Christmas with the Good Stuffers!

The Good Stuff Gang had a down-n-dirty dinner party last night on the 2nd floor of the restaurant. It’s kind-of a Mendelsohn family tradition to chow down with our key people and get all sappy, sentimental and thankful right around now. So the guys and I used some down-time during the day to make: bone marrow, roasted and basted garlic and rosemary filet, beet salad with goat cheese and mint, cauliflower ala gratin….the menu was endless (and incredible). It wasn’t supposed to be such a big deal, but by the time my folks arrived at 10pm, we had prepared the feast of all feasts. It was so awesome looking around and seeing everyone enjoying themselves, getting served instead of serving others, taking time to smell the roses, or in this case, the crispy bacon-wrapped-asparagus. I was really moved by my surroundings. And then I was stuffed.
Today, Good Stuff closes a little early so everyone can head home for the holidays. My plan? Home for a quick nap, or maybe I’ll finish Before the Devil Knows Your Dead. Great flick, eh? Then my girlfriend and I will head to my sister’s for…yup, more food and family. Last I checked, my sis was going with a French theme (quiches, tartines, etc.). As of now, I’m showing up…empty handed. Classic. Maybe I’ll whip up some Croque Madame for all the beautiful mademoiselles in my life. Either way, I’ll make sure to have have=2 0un peu de champagne - because I truly have so much to celebrate. Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday. Were you naughty or nice?
Laughter and Eggnog Lattes,
Spike

LATKE-MANIA....GREWISH STYLE!

So….I survived Latke Mania! Barely! What started as a small cooking demo for “about 80 people” turned into an 600 person pow-wow. I’m not complaining-Can’t even tell you how flattered I was that everyone opted to spend their first night of Channukah with a Greek Jew who hasn’t had time for a hair cut or shave, let alone properly practice his candle-lighting prayers.

I’m lucky because I don’t get nervous in front of crowds. I didn’t have cold feet. I didn’t get performance anxiety. I was simply: psyched. I knew I’d be bringing my mom up on stage as my “sous-chef” and sounding board. Gotta say, she really sparkled up there. We loved talking about food and family with the crowd. It was actually an awesome moment together that I’ll never forget. (See, I’m not so arrogant, which is basically how they introduced me, LOL).

The cooking went beautifully, we tried to teach some culinary tricks, etc… The audience was a little intense about the kosher vs non kosher ingredients! I mean, we kept it “kosher style,” but come on, I was on Top Chef, not Top Rabbi. I will admit that neither of us realized Jello was such a no-no. Oooops.

So here’s what we made:
Sweet Potato Latkes
Zucchini Greek-inspired Latkes
Traditional Classic Latkes
Classic Apple Sauce
Mango Apple Sauce
Tzatziki Sauce

The sweet potato latkes were my favorite, not including the Tzatziki sauce (Tzatziki is my crack!!!).

The hundreds of latke-lovers and I went downstairs after the demo so everyone could get fed. It wasn't a lot but with so many everyone just got just a bite of latke heaven! It was really cool and refreshing meeting this new crowd of DC-ers. I spend so much time in the kitchen, I don’t get to kibitz too much these days! My mom, the belle of the ball, ended up inviting a few of the staffers over to my parents’ place, so we wound up eating, laughing and enjoying the good, kosher karma over there.

Today I’m a little latke’d out, but just when I was ready to return to my busy, stressful, not-as-mch-spirit-as-I-would-like life, my candles were…. rekindled, if you will. I walked into Good Stuff and saw dozens of people from the latke demo. It made me feel great.

And to the jewish mother mafia (love ya, ladies!) there’s absolutely nothing wrong with ordering a “big bacon meltdown burger” on the second night of Hannukah…Live and Let Live!

Bytheway, up top is me and Jackie Leventhal from the Synagogue at Sixth and I. Then it's all the volunteers that shared the stage, Jill, Cathy, my mom, Jackie and me!

TAMPA BAY-BY!! 02.01.09

Chef Spike Returns to His Hometown - Tampa Bay, FL for Super Bowl XLIII

Make sure to check out Spike at Taste of the NFL and Top Chef Tailgate Party!

Taste of the NFL, a Food & Wine Charity Event, brings together the top chefs from each of the 31 NFL cities,

along with a current member or alumni from each NFL team. Chefs and volunteers raise money for national hunger programs. Chef Spike is going to be preparing tasting samples and signing autographs.

Also, for the Serious Top Chef Fans...Spike is going to be participating in a Super Bowl themed cook-off challenge at the Top Chef Tailgate - Super Bowl Pre-Game Show. The official Top Chef Tailgate to be featured in the Official Super Bowl Pre-Game Show will include Chef Tom Colicchio and a panel of VIP and celebrity judges to evaluate the food and determine a winner.

Inauguration...Where's Your Party Destination?

Obama's crew is heading to DC with about 4 million peeps!

Make sure to plan your Inauguration Bash at Good Stuff Eatery
mini handcrafted burgers
mini handspun shakes
mini handcut fries

We've got it all, farm fresh flavors, environmentally friendly atmosphere, hip crowd and awesome food!

ask for: Micheline, info@goodstuffeatery.com or 202.543.8222

Burger Bashing?

We're excited to announce this upcoming event and an appearance by SPIKE!

Chef Spike to compete at Rachel Ray's Burger Bash in Miami, Florida.

Don't miss this great opportunity to hang out with Spike and taste the amazing Obama Burger and Toasted Marshmallow Shake!

Mmmm....