• In the mood for a cupcake? Apparently. Dupont Circle’s fanciful Hello Cupcake (1351 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-861-2253) debuted Monday morning with long lines and hour waits for its $3 peanut-butter/chocolate and root-beer-float confections. But that wasn’t the only cupcake shop that came on the scene this week. Old Town’s Lavender Moon Cupcakery (116 S. Royal St., Alexandria; no phone number yet), made a quieter splash when it opened last Sunday, but we’re itching to try the farmers-market-inspired creations such as peach-and-basil. to try the farmers-market-inspired creations such as peach-and-basil.
• Metrocurean spills the beans on DC’s secret speakeasy, Hummingbird to Mars, the brainchild of barmasters Derek Brown (Komi), Justin Guthrie (Central Michel Richard), and Owen Thomson (Bourbon). The hush-hush operation floats from location to location, usually happens on Sunday and Monday nights, and is reservations-only (e-mail reservations@hummingbirdtomars.com to score a spot).
• Peregrine Espresso has just taken over the old Murky Coffee space near Capitol Hill’s Eastern Market. Dailycandy reports that the coffee will come from Counter Culture, the milk from Pennsylvania’s Trickling Springs Creamery, and the chocolate bars from Vosges. No bagels, just baguettes.
• Who knew? Mendocino Grille and Wine Bar chef Barry Koslow got his big break at an Elvis Costello show.
• Have a bounty of peaches? RJ Cooper of Vidalia suggests you smoke them (and preferably serve them with Virginia-raised Randall Lineback veal), while Blue Duck Tavern’s Brian McBride likes to pickle the fruit in brown sugar, basil, and balsamic vinegar. Capital Spice, meanwhile, has the recipe for what looks like a yummy party cocktail, peach/opal-basil lemonade.
Related:
Read More Food and Restaurant News
More>> Best Bites Blog | Food & Dining | Restaurant Finder
Ann Limpert joined Washingtonian in late 2003. She was previously an editorial assistant at Entertainment Weekly and a cook in New York restaurant kitchens, and she is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. She lives in Petworth.
