Brightest Young Things

• Sooo. Ground Zero. Hallowed ground and symbol of the pain of the last decade... Getting a Subway sandwich shop. But don't worry, they are keeping it classy, because it'll float and move up as the building is built. We don't learn do we?
• Food bloggers are the 2nd worst food trend of the last decade.
• Last year for inauguration a whole slew of celebrity chefs came to DC and threw benefit dinners at private homes. Well they decided to do it again. These "Sunday Night Suppers" will happen on January 24th, with 30 chefs in 15 homes with 20 guests at each dinner. Read more here. You can buy tickets here and see the current host list, which includes Bob Woodward of Watergate fame.
• Speaking of journalists...been laid off? If so, Teatro Goldini wants to get you hammered for $20.10. A daily drink special of red and/or white wine from 5-9 pm. I have no idea how long this runs, so just go.
• Patty Boom Boom, a new Jamaican spot owned by the folks from Marvin, will be open on New Year's.
• Also from U Street Girl, some pretty solid ideas about party food.

In honor of New Years I got a great little email from HolidayCheck.com all about NYE traditions in Europe, thought I'd share.

• Traditionally, on the stroke of midnight, the English open the back door to let the old year out and ask the first dark haired man to be seen to come through the front door carrying salt, coal and bread. This means that the following year everyone in the house will have enough to eat , enough money and be warm enough.
• Das Bleigießen (literally 'lead pouring') is an old German practice. A small amount of lead is melted in a tablespoon and then poured into a bowl or bucket of water. The resulting pattern is interpreted to predict the coming year. A heart or ring shape means a wedding, a ship a journey. If the lead forms a ball, that means luck will roll your way. The shape of an anchor means help in need.
• Probably the most spicy custom takes place in Italy. Both men and women traditionally wear red underclothes which are said to bring good luck in the coming year. To ensure happy relationships in the new year, a romantic night on New Year's Eve is also 'necessary'. A traditional dish served on this night is lentils and cotechino or zampone, both types of pork: they symbolise abundance in life and fortune.
• Special value is given to the food served on New Year's Eve in the Czech Republic. It must be ensured that no animal meat ends up in the pan. Why? Because they once had legs, and the the luck would hop or fly away! Fish dishes are just as unpopular, due to the fear that luck could swim away. This is why the Czechs will often eat lentils or soup with small peas. According to tradition, a person can thus ensure a good financial situation for the entire coming year.
• In Spain, one grape at each stroke leading up to midnight (12 grapes for the next calendar year), is eaten for good luck. If the grape for the corresponding month is sweet, so goes that month. If, however, the grape is sour, don't expect a good month. No matter what they taste like, unless you chew very fast, by the stroke of midnight you will end up with a mouthful of grapes!
• In Denmark it is a good sign to find your door entrance heaped with a pile of broken dishes. Old dishes are saved year around and thrown at the doors of friends' homes for good luck. Finding a big pile of broken dishes on the morning of January 1 means you have lots of friends and that you'll have good relationships throughout the year.

So may you eat 12 grapes, wear red underpants, break some dishes and find a fine dark haired man.  Or if you're from the south, just a plate of collard greens and black-eyed peas will do. Happy New Year ya'll!