By La’Chia Harrison, The Dining Traveler Event & Food Contributor 

A few weeks ago, Bloomingdaleʼs DCity Smokehouse celebrated their one year anniversary with a special tasting party. The restaurant has been a huge success so far with lines often stretching out the door and around the block. Also, the Washington Post calls it “the finest BBQ in DC”. Despite the acclaim, I had my doubts. DC doesnʼt have the best reputation and barbecue isnʼt something Iʼd go out of my way to get.



DCity Smokehouse Wings

One bite of the smokehouse wings, however, turned my assumptions on their head! Dry rubbed with a proprietary seasoning blend, smoked in house and flash fried, these wings delivered great flavor and texture with every bite. By far my favorite thing I ate that night! Also on offer was the best selling brisket which regularly sells out. While it was very tender and well seasoned, I didnʼt think it was as compelling as the wings. Iʼm not a beef person, anyway.

Pork Platter

Pulled pork is a classic at barbecue joints and DCity Smokehouseʼs does not disappoint. The pork shoulder is dry rubbed then hickory and cherrywood smoked. It reminded me of the barbecue my aunt makes and is just as good. My favorite pork item was the pork belly. How can you go wrong with seasoned and smoked bacon?

DCity Smokehouse Restaurant

No barbecue meal would be complete without sides! Crispy Brussels sprouts and hush puppies were served to go along with meat. The Brussels sprouts are a far cry from the boiled, smelly bulbs we all hated growing up. DCity Smokehouse seasons them with the same mix of spices used for the wings and then grills them. At the end of the party, there were none left! The hush puppies were also nothing like the ones I despised as a kid. When I took a bite, I was pleasantly surprised to find that they tasted just like sweet corn bread.

DCity Smokhouse  Team (Pitmaster Rob Sonderman, Sous Chef Shawn McWhirter, owners Scott Jacobs and Melvin Hines, and cook Dennis Geddie)

For Pitmaster Rob Sonderman and his staff, good quality food is the highest priority. DCity Smokehouseʼs “BBQ philosophy” is simply the good kind. Itʼs going to be good as long as you care about it, Sonderman says. In every bite I took, it was evident that DCity Smokehouse takes great pride in their food. I would be more than willing to return and try more dishes. After a highly successful year, DCity Smokehouse is on the hunt for more space so that they can bring barbecue to more Washingtonians. Hopefully, the next location will be more accessible by Metro!

The post DCity Smokehouse: Barbecue in Washington DC appeared first on The Dining Traveler.




Millions of Peaches

  I was asked by the management to prepare a dish with the seasonal items. Two of the items dominating the market right now are peaches and tomatoes. The scorching heat and humidity decreases my desire to turn on a range, so I make a lot of salads in the summer. One of my favorite salads is the caprese, which I learned to make with my Sicilian friends in Brussels. Love the layers of basil, mozzarella, and tomatoes. This time, I decided to add a little southern touch to the salad by adding peaches. Instead of mozzarella, I used Vachino cheese, offered by the local cheese stand, Keswick Creamery. The Vachino is a little saltier than the mozzarella but it still has a similar consistency. I found a beautiful bunch of basil from the Truck Patch Farms, one of the main vegetable stands. We also loved their lovely bouquets which include fresh basil and Rhubarb stalks.

Picking just the right peach

As promised, I’m going share how to make this simple and delicious salad. Ingredients: Tomatoes, Peaches, Basil, Mozzarella di Bufala (or any same consistency cheese), salt and pepper to taste, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Cut cheese, tomatoes, and peaches, layer with basil and sprinkle salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil and vinegar. Usually two tomatoes, two peaches, a bunch of basil, and half a mozzarella ball yields for two. Please let me know if you try it!

I loved the experience of sharing my passion of cooking with the community and also being able to be part of something which makes my neighborhood a great one to live in.

Tomatoes and Squash at Bloomingdale Farmer’s Market

The post Flavors from Afar: Salads at Bloomingdale Farmer’s Market appeared first on The Dining Traveler.

Takorean at Union Market

I am a big fan of food markets.  I love to admire great food on display and the people behind the booth selling their passion.  When I travel, I make it a point to check out the markets.  My favorites are Mercado San Miguel in Spain and the Markthalle in Stuttgart. Back in the US, I was excited to hear about the Union Market in DC.  With all my weekend trips, I had not been able to sample it until this weekend.  I was quite impressed with the discovery.

Sampling Cava at Mercado San Miguel with my favorite Madrilena…

After so many rainy and cold summers in Belgium, the heat and humidity in DC has been no joke to me.  Just as Brussels has no summer, Washington has no spring.  I was happy to discover an air conditioned space filled with so many yummy options.  The great part of the layout is that is is a big open space.  Although you are indoors, it gives you an airy sensation of an outdoor market.  My favorite stand so far is Takorean.  It mixes two of my favorite cuisines, Korean and Mexican surprisingly well.  I indulged in bulgogi kimchi tacos which were to die for.  I also picked up skirt steaks at Red Apron which I grilled with a whiskey dry rub from Bazaar.  I have visited Union Market twice so far and it is rapidly becoming one of my favorite places in DC.

The scene at Union Market

As much as I miss Brussels still, I am enamored with my neighborhood, Bloomingdale.  There are so many new things popping up in the neighborhood.  Although it is in the middle of the DC, it feels like a community.  No better way to see this than at the Bloomingdale Farmer’s market.  People gather early on Sunday mornings to pickup fresh bread at a mobile boulanger (love I can speak French with him), indulge in local cheese, pies, ice cream.  We also enjoy having a coffee at Big Bear Cafe and watch everything come together: the kids under the sprinklers beating the heat, hipsters buying pies, and young couples picking our herbs for their home.

Loving my Neighborhood at Bloomingdale Farmers Market

I love the concept of outdoor eating and markets.  Last summer, I spent two weeks in DC.  During the visit, I had many experiences which sold my repatriation.  One of the events was the National Barbecue Battle. My friends and I went to sample BBQ from all over the country.  It’s pure Americana: eating BBQ with a view of the Capitol.  The event returns this weekend (June 22-23) and Zinio, (a digital magazine app) will make a stop at the BBQ Battle as they participate with the Big Bite Tour.  As part of the Tour, Zinio is sponsoring Big Bite for the Cure: When someone makes a donation to Breast Cancer Research, for as little as $1, Zinio will thank them with three digital magazines for free.
Here comes the giveaway:  I’m giving away free Zinio subscriptions to the first 9 comments.  What is your favorite DC outdoor market or eating experience?  Which market should I visit next?

*Repatriation Adventures is being compensated by Zinio, Inc.

The post DC Market Weekends and Giveaway appeared first on The Dining Traveler.