Gourmands rejoice!

The Express said it best last week: we live in the greatest city in the world for total nerds. Foodies are quickly catching up.

Save the Deli!

Until I moved to the Northeastern United States, I never gave sandwiches much respect - they were something that I took to school to stave off hunger until I got home. But even those of us raised on tacos tip our hats to the wonder that is the Jewish Delicatessen.

On October 21st, the 6th and I Historic Synagogue will host David Sax, author and life-long deli obsessive, who will be interviewed by Todd Kliman, the Food and Wine Editor and Restaurant Critic for The Washingtonian as they figure if delis can survive in the age of health food. Tickets for "Save the Deli: In Search of Perfect Pastrami, Crusty Rye, and the Heart of Jewish Delicatessen" are $6 each, or you can get two tickets with the purchase of Sax's book. (Click here to purchase)

Samples of classic deli fare will be available.


Sixth & I 
600 I Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001

www.sixthandi.org
For a behind the scenes look visit their YouTube channel here.

Made in Maryland

The Sugarloaf Craft Festivals feature the works of Maryland artistans and musicians. Their October edition will also have gourmet food exhibitors, including Rising Sun Farms, Rohini's Chutneys, and Loraina's Italian Specialties.

The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival will be held Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Sunday, October 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds (16 Chestnut Street, in Gaithersburg, Maryland). This fall, the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival will be partnering with the Manna Food Center to raise funds and attract canned food donations that will be used to help feed the hungry in Montgomery County. Visitors to the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival may bring a donation of canned food to the show to receive a $2.00 off discount on admission.

Regular admission to the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival is $7 for adults when purchased online, $8 for adults at the door, and free for children under 12. Admission is good for all three days, and free parking is available.

For more information, click here.

Key West Fest at Breaux Vineyards

This weekend Breaux Vineyards hosted their 2nd annual Key West Festival. The weather couldn't have been more gorgeous, and folks definitely took full advantage and enjoyed the food, wine and crowd while relaxing and playing outside. I am not always a huge fan of the wines at Breaux, but I enjoyed most of what I tasted on Saturday. Whites on offering were an '06 Jolie Blond, an '06 Viognier, an '05 Madelein's Chardonnay, and an '03 Barrel Select Chardonnay. They also had an '06 Syrah Rose, '02 Lafayette, '02 Meritage, '02 Cabernet Sauvignon, and two dessert wines - '06 Chere Marie and Sweet Evangeline. I really liked the crisp and refreshing quality of the Jolie Blond, and the Viognier was nice too - not much oak and more fruit on the palate. The Madeleine Chardonnay is one of the few I actually enjoy as it is aged in stainless steel as opposed to oak, and has a flavor akin to pears and an aroma of honeysuckle. I didn't do the reds, it was just more of a white wine weather day I suppose, but folks really enjoyed the Meritage. I also ran into Megan and her husband Matt from Wannabe Wino just after finishing up the tasting. (http://wannabewino.blogspot.com/). Food offerings ranged from steamed lobster to conch fritters, jerked chicken skewers, jambalaya, huge beef burgers with all of the fixings, pork porternouse with Caribbean salsa and kiddie plates featuring grilled hot dogs. Add a really fun and actually quite good Jimmy Buffett cover band fully decked out in Hawaiian shirts and other beach gear, and you have a great way to spend a Saturday for sure.

Breaux Vineyards

36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane

Purcelville, VA

DC International Wine and Food Festival

Just a quick note regarding the DC International Wine and Food Festival, which took place at the Ronald Reagan Building downtown this past weekend. Certainly imbibing and spending time in a fun venue with friends is a great way to spend a weekend day or two, but I think the organizers can do better next year. Saturday's showcase was sold out, and I think everyone who bought at ticket showed up as it was quite crowded and a bit warm temperature-wise. The wine selection was great, with over 280 wineries in attendance, and a nice representation as far as Old World and New World goes. Not surprisingly, my favorites were the wineries from the Pacific Northwest (Sonoma not Napa in California), and also pretty much any spot that offered sliced cheese since, even though "Food" is in the name of the event, there essentially wasn't much to be found. All in all I think it is definitely an event worth spending time at and patronizing, but I think there are a few steps that easily could be taken to vastly improve the experience of attendees.