food

Thanksgiving Cooking Safety Tips from ACFD

By ARLnow.com

The Arlington County Fire Department has issued a list of six simple tips for keeping safe while cooking your Thanksgiving dinner.

Spokesman Lt. Gregg Karl says these tips are in response to calls the department receives on a regular basis around this time of year.

Thanksgiving Cooking Safety Tips

  1. Be alert when cooking. Do not allow yourself to be distracted or walk away from food on the stove. Stove top fires can spread quickly to cabinets and areas surrounding the stove.
  2. Turn pot and pan handles inward so children and pets cannot pull these items from the stove.
  3. Wear clothing that has fitted or short sleeves. Loose fitting sleeves can contact hot surfaces and begin to burn.
  4. Use caution with open flame cooking devices. Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for use of the device. Check county and state fire codes for safe distances and areas the devices can be used.
  5. Have a UL (Underwriters Laboratories) listed fire extinguisher and be familiar with the operation of the extinguisher in the event of a fire.
  6. Be certain all smoke alarms are tested and functioning properly.

The Arlington County Fire Department wishes everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

Restaurant Event in Crystal City to Blend Italian and Indian Cuisine

By ARLnow.com

It’s a culinary combination you don’t hear about all that often: Indian-Italian fusion. But on Saturday, Crystal City’s Cucina Vivace restaurant will be devoting an entire night to it.

The exotic cuisine will be prepared as part of a collaboration between two local chefs: Gordon Vivace of Cucina Vivace and Pritha Mehra of Falls Church-based The Mystic Kitchen. The two came up with a 10-course, $69 prix fixe menu that blends “Indian and Italian staples into dishes that remain true to both specialties.”

The menu includes:

  • Papri Chaat: Flour crisps topped with potatoes, mascarpone cheese based cream, tamarind chutney and chickpea shavings.
  • Polpetti di Paste e Pollo: Patties made with Chicken, Potatoes, Spaghetti and Cheese served with Chutney.
  • Insalata di Kachoomber: A lemon flavored salad mixture of Indian and Mediterranean fruits dressed in lemon zest.
  • Tandoori Chicken Pizzetti: Flat bread with a thin layer of tomato, topped with Tandoori Chicken, onions, arugula and pine nuts.
  • Salmon Bruschetta: Salmon grilled in an array of spices served over olive roasted toast.
  • Pesto Paneer: Homemade Paneer in a tangy pesto chutney sauce.
  • Curried Shrimp Polenta: South Indian Shrimp curry over creamy polenta.
  • Raja’s Cannelloni: Fresh pasta tubes stuffed with Indian-spiced spinach and paneer baked in an Italian tomato sauce, flavored with Indian five-spice.
  • Spaghetti Keema Bolognese: Indian spiced beef curry in an Italian Bolognese style sauce over freshly made spaghetti.
  • Risotto Dolce: Cardamom flavored Arborio Rice pudding topped with fruit.

The menu is being offered for one night only: Saturday, Nov. 19, at 7:00 p.m. Reservations can be made online or by calling 703-979-7676.

AFAC Begins Distributing Thanksgiving Meals to Needy Families

By ARLnow.com

The Arlington Food Assistance Center has begun its annual distribution of Thanksgiving dinners to needy families.

AFAC expects to distribute some 1,800 frozen turkeys between today and Saturday, when the distribution ends. The organization is also distributing stuffing and mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving, in addition to its normal weekly food distribution (eggs, milk, pasta, canned goods, etc.).

Rep. Jim Moran joined volunteers at AFAC’s Shirlington distribution site this afternoon. The 66-year-old congressman helped to distribute food to AFAC clients, in an effort to draw more attention to the group’s mission.

“I’m hoping to bring a little extra visibility to what AFAC does so that more people will support it financially and through volunteerism,” Moran told ARLnow.com. “This is the best, most extensive feeding program for Arlington residents… who don’t have the material resources to adequately feed their family. [AFAC] uses the least public money, has the most volunteers and is run the most efficiently.”

