January 2016 dinner is a wrap.

If I had to use one word to describe the experience I had cooking for my January guests for the first monthly dinner, it would be gratitude.

I was nervous embarking on this endeavor. And since I operated on my own, I was constantly in my own head about every single aspect, almost obsessively. But you know what, I made it happen, and while the possibilities and variables around its execution rested solely on my shoulders, success was ultimately defined by my guests and their experience.

I am so grateful to my five dinner guests: they were patient, loving, and even braved Storm Jonas on a Sunday night (January 24th). I also found an additional level of confidence through their encouragement, compassion, and support--before, during, and after the dinner--so it absolutely could not have been a success, nay a dinner, without guests. Thank you, friends.

This is Chez Spa.

So come eat.

Brussels Sprouts Mash. Seasonal Fruit Tart Tatin also pictured.

Photo by Jess Lennon

Dinner guests Jess and Andrew. 

Photo by Jess Lennon

Dinner guests Brent and Ilana.

Photo by Jess Lennon.

 

Orange Roasted Beet Salad with Rocket Greens, Goat Cheese, House-made Vinaigrette.

Photo by Jess Lennon.

Appetizer presentation. 

Photo by Jess Lennon.

Utica Greens Stuffed Veal, Brussels Sprouts Mash, Seasonal Vegetable Bake.

Photo by Jess Lennon.

Seasonal Fruit Tarte Tatin with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream (not pictured). 

Photo by Jess Lennon.

The first guests for 2106 monthly dinners (L-R): Jess, Ilana, Andrew, Rebecca, and Brent.

Photo by Jess Lennon.

February and March dinner updates.

Dinners for February are fully booked.  Wait list only.

Reservations for Sunday, March 20th are now available. Dinner on Saturday, March 19th is fully booked. The menu for March dinners will be available soon.

Please email trevormsparks@gmail.com for reservations, questions, and menu inquiries. 

I want to cook for you and your friends (FEB 2016).

As I continue on my quest to cook for you and your friends in 2016, I must first say THANK YOU for your overwhelming support and encouragement after my initial post. I am filled with joy embarking on this endeavor and have been inspired by cooking for many of you in times past and for numerous different occasions. 

In the last week, a number of good questions came up about these monthly dinners, so let me answer a few of the most common questions:

• The dinners will take place in my apartment, located at 1205 7th Street NW, but I can be available to cater dinners at a different location or in your home upon request.

• Guests are asked to arrive at 6:30pm. Seating for dinner will be at 7pm. Once seated, the dining experience will last approximately 75-90 minutes, so please plan accordingly. Following the conclusion of dinner, guests are welcome to stay and share their thoughts and ideas for improvements.

• I will greet all guests, take their coats or jackets, and pour them a glass of wine, but then I must return to the kitchen and continue with meal preparations. It is kindly requested that guests limit their time in the kitchen due to space limitations, the chef's focus, and meal preparations that will require the full use of the kitchen.

• Lastly, I will have a fish entrée and a vegetarian entrée in the months ahead, so please stay tuned for those menus and make your reservations accordingly. 

After much consideration, and in consultation with a few very interested guests, I am delighted to share the dinner menu for Saturday, February 27th and Sunday, February 28th:

French Endive, Orange, and Walnut Salad with Honey Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette

Braised Lamb, Cauliflower Gratin with Turmeric and Hazelnut, Lemon Garlic Green Beans

Carrot Cake with Caramelized Pineapple and Nutmeg Cream Cheese Frosting

Reservations can be made for up to six people on Saturday, February 27th and Sunday, February 28th. The cost is $38 per guest. Full details for the dining experience, payment, wine pairings, and cancellation policy will be shared in email reply to each reservation request. The menu for Saturday, January 23rd and Sunday, January 24th (Sunday is fully booked) is as follows:

Orange Roasted Beet Salad with Rocket Greens, Goat Cheese and House-made Vinaigrette

Utica Greens Stuffed Veal, Brussels Sprouts Mash, Seasonal Vegetable Bake

Seasonal Fruit Tart Tatin with Vanilla Bean Gelato

The weekends I will be hosting dinners for the first half of 2016 are as follows:

March 19th & 20th

April 23rd & 24th

May 21st & 22nd

June 25th & 26th

Reservation requests can be made as far in advance as requested by emailing trevormsparks@gmail.com. Full payment is required one week before your dinner. Thank you all again for your support, and I so look forward to cooking for you in 2016!

