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Mama Rouge Asian & French Bistro Opening at Washington Harbour
September 29, 2014For those who've misssed Bangkok Joe's, there's great news. Chef/Owner Aulie Bunyarataphan and husband/Partner Mel Oursinsiri (formerly of Bangkok Joe’s) are bringing Mama Rouge, a blend of Southeast Asian and French cuisine in a contemporary French bistro setting to the Georgetown Waterfront. In advance of their October 14th opening, guests can start making reservations on Ocotober 6.
The name was conceived in homage to Chef Aulie’s grandmother, the original ‘Mama Rouge,’ and the inspiration for many of the recipes that appear on the Southeast Asian sections of the menu. The entire space, kitchen, bar, and menu are new, and Chef Aulie will oversee the kitchen and direct the culinary team to execute day-to-day service. As such, the menus at Mama Rouge are divided into sections and categories, with traditional styles of Southeast Asian dishes, listed next to classically French plates. The food is not about fusion or melding of the different cuisines; they're presented to encourage mixing and matching the separate flavor profiles of individual dishes and across menu sections for a different type of dining experience.
“We wanted to create a restaurant and menus that evoke connections to Southeast Asian and French cuisines, but in a very approachable and different way," said Chef Aulie. "My Thai grandmother had a wonderful recipe collection that she shared with me when I was young, and I’ve adapted many of those recipes and cooking techniques for the American palate with the items we’ve chosen for the menu, and included some of my personal favorites from classic French menus.”
(Photo by: Mama Rouge)
Thai Chicken Salad
Mel adds, “We want Mama Rouge to be seen as a neighborhood restaurant, just as Bangkok Joe’s was, as a place that draws guests back for more.” After a recent four-week trip to Southeast Asia in preparation for the restaurant opening, the pair honed their vision for Mama Rouge and how it would fit into the Washington, DC dining scene. “Now we’ve created something that’s a bit more worldly, that reflects our connection to places we’ve been, and to our place in our international city of Washington, DC. We’re excited to invite guests through dining adventures to explore and enjoy our menus, each time they visit.”
The menu includes popular Southeast Asian food categories, such as Pho, Noodles, BBQ, and Banh Mi, and is balanced by the richer, equally complex flavors found in French cuisine. French wines and a variety of European-inspired cocktails complement menu selections, while weekend brunch is from the French perspective, offering crepes, omelets, breads, and pastries, with hints at the exotic where Asian accents bring the meal together.
In every service offering, diners are encouraged to mix and match dishes from the different categories. The experience at Mama Rouge might start with an elegant cocktail and hors d’oeuvres like Pommes Frites or Myanmar Shrimp Dumplings, followed by Steak au Poivre, Lemongrass Pork, or a spicy Curry. The perfect end to a Mama Rouge meal may include delicate Parisian style pastries and desserts, paired with a Thai tea or Thai coffee made-to-order.
The interior architecture and design is entirely new, created by Washington, DC-based firm, Collective Architecture, in collaboration with VSAG. The dining room accommodates 100 seats, with 14 seats at the bar, and seasonal patio dining for approximately 30.
For more details, visit Mama Rouge.
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Georgetown Breaks Ground on Thompson Athletics Center
September 14, 2014Standing on the site where a building will be built bearing his name, former Georgetown University Head Men’s Basketball Coach John Thompson Jr. was joined by family, friends and many former players as ground was officially broken for the John R. Thompson Intercollegiate Athletics Center on Friday morning on the Hilltop.
The Thompson Center is expected to be completed in August 2016. The $62 million project will be completely supported through philanthropy. The four-story, 144,000-square-foot Thompson Center will be constructed adjacent to McDonough Arena and include practice courts, team meeting rooms, men’s and women’s basketball coaches' offices, and weight-training and sports medicine rooms for all varsity athletes. The new facility also includes a Student-Athlete Academic and Leadership Center, an auditorium, team meeting facilities for varsity programs and a new venue for the Georgetown Athletics Hall of Fame.
On a bright Friday, more than 500 people – including former players such as Patrick Ewing, Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning and Allen Iverson, all of whom played for Thompson Jr., and more recent players ranging from Jeff Green, Roy Hibbert, Otto Porter Jr. and Henry Sims, who played for current Head Coach John Thompson III – came to the site for the official groundbreaking of the facility. The morning began with a welcome from the Hoyas’ current head coach, who introduced Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Lee Reed.
(Photo by: Georgetown Sports Information)
John Thompson III, John Thompson Jr. & University President John J. DeGioia
The invocation was conducted by Edward Glynn, S.J., the president emeritus at Gonzaga University, St. Peter’s College and John Carroll University. He was followed on the dais by William J. Doyle (C’72), the chair of the “For Generations to Come” campaign, Irene Shaw, member of the Board of Regents, Paul Tagliabue (C’62), Chair of the Board of Directors, Emily Hall (C’15, the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee) and Frank Rienzo, Intercollegiate Athletics Director Emeritus.
Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia introduced Thompson. “We are different and better than we were 42 years ago when John Thompson joined this community,” he said. “John provided us with a new way to imagine, to interpret our values and enabled all of us to see possibilities for what we could be that had not been realized before he joined this community.”
When Thompson stood to take the podium, the entire crowd came up for a standing ovation, finally sitting down after Thompson reminded them “we can’t be here all day.”
He spoke for 10 minutes, talking about his relationship with President DeGioia, about many of his former players – “he shot everything he got in his hands,” Thompson said of Iverson – and some of his close co-workers, from men’s basketball trainer Lorry Michel to former academic advisor Mary Fenlon.
John Thompson Jr.’s name is synonymous with success. From 1972 to 1999, he compiled 596 wins, the most of any coach in the history of Georgetown University and the magnitude of his achievements is undeniable. On the court, he amassed league-leading records against all BIG EAST Conference opponents (233-122) and captured 13 BIG EAST Championships, seven regular season titles and six tournament championships. Thompson’s Hoya teams earned 24-consecutive invitations to postseason play, appeared in three NCAA Final Fours (1982, 1984 and 1985) and won the NCAA Championship in 1984.
“Without the help of a lot of people that are in here now, it would’ve been impossible to succeed,” he said.
Thompson talked about successes – from the 1984 NCAA title and BIG EAST Championships – and losses – from the 1985 NCAA Championship game to the 1988 Olympics. However, he said he gains the most satisfaction in seeing the success that many of his players have had off of the court as well.
“It’s not the graduation rate, it’s what you do with the education that’s important,” Thompson said. “This school is defined by more than just victories. This is an educational institution.”
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Book Hill Fall Art Walk Sept. 12
August 14, 2014
(Photo by: littletongallery.com)
The Beach by Allegra Marquart
Nine Georgetown galleries will host an evening stroll and launch of their fine art exhibitions Friday, September 12 from 6:00-8:00 pm on Book Hill.
Come see the latest fine art in a variety of mediums including photography, painting and sculture. A great time to add to your collection, purchase early holiday gifts, or simply enjoy a visually stimulating evening of art, fun and refreshments.
For more information and a map of the gallery locations, click here.
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