AFAC is handing out Thanksgiving dinners at all 12 of the group’s distribution sites in Arlington. Executive Director Charles Meng says this week is typically the busiest time of the year for the organization. Since AFAC recently set an all-time high for the number of families it served in a week, Meng expects it may set another record this week.

“Our demand is still increasing and the growth has not yet stopped,” Meng said. “So something’s happening in the community that’s still driving people to us.”

Meng says he believes “underemployment” is a problem for a significant number of AFAC clients — many who were formerly unemployed have found jobs, but the jobs they’ve found aren’t paying enough (often minimum wage) to allow them to buy all the food they need for their families.

“The bottom line is that people don’t really want to come here,” Meng said. “Yes, we’re giving out food — it’s free —  but you really don’t want to come here. You’d prefer to go to a local grocery store, get your own food, select what you want.”

New AFAC clients must first be referred to the organization by Arlington’s Department of Human Services, Arlington Public Schools, churches or some other social service agency.

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Candidates Schmooze at Kiwani Oyster Feast

By ARLnow.com

Candidates for local and state office in Arlington did some last-minute glad-handing at the 40th annual Kiwanis Club of Arlington Oyster Feast and BBQ on Saturday night.

Held at the American Service Center garage in Ballston, the feast attracted dozens (perhaps hundreds) of diners who paid $40 per head for unlimited oysters, burgers, hot dogs, barbeque and beer. Money raised at the event “helps to fund community youth projects and grants for other educational and non-profit organizations focusing on children in Arlington.”

The pre-Election Day event always attracts a large contingent of political candidates, who take the time to individually greet members of the civic-minded crowd — in between chowing down on fried food. Among the attendees was County Board member and state Senate candidate Barbara Favola, who’s facing off against Republican Caren Merrick in one of the most closely-watched local races in Northern Virginia.

Favola said she’s feeling optimistic heading into Tuesday, thanks to some unspecified internal statistics her campaign has been observing as of late. Merrick also attended the oyster feast, but we were unable to catch up with her for comment.

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New Management Revamps Toscana Grill

By Katie Pyzyk

Updated at 6:10 p.m. The name remains the same, but just about everything else has changed at Toscana Grill.

The restaurant in the Courthouse Metro Plaza (2300 Clarendon Blvd.) has completely revamped. From appearance, to management and staff, to menu, Toscana Grill wants to make a new name for itself.

The new management abandoned the vegetarian menu, and now offers a variety of options for lovers of both meat and meatless dishes.

Operating Partner Joe Smith said, “You’ve always got plenty of vegetarian options in Italian cooking, so there’s plenty of variety.”

The switch happened in July and the restaurant has slowly been getting into a groove since then. Smith said the business needed many improvements, which can sometimes seem overwhelming. But he points out it’s important to focus on the overall goal and not become bogged down by everything that needs fixing.

The restaurant’s new focus is on making food in the classic Italian style. Smith, who moved to the area nearly seven years ago, claims to be a product of his New Jersey training. He aims to provide an experience he doesn’t believe can be found at any other Italian restaurants in the area.

Loyal customers are building up, and Smith says part of his enjoyment of running the restaurant is meeting all the patrons.

“I’m not sure if it’s this area or something,” he said, “but we have the best guests.”

While the atmosphere has become more casual, staff members work hard to ensure service isn’t lacking. Smith says he wants everyone who visits not only to enjoy high quality food, but also to have a good time.

He said, “We’re working hard, the food is great. Come say hi to Joe.”

Rabbit to Launch Late Night Grill in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Rabbit Salad and Grill (3035 Clarendon Blvd) will be bringing a couple of new options to Clarendon’s late night food scene this week.

The restaurant, a newcomer to the area, will be launching a late night outdoor grill dubbed the “Rabbit Hole.” From the restaurant’s patio, employees will be serving three “grilled to order” sandwiches: The Cuban (braised pork shoulder, deli ham, dill pickles, mozzarella and Dijon aioli), Classic Grilled Cheese (American and sharp cheddar cheese), and Nutella and Banana (sweet hazelnut spread and a hint of cocoa and slice bananas).

