This & That

NEW

Flank Steak Sandwich

J&G Steakhouse has a new lunch menu for those on the go.  The JG2GO is the typical lunch selections with J&G quality that you can pick up at the wine bar or by using their “15 minutes free” parking spot (*located on the curb in front of J&G patio) that you can use while you go in and grab your food.  For a place that is so crafty with steaks, they also have a pretty good handle on the area’s famed crab cakes.  Pair with one of their house-made sodas and a nutty crusted brownie.

Clyde’s Restaurant Group is slated to open The Hamilton before the end of the year.  The Hamilton will take up the corner of 14th & F and already has a full lineup of live music beginning with The Junkyard Saints on December 23.

HOLIDAY FOOD

The holidays are not over.  There are still more dinners to be had and more leftovers to fill up the fridge.  Whole Foods Market has created this helpful list of ways to utilize the rest of those vegetables, sweet potatoes and rolls.  Check it out here.

One of my favorite things to do is to share recipes.  Some people are opposed to sharing their “prized” recipes but its people like Carole Murko that I appreciate.  Carole Murko is the woman behind Heirloom Meals, a collection of recipes handed down from generation to generation.  Carole was recently featured on PBS for their Thanksgiving special showcasing some of this recipes with rich history.  You can find her recipes here.

WINTER TOAST

Starbucks Reserve Sun Dried Ethiopia Harrar Coffee

I’m staying warm this winter with Starbucks (*naturally). This time instead of my skinny vanilla latte, I’m switching to their Reserve Sun Dried Ethiopia Harrar Premium coffee.  It’s mostly due to this nifty little box it came in (*pictured above), but also because the coffee boasts flavors of dried berries, chocolate and rummy spice.  Sounds like all I need in the morning.

Ciroc Skinny Cosmo

Diddy does not stop.  This is honestly the hardest working man who has now made his way to the food world in a dynamic way.  The mogul has merged with Zagat to create a guide to the hottest restaurants during the holidays.  The District made the list of cities with Zengo, Zola and Russia House listed as some of the hottest restaurants for the holidays.  In addition to Diddy’s picks, there are Ciroc cocktail recipes for each region and I love the name of the District’s cocktail: Ciroc Skinny Cosmo.  I guess the secret is out, the District is the land of the “skinny” something…skinny latte, skinny frappuccino and now the skinny Cosmo.  Download the free guide here.

Gi.Ve.Aw.Ay

This year I have been a little Oprah in my own right…trying to give away everything.  This time I am giving away a gift card to my favorite lunchtime spot in the District.  Actually, this is my fave go-to lunch and dinner spot in the District because its 1.) fast, 2.) casual and 3.) of course, good.  That could be none other than Vapiano.  I really should own stock in this place as much as I visit but for now I’ll simply share the joy that I feel every time I order the Carbonara with one of my readers.

Since I’m a loyal patron of Vapiano’s I believe this giveaway should be dedicated to one of my loyal readers.  Simply leave me a comment of your favorite Johnna Knows Good Food post (*we’ve been talking about food since November 2007 so this should be pretty easy…) and you’re automatically entered to win a $25 gift card to Vapiano.  The giveaway will end on December 7, 2011 at midnight and the winner will be randomly selected.  Good luck!

*Also note that Vapiano has multiple locations outside of the District (*nationally and internationally).

The Ultimate Scoutmob Dinner Party

Image via Scoutmob DC

Join the ‘mob today and be entered to win a Chef’s Table Dinner at Cashion’s Eat Place courtesy of Scoutmob.

Dinner will be hosted by two of my fave food bloggers, Lisa of Dining in DC and Mary of Girl Meets Food. Winners will be selected on sheer creativity. From Ghandi to Axl Rose, let your imagination run free. The team is looking for a dazzler, not a dud.

So peruse your datebook, consider your (fancy) outfit and get ready to be wined and dined Scoutmob style.

*Enter contest here.

Etiquette Tuesday with WUSA-9

This morning I caught up with the team at WUSA-9 for a discussion on the key Thanksgiving etiquette tips to remember this season. Fun times indeed and I know many of you were hitting the snooze button by the time I hit the airwaves so I wanted to share the clip from the segment this morning. Check it out above and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Hump Day Roundup

DRINKS ON ME

Secret location for drinks?  Any other time this might make me nervous, but this invite comes from Living Social.  If you have the Living Social app on your phone, you have the first clue to tonights whereabouts for drinks.  You should be looking for the “Instant Special” on your app and if you purchase ($20) you get the key to tonights secret mixology event, however you won’t learn the time or location of the event until a few hours before it starts.  Yours truly will be in the building alongside a few others from the D.C. scene.  I’ll be the one in the corner with the blue feather on the tip of my drink…

READING CORNER

Murder mystery and jerk chicken.  The odd couple at its best will be at Jamaican Joe’s Restaurant this Saturday from 2 pm-6 pm.  Author and filmaker, Willie Speight will lead the discussion and book signing of “The Holloway Story”, a book based on a murder case that resulted in the incarceration of a man for over 20 years who may have been wrongfully convicted.  The event is Free and open to the public.  The restaurant will offer free samples from the menu including their jerk chicken.

Melissa Clark is headed to D.C. to tell us about her new cookbook, Cook This Now: 120 Easy and Delectable Dishes You Can’t Wait to Make.  On December 7, 2011, the New York Times columnist and James Beard award winner will lead the discussion on ways to get the best out of those seasonal ingredients and follow up with a book signing. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 the day of the event, or receive two (2) Free tickets with the purchase of the book through Sixth & I ($30).

OPENING 2012

Chef Mike Isabella isn’t stopping with Graffiato.  Chef Isabella is slated to open Bandolero in early 2012 with a Mexican cuisine inspired menu.  The restaurant will take up the space of Hook, which was destroyed by a fire earlier this year, in Georgetown.  Kudos!

Tom Sietsema reports that TNT will open on Columbia Pike in Arlington in March or April 2012.  Todd Thrasher, award winning PX and Restaurant Eve mixologist, is the master mind behind the project boasting a sleek, stainless steel decor with plenty o’ rock n’ roll on the turntables.  Kudos!