Business in Brief: Restaurant awards season; Brunch at I’m Eddie Cano; Sfoglina’s pasta school; Tenley eateries treating teachers and students

by Katherine Saltzman

Awards season is in full swing

And it’s not just about the Oscars. A Cleveland Park business owner and chef has a chance to win the “Next Sous Vide Tastemaker” competition. Chef K.N. Vinod of Indique is a national finalist for his Kerala Shepherd’s Pie, a lamb dish flavored with coriander, cardamom, curry leaves and coconut. It’s on Indique’s dinner menu.

The winner will be announced at noon on Friday, February 1st. The award for winning this competition might be better than an Oscar statuette. Prizes include a trip for two to Paris, a two-night stay in a three-star hotel, a private sous vide class at the Culinary Research and Education Academy and dinner with Bruno Goussault, who pioneered the technique.

Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington is accepting nominations for the local RAMMY awards until midnight Thursday, January 31st. Categories include “Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year,” “New Restaurant of the Year” and “Chef of the Year.” Nominees will be announced on March 11th.

Sfoglina was nominated in the “Upscale Brunch of the Year” category last year. I’m Eddie Cano is angling for a nomination in the “New Restaurant” category this year. And perhaps when the 2019 awards season rolls around it could be one of the nominees in the brunch category. Because…

I’m Eddie Cano is serving brunch on Sundays

It started Sunday, January 27th. The brunch hours are noon to 2:30 p.m. I’m Eddie Cano (5014 Connecticut) is also serving dinner 7 nights a week.

Enroll in pasta school

Sfoglina announced on Monday, January 28th that it was accepting reservations for Saturday afternoon pasta-making classes at its Van Ness location (4445 Connecticut). By Tuesday evening, Sfoglina announced the classes on February 9th and 16th and March 2nd were already full. If you missed out, stay tuned. Sfoglina will announce more dates.

Farewell to Jake’s

Jake’s American Grille (5018 Connecticut) closed on Sunday, January 20th after almost eight years. General Manager Joey Allen expressed gratitude for the neighborhood and restaurant patrons. “We are going to focus more now on our Capitol Hill venues,” he told Forest Hills Connection. Through the District Restaurant Group, Allen also manages the Ugly Mug and Katherine’s Catering.

Chevy Chase comings and goings

The Chevy Chase Pharmacy (3812 Northampton Street) closed at the end of November, creating the fourth vacant storefront in the neighborhood, joining two cleaners/tailors’ shops and Pumpernickel’s Bagelry and Deli.

Another vacant property is the former American City Diner location. Ted’s Bulletin owner Steve Salis didn’t say anything about his plans when he acquired the building last summer. And he has yet to announce details on what’s coming in. The neighbors are ready for some news.

“We are excited about the new restaurant that will open up in former American City Diner, with all the new places it’s starting to become a much more lively area, especially once the good weather returns” said Jerry Malitz, an ANC 3/4G commissioner.

One of those new places is Little Beast (5600 Connecticut). The new Chevy Chase eatery now hosts live music performances on Thursdays. Specials include half-price bottles of wine.

Tenleytown treating area teachers and students to deals

“More than 24,000 students attend school within a mile of Tenleytown,” says Tenleytown Main Street. And on Tuesdays at participating restaurants, they, their teachers and school staff members can get discounts and freebies. All they have to do is show a school ID.

“We hope the Tenley Tuesdays program makes them feel welcome in our business district and encourages them to enjoy the many dining options Tenleytown has to offer,” said TMS Executive Director Leigh Catherine Miles in a press release. Visit Tenleytown Main Street’s web site for an up-to-date list of specials. There’s also an app for iOS and Android devices.

Tenley Tuesdays launched earlier this month at nine Tenleytown eateries, including District Taco, Beefsteak, Crisp & Juicy and SeoulSpice. TMS expects more restaurants and retailers to join the program this spring.