Must See TEDTalks: Jacob Soboroff on Why We Vote on Tuesdays...

As our European friends head to the polls today and Americans think... hmmm... voting on the weekend would be a lot more convenient, you might be wondering why we do vote on Tuesday?

Because it's American, dammit.

No.

Jacob Soboroff of Why Tuesday breaks it down for you here:

New to DC: 7th Hill Pizza in Eastern Market

Last night, I went to a preview of the 2012 Fancy Food Show at a cute olive oil shop in Eastern Market. After tasting samples of some of the best new food products (you can try em at the show - ticket info here), I was ready for dinner.

A posse of foodie gals decided to try the new pizza place around the corner, 7th Hill Pizza. Let's just say they had me at goat cheese, spacious patio and cute Italian pizzaioli.

I had the Union Station (the 7th Hill spin on white pizza with goat cheese, mozzarella, pecorino, gorgonzola and garlic) and a simple arugula salad with shaved Parmesan. If you're in the neighborhood, it's worth a visit.

7th Hill is brought to you by the team that runs it's neighbor, Montmarte. It's located at 327 Seventh Street SE in Washington, DC and is just a block or so from Eastern Market Metro stop. You can follow them on Facebook for the daily specials.

PS. If you're on Twitter, follow my dining companions who always have the pulse of where to eat in DC: @OneVanillaBean @frijolita @BonnieBenwick @NikkiRap @jigolden and @MangoTomato

Must See TEDTalks: Meredith Perry on How to Be a Technology Innovator

Ok, this one comes to you from TEDxNashville. (TEDx is sort of the local spinoffs of TED Conferences)

You know when you think of a really great idea, but you don't do it because you don't have the technical expertise? Yeah... stop that. Watch this inspiring talk from Meredith Perry and make it happen...

My favorite line was "How does a paleobiology major at Penn learn how to convert ultrasound into electricity? Well, I literally just Googled it."

PS. Yes, that was also a pep talk to myself.

Bucket List: The Flora Bama Mullet Toss

Dammit. I'm missing the Flora Bama Mullet Toss today. How is it that I've never been to this? It has my name ALL OVER IT.

What's the Mullet Toss you say? Watch and learn:

I think I've found my 2013 New Years Resolution.

Must See TEDTalks: Brene Brown on Feeling Shame, Vulnerability, Guilt

This talk by Brene Brown had everyone at TED thinking. When you're at an event filled with amazingly brilliant overachievers, it's easy to think you're not good enough or smart enough to be there. One thing I learned after spending the week in the "TED bubble" was that everyone there felt like that.

So, when Brene said, "Vulnerabilty is not weakness." I think everyone listened in a bit closer. After all, everyone who stands up there on that stage is vulnerable - are they going to blow people's minds? Be amusing? Be the one that everyone talks about?

And everyone in the audience is vulnerable. We all are. Take a listen:

                                         

I loved this quote from her bio: "Lean into discomfort. When we numb the dark, we numb the light." I left TED feeling ready to take new risks, try new things, lead even when haters hate... some of that has worn off, but watching this again reminds me to #KITFU.

If you loved that, check out Brene's previous talk at TEDxHouston on the power of vulnerability.

Must See TEDTalks: Chip Kidd - Book Designer/Guy I Want to Be BFFs With

When you're working a TED event you get wrapped up in logistics, what's next and just trying to score some downtime. I *almost* took a break to sit in the sun and thank the Lord I didn't because I would have missed Chip Kidd. During his TEDTalk, I tweeted Andy Cohen that he needed his own reality show on Bravo. Watch and tell me if you agree:

After his talk, I rushed to the TED bookstore to buy his book. The irony, it was sold out and my first thought was - oh, I'll download it to my iPad and read it on my flight home. But, clearly, Chip wouldn't approve, so I'm waiting to get my hard copy. Love you, Chip!

Must See TEDTalks: Frank Warren of PostSecret

While I was at TEDActive, I promised myself that I would share the best talks with you all. I mean, TED events are pricey and not everyone can go (even though I'm convinced we'd have a better world if they were required viewing.) Well, I slacked. But, Steph Kent's been live tweeting from TEDxSummit in the desert and inspiring me to get back on the TED train.

