Ep 1. Washington D.C.
- TVPG
- February 11, 2013
- 42 min
In season 9, episode 1 of the popular travel and food show Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, Andrew takes viewers on a culinary journey through Washington D.C., the capital of the United States. Throughout the 45-minute episode, Andrew explores some of the most unique and unusual foods that can be found in the city, many of which are steeped in history and tradition.
The episode begins with Andrew making his way to the Eastern Market, one of the oldest and most iconic public markets in the city. Here, he meets with a local butcher who shows him how to prepare whole pigs' heads, a delicacy that has been enjoyed in the area for generations. Andrew also samples some of the market's other unique offerings, including beef heart and blood sausage.
Next, Andrew heads to the Gaza Kitchen, a Palestinian restaurant in the heart of the city. Here, he tries a variety of traditional Palestinian dishes, including maqluba, a dish made with rice, vegetables, and meat that is flipped upside down before serving. He also samples makdous, an eggplant dish that is stuffed with walnuts, garlic, and chili peppers, and then preserved in olive oil.
From there, Andrew heads to the Georgetown neighborhood for some classic American fare at the Old Ebbitt Grill. This historic restaurant has been serving up traditional dishes like oysters Rockefeller and shrimp cocktail since 1856, making it one of the oldest dining establishments in the city. Andrew also tries the restaurant's famous crab cakes, which are made with jumbo lump crab meat and served with a house-made rémoulade sauce.
Continuing his exploration of the city's diverse culinary offerings, Andrew makes his way to the Ethiopian restaurant Ethiopic. Here, he samples a variety of traditional Ethiopian dishes, including injera, a sourdough flatbread that is used to scoop up stews and other dishes. He also tries kitfo, a raw beef dish that is seasoned with spices and served with injera.
Andrew's next stop is at a local food truck that specializes in Korean-style barbecue. Here, he tries galbi, a traditional Korean dish made from marinated beef short ribs that are grilled to perfection. He also samples kimchi, a spicy fermented cabbage dish that is a staple of Korean cuisine.
To round out his culinary journey through Washington D.C., Andrew visits a local brewery that specializes in craft beers made with locally sourced ingredients. Here, he gets a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process, samples some of the brewery's most popular beers, and learns about the unique flavor profiles that are created by using local ingredients like hops, barley, and even oysters.
Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to stunning visuals of some of Washington D.C.'s most iconic landmarks, including the U.S. Capitol Building, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial.
Overall, season 9, episode 1 of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern offers a fascinating and informative look at the unique and diverse culinary offerings that can be found in Washington D.C. From traditional American dishes like crab cakes and oysters Rockefeller to more exotic offerings like kitfo and galbi, Andrew explores the full range of flavors and cuisines that make this city a true culinary destination.