My brother Siddhartha Shukla is YSL’s Global Communications Director.

too much? (photo by Krista Garcia)

We went to Blue Hill last night. It was nice, but something shifted in my mind and I think that I am over fancy food.

I like the farm-to-table concept very much, but the patrons and staff at Blue Hill take themselves too seriously. It was not a relaxed environment. The food and drinks were delicious and presented beautifully but my salad was much too artfully composed. The cocktails were too-lovingly crafted. The dessert presentation was ornate bordering on ridiculous. I found myself longing for simple, un-self-consciously rustic meals a la Peter Luger or even Blue Smoke, and pretended not to remember that those are meat restaurants where all I can eat are side dishes.

I am going to explore new places and re-visit restaurants to see if this mood holds, and if I can find restaurants that balance service, values and atmosphere well. CRAFT BAR might be ok, Stuzzichini would be if only the service was not worse every time I go. I never made it to Corton but I’m afraid that it’s too late. The food descriptions remind me of paintings. Do you have any suggestions? Oh – Blue Ribbon Bakery is good; all the Blue Ribbons in fact. Phew.

Dark and mysterious, Esperanza for the evening

Impressive array of mainly rum-based punches to satisfy any hankering, from light to rich, sweet, fruity, herbaceous, creamy, tart and more. Sizes are simple (for 1), con un amigo (for two people), toda la familia (4) and royale (6). But the one for 2 people serves more like 4 servings, the one for 4 serves 8 glasses, etc. They do this so that you can enjoy more than one glass of these lovely flavor combinations.

We sat in the Pink Room (too hot) once and enjoyed watching cute female bartenders mixing each punch like  witches brew. So many bottles of housemade purees, bunches of herbs and fresh fruit. The main room is cooler (in both senses) and has comfortable throne-like chairs.
We have tried four different punches so far and each one was a winner. Top notch, you must go. We’ve averaged $40 each for punch only. Haven’t tried the food yet, it’s almost all meat or chicken, with one shrimp dish and one vegetarian. Cash only for now.

95 Avenue A New York, NY 10009-6107 - (212) 614-6818

Limelight Marketplace

4 blocks from home, the church-cum-nightclub-cum store liquidation sale space at 47 West 20th Street is now Limelight Marketplace.The new emporium will have gourmet and specialty food vendors a floor of apothecary products and sneakers as well as housewares and arts. I think that the more central location could give Chelsea Market something to worry about. Chelsea Market bakers operate industrial-sized ovens, the fish monger has tanks of fish, and other purveyors who serve the restaurant industry, but for average consumers who don’t have a delivery truck, Limelight is easier to get to.

What’s the one thing that could really put Limelight over the top? BATHROOMS! For goodness’ sake, with more than 30 places to eat HOW can there only be three unisex toilets at Chelsea Markets? Judging by the floor plans of the 1st and 3rd floor, I count 11 commodes. I know where I’ll be taking my next group of weekend guests.

Update: This place is too cramped. It is a stressful place with all the wares set out in easy-t0-knock over reach. It’s also too expensive for the neighborhood. Chelsea Market is totally different and has nothing to worry about.

Neighborhood Restaurant Group is a wonderful collective of restaurant pros operating a dozen unique places in DC/NoVA. They sent out an email today about a nifty

Olympic promotion they’re running but I can’t find anything about it on ANY of their many web sites, so here is the content from the email. Basically, grab a “passport” at one of their restos and get it stamped when you go to the other participating ones. When it’s full you get a $50 dining card. So fun and the prize is great! Read on for deets from NRG:

Now that the games have begun, we’re suddenly seized by a serious case of Olympic fever. To celebrate the spirit and since we can’t be in Canada, we’ve created a fun crawl around town.

Here’s how it works: From now through the closing ceremonies, each of our restaurants will adopt a country during the games and offer both food and drink inspired by that country.

You need only visit any one of our restaurants, ask for a passport, then dine around at the others gathering a stamp at each along the way. Collect all six, and you’ll receive a $50 gift certificate.

From there, three medalists will be selected at random from all completed passports. The Gold Medalist will be awarded a $150 gift certificate, the Silver Medalist a $100 gift certificate, and the Bronze Medalist a $75 gift certificate.

All three medalists will be announced during our own version of the closing ceremonies right here in Del Ray. That’s right, we’re hosting another outdoor party on Sunday, February 28 at the Evening Star Cafe and invite you to join us beneath the heated tents from 1-6 for an Olympic oyster roast and block party celebration.

Expect a day’s worth of good food, fine wine, craft beers, good friends and neighbors and plenty of fun. There’s no fee to attend – Oysters, Red Apron Hot Dogs, Beer, Wine, Coffee and much more will all be priced individually anywhere from $3 to $12 and we’ll even screen the gold medal hockey game. So mark your calendars now for a rollicking day of Olympic fun right here in the neighborhood.

The Evening Star Cafe
Team United States
2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. Alexandria, VA 22301
www.eveningstarcafe.net

Featuring: Will’s All-American Waffle Burger | The Five B Stinger (Black Angus Beef Burger with Blue, Bacon and Buffalo Sauce on Jalapeno & Cheddar Biscuit) | Barnard Griffin Merlot from Washington State | Pale Ale from Philadelphia’s Yard’s Brewing Company.

Columbia Firehouse
Team Russia
109 South St. Asaph, Alexandria, VA 22314
www.columbiafirehouse.com

Featuring: Shortrib Beef Stroganoff with Housemade Egg Noodles | Moscow Mule Cocktail (Vodka, Ginger Beer & Lime) | House Infused Pepper Vodka.

Vermilion
Team Italy
1120 King Street, Alexandria VA 22314
www.vermilionrestaurant.com

Featuring: Four Cheese Ravioli with Path Valley Farms’ Red & Orange Beets and Walnut Froth | Blood Orange Negroni (Gin Campari & Sweet Vermouth) | Fernando Canavase Rosso “La Torazza” from Piedmont, Italy.

ChurchKey
Team Canada
1337 14th Street NW, Washington DC 20005
www.birchandbarley.com

Featuring: Poutine (ChurchKey’s Handcut Fries topped with Cheddar Curds and Sausage Gravy | A selection of Canadian draft beers from a trio of great Quebecois brewers including Trou de Diable’s Imperatrice Stout. ChurchKey is the only establishment in the USA offering this rare beer!

Rustico
Team Germany
827 Slaters Lane, Alexandria VA 22314
www.rusticorestaurant.com

Featuring: Pork Schnitzel with Wild Mushroom Spaetzle | Selection of German beers including Ettaler Curator Doppelbock, Augustine Brau Lager & more.

Tallula / EatBar
Team Poland
2761 Washington Blvd. Arlington VA 22201
www.tallularestaurant.com

Featuring: Housemade Potato Pierogi stuffed with Potatoes, Kielbasa & Cheese | Polish Beers by Zywiec | The Polish Hat Trick (A Pierogi, Zywiec Lager & shot of Belvedere vodka.

Neighborhood Restaurant Group
2000 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, Virginia 22301
www.neighborhoodrestaurantgroup.com