D.C. is a virtual deluge of events and charitable causes. If you cannot find something to do, then it’s merely because you aren’t looking hard enough. So the question isn’t really “What is there to do,” the question is more “Is it worth it?!?” Is it worth your time and energy to go out to whatever venue, see whatever people and taste – or drink – whatever is on the menu? 99.9% of the time it’s not. Not worth my time and definitely not worth my energy.
So it was with acute interest that my abstemious nature received an invitation to the Washington, D.C. “Taste of the Nation.” Hosted in the Andrew Mellon Auditorium, off Constitution, Taste of the Nation was the name of the event conceived by the organization Share Our Strength. Since 1988, Share Our Strength has partnered with chefs, restaurants and volunteers to raise more than $70 million dollars to combat the problem of having 12 million Americans go hungry every day. Certainly, in a country where the number one cause of death is obesity, providing food for the hungry struck me as a note-worthy cause.
However, I can’t really say I was drawn to Taste of the Nation merely because it was the right thing to do. I am vapid enough to readily admit it was the list of D.C. restaurants, bars and desserts which captured my attention. A virtual who’s-who of over 40 restaurants, mixologists, dessert makers and wine connoisseur were willing to avail their talents and wares from 7 pm – 10 pm (VIP hour was 6 pm to 7 pm). 1789 Restaurant; Art and Soul; Bourbon Steak; The Capital Grille; Charlie Palmer Steak; Poste Brasserie; Proof; PS 7’s; Restaurant Eve; and Vermillion just to name a few. Plus desserts from Georgetown Cupcake; Best Buns; Co Co. Sala, et al. and mixologists from hot-spots like The Gibson.
The glutton in me was ready for a good time and boy did I get it!
Dan and I arrived at 6:45 pm and were instantly struck by the waiting bodies in the foyer. We quickly entered through the VIP corridor which opened to the Grand Hall. Along the exterior, between the spiraling marble columns, were lovely complements of wine and mixed drinks. I began with a delicious Godello while Dan quickly walked to the Charlie Palmer Steak station for a slice filet mignon garnished with capellini onions and wild mushrooms. Light and deliciously delicate, this was an early food favorite – and my Godello was an early drink favorite.
After our first bite and drink, the main doors open and the body count became frightfully large. Even with a fifteen minute head start, we had trouble navigating around the room. I was later told the event was sold out with over 1200 D.C.-ers eagerly tasting and drinking for a mere $150. WOW.
Despite the sardine-like environment, we did manage to lap the room twice. Along the journey we had a tuna tartare from Restaurant Eve; a salmon rubin from Vermillion; scallop caviche from Westend Bistro and a mind-numbing amount of other food which I can barely recall.
One stand-out was from The Carlyle who ended up having our favorite morsel of the evening: deviled eggs with spiced pecan and sugar cured bacon. Warm, with a tight body to the boiled egg, the crispness of the bacon was sweetly brought into contrast by the spiced pecan. I made at least three loops to The Carlyle station for yet another sample from the ever-bemused chef. If this small sample is indicative of the larger gastronomical pleasures awaiting me at the Carlyle, I definitely look forward to trying the pricey restaurant – on Dan’s dime!
Some of my faulty recollection can certainly be attributed to the seven drinks I had in two hours. The Godello was just a hint of what was to come. I had a smooth red from Cork and two strong vodka drinks in the VIP lounge: one from a Bacardi mixed fruit vodka and another from a self-made, almost moijito-esque fruit bar with Absolut Vodka as the liquor. By the time I made it around to my favorite drink of the evening, the “Smoked Tea Punch” (compliments on the new hot spot The Gibson), this constituted my last call of the evening with an entire hour still to go!
Thankfully there were various chocolates and other sweets to vainly absorb the absurd amounts of food and liquor in my burgeoning stomach. Cupcakes from the trendiest confectioners Georgetown Cupcake disappeared quickly – almost as quickly as the tiny morsels of pecan tart, mint chocolate, truffles, truffles and more truffles from the gorgeous VIP Dessert Den.
By the time the silent auction started, I was entirely maxed out. My stomach was so full of delectable goodies it was a miracle I was still standing! If my hurting stomach is any indication, this was hands-down one of the best events in the city this year. Look for it next year and buy your ticket early!
Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation website: http://taste.strength.org/site/PageServer?pagename=TOTN_homepage.
