Piquant

Give Dad grill power to go for Father's Day

I don't think I've seen anything shinier and brighter or more fabulously functional than this Solaire Infrared Portable BBQ Grill, SOL-IR17B.

If Dad doesn't love it, you can always re-gift it to me. 

At 19 pounds, it's not a featherweight, but it's still pretty portable and comes with a heavy-duty, double strapped carrying case with extra pockets to carry extra one-pound propane refill tanks.  The 14,000 BTU infrared burner heats up in three minutes and cooks 50% faster than other grills.

Bring on the kebabs!

Make Olde Town Alexandria your base for DC exploration

If you're thinking of visiting Washington, DC, consider staying in nearby Old Towne Alexandria.  

Charming, quiet and architecturally interesting, the town is a rich source of Americana, but also bustles with boutique shopping, a lively arts scene, and dozens of restaurants (there's a burgeoning culinary community).  

With numerous options for accommodations and easy access to Ronald Reagan International Airport and the area Metro, make Alexandria an ideal base for exploring the region. We stayed at the Westin Alexandria (400 Courthouse Square · Alexandria, Virginia 22314-5700, 703.253.8600) and were not disappointed.

A free trolley runs from the King Street Metro Station to the historic waterfront and the Potomac Riverboat company operates a water taxi between Alexandria and the National Harbor (as well as Monuments, Mount Vernon, and Pirate cruises).

Old Town Alexandria was founded in 1749 - fifty years before Washington, DC - on land bought by Scotsman John Alexander for the princely sum of 6,000 pounds of tobacco and cask.

Although he lived in Mount Vernon, eight miles away, George Washington considered Alexandria his hometown, kept a second house in the town, sold produce in the town markets and socialized in the local inns and taverns. Gadsby's Tavern is much the same today as it was in the days when Washington and wife, Martha, made merry in the tavern.

There are loads of free activities and attractions to choose from in Olde Town Alexandria. Find information and discounts at the Alexandria Visitors Center at Ramsay House (221 King Street, 703.746.3301)

 A 75-minute historic walking tour takes you on a time-traveling adventure, walking the streets as Washington and his fellow patriots did. Check out the Alexandria Archaeology Museum (105 N. Union Street) to explore the community's past and get a real feel for an archaeological find with the Museum's Discovery Kits.

Hungry for more? Try the DC Metro Food Tours (1.800.979.3370), a three-hour guided grazing tour of mini-meals from beloved local restaurants.

Cook your catch on Barbados culinary tour

Get some Caribbean flavor with Cobblers Cove Resort’s Barbados Culinary Tour.

Join Executive Chef Brian Porteus to get an insider's look at the art of Relais & Chateaux cooking, Caribbean style.

Indulge in a culinary package at one of five Relais & Chateaux resorts - Barbados.

Relais & Chateaux Culinary Package Includes:

• Accommodations in a superior suite for five nights/six days

• Round-trip airport transfers

• Welcome cocktail Gourmet

• Breakfast and dinner daily afternoon tea --- island style

• Unlimited complimentary water sports

• Evening of cocktails & conversation with Chef Brian Porteus

• Fishing excursion & “catch of the day” culinary demonstration

• Complimentary wine-tasting

Summer rate: May 01 – December 20, 2009: US$3,500.00 for two, tax inclusive (excluding August 31-October 3, 2009 when the resort closes annually).

Winter rate: January 5 – April 12, 2010: US$4,860.00 for two, tax inclusive.

For more information and to make reservations, contact your travel agent or call toll-free in the United States : 1-800-890-6060 or in Canada call Resort to the Best, toll-free: 1-800-567-5327.

Visit Cobblers Cove at www.cobblerscove.com.

La Tasca chain does tapas for the novice

Ordinarily I'm not a big fan of restaurant chains. The food tends to lack inspiration and to rely heavy on processed, packaged foods.

But there are exceptions to every rule. It's not serious food, but we love that La Tasca introduces tapas for the novice diner.

This weekend in Washington, DC, we wandered into the tapas themed import that originated in Spain, migrated to the UK, and now has five locations in the DC area.

We tried two locations - the Penn Quarter location (722 7th Street NW, Washington DC 20001, 202.347.9190) and the Old Towne Alexandria location (607 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, 703.299.9810) - and found the food reasonably priced, tasty and consistent.

The service was superior at the DC location, more attentive and more knowledgeable.  Our Alexandria server was sweetly pleasant but told us a Tierra de Castilla Rosé was "served in little glasses," presumably referring to the Jerez sherries.

