Brightest Young Things

First some Top Chef DC news, a new wine bar, hipsters on food stamps and bad restaurant design. Then, St. Patty's Day. Keeping this week's post short so you can save some brain cells.

The round up:

• Amanda at Metrocurean broke the news that Top Chef is coming to DC. Washington Post followed with more analysis. New York Times confirmed it.  Expect taping to start in the next few weeks. Informal poll, should I write about this lots...only when important...or avoid.
• The latest from Tom Siestema at the Washington Post has the former Houston's location becoming a second posting for Againn, and Masa 14 getting it's deck on this summer.
• Prince of Petworth has photos and details on The Dickson, a new wine bar on U and 9th. That'll mix nicely with Velvet Lounge on a Friday.
• I'm sure you caught Libby's Annoying Article Of The Day: Hipsters On Foodstamps - it's worth reading again, especially the comments.
• Eater offers the Top 10 Restaurant Design Trends That Need to Go. Stools = agreed.

Tonight:

• St. Patty's Day Taco Eating Contest at Asylum tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• The Washington Post Going Out Gurus offer their St. Patrick's Day Guide. I'd hit up Againn, which is offering up Guinness, Kilkenny Ale, Irish coffees and Irish Old Fashions w/ Jameson for $5. Duffy's is serving green jello shots.
• From The List Are You On It - Cheoff Jeoff's and Lia's are offering and all-day/all-night happy hour with Corned beef, cabbage and Irish Soda bread. The Majestic is celebrating all month long with Nana's Sunday dinner. Old Glory BBQ is going off-script and doing fish & chips and Corned beef and cabbage. CommonWealth is doing beer and whiskey flights and serving Corned beef and cabbage (surprise). Irish car bombs and Shepherd' Pie at J Pauls. PX is doing 'smoked' cocktails flavored with Black currant tobacco, Chambord and Guinness.
• Metromix has Shenanigans at Public Bar, including "lunch hosted by Metromix, a happy hour, a run/parade; a leprechaun costume contest, dance party by DJ Chris Styles, a Boomerang Bus full of partiers and the Vitamin Water truck for live outdoor music and lots of free drinks."
• Unrelated. Avoid 18th, between M and Jefferson today.

Staying at home:

• Try one of these gorgeous beer cocktails that Greg Engert is serving up at Churchkey. The recipes for a Black Velvet and Brandy Catherine are shared with Washington Life magazine.
• Epicurious offers seven ways to make Irish soda bread, and other St. Patty's-inspired recipes.
• Food Network gives some fun options including a Corned beef and cabbage pizza and Colcannon, a mix of potatoes and cabbage which is delicious! Also, Guiness cupcakes.
• Food2 has some adult beverage ideas, but my favorite is the grown-up Shamrock Shake.
• And if you must...How to make green beer.