According to alarmists from both sides of the aisle, all hell is going to break loose depending on which candidate emerges from the ashes of tomorrow's presidential election. Pestilence, Famine, War, Death -- think your typical Adams Morgan Saturday night minus the jumbo slice. But before the world comes to a fiery end come Wednesday morning, be sure to first vote, then take advantage of the slew of freebies available on election day. Caffeine, Fried... [continue]

Ice cream, doughnuts, pizza. This summer's giveaways have been taxing on our bodies, but today's heart-clogging bargain may really take the cake. The Cheesecake Factory is celebrating its 30th anniversary, conveniently scheduled on National Cheesecake Day, by offering slices of any of its 30+ cheesecake variations for $1.50 all day long (limit 1 per guest). Since the offer is for dine-in guests only, don't expect to waltz out of the Factory gorging on cake without... [continue]

Written by DCist contributor Andrew Schneider Finding good Vietnamese cuisine in Silver Spring, or any Vietnamese cuisine besides pho, used to be tricky business. No more. The newly opened Lotus Café, on Georgia Ave. around the corner from Jackie’s and within spitting distance of the Red line, is a fantastic addition to Silver Spring’s increasingly diverse culinary scene. Originally opened in the late ‘90s as Kim Tan, the restaurant became My Le after a change... [continue]

Written by DCist contributor Andrew Schneider We had the chance to talk with Paul Ruppert of the Warehouse recently about his plans to open a new wine bar in Columbia Heights, at the corner of 11th and Lamont Street NW, in the old 11th Street Deli space (first reported by the Prince of Petworth). With 28 seats on an open-air patio and 15 seats inside, the casual bar will serve wine, desserts, cheese, and charcuterie,... [continue]

New York may have bigger rats, but according to New York Times food writer Frank Bruni, D.C. may have a "cupcakery" that beats out New York's iconic Magnolia Bakery. Bruni samples and gushes at length over Georgetown Cupcake's massively popular treats, though he still manages a minor swipe at D.C.'s food scene.... [continue]

As inevitable as the changing seasons, the Washington, D.C. Restaurant Week is upon us once again. With today's posting of the 200+ participating restaurants, the jockeying for prime seatings begin now, if theyhadn't already. This season's Restaurant Week runs from August 11-17. However, take note that unlike previous RWs, the price for a three-course dinner has been upped to $35.08 while a three-course lunch remains at $20.08. The reason for the price increase? Probably we... [continue]

Anthony Bourdain and José Andrés after a visit to the Penn Quarter farmers market OK, he may not be Brad Pitt or George Clooney, but I'd bet $5 on Anthony Bourdain in a bare-knuckle boxing match. So, if you see him around town this weekend, filming segments for his Travel Channel show, No Reservations, best not tick him off. We spotted Bourdain yesterday afternoon at the weekly Penn Quarter FRESHFARM market, accompanied by new... [continue]

It has been a little over a week since Good Stuff Eatery opened and the hoopla surrounding Capitol Hill's newest burger joint has been monumental. Last night, owners Spike Mendelsohn and his family celebrated the official opening with a red carpet ribbon cutting and - a treat for D.C.'s reality TV fans - a mini-reunion of his fellow Top Chef contestants. Cooking compatriots Stephanie Izzard, who won Top Chef, Lisa Fernandez and Antonia Lofaso took... [continue]

It's become an epic fight of the caffeinated world. In one corner, the java-head who likes his espresso on the rocks. In the other, the emphatic barista and his posse of "mud" slingers. The overblown scuffle started this past Sunday when blogger Jeff Simmermon stopped by Murky Coffee in Arlington for his usual, a triple shot of espresso on ice. But in a scene reminiscent of Jack Black in High Fidelity or Paul Giamatti in... [continue]

While celebrating Independence day on July 4 may mark the pinnacle of American patriotism, what else could be more party-worthy than honoring the storming of a prison by a mob of Parisiens - otherwise known as Bastille Day. Although we may be on the other side of the Atlantic, the D.C.-area has a plethora of fêtes and activities for celebrating tonight (or today). Les Halles Perhaps second to the D.C. Pride Weekend's "Drag Race," Les... [continue]