Being a DC gal, I'd heard of PostSecret. I'd read the blog, been to the exhibit in Georgetown and heard the story. Frank Warren's TEDTalk still moved me to tears. Take a look:

DC Quickfire Challenge: Snakehead Edition

Remember snakeheads? Tons of DC media about how they were taking over the Potomac and eating our native species? Well, guess what? We're fighting back. How? Well, this past week, Maryland fishermen pulled in SEVEN HUNDRED POUNDS of those suckers from our waters.

Let me let you in on a little secret - they are tasty! DC chefs are jumping to add them to menus. You can do your part and eat the heck out of em. Local source stars, Equinox and Ripple were first out of the gate getting snakehead on the menu this weekend. Equinox Sous Chef Blair McCormick has even been appointed Chief Snakehead Handler for the downtown dining hot spot. 

Equinox Chief Snakehead Handler (photo: Ellen Gray)

"Move over cod, there's a new fish slithering into the spotlight," said McCormick. "The fish is light and creamy - and we're serving them beer battered and fried with a side of tabasco and lemon."

Equinox Beer Battered Snakehead

Ripple Chef Logan Cox is serving his snakehead pan-fried with sweet potato, wild rice and a caper emulsion. Since it's located in my Cleveland Park neighborhood, I walked up tonight to try it (yum!) and bring you this photo:

Ripple Pan-Fried Snakehead with Sweet Potato, Wild Rice and Caper Emulsion

Starting on Tuesday, Dino launches their new spring menu and it will feature pancetta wrapped snakehead in a saffron mussel stew. 

If you spot snakehead on the menu - most importantly, order it and eat it. Then, let me know (tweet me @floridagirlindc using #snakehead or email me) and I'll add them to this post. Try to send me a photo so we can see all of the creative ways this tasty bastard is being cooked!

More to come and this blog post will be updated as they are added.

[Ed Note: Want to stay more up to date on what's being caught in the waters near you? Sign up for the Chesapeake Bay Seafood Update.]

Austin: Barley Swine for One Helluva Dinner

Sometimes you need a break from all of the SXSW madness, and my friends Megan and Chris always find me an oasis of killer, locally sourced Austin food to sneak away and taste. This year, it was famed Barley Swine. You may know of it as Chef Bryce Gilmore "Food & Wine Best New Chef 2011"'s place. I knew of it as the brick and mortar companion with last year favorite Odd Duck Farm to Trailer (which is sadly closed now.)

Barley Swine

Barley Swine is a few things. It is small. Real small. It has egregious waits. But they can sometimes evaporate as people decide not to wait. Like, our two hour quote turned into a fifteen minute wait and we had to rush back over. But, I was so glad that we did, because the meal was so interesting and creative. Each bite of the small plates had an amazing pop of flavor, so that we all finished the meal smiling and satisfied.

My iPhone photos from a night time meal just don't do it justice, but I had to share some of my favorites. First up, the pea shoot soup with parmesan fritters. (You know I'll order anything that says "fritter.")

Sweet Pea Shoot Soup

Next up, an artfully arranged beet salad with a rainbow of local beets - did you know you can eat beet tops roasted? One is peeking out of the back of this photo:

Beet Salad

I keep saying on my next visit to Austin, I'm going to go on a pork belly and avocado diet and make a million. This pork belly from Barley Swine could keep me going for days. It was candy sweet and paired with carrots.

Pork Belly

Remember when, faced with a dinner full of food writers, I ate tempura fried rabbit hearts? Yeah, I kinda still regret that - Austin must put me into crazy food positions. But trying foods at least once before saying no forever is my jumping out of airplanes. So, when presented with grilled shrimp paired with FRIED SHRIMP HEADS, I said, WHAT THE HELL? I mean, there's a well re-told story in the Gordon family lore about one of my brother's friends who came over for dinner and didn't know you were supposed to de-shell the boiled shrimp and was just crunching away. Wouldn't this be the same?

Well, I wouldn't know until I tried, right? So, I jumped right in for one. Here's the deal. I'm glad I wasn't a wuss. And it totally worked with the dish. But, I could also pass on fried shrimp heads. But, ya never know... when in Rome... and faced with a talented cook... why not?

Grilled Shrimp with Fried Shrimp Heads

Y'all know I'm also not a huge steak fan, but if all steak is like this coffee Waygu topped with celery root slaw, count me in!

Waygu Steak

One pic that I didn't get was of the Chicken Fried Chicken Egg. All I can say is, get it. It was inhaled quickly and I still am thinking about it!

