Girl Meets Food

December is always a chaotic time for me.  During the last two weeks of each year, I celebrate a birthday, navigate holiday stress, finally take a vacation, and prepare for the new year.  The best way for me to wrap up the year and take a step into the next one is to relax, clear my head and think about how lucky I am.

Photo: Bryan Applegate

Twenty ten turned out to be a fun, eventful year full of surprises, new experiences, new friends, and new directions.  I never could have predicted all the good tidings I’ve received. So as I say goodbye to 2010, I do so fondly.  I am very excited for the new year.  I plan to write and travel more, and you and I, dear readers, are going to continue to have fun! Here’s what to expect in 2011: As always, restaurant reviews, food events, and exclusive discounts just for GMF readers.

• Newsflash: Stay up-to-date with the latest restaurant news and goings-on.
• Pretty Marinated: a new feature highlighting unique, unusual and buzz-worthy cocktails, wine and beer.
• The Loving Spoonful: a new feature spotlighting unique, unusual and irresistible dishes that compel you to take a bite.

Here are 2010′s most popular posts, in case you’re bored over the holidays. (I’ll be busy stuffing my face with pie.)

• Ted’s Excellent Culinary Adventure
• Carmine’s a Goodfella
• Oaxaca Underground
• The Boston Molassacre
• What is Adventurous Eating?

Until then, Girl Meets Food is signing off for the year.  I hope you will enjoy some rest and reflection in the company of loved ones. See you Monday, January 3, 2011. Happy holidays and have a bright new year!

Can you believe it?  She won, she won, she won!

Last week I gave you details about how you could score Hello Cupcake’s Cupcake Decorating Class.

It is with great pleasure that I announce Robin Karwowski as the lucky recipient of this very fun class.  She and a friend will learn how to decorate cupcakes like pros!

And all she had to do was be a Girl Meets Food subscriber.

Want your chance to win some fun prizes? Subscribe to Girl Meets Food by RSS or by email to stay tuned for the next giveaway! Details to come soon.

Thanks to all those who entered December’s contest!

Get ready because Pretty Marinated gets you soaked in buzz-worthy spirits, wine and beer.

The Bloody Mary is a classic cocktail that’s been around for almost a century, allegedly making its first appearance in New York in the 1920′s.

Photo: Marco Veringa

Perhaps the most popular cocktail at Sunday brunch, tall, red Mary has been reincarnated more times than Madonna, getting more bizarre at each turn.

Sounds like some other famous Marys in history.

The Four Seasons channels The Big Easy, with hearty ham, shrimp, BBQ rub and bourbon.  It’s the meat lover’s Mary.  2800 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC. 202.342.0444.

Mary becomes a hipster with Matchbox’s Bloody Beer, with a PBR tall boy ($5) mixed with your choice of house mix.  521 8th Street SE, Washington DC. 202.548.0369

The Heights offers the ultimate Bloody Mary menu.  Choose from a variety of vodkas, tequilas, gin and juices; then extras like clam juice, beef broth, wasabi, Old Bay, Louisiana hot sauce, jicama, pickled ginger; and finally, smoked bacon, steamed shrimp, or lump crabmeat.  3115 14th Street NW, Washington DC. 202.797.7227

Sip a spicy Shanghai Mary at The Source, with Stoli vodka, tomato juice, Szechuan chili paste and pickled chilis; District Mary has Smirnoff vodka, tomato juice, lime juice, and wears a miniature half smoke for a hat.  575 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.  202.637.6100. continue reading… »