Eric Ripert has a blog and I didn't know about it?!

Eric Ripert, famed chef known for his restaurants, Top Chef appearances, cooking columns, and probably a lot more, is a bona fide blogger. http://aveceric.com/

In this blog, he holds a lot of contests, has links to other culinary sites, and most importantly offers up some recipes - he even has an entire section devoted to cooking with the toaster oven (and yes, I found this through today's WaPo story about toaster oven cooking).

Yeah, his recipes look a bit intimidating - but its just basic cooking with better results. Plus many contain instructional videos. Lord knows I like my toaster oven and since I live alone, this could be good.

Chocolate Decadence Starting Soon...

It's almost February, which means it's time for the Ritz Carlton's annual Chocolate Decadence events. Held Fridays and Saturdays throughout February, this event features a ridiculous chocolate buffet for $35, to add champagne, it's another $38 (even with good champagne, this sounds a little too sweet for me by the end of it all. Sugar coma anyone?).

Reservations (by calling the Ritz) are strongly encouraged

A former top-tier favorite returns...

Roberto Donna has had a rough few years. He went on Iron Chef America and fell flat on his face (he didn't even finish his dishes), though he later went back and defeated Morimoto. His long-admired restaurant, Galileo, was shuttered due to the building that housed it needing to be remodeled. He then went down to Crystal City and opened Bebo, a casual italian restaurant. Few who have gone have described this new venture to be anything less than a disaster. Add in rumors of financial concerns and bad management, and the dude is ready for a break.

I'm not sure his plan to re-open what was a pretty pricey restaurant (Galileo and the Laboratorio in the back) during these economic times will be that break, but he's giving it a chance. In April or May, Galileo will return to the space previously occupied by Butterfield 9 (another restaurant closed due to rumors of poor management and financial shenanigans). If Donna can pull this off, it will mean the return of one of the city's finest italian restaurants - one thing he has going for him is the Obama's are rumored to love italian food. If he doesn't pull it off... well it's looking like this is his last chance for success.

On another note - I ate at Central last night with Cheesehead, and always think three things when I leave. Wow that was good. I'm way too full. And good GOD that food is salty. I don't notice it as much when I'm there, but for the next 24 hours that I'm continuously thirsty. But damn if that tartare isn't worth it. (the sausage and potatoes were somewhat unremarkable)

Winter in D.C.

Yes, it's cold in Washington. It's January, you kind of have to expect that... But now the inauguration is over, there is one VERY positive part about living in Washington from now until Cherry Blossom time... almost no tourists. If you've lived in the area for longer than a year, think about the last time you were down on the mall, at the monuments and in the museums. For many of us it's been months... for some, years. And hey, if you saw this stuff a few years back, no need to take an entire day on each place, just hit the highlights of what is new and great. So take this opportunity to get reacquainted with some of the best America has to offer while there are no lines. Here are my suggestions for what you may have recently missed -

The American History Museum: Remodeled for almost two years, this museum reopened last fall with a bright new atrium, shops, and Star Spangeled Banner display. Yes, many of the old favorites are still here, but there is a Lincoln Exhibit set to open in February that will also be fresh.

Archives: this place is IMPOSSIBLE to get into during peak season, but during the winter? Walk right in. They remodeled maybe 3 years ago, and there is a nice exhibit area that can be seen pretty quickly (say, after you passed through American History). Plus they have an awesome gift shop.

Capitol: The feds spent more than $600 million of your tax dollars construction the new Capitol Visitors Center, you might as well go see it. The intention of the visitors center isn't to be as much of a museum as a more pleasant, secure, and efficient way of moving visitors in and out. What it has done for you is make the entire process much easier - go online, reserve your time, and show up for your tour of the Capitol.

Newseum - I've never heard a bad thing about the Newseum (except from the attendees of our company holiday party, and that wasn't their fault). Yes, its a $20 admission, but this is a LARGE museum packed with good exhibits. And hey, might as well hit up The Source downstairs for lunch.

2009 Winter Restaurant Week

The usual Winter Restaurant Week has been postponed this year due to the madness that was the last few days. After all, this promotion was started as a way to allow restaurants to show off and fill the dining rooms during what are traditionally the two slowest times of the year in terms of dining in DC, and clearly that wasn't the case last week.

But, the area restaurant association that puts on the event twice a year has announced this year's winter restaurant week will begin on February 16. Check back here later today for details on specific restaurants participating http://www.ramw.org/ but the list is rumored to be around 200 - or a new record high.

Another feature I'd look for this February is a great number of restaurants expanding the promotion. In years past, there have been 10-15 restaurants that have done the promo for the entire month - with the economy such as it is and dining out taking a hit, it wouldn't surprise me if the number expanding this year doubled or more from previous years. Warm up your open table now, seats go quickly at the most popular places.