I want to cook for you and your friends.

In 2015, there was something I returned to again and again (and again!), but I never fully acted on it. This year, among other goals and aspirations, I resolve to make this one thing happen because I thought about it and studied it more than anything else last year. It also came up in conversation with many groups of friends and family, and I was encouraged time after time to pursue it. I even mapped out a business plan for a related venture with my close friend. My idea has been simple from the start:

I want to cook for you and your friends.

I want to do something you've likely enjoyed in past experiences with supper clubs, dinner parties, going to a local pop-up, or even coming over for a meal--all incredibly fun! But this is no potluck, friends...What I will do is cook a three-course meal (appetizer, main course, and dessert) for six guests on a Saturday and a Sunday evening one weekend a month. The menu for January 23rd and 24th is as follows:

Orange Roasted Beet Salad with Rocket Greens, Goat Cheese, House-made Vinaigrette 

Utica Greens Stuffed Veal, Brussels Sprouts Mash, Seasonal Vegetable Bake

Seasonal Fruit Tarte Tatin with Vanilla Bean Gelato

I've priced the dinners in January and February at $38 per person. BYOB/W is recommended (no beverage license, yet!). Handcrafted cocktails, wine pairings, and/or coffee with your dessert are each available if arrangements are made in advance. 

The catch to these dinners is that I won't dine with you but will instead cook the entire meal from start to finish, pour your wine, and clean up everything. This is how it has to be and why it will be different from you coming over for a meal like in times past. This will be a fun experience, something new to do with your closest (or new!) friends, and you will support my passion. Added bonus: January dinner guests will help me brand it for 2016!

It will be one of the most private and intimate dinners you will find in Shaw this year.

Please email me (trevormsparks@gmail.com) if you and friends are interested in making reservations for January 23rd or 24th or if you'd like to reserve in advance for February 27th or 28th (menu forthcoming, reservation confirmation required after posting). 

Now the fine print: I will post an update here once the reservations for each night have been filled. Full payment required one week in advance. Agreement with terms, conditions, and cancellation policies required  on reservation confirmation. Legal jargon, blah blah...more simply: 

I look forward to cooking for you in 2016!

+++

Sunday, January 24th is now fully booked. Wait list only. Spaces are still available for Saturday, January 23rd. Reservations are also now available for February 27th and 28th.

For her.

Sonnet 51 

Thus can my love excuse the slow offence

Of my dull bearer when from thee I speed:

From where thou art why should I haste me thence?

Till I return, of posting is no need. 

O, what excuse will my poor beast then find,

When swift extremity can seem but slow?

Then should I spur, though mounted on the wind;

In winged speed no motion shall I know:

Then can no horse with my desire keep pace;

Therefore desire of perfect'st love being made; 

Shall neigh--no dull flesh--in his fiery race;

But love, for love, thus shall excuse my jade;

Since from thee going on he went wilful-slow,

Towards thee I'll run, and give him leave to go. 

William Shakespeare

Spring music: 2015

Here's a collection of songs, artists and albums I have shared to a friend's music share email thread, which are unabridged excerpts from my emails and in follow-up to an earlier post from March, 1, 2015:

August 28

Okay, I finally had to pull away from the new Weeknd album, but hot damn is that some good shitttt.  

Thankfully, there's another great album from half of the Black Keys.  Dan Auerbach's band, The Arc, just released "Yours, Dreamily," and it's very, very good so far (and different enough from the Black Keys stuff that he could really take this in a good direction): 

http://www.npr.org/2015/08/26/434119857/first-listen-the-arcs-yours-dreamily

August 25
The Weeknd - Beauty Behind the Madness (full album)

August 21
I see your Drake and Flo, and I raise you The Weeknd + Lana Del Rey:

http://www.hillydilly.com/2015/08/the-weeknd-prisoner-ft-lana-del-rey/

August 18
That's some great recon, Matt.  Nice work, and thanks for sharing.  He's got a great voice.

Speaking of great voices, as I've shared before, I've been getting a lot of new music into my daily listening, and I've been so very impressed with this song by Meg Mac: Roll Up Your Sleeves.  Man, her voice is just so pure and joyful. 

August 13

New Nathaniel Rateliff album just up now on NPR's First Listen:

http://www.npr.org/2015/08/12/430367065/first-listen-nathaniel-rateliff-nathaniel-rateliff-the-night-sweats

Best song, IMO, is S.O.B.

