What's Happening In Washington, DC: June 15, 2015

Because our local news is often national news, Washingtonians tend to forget we are a Southern city below the Mason Dixon Line. Slowly, chefs are embracing our city's Southern foodways and opening restaurants that feature new Southern cuisine. Meanwhile, there are fancy Californian wine dinners, pastry chef hires, and new-fangled martini bars to sate everyone's appetites.    

Dolcezza Gelato & Coffee to Unveil Mom & Pop in Virginia's Mosaic District
Oops, they did it again, only this time it's further afield. Robb Duncan and Violeta Edelman, co-owners of Dolcezza Gelato & Coffee, will open Mom & Pop on July 1 in Strawberry Park at the Mosaic District in Fairfax, Virginia. They will partner with D.C. culinary artisans to offer original foods with Southern-inspired ingredients and palates. Look for snacks like a grilled pimento cheese sandwich from chef/butcher Nat Anda of Red Apron Butchery, Stumptown Coffee, and morning pastries from Paisley Fig at Room 11.

Far Niente/Nickel & Nickel Wine Dinner at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
Quietly, and without any bragging, Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab has been making a name for itself with a stellar wine program that includes hosting high-end wine dinners, like this month's Far Niente/Nickel & Nickel five-course dinner on Friday, June 26. The evening starts with a reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by a five-course dinner with seven incredible wines from Far Niente and Nickel & Nickel. The menu includes fresh dishes that focus on seasonal produce, prime beef, incredible seafood, and gourmet cheese and dessert. The cost is $175 per person, including tax and gratuity. Contact Bethany to make your reservations.

Jameela Hassan Tapped As Pastry Chef at Macon Bistro & Larder
Macon Bistro & Larder has a new addition to their culinary family: pastry chef Jameela Hassan. A fourth generation Washingtonian, Jameela brings twelve years of professional pastry experience to her new gig. Most recently, she was part of the opening team at Fabio Trabocchi's Fiola Mare and her distinct talent adds to this charming bistro's mélange of French and Southern cuisine. Her new desserts let seasonal fruits shine, as in the white peach and blackberry cobbler, but her forays into carb decadence, as in the cinnamon sugar doughnuts, are so addictive they should be considered a controlled substance.

Magnolia's on King Set to Open in Old Town Alexandria July 1
Southerners are known for their hospitality and home cooking, and Magnolia's on King intends to keep that reputation alive. Slated to open July 1, this 60-seat restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria and will offer dinner and brunch menus that focus on Southern-inspired, signature dishes (think deep fried oyster po'boy sliders, fried blue catfish, cornbread, and Southern coleslaw) and craft cocktails. Executive chef Brian Row, an Annapolis native, brings an appreciation of our local bounty backed by years of experience training with world-class chefs at restaurants in Wolfgang Puck's culinary group. 

Met Bethesda Debuts Cutting-Edge 30 Tap Met Martini Bar
Met Bethesda owner Kathy Sidell is bringing more than a New England approach to dining to our market: she is introducing a one-of-a-kind on-tap system that allows guests to create their own martinis. Sidell's cutting-edge invention relies on CO₂ to store and pour a wide range of the restaurant's house-made fresh fruit purees that are part of the unique drink menu, with or without a spirit of choice. Even vodka holdouts will succumb to Met's signature Blood Orange Cosmo made with reviving blood orange puree, triple sec, and Three Olives Orange Vodka. A few other flavor choices include Meyer lemon, blueberry, mango, and the El Corzon: a blend of blood orange, passion fruit, and pomegranate.  

Summer Whitford is the D.C. City Guide Editor at The Daily Meal and the DC Wine Examiner. You can follow her on Twitter @FoodandWineDiva.