Scoop: Food News Round-Up

Happy 2011, Metrocurean readers! Hope your holidays were delicious. Mine
were filled with N.C. pork barbecue and duck gumbo. Now let's catch up
on some DC food news.


• Un-fro-yo? Putting in a fresh challenge to the frozen yogurt trend is Dupont Circle's new Yola,
a fresh yogurt bar with an eco-friendly focus. The new spot is the
brainchild of father-daughter team David and Laura Smith. They're
working with the region's Blue Ridge Dairy and Trickling Springs
Creamery to offer a variety of yogurt flavors, from honey to lemon to
maple. You can also score a cup of Counter Culture coffee at Yola,
located at 1323 Connecticut Ave.


• Speaking of ... Frozen yogurt chain Pinkberry will take over the Pampillonia jewelry store space at 1213 Connecticut Ave. Washington Business Journal


• After opening for one night on New Year's Eve, Smith Commons officially gets rolling tonight with dinner service


• A big congrats to Ashok Bajaj’s 701,
which turns 20 this month. That's like 100 in restaurant years. To
celebrate, chef Ed Witt is offering a three-course lunch for $20. At
lunch or dinner this month, order the warm lemon poppy seed birthday cake ($10) and get a complimentary glass of sparkling wine. Also toasting the birthday is the “Big 20”
cocktail, a mix of Old Overholt rye whiskey,
Strega, honey lemon water and allspice dram, is $20 for two servings.

Check out SCOOP for more of the food news you need to know.