Knives down, hands up

Breaking news food fans - according to the New York Post, Mario Batali has severed his ties with the Food Network. That's right; no more Molto Mario and no more Iron Chef. Though this does explain why they're now looking for a new Iron Chef.



This is horrible news for the Food Network and for food fans everywhere. Mario was the best of the Iron Chefs on Iron Chef America, and his show was by far the best straight up cooking show on the Food Network.

As sad as this is, I've got a feeling that we'll see Mario sometime soon - perhaps he'll follow his friend Anthony Bourdain over to the Travel Channel.

Why run?

I've always wanted a wok, and was all kinds of excited when I actually got around to buying one for the new apartment. Jill came over last night to give it a test run, and we made one hell of a dinner.





Shrimp and Crab Stir Fry

1/2 pound of small shrimp
1/2 pound of artificial crab meat
1 medium green bell pepper (sliced into 2x1 inch pieces - approx)
1 medium red bell pepper (sliced into 2x1 inch pieces - approx)
1 teaspoon of garlic (diced)
1 tablespoon of ginger (diced)
1 white onion (sliced)
Sesame oil (to taste)
Dry red pepper flakes (to taste)
Salt
Pepper

Serve hot over rice and enjoy!

How has this place been open for 50 years?

I've got a soft spot for privately owned restaurants that have a rich history and a lot of character, and there isn't a better example of this in the Arlington area than Mario's Pizza. Located on Wilson Blvd, it is perched in a near perfect location between Ballston and Clarendon and is always, always, packed with cars and people sitting outside eating.



I've only ordered out (via Dr. Delivery) for Mario's and had never been impressed - I had also never been sober while eating Mario's. So, after a couple years of sobering up, Jill and I decided to give Mario's a shot late Friday night, in need of good late night food.

There are reminders everywhere that Mario's has been around for a while. From the customers and staff who have been there long before I was born, to the self-congratulatory signs announcing the anniversary, it's a number and an accomplishment to be proud of.

You know what's not an accomplishment to be proud of though? Their pizza. I guess I wasn't that drunk the other couple times I had it, because it was just as bad as I remembered it.

On par with elementary school pizza, the crust was bland, the sauce was too sweet and the cheese...well, didn't seem real. I ordered a slice of sausage pizza, and had a hunk of sausage just placed on top of my cheese pizza. Make an actual slice of sausage pizza! It's not that hard.

I can't understate how disappointed I was by Mario's. I would still prefer its presence in the neighborhood to another Cosi's or McDonald's or some other mass produced no taste fat factory, but I'll never eat there again. I just don't understand how my neighbors can.

Holy F'n Goodness, Batman

Lunch is something to be cherished, in my opinion; I spend all damn day sitting at a desk in a cube (illicitly) reading food blogs, so lunch had better satisfy and sustain and (dare I say) excite me or else I will just up and leave work and never come back.

Lunch today did the trick. I wish I'd had my camera.

Pre-toasted (no toaster here, had to do it at home) sandwich-sized English muffin, "Seriously Sharp" Cabot's cheddar, sliced maple-glazed deli turkey (on sale at HT), granny smith apple slices, and completely delicious honey mustard (Deitz and Watson). I melted that cheese up and slapped the rest on and oh my goodness.

I might still up and leave work and never come back, but I'll have a happy tummy.

Full credit goes to Ant for the inspired sandwich suggestion.

Labor Day'd

Ah, nothing like a nice long weekend to act as an excuse to eat and enjoy the weather. While we did eat out quite a bit (more on that later), the real highlights were a couple meals made in our own kitchens.

Late last week Jill was craving something eggplant related. Not having the time or the patience for a proper eggplant parmesan, we simply sautéed some eggplant dipped in egg and panko breadcrumb and threw it over some whole grain pasta with some tomato sauce and some cheese.



The eggplant turned out nice and firm, and contrasted well with the soft pasta.

The second meal came from the Courthouse farmers market on Saturday, where we decided a loaf of dill, cottage cheese bread (better tasting than it sounds), a couple heirloom tomatoes, some marscapone, and fresh basil would make a proper breakfast.



Not only did this make a proper breakfast, but it made a damn good dinner too.



It should be a busy week. Lots to write about. It's going to be an exciting September!