Sold out show in DC come November at RnR Hotel (tix on resale for $100!!). BOOOO. 

August 12
Nice! Love the YG for sure.

Any Youth Lagoon fans out there?  He's putting out a new album soon, and he's also coming to 9:30 Club on Nov 1. Here's a good song from that forthcoming album:

Highway Patrol Stun Gun

A few others I've been enjoying recently:

Selah Sue - Together feat. Childish Gambino

Viceroy - Back at the Start (feat. K Flay)

August 4

Yo Sarah - that DJ Ayes Cold is smooth AF.

Some dope new tracks I've discovered on this weekly Spotify playlist (30 great songs, updated with a new set of 30 every Monday morning):

The Knocks - Dancing With Myself (AMAAAAAAAAAZING SONG)

The Roots - Tomorrow

Thames - How I Want Ya

MisterWives - Our Own House

July 22

Dope track, Matt.  Thanks for sharing.

Here's a newer track by an artist I wasn't familiar with, but will guaranteed put some pep in yo step: Years & Years - Shine

July 9
There's a new Ratatat album out, Magnifique, and NPR did a First Listen:

http://www.npr.org/2015/07/08/420581193/first-listen-ratatat-magnifique

prettttttttttttttttttttttttttttttty damn good.

June 26

This Summer's Gonna Hurt Like a Mother F**ker by Maroon 5

June 25
The Game - "100 (Feat. Drake)"

June 22
After an incredibly long wait, Leon Bridges is releasing his album tomorrow (coming to DC at 930 Club in October, too!):

http://www.npr.org/2015/06/14/413461576/first-listen-leon-bridges-coming-home#playlist

June 18

Miguel put six songs (some new, some previously released) from his new album, WILDHEART (June 29) up on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/user/officialmiguel/playlist/7o9OW7GWfcP3XX0AS4qCLv

June 17
Raury is back with a new song: Devil's Whisper

June 3

Epicfresh new album by Donnie Trumpet and Chance The Rapper:  SURF. Additional details and featured artists here: http://hypetrak.com/2015/05/donnie-trumpet-the-social-experiments-surf-is-out-free-on-itunes/

May 27

how about the new single by The Weeknd "The Hills" oh my goodness no he dint:

http://open.spotify.com/track/2HNcNd5RPZ7DSRNbIl6JsP
he will be at Sweetlife. hopefully he plays that shiiiiiiiiiiit. 

May 27

Damn that Raury would be SICK to see live.  I'll be camping out in the 'Doah this weekend, but I know a few friends who are pumped to attend SweetLife on Sunday.

A$AP Rocky dropped his new album this week.  After a first listen, I am really enjoying “Wild for the Night.” 

A few other great singles out right now are “Hood Go Crazy” by Tech N9ne, and one of my favorite songs right now is “This Could Be Us” by Rae Sremmund

May 20

Song of the summer right here: Fetty Wap - Trap Queen

May 19

Been outta the game for minute, but back in it today with the new Shamir album drop:

https://open.spotify.com/album/3AH5uKRSJRdahN9ut2XE9D

Available on Spotify and elsewhere.  Great first listen and quite different. Been getting reviewed a lot lately (NY Mag, New Yorker, etc). 

LMK what you think.

May 4

New Miguel feat. Wale:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-7nzDmC9fY

April 30

FINALLY: one of my favorite singer/songwriters and a real crooner, Leon Bridges, has released another song (his fourth): River. It's the latest release from his debut album, Coming Home. 

April 29

really digging the new Alabama Shakes album, Sound & Color (on Spotify).  Title song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faG8RiaANek

April 15

Check the new Kanye before it's pulled:

Mitus Touch

April 8

The new Lord Huron album dropped:

https://open.spotify.com/album/3yoNZlqerJnsnMN5EDwwBS

April 2

Favorite song off that new Wale album gotta be The Bloom (AG3): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl44WSmh1iM

Anyone else been listening / have a favorite?  The Jerry Seinfeld narration is priceless.

April 1

That new Wale album dropped last night.  Two good songs:

The Pessimist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upliEvVc-GM

The Middle Finger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wstvfj5Tzmc

Also, loads of Jerry Seinfield making jokes throughout the album.  Check out the whole album on Spotify.

March 31

SICK FUCKING BRACKET. pardon my french, but god damn.

I've been geeking out and the worst match up is Gorgeous vs. New Slaves.

