Our Interview with Top Chef Bart Vandaele

For the last nine years, Belgium native Chef Bart Vandaele has been delighting the pallets of DC diners with classic Belgian cuisine at his highly popular Belga Café and then redefining those dishes at his newer restaurant BToo. From heavenly stuffed waffles, to aromatic mussel pots filled with all sorts of imaginative ingredients, Vandaele’s creative mind has helped put Belgian food on the map in DC.

The former Top Chef contestant has quite the culinary resume, literally growing up in his family’s restaurants and eventually working as a sous-chef at two-star Michelin restaurant Scholteshof in Belgium. He has received countless accolades and honors, including being knighted in the order of Leopold II, and serves as the brand ambassador for Belgian beer Stella Artois, Hoegaarden, Leffe Blond and Leffe Brown.

With such a busy schedule, the jovial chef was kind enough to take time to chat with Cloture Club about Belgian fare, the DC restaurant scene and his delightful pet chickens (read on).

Cloture Club: Belgian cuisine in the DC area has really taken off and many say you’re responsible that. How has Belgian cuisine evolved in the DC area?

Belgian cuisine and beer became popular at the same time in the area. American beer became more popular because of microbreweries and then we added good food to it. Kind of like, first came the beer, then the food. I grew up in it so it’s natural and normal but for others we are just showing off what is Belgian cuisine. A lot of it is comfort, family, enjoying the beauty of life, part of what makes Belgian cuisine so popular.

I think if you want to be a trendsetter you have to be an educator at the same time. Belgian cuisine wasn’t always here. I’ve worked at some of the best restaurants in Belgium and I take those experiences in to my restaurants. We give a wide range of Belgium cuisine, so people can understand it is not just about mussels and fries.

Waffles have become something super popular for us that I never thought in my career that would happen.

You started with Belga Café, modeled after Brussel’s casual cafes and now your newer restaurant BToo is a reinterpretation of classic dishes. What took you from one concept to the other?

Reinvention. Otherwise I’d be bored out of my mind. I need to create, it keeps me on the edge, keeps me making different things. For me, with Belga, held back a little bit and now can show more of what we are capable of at BToo. We kind of redid 90% and copied 10%. But at Belga we are always developing new ideas too. I want to be different and it keeps me on my toes and its fun.

What are some of your favorite dishes from each restaurant?

Oh, that’s hard. Green eggs at Belga Café for brunch, definitely one of my top dishes that has been there forever. Also I love the green mussels or the spicy cigars of chicken and crabmeat. At BToo definitely the Boudon noir waffle appetizer and the chocolate Eden, also anything Josper cooked on the menu (traditional oven and charbroiled cooking).

What do you think of the DC restaurant scene compared to other cities? What is it you like about owning a restaurant here?

For me, I think it was the only think I could afford when started. That’s one thing for sure. But the scenery overall is exploding with room for more. I’ve been in this city for 17 years and I really like it. Very happy with the development, happy we have different styles and different cuisines. It’s competition for sure, but that only makes it better.

You started Belgium Restaurant Week in DC. Tell us a bit about how it started and what it has turned into.

Ah, my baby. Just friends getting together who want to promote their restaurants. We all figure, hey it’s July and nothing going on in the city. We have the goods, we got the beer and beer is what you need on a warm day. I hope this year we can do it bigger and better. Last year with the opening of BToo it was a little side tracked and kicked off a little late. Still, we want to do it bigger each year so that more and more restaurants take part and we hope it becomes a staple of DC.

Other than your own, what are some of your favorite restaurants in the DC area?

I like Fiola. I like to visit friends on 14th street. Graffiato is fun. Week ago I went all the way to Peking Ducks in Seven Corners that was amazing.

Honestly, if I go out to restaurants I’m working. I’m observing, I’m looking, taking notes mentally. Looking at how things are, how constructed. I look at everything. Because chefs go out to restaurants everyone thinks we are super critical. Some are, but for me I want to learn. I want to enjoy, but I want to observe. If I see something wrong I won’t say it’s wrong, it’s an honest mistake. But I’ll see if we can avoid it back at my restaurants.

Several DC chefs have seen much success from being put in the public eye with Top Chef. What did you take away from your experience on season 10?

Definitely helped me in the business. More visibility and fun to have guests actually coming for you and to take care of them as much as possible. Personally, has it changed my life? Nope, still do the same thing. I think it was because I worked so long in eh business that it didn’t change how I do thing, because I’m stable.

Top Chef is fun to do, crazy to do, exhausted when you do it and you get burned out.

Did it change my life? Directly not, just probably happened.

Do you miss Belgium?

Sometimes, I miss small things. But, if I’m there for too long than I want to come home to DC. I like the way it’s made in the US. I think I’m the lucky one to have the best of both worlds. Anything I don’t like from one place or another I ignore it, then things from both worlds the best I enjoy, be selective.

Any similarities between Belgium and DC dining?

