By 
TaKorean Sampler
courtesy of yostinator
Middle of the week. You know what that merits? A trip to a food truck.
Category Archives: The Daily Feed
By Tom Bridge
Contention BNCA meeting results in support for 901 Monroe Development
image excerpted from 901monroe.com
Last night’s marathon meeting of the Brookland Neighborhood Civic Association was the most well-attended meeting in years, and the reason was clear: passions are running high in the neighborhood over the 901 Monroe Street proposed development. The project, proposed at 61-feet with a C-2-B zoning is very controversial in the neighborhood over what some see as an encroachment on Brookland’s planned design. Approximately 120 members met in the Turkey Thicket Rec Center in Ward 5 to discuss the project, and to help the BNCA decide their position ahead of ANC5A and Zoning Commission hearings that will decide the project’s fate come January.
Each member of the Civic Association, which draws its membership from both residents and businesses in the Ward 5 neighborhood, was permitted a minute to support or oppose the project in front of the audience. Most of the members kept their comments polite and clear, and in the end, a 51-49 vote resulted in the BNCA being bound to support the development.
By Tom Bridge
Taxi Commission proposes fare hike
Unbaked #9
courtesy of Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie
Taking a taxi in the District may get more expensive next year, as you might’ve heard. Martin from DCist has all the details of the 20-page report from the Commission, but the basic gist is: Per mile fare will be $2.16, and increments will drop from 1/6th of a mile to 1/8th of a mile. The $3 flag-drop fee will remain, but most surcharges will go away.
The fare hike is good news for the about-to-launch Uber, which will send a car service around for you starting at a $15 minimum, but the fare structure starts at $7, with $3 mileage fees or $42/hour waiting fees. We’ll have more on them as the week goes on about their launch.
Food Truck Tracker
Basil Thyme Food Truck
courtesy of bonappetitfoodie
Chilly day, but I hear that winter lasagna with truffles and gorgonzola from Basil Thyme will warm you right up. See where all the food trucks are rolling today.
Cafe Saint-Ex’s Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
Sunglasses Santa
courtesy of Karon
Bust out those antler headbands and that awesomely bad sweater you got in 1992. You know, that one with the misshapen Santa Claus and a nearly life-size Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer.
Café Saint-Ex is hosting an Ugly Christmas Sweater party this Wednesday, December 14th at 8 PM. Sip on $5 winter beers, egg nog and hot buttered rum while nibbling on Christmas cookies. Plus, DJ Soul Call Paul will be in charge of music for the evening. If you happen to be the lucky king or queen of the ugliest sweaters, you’ll win a $50 gift card to Saint-Ex.
By Tom Bridge
A City Without Metro?
Bethesda metro station
courtesy of specimenlife
It’s hard to imagine the District without Metro, no matter how much we get frustrated by their escalator failures and constant reconstruction, the system is part of our DNA here, right up there with the Monuments, the Politicians and Lobbyists, and Embassy Row. It’s just there, ever has it been, ever will it be.
What would happen if you woke up tomorrow and it just wasn’t there?
The Atlantic Cities has taken on that project, along with a lot of help from many reports from WMATA and Metro itself, and they have all manner of studies, maps and graphs that show what DC would need to make up for a lack of buses and the rail system that we take for granted, right as we curse its frustrating existence. Just a taste to get you hooked:
WMATA then ran a second scenario in which the transit disappeared, but the region added new roads to get people to where they travel today. Just to keep congestion at present levels, the region would have to add more than a thousand lane miles of arterials and highways, at a cost of about $6 billion. This would be the rough equivalent of adding 15 more lanes to the already massive beltway that encircles the city – or, all of these roads, many of which run through the core of downtown, where street expansion would be all but impossible.
Metro’s not so bad now, is it?
By Tom Bridge
Occupy… Santa?
Photo courtesy of Santa
As we head into the final two weeks of the Christmas Season, and as Congress is facing yet another looming shutdown deadline on Friday, and another fight over the extension of the payroll tax holiday by the end of the year, it’s clear that only one force out there can pull it all together, and that’s Santa Claus.
Hence, #OccupyChristmas is making an appearance in our fair city.
Food Truck Tracker
DC Empanadas!
courtesy of kimberlyfaye
Don’t forget! This is the last week to donate a new, unwrapped toy for My Sister’s Place through the DC Food Truck association. Drop off your toy at DC Empanadas before this Thursday, December 15th.
