Opening this evening with a full menu is Next Door, next door to Ben's Chili Bowl, according to Don Rockwell. Rockwell visited owner Nizam Ali's new restaurant, and stated "I felt like I had walked into Bourbon Steak, or maybe Gibson." Chef Rock Harper (who won Gordon Ramsey's Hell's Kitchen season 3) will be heading up the kitchen. According to Daily Candy, Chef Harper will be serving Southern-inspired dishes, such as Shrimp and Grits with Tasso Ham Gravy, along with Ben's classic half-smokes.

DC Gastronome has put together a list of Inaugural Eats which spans the Potomac. Events and offerings include the Burger Ball at Spike Mendelsohn's Good Stuff Eatery, the "First Lady Marmalade" cocktail at Firefly in Dupont, and a Lincoln-inspired menu at The Grill at Morrison House in Old Town. Additionally, Metrocurean reported that Artisan Confections has made the words "hope" and "change" something you not only say, but savor; in chocolate. For even more Obama-inspired epicurean picks, check out CampusProgress.org for "inaugural-themed desserts, drinks and dishes."

If you would like to make your own treats, check out local blogger, Food Rockz. He's an aspiring chocolatier and recently made confections such as Lavender and Earl Grey and Fig and Balsamic Vinegar Home-Molded Chocolates, and a good-looking rendition of Michel Richard's Gourgeres.

DCist reported on "District Dining: Two Very Different Takes." While Politico contributor Marian Burros attempted to find 10 DC area restaurants that could compete with NYC's finest, although only 8 cut Gotham's mustard. In contrast, Kim Severenson of the NY Times illuminated DC's developing neighborhood restaurant scene. In Tim Carman's Young and Hungry Blog, he described Burros' article as a "velvet-wrapped hatchet job", and reprinted local blogger Mike Bober's (Capital Spice) response letter to Politico. In it, Bober states "I can assure you that it is possible to celebrate the best of Washington’s dining scene without even mentioning New York - and this would have been a far more positive piece if Ms. Burros had kept the focus on DC."

Finally, baby it's cold outside! Local bloggers have shared recipes for roast pork-perfect this time of year. Dish-trict made Balsamic and Honey Mustard Marinted Pork Loin, while The Bitten Word paired pork loin with a fig and Port wine sauce.