Tune in for dessert and details on the location, after the jump. Then we're back to DC tomorrow.

After all of that craziness, you know we had to try the desserts by Pastry Chef Kyle McKinney. We split two - the chocolate torte, with ladyfinger meringue and goat cheese ice cream:

Chocolate, Ladyfinger, Goat Cheese Ice Cream

And the carrot cake. 

Carrot Cake

Barley Swine is located at 2024 South Lamar Boulevard in Austin, TX. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter and visit next time you are in town.

Austin: Second Bar + Kitchen for Brunch

This post was waylayed by the post TED/SXSW SARS (I'm not sure how I thought I'd get away with 10 flights in 14 days and not get sick, but alas...)

I told you Second Bar + Kitchen was so nice, I went twice. And even though I had no idea what day it was, luckily Chef David Bull did... It was Brunch Day!

We ordered up the bread basket... But before you yawn... It contained bacon cinnamon rolls. I defy you to stay carb free when faced with that.

Bacon Cinnamon Rolls

Next up, the Texas Benedict which was poached eggs over pulled pork atop a jalapeño cheddar biscuit... Smothered in chorizo gravy.

Texas Benedict

Don't judge, I split it. And ordered a vegetable. The Brussels sprouts... With bacon and cheese.

Brussels Sprouts

Check it out if you're in Austin. Lookin at you Beth, Chris, Chris and Rachel.

Austin: Second Bar + Kitchen for Lunch

It's kind of funny this places is called Second. It's so nice, I've eaten there twice... In the past two days.

Is that beyond nice and moving into obsessed territory?

I'll break it up into two posts just to stay on theme. Here's how it happened... Alejandra was supposed to meet a friend of a friend for lunch. She and I had just come out of the SXSW session about Bravo's use of transmedia in last season's Top Chef. And we were *hungry*. Our new friend Dave met us outside and ushered us over to Second. It was slammed so we bellied up to barstools and I knew I was home when I saw this:

Behind the bar at Second Bar+Kitchen

If you've ever been to SXSW, you know along with the marathon of sessions, networking and parties comes a cold. In order to ward it off, Second has a "C-Section" drink made with Emergen-C... yep, that is 1000 grams of Vitamin C being made right there:

Mixing up a C-Section

Next up, we needed food STAT, so in went two appetizer orders... first, when I see fried pickles on menu I usually get them. But when you see BUFFALO FRIED PICKLES on a menu, it's like, the law to get them. While sitting at the bar, I sold three more orders to people who sat next to me.

Buffalo Fried Pickles

Alejandra added the Avocado Fundido to the mix. Guacamole with chorizo served with sweet potato chips. Perhaps we should have stopped there... but it just kept going...

Avocado Fundido

I ordered the Fried Egg & Avocado Sandwich which was crunchy, sweet and ooey gooey perfection. I could only finish half, but I sold one to the next guy who sat down. Yes, at this point, I'm pimping out their food to strangers.

Avocado & Fried Egg Sandwich

Now enamored, we asked for a tour. The space is beautiful - lots of light and patio space for an indoor-outdoor feel (despite the monsooning rains that day). The kitchen serves three restaurant concepts in one: Second, Bar Congress next door and then Austin's only five star experience, Congress in the evenings.

Second Bar+Kitchen from second level looking down

About this time, more friends joined us and Chef David Bull came in to do some butchering. We had made such a fuss, he spent some time chatting with us and even shared some rare salmon cheeks with our little crew that had now expanded to include Addie and Liz.

Chef showing Addie where the cheeks are nestled.

Wild Irish Salmon Cheeks

We rolled out of there and somehow made it to a bunch more of the SXSW work experience. Though, when I was supposed to go to an early dinner at Barley Swine, I was still full from our lunch experience.

If you're ever in Austin, add this one to your list.

Second Bar+Kitchen is at the corner of 2nd Street and Congress in downtown Austin. Follow their team on Facebook and Twitter for the latest menu additions and specials.

Must See TEDTalks: Bryan Stevenson

I kind of left you hanging after my first post on TEDActive. Truth is, the whole experience was overwhelming... inspiring... and cool. I'll share my favorite talks and moments as the videos become public.