Food wise, I don’t think there is a difference. I think DC is on a very high level when it comes to food. But then, when you look at the whole atmosphere of entertaining and guest experience and just food overall, in Belgium that’s completely different. Belgium, you go to a restaurant and stay the whole night, enjoying your time with friends. We also entertain at home a lot and family wise eat a lot together and sit around the table.

So, I hear you have some pet chickens?

Yes, I have four chickens and a big coop they run around in. If I’m home they will run around the backyard and jump after food like a dog. If you want to pet them they sit down.

They follow you everywhere around in the backyard. Around evening time when night starts to fall, they come to the back door and look and ask for food. Eggs go to everyone, my manager and my family.

Anything else you want to add?

Thanks for all the people that have supported me for so many years at Belga and thanks for all the new ones that come to BToo!

The post Our Interview with Top Chef Bart Vandaele appeared first on ClotureClub.com.

‘Frozen’ might be the best animated movie of the year

The new animated comedy Frozen proves that Disney still has the filmmaking magic that previously inspired classics like Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. The new film combines witty comedy, catchy musical numbers and a unique story that will keep families entertained. It’s one of the best animated films of the year and easily one of Disney's best animated films in years.

The story focuses on the relationship between two royal sisters who live with their parents in a massive castle. As children, future Queen Elsa (Eva Bella) spends most of the time with her mischievous sister Anna (Livvy Stubenrauch). The two are nearly inseparable but during a day of playful fun, Elsa— who has the ability to freeze anything at a moment’s notice— accidentally hurts her sister, knocking the innocent Anna unconscious.

Photo Credit: Hollywood.com

Worried about Elsa’s mysterious power, the sibling’s parents ask Elsa to stay away from Anna so Elsa— unselfishly looking out for her sister— locks herself away, hiding her powers from Anna (who can’t remember the incident) and keeping her safe.

For several heartbreaking years, Elsa avoids her sister (who simply wants to build a snowman with her) and the castle is locked down to prevent people from knowing about Elsa’s strange powers but eventually, the gates are opened up for Elsa’s coronation to the throne. An argument breaks out during the party and Elsa accidentally freezes the kingdom and runs away from the uncaring townspeople who believe she’s a freak. It’s then left to Anna (now voiced by Kristen Bell) to find her sister (Idina Menzel) to end the long winter.

Photo Credit: Movies.yahoo.com

The plot revolves around Elsa’s search to find her sister. Despite becoming engaged to the charming Prince Hans (Santino Fontana) at the coronation, Elsa quickly befriends a jovial goofball named Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), who sells ice for a living (poor occupation to have during a long winter). The two bicker and laugh as they travel through the woods encountering strange creatures-- including Kristoff’s own family--along the way. A wonderfully naïve snowman named Olaf (Josh Gad) joins the entourage, stealing nearly every scene he’s in.

The comedy here is wonderful, wrapping audiences in a warm blanket of cute jokes and hilarious bits (a segment featuring Olaf dreaming about a life during the summer is particularly memorable). The songs are likewise enchanting and could easily remind audiences of some of Disney’s best musical moments. Some of the original music here arrived courtesy of Tony winner Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, who both do incredible jobs creating musical numbers that are easy to enjoy and engaging enough to get audiences tapping their feet to them.

"FROZEN" (Pictured) ELSA. ©2013 Disney. All Rights Reserved. Photo Credit: Collider.com

In a wide variety of ways, Frozen stands out in the animated category. Its focus on siblings—rather than one woman pursuing a prince— gives the plot an unlikely newness while its impressive songs fill it with an exuberance that captures the spirit of the story. Musical films are often restricted by the numbers that seem to be forced in. Here, they are part of the story’s essential plot. For that and more, Frozen is a wonderful family film and should be celebrated as such. It’s one of the year’s best films and a great family one to check out this holiday season.

My review: A

Frozen Trailer

The post ‘Frozen’ might be the best animated movie of the year appeared first on ClotureClub.com.

Introducing Capitol Couple – D.C. The District of Courtship

Hello Washingtonians. I want to introduce myself as the Capitol Couple, the newest advice column contributor for Cloture Club. I have been a long time reader and fan of Cloture Club and recently approached them to write an article on dating and being a couple in D.C. As you know, the website does a great job of telling people what to do for fun or where to meet each other, but I thought Cloture Club could also provide an opportunity to give couples some advice while providing insights into dating, relationships and the wonderful environment that is Washington D.C., so here you go!

A little background about me: I am a young professional from California that moved to DC as many do to work in politics. A distinct difference I have from many young professionals in DC is that I have been in a committed relationship for the past three years with the most wonderful woman, who doesn’t labor in the political arena, but did move here to be with me after a couple of months of us doing a trans-continental long distance relationship.

Many of my DC colleagues have said when I have told them of our three year courtship, “Whoa three years?! I don’t even think I’ve held a job for longer than two.”

