Easy Dinner Tonight
Too tired to cook every night? You’re not alone. But here’s a solution that’s something delicious, sustainable and moderately-priced. Check out La Dinette, the culinary creation of Hill resident Chloe Revuz. Working in a space at Mess Hall, a commercial kitchen on Edgewood Street NE, Revuz prepares and delivers two to three-course dinners to about 30 local families.
“I grew up cooking with my parents,” said Chloe, as we spoke in her spacious kitchen off Lincoln Park. She was born 40 years ago in French-speaking Switzerland. Later, she studied in Tours, . As an exchange student in Hamburg, she met fellow student, Mexican-born Jose Manuel. They got married and have two children: Santiago, 11, and 7-year-old Amaya.
The couple arrived in the US in 2010 and settled on Capitol Hill. Although Chloe was a project manager for an American company, she was ready for something different. “I loved to cook for my family, but doing it every day became a chore,” she explained. “Cooking was no longer fun, and I also realized that others had the same issues.”
So, in 2021, La Dinette was born. Revuz purchases most ingredients from Restaurant Depot, a wholesale food service supplier in Maryland. She delivers the meals in mostly reusable containers. Afterwards, her clients can leave the containers out for Chloe to pick up, wash and use again. Like the milk man of long ago, leaving milk bottles—and retrieving them the next day.
A typical La Dinette repast? Green salad with balsamic vinaigrette; Chicken Marry Me (a whole bird baked with cream, onions, garlic, sundried tomatoes and capers); and dessert, which might be Pavlova, the toothsome meringue classic. Revuz always offers vegetarian options. La Dinette’s dinner for four comes to approximately $80. She also caters birthdays and corporate events.
For more information visit www.ladinettedc.com or email [email protected].
New on Barracks Row
The new kid on the block is Compliments Only, a sub/sandwich shop at 526 Eighth St. SE. The Barracks Row newcomer is a spinoff of the same-named Dupont Circle mainstay. Sandwiches have clever—if cutesy—monikers like the Teamster, Never Been Cheddar, Hot Pants, Sicky Wicky Club.
You can also create your own sub with myriad ingredients. Shortly after Compliments Only opened, we ordered the Teamster, an Italian montage of ham, capicola, hot and sweet peppers, provolone, shredded lettuce and a splash of vinegar. Served on a soft roll, the sub met our expectations, plenty of meat, cheese and ripe tomato. Even better is the Sticky Wicky club, a delicious concoction of sliced turkey, ham, crisp bacon, tomato, shredded lettuce and wonderfully messy Duke mayo. The goodies are all snuggled inside a soft roll.
To wash down your lunch: Coke, Honest Tea, Dr. Brown’s Cream soda and refreshing Natalie’s Lemonade. The drill is fast-casual: Place your order and pay at the counter, receive a number and await your food. Although Compliments Only offers a few seats, we opted for carryout. Service is swift and friendly. Open daily. For more information visit www.complimentsonlysubs.com.
Paris at the Wharf
After returning from a Potomac River boat ride with friends, we enjoyed a delightful, early supper at Bistro du Jour, 99 District Square SW. On this Labor Day weekend, with the jazz festival in full swing, the Wharf was jam-packed. But at 6 p.m., our group of six was seated immediately. Our server, Mademba, was excellent. Sipping glasses of Rose du Provance and Sauvignon Blanc, we chose lighter menu options, rather than ordering a full dinner. (Entrees veer toward the traditional, offering moules frites, coq au vin, steak au poivre.)
Some of us ordered French onion soup, rich beef broth simmering with lots of gooey cheese, and not salty like some versions. My quiche Lorraine (the other quiche choice was a seasonal veggie version with feta and bell peppers), was chock full of ham and onion, with a crisp crust. The accompanying green salad was a tad vinegary, but Madema promptly brought me a saucer of olive oil. Salad Nicoise was replete with black olives, potatoes, haricot vert (green beans), hard-boiled egg and sardines, all napped with a Dijon vinaigrette.
Since we were a party of six, we were charged a 20 percent gratuity. Dinner for two with a glass of wine apiece came to $70. Part of KNEAD HOSPITALITY + Design, the three-year-old Bistro du Jour is open daily, including breakfast. For exact hours and more information visit www.bistro-dujour.com.
Congrats!
Happy anniversary to Bowers Fancy Dairy Products, which marks its 60th year in business on October 1. Since 1964, the Bowers family has been selling artisan cheeses and other gourmet delights in Eastern Market’s South Hall. Here’s to another six decades of success! (Eastern Market is closed Mondays.) For more information on Bowers cheese, visit www.bowerscheese.com.
Literary Fun
Coming up October 19: The annual Literary Feast. This entertaining, educational and delicious evening is a fundraiser for the Capitol Hill Community Foundation. Here’s the deal: More than two dozen Capitol Hill neighbors will host dinners at their homes featuring a particular book. A list of titles has been published, and people can choose several, in order of preference. This year’s selections include “A Plate of Hope,” by chef/humanitarian Jose Andres; “Death Comes for the Archbishop,” by Willa Cather; “Zorba the Greek,” by Nicholas Kazantzakis. Right before the dinner, participants receive their “assignments.” You don’t HAVE to read the book; it’s a dinner party not a book club. You may even dress up like a favorite character if you wish. Dinners go from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m., followed by a reception at the Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. To , purchase tickets and for more information visit www.aliteraryfeast.org.
Coming Soon, if not already…
You will soon find Craft Brewery Wine Bar at 1335 H St. NE, the site of the departed Old H Street Country Club. The mini-golf bar folded last July after 14 years in business. For updates visit www.barredindc.com…..and coming soon to 219 Pennsylvania Ave. SE is Butterworth’s Café, Restaurant and Bar, where Stanton & Greene used to be.
On Barracks Row, Union Kitchen plans to take over the former Subway space at 430 Eighth St. SE. The 1,400-square-foot café/grocery will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. It will also sell “specialty” grocery items and housewares. Providing career opportunities and space for budding entrepreneurs, Union Kitchen is a local group headquartered at 1369 New York Ave. NE, in Ivy City. For updates and more information visit www.unionkitchen.com…..and DC Falafel has opened at 1123 Pennsylvania Ave. SE (www.dcfalafel.com).
Bier Hier
There’s still time to catch the 40th annual Oktoberfest at Café Berlin, 322 Mass. Ave. NE. Until October 22, guests can enjoy bratwurst, sauerkraut, jumbo pretzels, sauerbraten, beer and much more. As well as lively oom-pa-pa music. On October 12, chef Rico Glage will roast an entire spanferkel (young pig) outside. For menu, prices, and reservations (highly recommended!) visit www.cafeberlin-dc.com.
Adios for now!
In October, Peter and I are headed for a warm, historic, and delicious Mediterranean cruise. So we will not provide Capitol Cuisine in November. See you in December!
