Carving garnishes, whittling ice and perfectly proportioning flavors, the District's top bartenders use more than keen palates to concoct liquid magic. Zoom in on the steady hands and you'll see gadgets that would look right at home in a science lab.

t's not enough that Cathal Armstrong runs five restaurants, has three more projects in the works, and recently hosted the President and First Lady for dinner. The chef behind four-star Restaurant Eve is now training six days a week (twice on Wednesdays) with the hopes of becoming a national Taekwondo champion.

When customers are shelling out hundreds of dollars per person for a single meal, an exclusive restaurant has to distinguish itself not only from the luxurious competition but from any lofty recollections a diner might have. The top spots can't afford to rest on their accolades. That's why I so admire the most formal of Cathal Armstrong's dining rooms in Old Town. The chef constantly pushes himself to please.

Cathal Armstrong once cooked for Julia Child and often for Ted Kennedy and now he’s cooked for President Barack Obama.

Chef Cathal Armstrong, founder of Chefs As Parents, chatted about healthy lunches for the back-to-school season.

The Armstrongs’ go-to baker is excited about sharing his pastry knowledge with fellow cooking devotees at Society Fair, the bakery/gourmet grocery/epicurean playground/eatery–which, we have been assured, will feature a dedicated larder menu–slated to open later this fall.

Ireland and cuisine didn’t always belong in the same sentence. But Ireland’s relationship with food has evolved along with its ever-changing economic fortunes.

Alexandria-based chef and restaurateur Cathal Armstrong was among those who benefited.

These days, it's not unusual to find relatively affordable fixed-price lunch menus at some of the area's best restaurants. In 2004, chef-owner Cathal Armstrong of Restaurant Eve in Alexandria was among the first big names to debut such a deal, and although the field has gotten more crowded, the Lickity Split lunch offered in Eve's lounge space is still among the best.