Del Ray Dreamery Forced to Change Name
Just when we thought it was safe to go get some frozen custard, corporate evil rears its ugly head yet again. Del Ray institution, the Dreamery, is being forced to change its name by Integrated Brands, Inc., the folks who make Edy's. "Integrated Brands." What kind of name is that? Apparently the kind that hates fun. And freedom. Anyway, Dreamery owner Liz Davis is holding a contest to come up with a new name. Fortunately, the name change will have no effect on the custard or the monthly brat[wurst] nights. The winner of the contest gets free custard for a year. "Suck It, Edy's" has already been submitted, so don't even try.

Bistro Italiano Celebrates 10th Anniversary
One large pepperoni, one large pineapple. That's how DCist orders its pizza from Bistro Italiano, a one-room and tucked away Italian spot on Capitol Hill. We've been going there (and ordering out) ever since we arrived on the Hill and, evidently, other folks have too. The popular Senate-side lunch spot that turns neighborhood-y in the evening is celebrating ten years in business this Saturday, the 15th. From 5 p.m. to close (which is usually 10 p.m., but "may go later," according to the staff), there will be complimentary champagne, appetizers and desserts to accompany dinner. For those bad with math, that's a three course meal plus bubbly for the price of your entrée/pizza. We will just have to pass up on take out and eat in. Bistro Italiano is located at 320 D St. NE, right behind Schenider's wine store. (Thanks to DCist reader Greg for the tip).

Chat it Up, Kliman. But Don't Chat too Crazy.
DCist welcomes Washingtonian magazine dining editor, Todd Kliman (most recently of the City Paper) to cyberspace. This world wide web sure is a crazy place. Who would have thought the information superhighway would be so successful? Sorry, e-successful. Following Tom Sietsema's lead, Kliman is hosting his own chat every Tuesday at 11 AM. This gives him a whole day to scoop The Post. Zinger!

On the first chat, there were a lot of congratulatory posts as well as a lot of non-answers about what the Washingtonian dining section will be. Apparently we have to "stay tuned" and wait "for a couple months." Hmm. There was some meat, though, like a post about the annoying "have you dined with us before" line from waitstaff. DCist hates this. Does it matter? We agree with Kliman's call for restaurants to drop it. We do look forward to whatever changes Kliman has in store, since his work at the City Paper was great. We'll "stay tuned."

I Hanker for a Hunk-a Cheese
Yee Haw! Cowgirl Creamery is opening up a cheese shop in Penn Quarter! Yee Haw! Get out your spurs and breakout the old Schoolhouse Rocks tapes. Both the New York Times and Metrocurean report that their new shop is slated to open in April of next year, and will feature a cheese bar with wine tasting for all of your cheese needs. In addition to loving the fact that their business rhymes with our first item, DCist is partial to the St. Pat from these hometown ladies, and are thrilled they're setting up an outlet on 919 F St. NW. Look! A wagon wheel!