By Tom Bridge
If you enjoyed Luck last night…
RO9A6705
courtesy of Keith Allison
If you caught the HBO preview of their new horse-racing centered Luck last night and enjoyed it as much as I did, you might want to look in our own back yard for a place to play the ponies. Laurel Park is just off I-95 north of the Beltway is just close enough to be intriguing to many and accessible, as well. Tomorrow afternoon, a horse named Rapid Redux goes for his record twenty-first straight victory. We asked former Thoroughbred Times reporter Ed DeRosa about Rapid Redux, and he said, “He’s a lower level horse so it’s more a blue-collar tale of consistency than a superstar deal. Drama every day though!”
Doors open tomorrow at 11:00am, admission is a scant $3, and post time is 12:35.
By Brittany
Friday Happy Hour: Dolcezza Hot Chocolate
As Americans, I feel like we very often describe something as “European Style” as a euphemism. It either means that thing is classy and refined or, as in the case of my apartment’s “European Sized” washer-dryer, simply small. The hot chocolate at Dolcezza is certainly the former – but served in a rather American-sized portion.
The dark, glossy chocolate arrives spilling just over the edges of the cappuccino-sized mug, dribbling little trails down the outside, pooling in the saucer. It is aromatic with cinnamon and spices and has a substantial, silky mouthfeel without being quite as thick as the more shot-glass sized portions one sometimes gets. Accompanied by a warm, crispy churro, it is completely decadent without being overwhelmingly sugary. Though less-dense than some, the full six ounces was a bit too much for me to finish, I must admit, and could almost be split between two people.
Some fancy hot chocolates in town distinguish themselves by the addition of spicy elements or interesting “adult” ingredients (both of which I like) or piles of whipped cream and other toppings (which I generally could do without), but the Dolcezza version is simple and avoids taking the treat over-the-top.
It more clearly reminds me of the hot chocolates of my childhood, typically served from silver pots on trays of hotel room-service breakfasts in various now blurred-together Continental locales – and when it comes to hot chocolate, more like one’s childhood memories is generally better. Like cupcakes and grilled cheese sandwiches, hot chocolate is one of those nostalgia foods I waver on if adults should even consume at all – but when you make the nostalgia this appealing and delicious, it is certainly hard to write it off.
Evening Star Cafe Remodels and Reopens with New Chef
Evening Star #1
courtesy of Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie
The first restaurant in the Neighborhood Restaurant Group got a major facelift over the last few months and officially reopened last night on December 8th. Evening Star Cafe now has a newly redesigned and refurbished dining room and bar which was led by Hailey Designs, LLC. The same company also designed Rustico and Buzz Bakery, two other NRG establishments.
The remodeled space combines retro furniture, such as chrome-accented tables, along with a double-sided banquet for a little bit of a 1950s diner feel. In the neighboring Majestic Lounge attached to the restaurant, staff and neighbors in Del Ray have donated trophies which line a case from the floor almost to the ceiling. When you go, also check out the cool lighting fixture made out of about 180 mason jars. Washingtonian has a slideshow with pictures of the newly renovated space.
In addition to a new space, the restaurant is now being led by executive chef Jim Jeffords who is incorporating a stronger southern flavor on the menu. Jeffords recently came from CityZen in Washington, DC. Some highlights on his new menu include a moultrie sausage dish, a risotto with housemade tasso ham, mustard greens, black eyed peas and parmesan, as well as a classic buttermilk fried chicken.
There’s no word yet on where the previous executive chef, Will Artley, has decided to go, though Twitter confirms he’s staying in the area.
Looking ahead to the new year, the restaurant plans to offer brunch as well as open a 2,000 square-foot rooftop garden where Jeffords will grow herbs and other produce for his menu with the help of Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture.
Food Truck Tracker
‘Fojol Bros Trucks’
courtesy of ‘mediaslave’
Happy Friday! Now go get lunch from a food truck if you haven’t already this week.
By Tom Bridge
So, Who’s Playing Marion Barry?!
courtesy of Max Cook
Mayor-for-Life Marion Barry looks to be getting the biopic treatment according to HuffPo, and the Hollywood Reporter, in a Spike Lee Joint.
And he’ll be played by Eddie Murphy.
Folks, this is not April 1st, but I’d just about swear that it was.
I’d have gone Danny Glover or Don Cheadle, myself. Or, if I was going for parody, Samuel L. Jackson. But Murphy? really? For reals?
