Taste tested, snail approved

Yesterday marked the first ever Slow Food DC "Snail of Approval" awards ceremony, and what a ceremony it was -- an opportunity to celebrate 40 local purveyors of responsibly produced, meticulously crafted, and downright delectable food. The rain held off, luckily, and the weather was surprisingly beautiful for the event, held on the patio of Poste Moderne Brasserie, as area foodies, award recipients, and press mingled over delicious, locally-sourced, seasonal fare along with cool drinks and even cooler cinnamon and apple gelato. And of course there was the distribution of the coveted Snail of Approval stickers to award winners.With a long weekend coming up soon, you may be on the lookout for a new restaurant to try out in the DC area. Or maybe you want to pick up some quality ingredients at the farmers' market or a "meat up" to concoct a memorable meal yourself in coming weeks. Maybe you're looking for a reliable place to enjoy a lovely, lingering dinner with friends for Food Day (coming up on October 24).For a quick reference guide to those eateries and small-scale producers that have been taste tested and snail approved, check out the list of the 2011 Snail of Approval award winners.(For those of you who missed the event, be on the lookout for next year's 2nd annual Snail of Approval awards ceremony. Photos from this year's event can be found here.)