for "The People's Best New Chef."

Livin' High on the Hog: Chef David Guas at Blackberry Farm with Southern Foodways Alliance