The first one I have for you is Bryan Stevenson's talk on injustice in America. There were a lot of talks by a lot of daring, smart, amazing people. This one got the longest standing room ovation of the entire week. I started out multitasking with one eye on the screen and ended up mesmerized, horrified, moved. Take a look and share it if you find it as important as I do:

Learn more and find out how you can help by visiting the Equal Justice Initiative website.

TEDActive: Welcome to Palm Springs

I know, I know... I have a rough life. I'm spending the week as a TEDActive Amplifier in gorgeous Palm Springs. Basically, that means my job is to bring the experience of being here in person to you!

Never heard of TED? It's basically an event where amazing, smart, creative people get together and share ideas. The TEDActive version seeks to turn ideas into action.

Here's what I've learned so far:

1) All of the good conversations happen by the Riviera Hotel pool firepits. Cocktails may or may not enhance the experience. Last night, walking past one such pit, I heard, "What should we hashtag this fire pit..." and I knew, I was home.

Fire pits by the Riviera Hotel Pool at TEDActive

2) As an East Coaster, I wake up too early here. Great reason to go for a run and enjoy this gorgeous scenery. The hotel front desk can give you good running routes or you can rent a bike.

Palm Springs, CA

3. The Riviera Hotel is really cool and getting cooler by the moment... check out the signs and balloon path from the color team (more later) as you walk inside...

Lobby of the Riviera Hotel pre-TEDActive

4. While Circa 59 at the Riviera makes a nice latte, if you can walk or drive a mile down to Koffi, you'll enjoy that espresso drink with this lush patio and view.

View from Koffi Coffeehouse in Palm Springs

I've only been here 24 hours, the kickoff isn't until later today and I want to move in. Like, there should be a Melrose Place style living situation where you can surround yourself with this many bad ass people.

I'll keep updating you as the week goes on. Drop me questions or recommendations in the comments or tweet me! I'm also pinning on Pinterest and posting to Facebook and Instagram (I'm @tammygordon there), so follow along and play from home.

PS. If you're here. Join us down by the pool cabanas where we'll be building real and virtual time capsules at 4pm EST.

Atlantic Striped Bass at Graffiato

I work in Penn Quarter, which means I'm surrounded by tempting lunch options daily. One of my favorites is Chef Mike Isabella's Graffiato. The menu is seasonal and features great local ingredients. Today, I had the Atlantic Striped Bass and a side of Brussels Sprouts.

Atlantic Striped Bass at Graffiato (photo: Tammy Gordon)

The only downside of going for lunch instead of dinner is that I can't take advantage of the prosecco on draft at the bar.

Brussels Sprouts at Graffiato (photo: Tammy Gordon)

Graffiato is located at 707 6th Street NW in Washington, DC. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter - and don't forget to follow Chef Mike Isabella (Facebook, Twitter). Reserve a table upstairs on CityEats or take your chances downstairs and at the (prosecco on tap) bar.

Local Love: Sign Up for Chesapeake Bay Seafood Updates

You guys know I love good food, particularly when it's locally sourced. A few weeks ago, one of my favorite people to follow on Twitter, Steve Vilnit, asked me if I wanted to sign up for his email list serve. My first instinct was, ugh, email list serve... yawn. But, I'm absolutely addicted and just have to share it with you.

You see, Steve works for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and hosts an Chesapeake Bay Seafood Update email list serve that gives you the inside scoop on what's in season and what's headed to a restaurant near you. Basically, his job is to be the point person between Maryland fisherman and the chefs cooking your food.

Steve Vilnit (photo stolen from his Twitter avatar)

The Chesapeake Bay Seafood Update is kind of an insider deal aimed at restaurant owners and chefs, but I have become smitten with the weekly updates about what's running in the Bay and what restaurants are serving it up.

This week, I learned that the striped bass/rockfish season is seeing a near record-breaking catch this year, yellow perch (which have a very limited season) season is progressing and blue catfish is very limited right now. All that, plus Maryland crab season opens up April 1st and since we've had all of this warm weather, we could be cracking crabs early this year!

You don't think I'd sing all of these praises and then not tell you how to get in on the action, do you? Let's make a deal. I'll tell you where to go to sign up for the Chesapeake Bay Seafood Updates (link embedded)... you promise me that you'll seek local seafood on your menus. Don't be afraid to ask your chefs and servers where something comes from - most of them love eating local too!

PS. Yes, Steve, I am most definitely angling to get aboard for a fishing or crabbing expedition this spring.

