Capital Spice

Zagat just released the results of its latest restaurant survey, including customer choices of the top five restaurants in each of 45 markets nationwide. Of the 675 restaurants named as the top five in each of these markets, there was only one barbecue restaurant: Oklahoma Joe’s in Kansas City.

WHAT UP.

We don’t make it out to Kansas City to visit Elizabeth’s family as often as we’d like.  More often than not, our visits are timed around holidays where there’s an abundance of home-cooked treats.

Tough to be us, right?  Even so, we always make it out to at least one or two restaurants while we’re in town.

For our most recent visit, we were all about the classics.  When the family asked if there were any places we wanted to eat while we were in town, we were ready with two establishments that have more than 150 years of restaurant experience between them.  We requested trips to Stroud’s and Rosedale Barbeque.

The family was happy to oblige, and so we hit up Rosedale for lunch one day and Stroud’s for dinner the next.  We were eager to see how the years had treated these Kansas City institutions.  And while Stroud’s is a long-time favorite of Elizabeth’s, Rosedale was a new experience for both of us.

Fried chicken, pulled pork and a drink called the “Chicken Choker” after the jump. (more…)

I have a confession to make.  My status as a certified Kansas City Barbecue Society judge has been, until this weekend, largely ceremonial.  Don’t get me wrong – I’ve sat through the certification course and I’ve judged my share of contests.

But I hadn’t experienced the dean of the Kansas City barbeque establishments.  That’s right – I’d never been to Arthur Bryant’s.

Sure, we tried to swing by as part of our visit to LC’s Bar-B-Que and Gates & Sons last December.  But the line snaked out the door and along Brooklyn Avenue…in December.  It would have to wait for another time.

Finally, during our visit to Kansas City this weekend, that time came.  Elizabeth actually asked her parents to carve out time in our weekend with them to drive into East Kansas City to visit the original Arthur Bryant’s for lunch.  Nevermind the fact that there are three perfectly good barbecue places within 10 minutes of her house…they agreed to take me to Arthur Bryant’s.

 Seventy-nine years of barbeque tradition – complete with photos – after the jump. (more…)

Extra news this week to make up for last Saturday’s absence…

Starting this off on a serious note. Due to the double-punch of rising costs and rising food needs in the community, Bread for the City a DC food pantry, is over their food budget by over $10,000 for this month. They need help. Please donate. 

Fans of the Arlington Rap know Remy loves Arlington. But did you know he also loves eggs?
 
The Real World DC cast has arrived. DCist gives us a rundown of where you might run into these exhibitionists and which DC favorites may be a safe haven.   
 
Planning any visits to Argentina? Be sure to try a choripan, their version of a hot dog. Or if you’re just hiking the Appalachian Trail and need some camp food, you can make it yourself. We Are Never Full shows you how.  
 
Wonkabout gives us a rundown of small plate restaurants in DC. 
 
How’s this for hospitality? A Hamptons restaurant manager retracted an awning in the middle of a rainstorm in an effort to disperse diners who were queued up to get inside. Check out the video from Gawker.  Classy.
 
Favorite fictional chefs from TV and movies.

Check out this recipe for sweet basil and mint iced tea. Plus the photos are glorious!  
 
“200 places to eat before it’s too late”authors are interviewed by the WSJ. 
 
Research indicates Briton’s are consuming more comfort food these days as a response to the recession. The most popular British comfort foods are bangers and mash, fish and chips, and baked beans on toast. Jesus Chrysler, if that was my comfort food I’d be depressed, too. 
 
A deep dive into Pintango organic gelato process.   
 
At eater’s guide to BBQ in Kansas City. 
 
Per Brightest Young Things, Adam Bernbach, the beloved former bartender at Bar Pilar, has returned to DC and joined the team at Proof. 
 
Rooftop bees get to work on menu items at the Fairmont in DC. 
 
What are the 10 cocktails everyone should know how to make?   
 
PQ Living hails Central’s banana split as the best deal in town.

Who wears short shorts and loves McDonald’s? Britney.
  
Denny’s plans its third Rockstar menu, this time featuring bands like Good Charlotte and Sum 41. 
 
Tips on cooking with beer (as an ingredient… not just holding it in your hand at the stove).  

Ever wanted to make injera – that spongy bread you get in Ethiopian restaurants – at home? 
 
Endless Simmer takes issue with the new-hot-now New York food scene. 
 
Recent E.Coli outbreak may have been caused by consuming yummy, yummy cookie dough. I bet it was worth it.    
 
If you had to choose one, would you rather give up donuts or bagels for the rest of your life? SoGood wants to know.  
 
The top 5 failed McDonald’s menu items.  Oh Arch Deluxe, you silly burger.
 
Arugula Files gives you the scoop on some summer salads.   
 
We Are Out of Here eats their way through the Eden Center and climbs out of a food coma to share their reviews. (HT to DC Blogs from the link)
 
Kit Kat receives accolades at the Cannes advertising festival for their edible postcard in the Japanese market.   
 
NPR muses on the recession-proof success of the Cheesecake Factory.