Typical of chains, the servings are huge, which makes the La Tasca experience an economical choice for families.  And there are deals to sweeten the pot - on Saturday until 6 pm an adult meal gets a free kids meal and on Sunday bottles of wine are half off all day until 9 pm.

Adding to the authenticity of the experience, La Tasca imports ingredients, whenever possible, from Spain.

Order the Berenjenas Fritas (thinly sliced eggplant lightly and crisply fried) served with Cabrales cheese dip ($6), the Gambas Gabardina, shrimp deep fried in our special beer batter and served with garlic mayonnaise ($7), and the Queso Manchego served with Fig Jam ($6.75). The Churros con Chocolate fondue will be everyone's favorite fried dough dessert ($6). 

Buen provecho!

Partagas Cigar Cave contest offers $10,000 prize

If you need a place to hole up and herf, get busy with your handycam. Partagas is giving away ten grand to one lucky and clever, creative cigar lover who needs a place to chill, smoke and simply enjoy the good life.

Cantine Aperte features over 800 wine growers

Wine enthusiasts can look forward to a weekend of sampling fabulous Italian wines from vintners large and small, well known and lesser known, during Cantine Aperte

Taste your way through the vineyards of Italy, May 30-31st, as wine growers all over the country open their cellars during the annual spring festival celebrating the nation's wines.

Over 800 vintners will hold tastings for the public to try wines as divergent as Chianti, Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino, or the lesser known Sagrantino of Montefalco. (Italian Notebook).

Take Dad to DeStefano's Steak House

If your Dad is a meat and potatoes man, then you need to make DeStefano's (89 Conselyea Street, Brooklyn,718.384.2836 ) your destination for Father's Day.

Carnivores will be delighted with the selection of meat, meat, meat.  Dry aged prime beef, the cuts are thick, substantial and cooked to perfect temperature. 

Start with the Crabcakes ($11.89).  Order the 40 oz Porterhouse for two ($78.89) - bet you can't eat it all - or my favorite, the Lamb Chops ($38.89).  Finish with the Pear, Arugula, Pancetta Salad with Fig Vinaigrette ($9.89). 

The wine list ranges from $23 for a value bottle of Argentinian red to $275 for a bottle of 2002 Opus One from Mondavi and Rothschild.

The Brooklyn-themed restaurant has a deliberately small dining room.  Co-owner Joseph J. Donatelli wanted to give customers the feeling of dining at home since the steakhouse evokes and honors family.  A family affair, wife Eleanor is in the kitchen while Donatelli works the dining room to see that everyone is happily fed.

Located in a building owned by Donatelli's grandparents, the decor is old school steakhouse. One wall in the restaurant is decorated with a family tree of wedding portraits stretching from his grandparents to the current generation. Another is devoted to representing all people and things Brooklyn - past and present.

Expect to find a mixed, intergenerational crowd as both Mom and Pop, and hipsters line up for a meat-focused meal.

What's Good: The National Gallery exhibit of Luis Meléndez Still Lifes

The best things in life should be free.

And in this case, they are.  The National Gallery in Washington, DC is open to the public free of charge every day of operation.

What a wonderful opportunity for area residents and visitors too!

We took the Chinatown Express (Apex buses) from NYC ($35 RT) for a few fabulous days of culture and relaxation. 

Home base is the Westin Alexandria (The Club floor rocks with free WiFi and a lounge-y Continental breakfast of fresh fruits, pastries, bagels, yogurt and granola).

After a quick morning swim (followed by a plunge in the hot tub) we're making these stops today: Arlington Cemetery, the National Gallery, the Smithsonian and...

Covert operation: International Spy Museum

Deny everything.

This actually sounds like the mantra of a naughty 10-year-old, but it's really the root philosophy of the secret agent.

The International Spy Museum (800 F St. NW, Washington, DC  202.EYE.SPY.U) is the place to test your skills as an international man, woman or kid of mystery. 

Operation Spy takes you deep into Khandar on a covert mission with a team of special missions experts.  Practice your eavesdropping and surveillance skills with high tech equipment, search for sensitive documents, and interrogate suspects. 

Your expertise determines the outcome. 

Afterwards, toast your success with a mock-tini.  Shaken, not stirred.

Combination tickets ($27) include museum Operation Spy interactive experience and museum admission.

The mission is yours, should you choose to accept it.

Zagat's releases Paris and world's best restaurants guides

When you need to know where to go, you can rely on Zagat's guides.

Newly released dining guides to Paris and the world's top restaurants are available online.

Get your guides to the crème d e la crème of Paris restaurants and world wide, and have the insider's word on where to dine.