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Zest chef Bill Erlenbach is hard at work in Zest’s display
kitchen. Photo: Celeste McCall
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Bistro Cacao Opens on Mass. Ave.
Over near Union Station, on the Massachusetts Avenue “restaurant row,” Bistro Cacao has settled into the townhouse vacated by 2 Quail. At the crowded opening reception last month, we sipped champagne and nibbled hors d’oeuvres, as most fellow attendees were speaking French. That was a good sign, since chef/co-owner Kemal Deger’s menu showcases such Gallic fare as lobster bisque, pheasant pate, escargot, and sauteed frog legs. Except for bright red draperies, the decor has not changed that much from 2 Quail’s cozy Victorian look. Bistro Cacao is located at 320 Massachusetts Ave. NE; call 202-546-4737 or visit www.bistrocacao.com. Watch for a more detailed writeup in the near future.
Zest, an American Bistro
Yet another restaurant has arrived on Barracks Row. Zest, an American Bistro, opened Dec. 14 at 735 8th St. SE. The bright newcomer is the creation of proprietors Steve and Amanda Briggs, who live on Capitol Hill. The bright, airy interior is largely the work of master craftsman Peter Kerschbamer, who created it from materials recycled from the building, formerly Miller's Reporting Service. Blond wooden tables are fashioned from spruce inlaid with oaken insets; brick walls are festooned with large color photos cleverly over-painted with oils, which depict Washington DC landmarks.
In the display kitchen, chef Bill Erlenbach creates American fare with Italian/Mediterranean flourishes. Shortly after Zest’s debut, we lunched on spicy jerked chicken pockets (flaky pastry) with mango sauce; caramelized beet and tomato salad with balsamic syrup; roast lamb on grilled flatbread with caramelized onions and crumbled feta. Other options: grilled calamari, salt-and-spice roasted salmon; Milanese chicken breast with Parmesan; spinach fettuccine. Prices are moderate, with most entrees in the $13-$18 range. Zest is open daily for lunch and dinner; call 202-544-7171.
Patent Pending
Remember “Ear,” that sassy gossip column which ran in the old Washington Star and later The Washington Times and The Washington Post? The author, British-born Diana McLellan and her husband Dick, a retired historian, have lived on the Hill since 1962 (they now live on Constitution Avenue NE). Diana has not been idle. In 2000, she wrote “The Girls, Sappho Goes to Hollywood,” a fascinating portrait of lesbians in Hollywood.
Most recently, Diana has invented a “topiary trash can topper.” Fashioned from artificial ivy woven through a lightweight wire grid, the gizmo disguises the trash cans many of us are forced to store on our front stoops.
“I was looking out the window one day at those unsightly cans in our front yard,” Diana told HillBuzz over wine and smoked salmon in her cozy living room. “The Daily Mirror (major London newspaper) has been waging a campaign against those ugly wheelies (similar to our wheeled super cans),” she added. “So I decided to make something similar to a tea cozy or a slip cover.” After finding inexpensive materials in a catalogue, Diana came up with her creation. Wisely, she has applied for a patent – now pending--and hopes to market her Toppers –priced around $100 or so–in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Seeking peace
Hill resident and art teacher Laurie Siegel was honored at Capitol Hill’s annual Thanksgiving Interfaith Service for "Extraordinary voluntary service to our community.” The award was presented by the Capitol Hill Group Ministry. In addition, Siegel received a mini grant from the Capitol Hill Community Foundation for herself and daughter Emily to teach 100 students from Watkins Elementary about the search for peace in Israel and Palestine.
Speaking of this troubled region, Laurie and Emily are also involved with the Interfaith Peace Builders, an international organization which seeks to build bridges between Israel and the disputed Palestine areas. Last July, mother and daughter joined a delegation which visited the Middle East. The trip’s 23 participants heard directly from Palestinians and Israelis about the ongoing conflict and how it affects their everyday lives. The group stayed overnight in homes and toured communities, some of which were being bombed by homemade rockets fired from the Gaza Strip. The most moving part of the trip, said Emily, was their visit to a refugee camp near Bethlehem, in the West Bank. “We met people who had grown up there,” she added. “It was like a prison. One woman, in her 60s, was born there and has never left the camp.”
Laurie Siegel is retired from the DC Public School system (Watkins Elementary), and is now artist-in-residence at several schools. Daughter Emily, who lives in Shaw, holds a masters degree in international peace and conflict resolution from American University. This was Emily’s eighth trip to Israel/Palestine. There’s much more to learn about this wonderful group, which plans another mission May 22-June 4. HillBuzz is thinking of going. For more information visit www.ifpb.org.
Coming soon
Experienced restaurateur Justin Ross is unveiling his eponymous Justin’s Café in the Velocity Capitol Riverfront building at First and L streets SE, near the Washington Nationals’ ballpark. Justin, formerly with the Austin Grill and Chef Jeff’s, plans an Italian menu. Pizzas will emerge from his wood burning oven; luncheon fare will serve nearby DOT office workers and other neighbors.....and Aaron McGovern, proprietor of Dupont Circle’s Russia House, is adding Schnitzel, Wurst and Gemultlichkeit to the H Street NE corridor. His Biergarten Haus is slated for a February debut.
Hippity-hop
Things are hopping at Market Poultry in Eastern Market. Well, not exactly hopping, but did you know that Melvin Inman’s poultry stand carries frozen frog legs, alligator and turtle meat?
Frog legs (les grenouilles) bring back fond memories from a long ago visit to a home in rural France, where our host sauteed frog legs in garlic and tomatoes. Priced at $9.95 per pound, Melvin’s frog legs come from Southern US States. Who buys them? Lots of people, especially for the holidays, when customers like to “go home” with favorite dishes. Melvin recommends sauteeing the legs quickly in garlic butter.
Alligator ($11.95), which also comes from the South, really tastes like fishy chicken. Again, slice and fry quickly. Snapping turtle ($9.95) takes longer to cook; Inman recommends chopping and marinating the meat before boiling it slowly in pickling spice. Turtle, along with its juices, also adds zing to New England clam chowder. Market Poultry is closed Monday; call 202-543-7470.
The Fridge
I was on my way to lunch on Barracks Row recently when a friend pointed out a hand-lettered sign, “The Fridge,” at the alleyway by the old Senart’s Oyster House and Coca Cola signs. Upon checking it out, we discovered a funky building (supposedly resembling an overturned icebox), plastered with colorful murals. Created by Alex Goldstein, the Fridge is an art gallery, performance space and free art school serving low-income children. Located at 516 ½ Eighth St. SE (“rear alley),” The Fridge is open Tuesday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday-Saturday noon to 8 p.m., or by appointment. The Fridge also hosts concerts, fundraisers and other events. Call 202-664-4151 or email Alex@the Fridge.com.
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