“Saturday Night Sips” at the Newseum

Deliciously Bad Naughty Bits brownies

By Punch Passport Correspondent Lori González Lazzarini

Saturday evening, I, along with a few other of Washington’s food luminaries, visited the Newseum in order to join James Beard Awardwinning hosts Alice Waters, Joan Nathan, and José Andrés. The event was “Saturday Night Sips”, an amazing event that is a three year old tradition which benefits DC Central Kitchen and Martha’s Table.

Drinks from Room 11

PatissChef Bread

“Saturday Night Sips” brings guests the opportunity to taste local and national all-star chefs as well as specialty cocktails from the area’s top mixologists, and a sneak peak at how gourmet gets made via “Artisan Alley.”

I arrived at the event about 30 minutes after it was set to start and by this time, it was packed with attendees who were enjoying the full blast of the never ending tables bursting with food from all my favorite DC restaurants and beyond, plus delicious drinks that were gravitating toward your hands from every direction.

Masa 14 Lamb in Cheese Steam Buns

José Andrés & Alice Waters (Chez Panisse Foundation)

José Andrés was there, as he is a big part of this event, and gave a magnificent inspirational speech on DC’s Central Kitchen’s and Martha’s Table’s mission and vision for the future.  DC Central Kitchen is on its 23rd year of combating hunger and creating opportunity in Washington, DC. The Kitchen works 365 days a year to provide low-income individuals and families with nutritious food, assist local farmers, empower unemployed men and women through effective job training, and reach out to chronically homeless DC residents.   Martha’s Table’s mission is to help at-risk children, youth, families and individuals in our community improve their lives by providing educational programs, food, clothing and enrichment opportunities.

DC Kitchen's Marius Maye (student cook) and me

PS7's serving me spiced hot chocolate with tequila

All night I had a blast and it was so inspiring to see so many people around me gladly and generously supporting the remarkable causes of DC Central Kitchen and Martha’s Table.

I have to add that from everything that I tried, the one drink that made a long lasting impression was the Loco Cocoa from PS7′s, my grandmother could kill me for this because she proudly would tell anyone that her hot chocolate is the best one on the planet, but PS7′s has no need to envy my grandmother’s hot chocolate.  Loco Cocoa is a spectacular party of flavors in your mouth.  Actually, I wish I was sipping one right now!

Zaytinya's table

PS7's Loco Cocoa : my fave of the night!

**Post and photos by Punch Passport Correspondent Loreana S. González Lazzarini, gonzalez.loreana@gmail.com, @lory_dc. By day Lori is a CPA at an international accounting firm and when she can, she continues to fill up her passport with her numerous globe trotting travels.***