7-Eleven's National Slurpee Day always seems to fall on the perfect day. Whether you're cooling down from the heat - or, in my case, in need of something cold to numb a pair of extracted wisdom teeth - celebrate 7-Eleven's 81st birthday with a free 7.11 oz. cup of your favorite Slurpee flavor. Also new this month is Black Ice, a black colored Slurpee/Monster energy drink blend. Though if you try it, prepare to walk... [continue]

Someone might need to tell the Takoma Park City Council that they're about two years behind the times. Last Monday, the council approved a resolution to oppose the production and sale of foie gras. The resolution also "encourages Takoma Park residents not to buy foie gras to avoid supporting this extreme form of animal cruelty." And, according to the Examiner, certain members of the council have taken some first steps toward investigating whether an outright... [continue]

Chef Teddy Folkman of Granville Moore's cooks up moules and frites In case you haven't had the opportunity to make the trek out to Granville Moore's on H Street NE, try tuning into the Food Network tonight at 9 p.m. to see what you've been missing out on. Even if you've had to opportunity to try their signature Moules Fromage Bleu - a steaming pot of PEI mussels, bacon, shallots, spinach, and blue cheese... [continue]

Folks in Columbia Heights salivating for a burger and cajun fries can finally step into a Five Guys today. Located at the corner of 14th and Irving streets, the shop was already bustling with a hungry lunch-time crowd. Now, anyone exiting the west Columbia Heights Metro -- surrounded on three sides with Potbelly's, Pete's Apizza and Five Guys -- will be hard-pressed to not grab something to eat In Arlington, Michael Landrum continues to... [continue]

After rumblings and hints over the weekend, the Washingtonian's Todd Kliman confirmed today that Butterfield 9 will be closing after eight years. Kliman hints at strife between the ownership and Chef Michael Harr, while another source points the finger at financial hardships. With the economy as it is, today's newest closing probably won't be the last. Harr, a D.C.-area native, hopes to stay in the city, but with fewer openings and more closings, options look... [continue]

Despite the stuffy weather, more than 1600 curious guests gathered at the 26th annual RAMMY Restaurant Awards Gala yesterday to honor the cream of this year's culinary crop. Those who braved the weather were treated to the best of D.C.'s fine dining, all exemplifying the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington's commitment towards using regional and locally sourced ingredients, while still showcasing the city as a global dining destination. But despite the glitz, glamor and grub, let's... [continue]

Two floods, two ruined wooden floors and a broken AC compressor later, Dolcezza's second location in Bethesda Row finally opened two weeks ago. Now that the shop has had a little time to perfect serving their Argentinean-style gelato - in addition to churning out 300 lbs of various flavors, all from locally sourced ingredients - they'll be throwing a grand opening fiesta tonight from 6 - 11 p.m. They expect "mass gelato pandemonium" as... [continue]

Monday night, a large crowd gathered at the Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3F monthly meeting to ponder a series of proposals from Comet Ping Pong owner James Alefantis. The crux of the matter: a request by Alefantis to lift a voluntary agreement between his business and the commission regarding the operation of his restaurant. But the larger than usual crowd was a sign of things to come (or a sign of what had already passed), and... [continue]

Central's chef de cuisine Cedric Maupillier (left) and head chef Michel Richard receive the James Beard Award for best new restaurant While reality fans and food enthusiasts have spent the past week anticipating tonight's Top Chef season finale, the James Beard Foundation - the Academy of the food world - spent Sunday night announcing their picks for top chefs and restaurants of 2007. Once again, the D.C.-area's nominees provided a strong showing this year... [continue]

For those of you expecting another Ice Creampocalypse, I'm sorry to disappoint. But if you're already out getting a free frozen yogurt from Tangysweet in Dupont, you may as well swing by the Krispy Kreme nearby for a free doughtnut in celebration of National Doughnut Day. Something not that bad for you, something really bad for you, it evens out, right? Based on last year's turnout, prepare for long lines. On the other hand, maybe... [continue]