Thanks, Chris.  You made my week.

March 27

happy birthday to one of our own, Cristina Nigro. you are straight marvelous, and i, for one, am excited to celebrate you today! 

those other six days of the week? well, the beautiful soul band Ephemerals already took care of summing them up:

Six Days a Week - Ephemerals

March 26

Rihanna - "Bitch Better Have My Money"

March 24

it's like being in the room when Quentin Tarantino queues the music and yells "ACTION!"

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rdiy9IzATQ

March 23

I'm completely blown away by Gilligan Moss - Hemlock.  Something a little different that should get your feet tapping and heads bobbing.  Enjoy.

March 18

That Little Daylight is dope, James.  Kudos brother.

Here is a beautiful Kendrick song that was, unfortunately, not included on the new album:  Untitled.

And a new artist to toss in the mix ... was tipped off from my cousin in NYC after seeing him open for Kindness (the duo is coming to U Street Music Hall tomorrow night).  This is likely Pell's top track: Eleven:11 but others are good.  Check him out.

DC Travel Tips

After living in DC for four years, I've been meaning to post some travel tips, but I have not been able to sit down and compile until now. Alas, here is a list (though not exhaustive) of places in DC that I have come to love:

BARS, COFFEE SHOPS, BEER GARDENS/BREWERIES

- La Colombe (best neighborhood coffee shop, in my opinion)
- Lost & Found (best neighborhood bar, in my opinion)
- Ivy & Coney (great dive bar)
- A&D Neighborhood Bar (good spot, never too crowded)
- Dacha (beer garden)
- Garden District (beer garden)
- Wunder Garten (beer garden)
- Right and Proper (brewery with awesome food, a few blocks away, but worth the walk)
- Compass Coffee (great ambiance w/WiFi)
- Dolci Gelato (good for gelato fix)
- Blue Jacket Brewery (awesome brewery on DC Waterfront)
- The Royal (awesome new spot)
- Boundary Stone (another favorite brew pub)

RESTAURANTS

- Seasonal Pantry ($$$$ best restaurant in DC I still haven't tried, chef Dan O'Brien is friend)

- Rogue 24 ($$$$ chef RJ Cooper is James Beard Foundation award winner)

- Blue Duck Tavern ($$$ highly rated, long time champ in the dining scene)

- Table ($$$ best all around, very seasonal)

- Corduroy ($$$ fancier dining, date spot, but not pretentious, well-priced and respected chef) 

- Le Diplomate ($$$ superb french)

- Sequoia ($$$ all around good spot)

- Oyamel ($$ fancy mexican, great tacos)

- Red Hen ($$ great seasonal, hip spot)

- Tabard Inn ($$ must-do brunch, but all meals good)

- Little Serow ($$$ superb Thai food)

- Provisions ($$ good small plates/meat selection)

- Tico ($$ awesome ceviche and fish entrees)

- Thai Crossing ($$ most authentic Thai)

- St. Arnolds, Granville Moores, and Brasserie Beck ($$$ Belgian spots, superb mussels/beer)

- Toki Underground ($ ramen, way out there though)

- El Camino ($ next door to Boundary Stone, great spot)

- Busboys and Poets ($ easy brunch, great environment, decent Bloodys

- El Rey ($ strictly for tacos and cheap beer)

NEIGHBORHOODS

- Shaw

- Bloomingdale

- Logan Circle

- DuPont Circle

- U Street NW

- Adams Morgan

- Yards Park (DC Waterfront)

- M Street, Georgetown

- H Street NE
- Capitol Hill
- Eastern Market
- Barracks Row

MUSEUMS

- Hirshhorn Museum (modern and contemporary art--my favorite museum in DC)

- National Gallery of Art (classic in West Building, modern in East Building, and amazing gift shop connecting both)

- American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery (one of the best stops for art and presidential history in DC)

- Air and Space Museum (fun if interested)

- National Museum of Natural History (great museum, superb artifacts/exhibits)

- American History Museum (great source of all things USA both historical and recent)

- National Mall: Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, MLK, and U.S. Capitol (self guided tours are best)

- War Memorials: Vietnam, Korean, WWII, Disabled American Veterans (newest)

- Ford's Theatre and Lincoln Museum (very new museum, all about Lincoln's assassination)

- National Building Museum (BEST GIFT SHOP IN DC)

- National Zoo (PANDA BABIES)