In a city where someone my age only has a job for about two years and then seeks another job that is more important and prestigious than the last, why shouldn’t the same be applied to dating?!?!… Since moving to Washington DC, I have come across this reaction more times than I can count. Rather than yell at them “We are in love!” and quote the Notebook, I opt for giving them an explanation that justifies why I choose to stay with my girlfriend for three great years.

How old my friends think I am because we have been together for three years…

Enough about me, let’s get to the inaugural column!

I was lucky enough to receive some great advice from a good friend that I want to share with you. If you want to both impress a date and get a better sense of their personality in different scenarios; take them out to multiple dates/venues within one date.

Taking them to multiple venues allows a couple of things to happen.

First, it impresses the hell out of your date or significant other. Whether you are on your first or 500th date, they will appreciate the effort you make and the thought you put into the special day for them.

And secondly, it gives your relationship a check up.

When my girlfriend moved to DC, I wanted to show her how appreciative I was of her taking the chance to move and to introduce her to the city that I have come to love. To do this, I made a strong effort of combining events that Washington DC had to offer into a fun adventure. I decided to take her on a scavenger hunt during the afternoon that took us around the city so I could show her my favorite sites.

After our afternoon scavenger hunt I took her to a sushi dinner in Chinatown. At dinner we had a few sake bombs (which was my girlfriend’s first encounter with this delightful combo of beer and sake). After our lively liquid filled dinner we went and saw a play and then grabbed some dessert. Most of these events were in the Chinatown/Gallery Place/ Penn Quarter area which made for a fun day without breaking the bank.

This fun day reaffirmed what I already knew about my girlfriend. She is a blast and very adventurous and open minded. All characteristics I love about her. But for many couples a day like this could explain why you may not be compatible.

For example: Many people especially in DC probably originally met at a bar, club, party or through work/work function. They might have seemed fun when you met and in most cases they were/are fun and are going to be great to date. But taking them on a scavenger hunt date or to multiple venues during one date will give you a chance to find unexplored compatibility or a realization that it was the alcohol or office fumes that caused you to think they were fun to hang out with the first time you met them.

Now I realize that most of you might be thinking that you are a young up and comer and you aren’t here to find the person of your dreams, but hear me out. It would be much more practical to enjoy the company of someone you actually get along with and through this type of date you get to realize what you enjoy in a person. It is better than the alternative: never figuring out what you want in another person and ending up marrying someone who you can’t stand or who is certifiably crazy.

I hope this advice is helpful and you will come with me as we explore the many wonders of Washington DC and how you can use them to your dating advantage. For our next stop we will be looking at unique gift ideas and where you can purchase them.

Happy dating!

–Capitol Couple

The post Introducing Capitol Couple – D.C. The District of Courtship appeared first on ClotureClub.com.

History of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Dear Cloture Detective,

The other weekend was Veterans Day and I was at the ceremony held at Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown soldier. I know the event began roughly after World War I, but I was wondering what the history behind Veterans Day was and if the same sort of ceremony existed then as it does now.

Sincerely,

A Patriot

---

[D Patriot,

What a gorgeous day outside that was! The history behind the First Veterans Day National Ceremony is really interesting and coincides with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well. In 1921, two separate Congressional resolutions simultaneously honored veterans’ in the United States. One established a national holiday for the veterans and the other honored a veteran with a memorial service in the Capitol building. On October 31, 1921, Representative Andrew Volstead of Minnesota introduced House Joint Resolution 215, “to declare November 11, 1921, a legal public holiday.” On that day the House agreed by unanimous consent to the resolution. H.J. Res. 215 was brought up for consideration in the Senate by Senator Knute Nelson of Minnesota on November 2, 1921. It passed after being reported in the Senate and established Armistice Day (later Veterans’ Day) as a new National Holiday. H.J. Res. 215 was signed it by President Harding and became Public Resolution Number 26.

Tomb leaving the capitol by horse carriage.

In addition to this remembrance, Senator James Wadsworth of New York proposed, “a concurrent resolution authorizing the Sergeant at Arms of the House and Senate to secure a wreath to be placed upon the casket of the Unknown Soldier on November 11.” The Unknown Soldier of World War I lay in state in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on November 9, 1921 before being taken by horse drawn carriage for a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11. The ceremony was widely attended by numerous Members and Senators, as well as by President Warren G. Harding (who subsequently awarded the Medal of Honor that same day to the Unknown) and former Presidents Howard Taft and Woodrow Wilson. This Armistice Day resolution began what would continue for the unknown World War II soldier and unknown Korean War soldier, leading eventually to the construction of the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.

Later on, an Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) was approved May 13, 1938, which made the 11th of November in EACH CALENDAR YEAR a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.” However, Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of various Veteran Service Organizations (VSO’s), amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting in its place the word “Veterans.” With the approval of this legislation, signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

The post History of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier appeared first on ClotureClub.com.