“All three standout sandwiches are served on fresh artisanal breads from a local bakery and offered at a discounted price: $8 for the Cuban and $6 for both the Nutella & Banana and Grilled Cheese sandwiches,” the restaurant said in a press release. “With recipes inspired by Consulting Chef Katsuya Fukushima, an Iron Chef winner, as well as one of celebrity Chef José Andrés most trusted collaborators, “Rabbit Hole” is sure to satisfy any late-night hunger pangs.”

The Rabbit Hole will be open from 11:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings, starting this coming Friday.

Among the Rabbit Hole’s late night food competitors will be Goody’s (pizza), Mario’s (pizza and subs), BGR: The Burger Joint (burgers and shakes), East West Grill (kabobs), Hard Times Cafe (chili, wings, burgers, etc.) and Silver Diner. Each of those Clarendon-area restaurants has a closing time between 2:00 and 4:00 a.m.

As Recession Lingers, AFAC Hits All-Time High

By ARLnow.com

The Arlington Food Assistance Center reached an all-time high number of families served last week, a dubious milestone the organization attributes to the on-going recession.

AFAC served 1572 families, or 4006 individuals, last week. The previous high was hit on Nov. 21, 2009, when AFAC served 1524 families during its traditionally busy Thanksgiving distribution week. Last month, AFAC saw its highest average monthly number of families served: 1450.

“Most of the individuals, I would say, are affected by the recession,” AFAC Executive Director Charles Meng told ARLnow.com. “The issue remains that unemployment among the lower income brackets in Arlington County is still very high. Those individuals are still not finding jobs, or are getting jobs that pay minimum wage.”

Meng said that while Arlington’s unemployment rate is among the lowest in the country, the relative prosperity has not trickled down to lower-income individuals, who are having a hard time finding full-time employment that pays the bills. According to Meng, it takes a wage of about $12.50 to $13.00 per hour to live in Arlington.

“Rents are high and the price of various commodities are higher here than elsewhere,” he said. “We do see some of our clients getting jobs, but they’re not full time and they’re not at a living wage for Arlington County.”

While previous growth in the number of individuals served by AFAC came from senior citizens, Meng says the latest growth came from an increase in families utilizing AFAC’s S. Nelson Street, Clarendon and Gunston distribution sites. The organization operates about a dozen distribution sites around the county.

The good news, according to an AFAC press release, is that donations are increasing.

“Food donations are beginning to increase with the start of the school year and cash donations are on the rise,” the organization said. “Both should continue to increase through the holidays.”

Meng said AFAC can meet current demand, but added: “We can always use donations.”

Crystal City Plans Wine-Filled September

By ARLnow.com

Bummed out about the approaching end of summer? Crystal City’s Business Improvement District hopes to ease the transition to cooler weather with a little vino.

Crystal City will be holding six wine events during the month of September, including its popular annual ‘Vintage Crystal’ wine and jazz festival on Sunday, Sept. 18.

The wine-filled month will start on Sept. 2, with the first of five ‘Wine in the Waterpark’ events. The Washington Wine Academy will pour $5 glasses of wine and $4 beers in the Crystal City Water Park (across from 1750 Crystal Drive) while Crystal City’s Jaleo restaurant serves up free snacks and while DJ Adrian Loving spins “mood-setting, ambient music.”

Wine in the Waterpark will take place from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. It will continue every Friday through Sept. 30, when Pacers will host a special ‘5K Friday’ race. The race will start at 6:30 p.m. and will count the night’s Wine in the Waterpark event as its official after party.

The marquee Vintage Crystal event on Sept. 18 will feature tastings of 30 different wines from Spain, Argentina and Chile. More than 20 local restaurants will be there, handing out free samples. Latin jazz group Trio Caliente will perform, as will dancers from Columbia Pike’s The Salsa Room.

Tickets to the event — which will take place from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. — are $20 and include a free wine glass.

Disclosure: Crystal City BID is advertising its September wine events on ARLnow.com.

Arlington County Fair Program Released

By ARLnow.com

The Arlington County Fair is just a week away, and now we know a bit more about the kind of food and entertainment that’s on tap.

The fair’s official program is now online, complete with lists of exhibitors, food vendors and fair hours. Also included are maps and an entertainment schedule.

