This week, Michael Landrum (The Ray's Restaurants) guest hosted Grill Warren, the Thursday chat forum for Northern Virginia Magazine's food critic, Warren Rojas. Landrum fielded questions about the opening of Ray's The Steaks new location in the Court House neighborhood of Arlington. The new location will open February 10th at 2300 Wilson Blvd., and will take reservations for a 45-seat section. There will also be a 90-seat "first come-first served" section (with a call ahead wait list), and a private area for 15-20 people. The new location will also offer a bistro special for $23.95, M-F.

As for the old Ray's The Steaks location, Landrum stated that it will become Rays:The Catch-a seafood restaurant with incredible value. "The prices at Ray's: The Catch will be so low that they will completely subvert the very concept of restaurant pricing in the DC market.", Landrum reported in the chat. It is expected to open later this month.

Congratulations to local food blogger, Mango and Tomato. She entered a Foodbuzz contest to win an opportunity to represent our area in Share Our Strength's Touring Dinner Series at Charlie Palmer. M&T's winning essay stated in part "I am passionate about all of my involvement. This project in particular inspires me to not only educate the Foodbuzz readers, but to motivate them to get involved in whatever way possible to reduce hunger."

In this weeks WaPo Food section, an article entitled "It's Sign-Up Time For CSA Delivery" reminded readers to support our many local food producers. Foodie Tots made a rich but healthy Organic Carrot Risotto, using sweet carrots from her CSA delivery via Potomac Vegetable Farms. Foodie Tots also reminds readers to look for organic rice, because rice can be heavily treated with pesticides, ranking right up there with the "dirty dozen" foods.

As part of her Wednesday's Delicious Deals series, Metrocurean filled readers in on Perry's, where dinner for two costs a mere $25 on the first Tuesday of every month. This incredible deal includes an appetizer, entree and a glass of wine. Can't wait until March? Check out Perry's "Recession Lunch" on Saturdays, where everything on the menu is $7 or less.

Holy bacon, Batman! Recently we had the "Bacon Explosion" rock our salty-pork world thanks to the New York Times and well, most every news outlet. Capital Spice was so moved that he made a version of it in his Big Green Egg. Now enter the Bacon Chocolate Chip With Candied Bacon Cookies from local blogger, Pete Bakes. Pete was inspired to make candied bacon by watching David Lebovitz, who combined it with ice cream. The result of the cookies? Pete remarked that "what results is a very subtle bacon flavor that teams up with the chocolate chips to elevate the cookies - sweet and salty never disappoints." Now if he can only convince his friends to try them!