WhereInDC

Welcome to WhereInDC!  I’ve made some updates and changes to my profile.  So here’s a little bit about me: 

• I work in PR for a firm in DC but do not work for any restaurants or food-related clients so my recommendations are not “bought and paid for” by anyone.
• I am not a chef nor have I ever taken a cooking class.
• I am not a “foodie” unless to you that term means a person who loves food…then that is me.
• I started this blog as a way to tell my friends what restaurants I love in DC (since I’ve been here for five years).  And since I kept getting calls from them asking where to go for X, Y, and Z — I thought this would be a good way for them to find restaurants, recipes, etc that I’ve enjoyed.  But through the power of the Internet, I have friends all over the world now (yay, fun!).  

What makes me think I can tell you what I think about a restaurant when I only go once?  Like Top Chef judge Tom Collichio said in Season Two when a contestant complained why they’re only judged on that one day’s performance (paraphrasing here) — the first impression matters!  Your customers are judging you on the one day they come in so you had better be good!

• I believe the kitchen is one of the best rooms in a house (or in my case, apartment).
• I will eat almost anything, but absolutely refuse to eat sweet breads and veal (am sure there are more things on the list, but that’s all I can think of for now).
• I do not consume every single thing I cook and bake!  But I do try a test bite (almost) every time.  Instead, my friends get boxes of food delivered to them with cookies, breads, etc. 
• I believe in shopping organic and local as much as possible.
• I have never eaten a Twinkie or a Big Mac.
• So far, the only spice I don’t like is cardamom.   
• My favorite ice cream is coffee. 
• I believe cooking is therapeutic.   
• I believe good food doesn’t need to be expensive.
• I hate those places where you’re still hungry after your meal.  What’s that all about?  I think you should be full (you know, a good full, not the bad blah food).
• I believe chocolate makes life better.
• “Restaurants I’ve been” does mean something…
• Almost all of the restaurants I review or mention are metro accessible.
• I was a busser, waitress, hostess, bartender (as well as a hotel receptionist, deli worker, grocery cashier, beer cart girl, bar manager, and retail employee) – so I do know something about customer service.  
• I do not believe the customer is always right (see above for the reasons).  Regardless, you should treat everyone with respect, but you should not leave a big tip if you get bad service. 

WhereInDC is mostly my musing about restaurants in the Washington, DC area.  But I have also posted on various food shows, recipes, news stories, and anything else that relates to food.  And when I’ve traveled, I post on those out-of-town recommendations.

I welcome your comments and look forward to an engaging and thoughtful discussion with you.  Of course, I reserve the right to publish or delete any (and all) comments.  And don’t steal my words or photos — not cool. 

ATTENTION PR PEOPLE: Remember, I am a PR person so please bring your A game and do some research so you understand my blog BEFORE you pitch me.  It’s rude if you don’t (and guarantees your comments/emails will be deleted).  Also, sending me a release does not equal a pitch.  That’s just laziness.  I am a huge supporter of non-profit organizations and I think they’re all worthy causes.  But when you pitch me, please make sure it’s about food — and it can’t just be that there will be food at an event.  Help me, help you. 

ATTENTION FELLOW BLOGGERS: I’m always interested in doing a link exchange so shoot me an email! 

I definitely want to get pitches, comments, suggestions, ideas — so email me at whereindc AT gmail.com

Cheers!

Oh yeah, my employer requires me to post this: “Everything posted on this blog is my personal opinion and does not necessarily represent the views of my employer or its clients.”  “Nuff said.