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National Geographic
04-07-2025
- National Geographic
The story behind Caesar salad
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Crisp, fresh and satisfying, Caesar salad is a dish that's conquered dining outlets the world over, from your neighbourhood bistro and Pret A Manger to Michelin-starred marvels like Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles. While mayonnaise-heavy iterations haunt room-service menus in hotels far and wide, Caesar salad purists live and breathe its original recipe: whole romaine lettuce leaves, crunchy garlic croutons tossed in a tangy, raw-egg-based dressing of minced anchovies and garlic, dijon mustard, lemon, salt and pepper, topped with shaved parmesan. This punchy salad's basic, accessible ingredients mean it's a fabulously flexible dish, easy to spruce up, adding extras to the core ingredients. That's maybe why, in 1953, the Paris-based International Society of Epicures hailed the recipe as 'the greatest to originate in the Americas in 50 years' and why it hasn't fallen off the restaurant radar in its 101 years of existence. Take LA's Bar Etoile, where the salad is transformed into a mighty beef tartare hybrid. Thick slices of toasted bread are layered with the dressing and raw beef mixed with speckles of anchovy plus freshly grated lemon zest and parmesan. But if you're a Caesar purist, you might want to instead sample the original at Quebec's Le Continental, complete with the spectacle of it being put together tableside. The original recipe of Caesar salad consists of whole romaine lettuce leaves and garlic croutons tossed in a dressing of egg yolks, anchovies, garlic, dijon mustard, lemon, salt and pepper, topped with shaved parmesan. Photography by Lisovskaya Natalia, Getty Images Origin The Caesar salad was born in 1924 in the Mexican border city of Tijuana, where Italian immigrant Caesar Cardini had opened Restaurante Caesar's to attract US visitors craving an escape from the prohibition laws. The story goes that on a bustling Fourth of July, the restaurant was running short on menu items, so Caesar snatched up the leftover ingredients, rolled them out in a dining cart in the presence of drunk, hunger-stricken Americans, and prepared an improvised salad with a theatrical flourish, tableside, distracting them from the random ingredients. It was an unexpected success. Word spread to the US, then across the world. Silver-screen celebrities including Clark Gable and Jean Harlow flocked to the border town to try it. When legendary 1960s US food broadcaster Julia Child made a pilgrimage, she called the dish 'a sensation of a salad from coast to coast'. While Caesar is credited with inventing the dish, some historians credit his brother, Alex Cardini, with creating the definitive version. They say it was he who added anchovies and dijon mustard to the dressing of the original recipe — ingredients still used in the salad to this day. Livio Santini, a cook at Caesar's restaurant, also threw his name in the ring, claiming that the original recipe was his mother's. The world may never know the true inventor, but historians do agree it's a Tijuana creation. Visit Caesar's today, and you'll find a portrait of Cardini hung on the wall opposite Santini's, commemorating the salad's legacy. Tijuana native, Frank Vizcarra, is owner of taco and cocktail joint, Lola 55, and serves up a Caesar salad that's seasoned with pasilla chilli salt for extra Mexican pizazz. How is it made? Traditionally, Caesar salad would be made tableside, showcasing the freshness of the ingredients, and adding dramatics to the diner's experience. In a large wooden bowl, the ensalador, or 'salad maker', adds each ingredient one by one. First, the diced garlic, then Worcestershire sauce, raw egg yolk, lime juice, cracked pepper and a pinch of salt. Next, the olive oil is slowly incorporated into the bowl while whisking, followed by grated parmesan. Once it's thickened into a creamy, tangy dressing, whole romaine leaves are added and tossed, then the croutons. The lettuce is then laid out on a plate, then croutons, before more of that precious parmesan is grated on top. Nowadays, most restaurants use Alex Cardini's variation of the Caesar, swapping out the Worcestershire sauce for anchovies minced to a paste; dijon mustard and lemon instead of lime (which was probably a translation error by Americans who thought 'limon' meant 'lemon'). And salad prep mostly stays in the kitchen, although those who revel in its history still offer the tableside show. At LA's Bar Etoile, the salad is transformed into a mighty beef tartare hybrid. Photograph by Kort Havens Where to try it Caesar's, Tijuana While the exact