An Awesome Night

So memorable…

NOT of the Boyardee variety

MEATBALLS! Say it out loud. The sound of it likely produces a smile and possibly pries loose memories of those little rounded mounds of mystery that came from a Chef Boyardee can. DC recently got a new meatball shop that came with a bit of controversy. Well maybe it’s more about some behind-the-scenes none-of-our-business deal but there does seems to be a tad of drama surrounding ownership of this 6th & E Street eatery. Nevermind the who, let’s talk about what’s right now. Chef Michel Richard who already gets a lot of my money at two of his other restaurants, Central and Citronelle has another place for me to meet and eat – MeatBalls. Now I often travel between New York and DC and have been a semi-regular at the Meatball Shop located in the West Village in NYC. I usually get what’s listed on the menu as “naked balls” covered with marinara and grated parmesan.  I prefer the chicken balls and get them with a side salad made with arugula and apples and sometimes accompanied by a glass of prosecco. So I was already a kinda sorta meatball lover. At DC Meatballs I was greeted by cheerful feed-you-like-your-momma servers who asked if it was my “first time” and began to explain and expound on what I was viewing behind the plexiglass. When I was told they also made crab-balls which presented a slight quagmire. Well they stuck a toothpick into a crab-ball and shoved it across the counter and said, “try it.” Yep, pushing food on me just like my mom would. The crab wasn’t bad but I decided on a bowl of chicken balls with marinara but added per suggestion some hot peppers to go on top. I strayed a little from my usual off the menu meat meal and ordered a side of collard greens. So what did I think? Well the chicken balls are flavorful and moist and the portion not skimpy at all. There were about 5 of the little rounded chickadees in my bowl and the peppers added an interesting kick up of flavor. Now the side of collard greens not so much. More like green remnants and stalk with some bacon thrown in, one taste was enough of a NO for me. However, on my second stealth visit I tried the spinach which didn’t disappoint and I tried the lamb-balls on a roll – tasty. My suggestion is to stick with the marinara sauce as a quick dip of the others tasted so-so. So right now I’m wondering what will Sietsema say? MeatBalls at 624 E Street NW

YUM Factor = 3

So good the 2nd time around

I like leftovers. Yeah I know there are some who say that reheating a meal you had at a restaurant the night before is a downgrade in quality and taste. I say that sometimes allowing the food to marinate and the flavors to marry overnight in the fridge makes for a heightened flavor experience. My morning after a night at one of the best places to dine in DC, The Capital Grille at 6th & Pennsylvania NW was just succulent, savory, creamy decadence. The meal has caused me to head out to Sur La Table for cedar planks as it is the only way I should prepare Salmon from now on. This was North Atlantic Salmon prepared with tomato fennel relish and finished with a bit of lemon mosto. With the Salmon I had Sam’s Mashed Potatoes – simply skin-on red bliss potatoes with sweet cream, butter and salt. Of course I had to get some green so I ordered Sauteed Spinach with garlic infused olive oil and they add carmelized garlic. Yep enough garlic to keep evil away but the food was so good The Capital Grille won’t keep me away. Get to The Capital Grille right now!

YUM Factor = 5 stars.

Ryan’s big night

They say the difference between those that make it and those that don’t is simply tenacity – not giving in not giving up. And for Mr. Ryan Richmond, DC native, NYU graduate, filmmaker and friend, years of toil and angst finally paid off in unmeasurable dividends. Ryan always wanted to make movies and several years ago as a film student he made his first film short. And as the cliché goes, Ryan was short on cash but long on ambition and determination to see his dream go to the big screen. His personal journey to get this feature-length film made matters, just as much as this coming of age tale on purging pain line by line word by word. Ryan’s MONEY MATTERS was shown on the big screen last night, Thursday, November 10, 2011 in screening room 4 at Landmark’s E Street Theatre. Congratulations my friend! Now check out some of our proud smiles at Ryan’s big night…

Money Matters

Tonight, November 10, 2011 the place to be is Landmark’s E Street Theatre for the premiere of Ryan Richmond’s Award Winning film, MONEY MATTERS.

Join the  director Ryan Richmond and his cast including Aunjanue Ellis, Terri Abney, Antonio “Cuban Cigar Smoker” and Michel Wright. AND after the show… The After Party at The PARK on 14th!