(Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST)

7 ways to fix fruitcake’s image problem

Jane Touzalin

No neon-colored nuggets in these fine examples of holiday baking.

Recipes

Recipe Finder

Farmers Market Roundup: Dec. 6-9

Farmers Market Roundup: Dec. 6-9

Becky Krystal

Pick up lettuces that won’t fade into the background of your salad plate.

ROC names worker-friendly eateries

ROC names worker-friendly eateries

Tim Carman

A national organization advocating for restaurant employees has a new battle on its hands.

Acacia Gourmet on Capitol Hill

Acacia Gourmet on Capitol Hill

The former Wellness Cafe is a deli that roasts meats in-house. But smoothies are still on the menu.

Bungalow Lakehouse in Sterling

Bungalow Lakehouse in Sterling

Tom Sietsema

Executive chef Jason Maddens builds on skills he learned from Michel Richard.

Top cookbooks of 2012

Top cookbooks of 2012

The Food staff’s picks of the best and brightest recipe collections.

2012 wine books to savor

2012 wine books to savor

Dave McIntyre

Maryland and Virginia histories and a Mondavi retrospective are on our Wine columnist’s short list.

Washington Post Food calendar for Dec. 9-16

Becky Krystal

Events include wine dinners, cooking classes and a colonial wassail.

Readers’ top recipe picks in November

Readers’ top recipe picks in November

Turkey, pie crust and White House traditions are the most-viewed online Washington Post recipes.

Shopping Cart: Dress It Up Dressings

Shopping Cart: Dress It Up Dressings

A Washington native creates vinaigrettes based on her mother’s recipe.

December wine bargains

December wine bargains

On this month’s list: malbec, tempranillo, verdejo, French and Italian whites.

Editor's Choice

Acacia Gourmet on Capitol Hill

The former Wellness Cafe is a deli that roasts meats in-house. But smoothies are still on the menu.

Farmers market listings

The Washington Post Food section’s 2012 listing and map of farmers markets in the area.

2012-2013 cooking class listings

Choose from nearly 160 classes given in the District and in the Virginia and Maryland suburbs.

Free Range on Food

Free Range on Food is a forum for discussion of all things culinary. Join us every Wednesday at noon.

Food Features

Tom Sietsema

Bungalow Lakehouse in Sterling

STERLING, VA - NOVEMBER 29: Scallops at Bungalow Lakehouse, a sprawling new restaurant in Sterling with a stadium-size sports bar, an open air cigar room, two dining rooms and a cozy indoor bar Thursday November 29, 2012. (photo by Dayna Smith/for the Washington Post).

Tom Sietsema

Executive chef Jason Maddens builds on skills he learned from Michel Richard.

Tried, true and new at Woodward Table

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 21: Jeff Buben poses in his restaurant Woodward Table Wednesday, November 21, 2012 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

Tom Sietsema

The newest addition to Jeff Buben’s empire evokes Vidalia flavors.

Satellite Room in Shaw

WASHINGTON,DC-NOVEMBER, 02: Patrons drinking and eating at 'Satellite Room' in Washington, DC on November, 2012. (Photo by Juana Arias for The Washington Post)

Tom Sietsema

Catch the onion rings and meatloaf at the newest addition to the Hilton brothers’ empire.

Tom Sietsema: Sheba in Rockville

A round of injera is topped with cubed beef and jalapeno, cabbage and carrots, lentils and collard greens at Sheba.

Tom Sietsema

Ethio­pian supplants Italian cuisine by the same owner, with noteworthy effect.

The First Bite: Drafting Table

WASHINGTON, DC- OCTOBER 24: Inside Drafting Table Restaurant in Washington, DC guests are sitting at High Draftsman Bar Tables in the Communal Bar Area on Wednesday, October 24th, 2012. (Photo by Tracy A. Woodward/The Washington Post)

Tom Sietsema

The Logan Circle space features lots of atmosphere, lots of noise, fewer reasons to linger.