Chill Out

[ 0 ] July 25, 2012 |

During the summer, heavy foods rarely make it to my dinner table.  I stick close to light pasta salads, grilled veggies and plenty of fresh seafood.  There is no way a chunky piece of steak on my stomach can compete with the 90° temperatures so I stick to the heat friendly foods.  This summer I took the opportunity to explore restaurants and local markets with good, chilled summer options.  Smucker Farms, Tonic at Quigleys and The Capital Grille were just a few stops on my run with a list that is constantly growing.  Ready to eat with your eyes?  See below.

The Capital Grille's Watermelon & Feta Salad

The Capital Grille took two simple ingredients and brought them together for one of my favorite summer go-to salads.  The combination of fruit, veggies and cheese is what every salad (in my life) should be made of!

Tonic at Quigley's Cous Cous Salmon

Served chilled, this salad brings three food groups on one plate.  Tonic, which is known for being the GW students hangout, has taken a turn for healthy with new summer menu items at reasonable prices.

The Capital Grille's Seared Scallops over Cous Cous

Sounds simple enough and it is.  The Capital Grille brought a dish to their lunch menu that’s been done many times over but it’s one of those things we can all appreciate in the end.  Seared scallops and cous cous lightly tossed with EVOO is the perfect way to heat up a summer dish.

Smucker Farms Asparagus

Nothing spells summer better than the grill.  Asparagus and the grill are good friends and they should always be together during the summer!  Since outdoor space is limited in my neck of the woods, I sauteed mines and tossed them in with my shrimp masala.

Smucker Farms Whoopie Pies

Despite my lack of excitement when it comes to sweets, Smucker Farms Whoopie Pies got me excited about the summer. It could be attributed to my thoughts of my awesome childhood summers and how much whoopie pies remind me of some of those adventures.  Whatever the reason, no summer would be complete without something a little sweet.

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Category: Announcements, Food.Fun.Stuff., Washington D.C.

About the Author ()

Johnna French is a Harlem NY native with deep roots in Panama, Washington, DC and North Carolina. All four places have heavily influenced her life and the foods she loves today. After graduating Howard University School of Law and beginning her life as a young professional in the city she was led to start Johnna Knows Good Food in November 2007 to keep family, friends and colleagues updated on where to go and what to eat while dining in the nation’s capitol. French, who still practices law, leads a team of three writers to cover the ever expanding Washington, DC food scene. French has been featured in print and television, appearing in Washingtonian Magazine and is a regular contributor to various local TV affiliates including WUSA 9, FOX 5 DC and WJLA (ABC Affiliate) News Channel 8. During the 2016-2017 football season, Johnna aired on Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic (CSN) show, Redskins Life, as the weekly tailgate host. Johnna is currently a regular contributor to the FOX Baltimore Weekend morning show.

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