Among the food vendors are A&B Soft Serve, Cherokee Cuisine (“Krispy Kreme burgers,” “turkey kielbasa tortilla wraps,” etc.), Capital Empanadas, Family Grill (kebabs, pad thai, etc.), Four Seasons Grill (gyros, turkey legs, etc.), I Love Thai, International Grill Company (cheesesteaks, falafel, etc.), MacBrand Foods (sausage, “blooming onions,” etc.), Nittaya Grill (chicken teriyaki, funnel cakes, etc.), Orient-Bowl, and Rivera’s (carne asada, pupusas, etc.).

Among the more than 125 exhibitors are the Arlington County Democratic Committee, the Arlington County Republican Committee, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, Artisphere, Dominion Electric Power, Friends of the David M. Brown Planetarium, Potomac Harmony/Showtime Chorus, and dozens of merchants.

Among the scheduled outdoor events are the Civil War HistoryMobile, Star Family Circus, racing piglets, pony rides, Harlem Wizards basketball demonstration (Fri.-Sat.), outdoor movies (Fri.-Sat.), and animal rescue group exhibitions (Fri.-Sun.).

The fair takes place at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center (3501 S. 2nd Street). See the Arlington County Fair web site for more information.

Ireland’s Four Courts Makes a Comeback

By Katie Pyzyk

(Updated at 2:55 p.m.) More than three months ago, fire ravaged Ireland’s Four Courts (2051 Wilson Blvd) in Courthouse. But like a phoenix, the pub is about to emerge from the ashes.

The February fire gutted the kitchen, back halls and roof, forcing the pub to resort to a limited menu of mostly cold foods. Only being able to open a portion of the restaurant meant they were bringing in about 40 percent of the usual business.

The damage was more significant than anticipated, requiring many repairs in order to reopen. General Manager Dave Cahill (who hails from Limerick, Ireland) says that prompted the decision to redevelop and modernize the entire pub. Some of the changes include new hardwood and tile floors, new wood paneling and paint on the walls, a new main bar, a redone party area and the addition of a deck in the back. There are also new beers on tap, new glassware to be used with each specialty beer and an expanded scotch and whiskey list.

Four Courts also hired a new chef — Joel Lucas — who had previously worked at McCormick & Schmick’s and Chef Geoff’s. He’s been developing an updated menu. Lucas and Cahill said they will still serve the standard Irish dishes that Americans are familiar with, like corned beef and cabbage. However the revamped menu will include new items, several of them reflecting Ireland’s seafood offerings, such as scallops or salmon.

Lucas pointed out that the pub features “from scratch cooking” and fresh produce grown locally in Virginia. Customers will also see gourmet cheeses made at Cahill’s family farm in Ireland topping some dishes.

Despite all the changes, Cahill stresses that Four Courts will still have the same feel of a traditional Irish pub, but with a fresher look. He and Lucas have spent a lot of time and money studying pubs in Ireland, trying to mimic specific points of authenticity in both ambiance and fare.

“We want people to feel like they’re actually in a pub in Ireland when they come here,” Cahill said.

Tomorrow, Ireland’s Four Courts will start serving its expanded menu. A full grand re-opening is scheduled for August 31. The Four Courts website has the pub’s new hours and menu. More photos, after the jump.

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AFAC Requests Produce Donations

By ARLnow.com

The Arlington Food Assistance Center is asking local gardeners and farmers to donate extra produce to bolster AFAC’s food pantry.

“Each week, over 1,300 client families visit AFAC to pick up supplemental groceries,” the organization said in a statement. “Fresh fruits and vegetables are in high demand among AFAC clients, especially as fuel prices drive up food prices.”

Produce donations can be made at the following locations:

  • AFAC (2708 S. Nelson Street) — Monday though Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Master Gardeners Help Desk at the Courthouse Farmers Market (N. Courthouse Road & 14th Street N.) — Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to noon
  • Rock Spring United Church of Christ (5010 Little Falls Road) — Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to noon

For more information on donating, and to learn about other ways to help, contact Puwen.Lee[at]afac.org or call 703-845-8486. The produce donation drive is part of AFAC’s Plot Against Hunger program.

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