Food Truck Tracker
‘Fry Captain Food Truck’
courtesy of ‘bonappetitfoodie’
Ah, looking back on most of these food truck tracker pictures reminds me of the warm days of summer. And while it may not be warm outside, the food trucks are still serving up warm food to go in your belly.
By Ben H. Rome
Late Caps Rally Torpedoes Senators
Vokoun Sprawls to Save
courtesy of clydeorama
The Capitals won their first game in regulation under new coach Dale Hunter, and their second victory since the bench boss’ debut. Like the last win, this one came against the Ottawa Senators. We’d also like to take a moment to welcome back Alex Ovechkin, whose goal last night was reminiscent of seasons past, when he actually played like a superstar.
The game wasn’t an easy win; the Caps had to rack up four goals in the third period in order to finish the comeback. But a win is a win right now, with the Caps having stumbled their way down the Southeast Division standings.
The good:
- Ovechkin showed up on the score sheet after a five game drought; he scored on a beautifully skilled play in the third period to give the Caps a 3-2 lead.
- Returning veteran Jeff Halpern knocked in his second of the season, putting the Caps on the scoreboard.
- Troy Brouwer had his second Gordie Howe hat trick of his career, assisting on Halpern’s goal, scoring the team’s fourth marker, and taking on Jesse Winchester in the first period.
- Nicklas Backstrom’s power play goal in the third ended an 0-for-24 slide in the special teams department; it was also the team’s first road PPG in over a month.
- The Caps had 44 shots on goal.
The bad:
- Inconsistent play kept Ottawa in the game, even late in the third.
- The Caps still racked up the penalties, giving the Senators seven chances throughout the game (not counting Brouwer’s fisticuffs).
- The power play still sputters; the Caps had a 5-on-3 advantage for 1:47 in the first period but failed to take advantage of it.
The quote:
“I glad [sic] we got the win and of course it’s nice it to get a goal, finally. Last couple of games I tried to score, but this time it worked.” Alex Ovechkin, on ending his goal drought.
By fedward
Tonight: Tubachristmas!
Tuba bus.
courtesy of Jeffrey Beall
Got plans tonight? Cancel them, and head over to the Kennedy Center for the 38th anniversary performance of TUBACHRISTMAS. 6pm. A volunteer group of tuba players (edit: and euphonium players. Whatever.) will gather and make a joyful noise unto the Millenium Stage. From past experience I can safely say you can stand or sit pretty much anywhere in the hall for good sound.
Food Truck Tracker
‘Big Cheese truck’
courtesy of ‘BrianMKA’
Tis the season to be jolly. And you know what will make you feel jolly? Lunch from a food truck.
Food Truck Tracker
‘DC Empanadas!’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye’
As it’s getting colder outside, why not grab a Mexican hot chocolate from DC Empanadas? The slight cinnamon taste will fill you with holiday cheer.
Continue reading
By Ben H. Rome
Caps Come Up Short Against Cats
41/365
courtesy of Brian Isemann
The Washington Capitals dropped another game in their latest skid, losing to Southeast Division rival (and current leader) Florida. The Panthers held off a late-game rally by the Caps for a 5-4 victory and now lead Washington in the division by seven points.
The loss is the team’s ninth out of their last 12, and third in four games under new coach Dale Hunter.
The good:
- The Caps played a solid 20 minutes. In the third period, but still – they almost pulled out a win.
- Jason Chimera’s scoring touch continues; he tipped in a John Carlson shot with 1:44 remaining in the game, sparking some spirited (but fruitless) Caps play. Mike Knuble, Cody Eakin, and Brooks Laich also scored. Captain Alex Ovechkin had four…hits.
- The Caps held Florida to six shots on goal in the final frame.
The bad:
- Penalties. The Caps got a lot of them early, and Florida capitalized with 3 PPGs in the game.
- The Caps power play is now 2 for 50 in the last 13 games. They failed to convert the two chances they had last night.
- The team continued its inconsistent play, waking up only in the third period and putting in a solid effort to force a comeback. Too little, too late.
The quote:
Brooks Laich (via Tarik El Bashir): “It’s not acceptable to play hockey for 20 minutes and not execute for the other 40. We’re not here to try, we’re to win.”
By brownpau
Corcoran in 1921 and Today
Historic photoblog Shorpy recently showed this view of the Corcoran as it was in 1921: Continue reading