Slutty Brownies for Superbowl Sunday

If you are on Pinterest, you've ogled The Londoner's Slutty Brownie recipe. What makes a brownie slutty, you ponder? Well, these are cheap, easy and a sure thing.

The Ingredients and the Inspiration for Slutty Brownies (photo: Tammy Gordon)

Basically, you layer chocolate chip cookie dough, Oreos (I went for Double Stuff) and brownie dough (I chose Ghiradelli so mine are more of call girl brownies). You can get fancy and homemade, but these are slutty people... It's ok to not be all foodie and local sourcey on this one. I topped mine with sea salt and had to bake at 350 for 40 minutes, but those were the only tweaks I made.

Slutty Brownie Assembly (photo: Tammy Gordon)

Slutty Brownie: The Finished Product (photo: Tammy Gordon)

As my friend Elizabeth said, Slutty Brownies are the turducken of desserts.

MAP: My Favorite Places to Eat in Florida

With the Republican primary in Florida right now - and the convention headed to Tampa later this year - I'm getting a lot of questions from DC pals about where to eat in my home state.

Like everything else these days, there's an app for that. I've create a Google map of my favorite spots to eat and drink across Florida. Some are locally-sourced, some are epic dives and some have sentimental old-school Florida value. Feel free to tweet me or email me if you're looking for something more specific and I'll do my best to send you to a spot you couldn't get outside of Florida.

View Best of Florida Eats & Drinks in a larger map

WATCH: Shit People in DC Say

I know, I know... some of you may have seen this already. And some of you are OVER the meme... but, clearly, I'm not!

   

So dead on, DC. 

What would you add? 

To Do: Volunteer, Then Brunch on MLK Day

After spending your morning cleaning up the Potomac or feeding homeless neighbors, you'll be riding a euphoric, feel-good high on Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service. You're going to want to celebrate with brunch... one that your lazy non-volunteering friends can meet you at since most of us have the day off. But it's a Monday... what brunch spots are open for MLK Day in Washington, DC?

Never fear, I've got ya covered. Here's a list of spots that will be brunching it up for Monday's MLK Day:

• Afterwords Cafe at Kramerbooks in Dupont Circle
• Agora in Dupont Circle
• Commissary in Logan Circle
• Equinox near the White House
• Founding Farmers in DC and Rockville
• Jaleo in Penn Quarter
• Meridian Pint in Columbia Heights
• Oyamel in Penn Quarter

Now, get out there and brunch! And if you want to find a place to volunteer, let me suggest this search engine or Miriam's Kitchen.

PS If there are others that you hear of, tell me in the comments or tweet me.

Work Week Blues? Fight Back with a Fabulous Lunch at Fiola for $15

I don't know about you, but last week was a rough re-entry to work. I spent the holidays lazing by pools in sunny Florida and I was not ready for office life in cold DC on Monday. Luckily, I work in an amazing neighborhood full of people who are ready to escape for lunch with me on the fly.

My hump day salvation came via one of my Penn Quarter favorites, the newly opened Fiola by Fabio Trabocchi and their amazing $15 lunchtime special at the bar. Like 701 and Proof, if you sit at the bar (and really, that's the best spot to eat lunch) essentially you get to choose from a selection of entrees and pair it with a drink. At Fiola, that means bad ass bar manager Jeff Faile will be mixing up something fun, whether you choose the cocktail or the non-alcoholic choice.

Bring a friend so you can split one of the heavier (read, amazing comfort food for winter) entrees along with one of the lighter entrees like a salad. Here were my pics on a visit last week:

Fiola BLT Burger with Parmesan Fries (photo: Tammy Gordon)

I've had a lot of burgers in Washington, DC and the Fiola BLT Burger is one of the best. We paired it with the buratta which was atop a tangy artichoke salad. And, just like that... life looked a little bit sunnier.

Buratta over Artichoke Salad (photo: Tammy Gordon)

Have you been to Fiola yet? What's your favorite dish? (Me: I'm a sucker for Jeff's Manhattans, Chef Fabio's pastas and the bombolini with honey for dessert)

Fiola is located at 601 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, however the entrance is really on Indiana Avenue (across from Penn Quarter Sports Tavern) and just a half block from the Archives-Navy Memorial Metro stop. Book your reservation through Open Table and follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Ready to take your Fiola Twitter love to the next level? Make sure you're also following Maria and Jeff.