• The first two post-election weeks have been filled with politicos predicting who’ll be in Barack Obama’s cabinet, but at Best Bites we’ve been trying to figure out whom the president-elect might put in charge of the White House kitchen. A report in the New York Daily News reveals that there are three chefs in the running: Chicago-based Art Smith, chef of the new Art and Soul on Capital Hill; Rick Bayless, whose Chicago restaurant, Topolobampo, is rumored to be an Obama favorite; and Daniel Young, who cooked for Obama at the Democratic convention and currently feeds Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony.
• No matter who gets to dish to the first family, the new chef will have to clear out the Texas barbecue and stock the White House fridges with the fresh, healthy fare the Obamas prefer. We’ve seen a few reports that have clued us in to what will fill the Obama pantries come January:
– The family snacks on Planter’s peanuts and Fran’s Chocolates and Barack loves to drink Black Forest Berry Honest Tea.
– Obama is to beets what Bush is to broccoli: a hater. And maybe best to avoid that expensive arugula too?
– Obama loves hot sauce—maybe Bush will leave behind a bottle of Texas Pete’s?
– The new chef should practice cooking the state dish of Hawaii: the plate lunch. The New York Times reported that Obama has a soft spot for the greasy, carb-heavy midday staple.
• As for eating out in the Obama’s new home city? You already told us!
• In its December issue, Bon Appetit pointed to Georgetown’s Tackle Box as one of the country’s ten best new seafood restaurants. The magazine thought the casual takeout’s communal picnic-tables and colorful chalkboard menus made for a perfect photo-op. But the hush puppies they cite are long gone from the menu.
• Just in time for winter: more fro-yo chains that plan to peddle the faddishly healthy dessert. Metrocurean’s eyes were understandably drawn to the neon-bright IceBerry in Georgetown, and we spotted a Yogiberry that’s all but open in Cleveland Park.
• In our November issue we gave you our picks for carryout pizza, and this week Counter Intelligence found out where local chefs go for a quality pie. 2 Amy’s got a double nod from Restaurant Eve’s Cathal Armstrong and Corduroy chef Tom Power.
• For a sign of the woeful economic times, look no further than the Don Rockwell restaurant forum. Instead of debating the merits of Citronelle and CityZen, foodies are focusing on the cheapest eats around: pho, tacos, and pizza.