original recipe is no longer offered – today, the dressing uses Worcestershire, anchovies, Tabasco and lemon along with roasted and raw garlic – foodies still flock to Caesar's Restaurants to get the original tableside show. Last year, Caesar's celebrated the salad's 100th anniversary, with chefs including José Andrés and Dominique Crenn attending to honour the immortal dish. Paradise Point Resort & Spa, San Diego Paradise Point Resort & Spa serves what it calls the 'Original Caesar'. Romaine hearts and house-made croutons are tossed in a dressing that substitutes the minced garlic and lemon juice of the standard recipe for roasted garlic and lime. And it dares to test purists by offering additional protein: chicken, salmon or shrimp. Lola 55 Tacos & Cocktails, San Diego Tijuana native, Frank Vizcarra, is owner of this taco and cocktail joint that serves up a Caesar salad that's seasoned with pasilla chilli salt for extra Mexican pizazz and accompanied by a whole grilled lemon on the side. Dan Tana's, LA This stalwart Santa Monica Boulevard restaurant opened in 1964 and is one of few still offering the original tableside Caesar experience. To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
Washington Post
07-05-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
The 20 best new restaurants in the D.C. area
By Tom Sietsema May 7, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. EDT 8 minutes ago 1 min Every year around this time, I get to answer one of my favorite questions: 'What's new?' Let me share the bounty, which includes imports from New York, tasting menus from top chefs, some welcome bargains plus several places with original ideas that you won't find anywhere else in the country — unless I'm missing a menu that includes pheasant under glass or a setting that marries church and steak. This has not been an easy year in Washington. Federal layoffs and labor issues have taken their toll on restaurants, and diners seem more hesitant than before to pay ever-higher prices to eat away from home. Even the big cheeses worry about the fate of downtown. That means that as much as we all want to follow what's fresh, being a regular at your favorite restaurant, old or new, might be more important than ever. Restaurants are an investment of time and money. Diverse as they are, these 20 newcomers brim with rewards. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement LIST MAP Filter D.C. Maryland Virginia Vegetarian-friendly Entrees under $25 Showing all 20 restaurants La' Shukran 417 Morse St. NE, alley entrance, D.C. Middle Eastern Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi 1330 Maryland Ave. SW, D.C. Afro-Caribbean Osteria Mozza 3276 M St. NW, D.C. Italian The Occidental 1475 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, D.C. American Wye Oak Tavern 211 E. Church St., Frederick, Md. American Alara 1303 Wisconsin Ave. NW, D.C. Mediterranean Butterworth's 319 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, D.C. French Cordelia Fishbar 550 Morse St. NE, D.C. Seafood The Duchess 1002 W. 36th St., Baltimore Guamanian Elena James All Day 8551 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase, Md. American Elmina 2208 14th St. NW, D.C. Ghanaian Elyse 10822 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax, Va. American Evelyn Rose 111 Church St. NW, Vienna, Va. American Kayu 1250 H St. NE, D.C. Filipino Minetta Tavern 1287 Fourth St. NE, D.C. American La Plaza Bar & Tapas 3917 14th St. NW, D.C. Spanish Raw Omakase 1326 14th St. NW, third floor, D.C. Japanese Rosedale 4465 Connecticut Ave. NW, D.C. American San Pancho 7056 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park, Md. Mexican Tapori 600 H Street NE, Suite E, D.C. Indian and Nepalese Use Ctrl + scroll to zoom the map Use two fingers to move the map © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors Story continues below advertisement Advertisement
Washington Post
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
It's Washington's biggest party weekend. Can anyone see the stars?
As guests scanned the room at a Friday party hosted by United Talent Agency, a mainstay of the White House correspondents' dinner weekend, their eyes eventually — finally — fell upon a famous face. 'From 'The White Lotus'!!!' screamed a woman in a blunt-cut black bob. She was ecstatic to see Jason Isaacs, who played the pill-swallowing pater familias of a wealthy Southern family, haunted by legal trouble and frequently zonked out in the latest season of the show. He was standing by the wine bar at the back of Osteria Mozza chatting and taking selfies in a dark shirt and dark jacket — once again a guest in a decadent setting, this time playing himself (alert, English-accented).
Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Michelle Obama reveals astonishing new reason why she skipped Trump's inauguration amid Barack divorce rumors
Michelle Obama has shared another reason she chose to skip President Donald Trump's inauguration as she fends off rumors of marital problems. Barack was intriguingly on his own when he attended both Jimmy Carter's funeral and Trump's inauguration, which took place just weeks apart in January. The former first lady said it was a choice she made 'for herself', but has now shed new light on the decision. 'It started with not having anything to wear,' Michelle said in her latest podcast episode, 'IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson.' 'I mean, cause I'm always prepared for any funeral, anything,' Obama added. 'I walk around with the right dress, I travel with clothes just in case something pops off. 'So I was like, if I'm not going to do this thing, I got to tell my team, I don't even want to have a dress ready, right?' By refusing to even pack the appropriate clothes, Michelle knew she was preventing herself from taking the easy route and 'just saying, let me do the right thing [and attend].' Michelle said she was stunned that a decision she made for herself led to such intense speculation about her 32-year marriage. 'My decision to skip the inauguration... or my decision to make choices at the beginning of this year that suited me were met with such ridicule and criticism,' she said. 'People couldn't believe that I was saying no for any other reason, that they had to assume that my marriage was falling apart, you know?' She encouraged young women to 'practise... the art of saying no,' revealing it is like a 'muscle [she is] just now starting to build.' 'After all that I've done in this world, if… I still have to show people that I love my country, that I'm doing the right thing... all I'm doing is keeping that crazy bar that our mothers and grandmothers set for us.' Her latest comments come amid a charm offensive to dispel rumors of marital problems. The couple made a show of unity at the weekend when they were spotted on a romantic date night at one of their favorite Italian restaurants in Washington DC. They were all smiles as they made their way through the busy Osteria Mozza in Georgetown on the weekend, stopping to wave at patrons as they swatted away rumors of marital woes. Barack shook hands with a worker at the Italian eatery, where a main course ranges between $34 to $175. And the former first lady addressed the speculation during a recent interview with actress Sophia Bush for an episode of her podcast Work in Progress. 'That's the thing that we as women, I think we struggle with disappointing people,' she said. 'So much so that this year people were, you know, they couldn't even fathom that I was making a choice for myself that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing. 'That this couldn't be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself, right?' Her 61st birthday was three days before the inauguration. But at the time, reports swirled that Michelle couldn't stand the thought of fake niceties with Trump. At Carter's funeral, Barack was seen laughing and cozying up to Trump. The duo shared a warm interaction ahead of the service, having a whispered conversation with one another in a moment which set the internet alight. 'It did look very friendly, I must say,' Trump later said. But according to a source who spoke to Page Six, Michelle wasn't interested in playing nice with Trump. 'She's never been fake and she's never been phony. She's always been very deliberate about where and how she shows up,' the source said. 'She showed up reluctantly for the election. They were united, but she doesn't have to unify around [Trump]. She doesn't have to say anything. 'Her absence speaks volumes.' When she missed Carter's funeral, it was immediately cleared up that she had a 'scheduling conflict' which prevented her from attending. She was enjoying an extended holiday in Hawaii at the time. Her decision not to attend Trump's inauguration historically would have been seen as a monumental snub given all former presidents and first ladies have attended the following inauguration - even for the president of the opposite party - unless they were suffering from health issues. But Trump himself blew up that modern precedent four years ago when he refused to attend the swearing-in ceremony of his successor, President Joe Biden. First lady Melania Trump also skipped Biden's inauguration. Kid Rock was among outspoken critics of her decision, telling Fox at the time: 'I would kindly remind [Michelle] that years back when Obama was first elected I did not vote for him but they asked me to play the inauguration. 'I played it, I went, I had a good time. I went out of respect to the presidency, I would kindly remind Miss Michelle about that.' The Obamas – who met as young lawyers working for the same Chicago firm in 1989 – celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary in October and shared a photo of them hugging each other at a museum in New York. 'I couldn't have asked for a better partner and friend to go through life with,' Barack wrote in a message accompanying the photo. She echoed the sentiment, adding: '32 action-packed years with my honey! Through it all, thank you for always having my back, being by my side, and finding ways to make me smile. I love you, @Barack Obama.' They also attempted to quash speculation about their marriage by posting a romantic selfie smiling and embracing on Instagram for Valentine's Day. 'Thirty-two years together and you still take my breath away. Happy Valentine's Day, Michelle Obama!' the Democrat wrote in a social media caption.
Int'l Business Times
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Int'l Business Times
Barack and Michelle Obama Spotted on Rare Date Night as Split Rumors Persist
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama put on a united front as divorce rumors continue to badger the couple. In video captured by TMZ, the former first couple were spotted grabbing dinner on April 19 at Osteria Mozza in Washington D.C. The clip shows the couple walking through the building as other patrons clap and cheer them on. Barack takes notice of the cheers and raises his hand toward the crowd. Michelle keeps her head down and walked in front of Barack before they exit the restaurant. The Obamas being spotted together comes after Michelle has been absent from many events that her husband has attended over the last year, including President Donald Trump's second inauguration. Barack and Michelle have been the subject of split rumors and have been unable to quell them. In recent months, the two have separately spoken about their marriage. Michelle noted that her decision to focus on herself during this time has led many to believe that she and Barack are divorcing. "The interesting thing is that, when I say 'no,' for the most part people are like, 'I get it,' and I'm okay. That's the thing that we as women, I struggle with disappointing people. I mean, so much so that this year people couldn't even fathom that I was making a choice for myself that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing," Michelle revealed on the podcast "Work in Progress with Sophia Bush." "This couldn't be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself, right? But that's what society does to us. We start actually, finally going, 'What am I doing? Who am I doing this for?' And if it doesn't fit into the sort of stereotype of what people think we should do, then it gets labeled as something negative and horrible," the former first lady added. Barack has also spoken on the complexities of their marriage, sharing that he was emotionally in debt to his wife after his time as president. The politician also shared that he has been working on making his relationship with Michelle better since then. Originally published on Enstarz Barack obama Michelle Obama
