Wednesday = Friday (Thanksgiving Week)

I'm starting to think that this post should just be called "what I ate this weekend." I guess it's pretty clear where my interests lie. I had another fantastic weekend. Friday night I went to Lyon Hall for dinner where I had an amazing wurst. Then Saturday morning, PB and I went out to Tyson's corner where I may or may not have spent $50 on some adjoining mittens. We also had some friends over for an amazing dinner (so amazing I forgot to take pictures). PB made this steak salad and this sweet potato soup.

Then on Sunday I met one of my hippest friends at the farmers market where I picked up some orange cauliflower for Thanksgiving and some pork shoulder (that PB turned into a great Sunday dinner). And I discovered Filter. Finally a new non-starbucks cafe in NW!

Okay, kids, have a happy thanksgiving!

Sushi at Kushi

This past Saturday, PB and I finally made it to Kushi over in Gallery Place-ish and we were...fans. First of all, I loved loved loved the space. We got to sit right up next to the huge open kitchen at their bar. And it's just very sparse but somehow warm and welcoming.

And more importantly...second, oh second the food. We tried this crazy Japanese custard with shrimp, and mushrooms, that was like nothing I've ever had. Also, highly recommended was the grilled pork belly and short rib. And then...almost as an afterthought, we ordered the sausage stuffed quail. Seriously?! yes, seriously! So finger licking good. You must go, it's totally affordable and delicious. And if the setting and the decor weren't enough, you can wash it down with delicious cocktails (Yuzu Martini anyone?) and cold Japanese beer.

Kushi

465 K Street, NW Washington DC

http://eatkushi.tumblr.com/

Estadio, andale andale

For PB's birthday we went to a newish Spanish tapas restaurant called Estadio that was soooo good, I had to share some pictures. We started with 2 very delicious cocktails. I ordered a drink with tequila, cava, grapegruit and rosemary (very artfully floating) called a tecolate. The orange drink below is called a slushie and this one had quince, paprika, lemon, sherry and scotch in it. It was one of those drinks where you experience each flavor one after the other.

Then we had a bunch of little pintxos. The chorizo, manchego, pistachio and quince paste skewers were definitely our favorite. We were also super big fans of their octopus with a potato caper salad. Is there anything a caper cannot do? Have you ever had the super huge capers that are in pods? So good. But, for the record, my favorite octopus of all time is at Liberty Tavern.
But the real super star of the meal is the hanger steak with cherry tomatoes, pesto, and fried carrots . I can not emphasize enough how wonderful it was. Blair even literally said " this is the best steak I've ever had," and believe me, he's had a few. I will also say that they play the best restaurant music ever: talking heads, joy division, new order, the cure.

1520 14th Street NW (Logan Circle) http://www.estadio-dc.com/

Wednesday = half way

The weather in DC was so wonderful last weekend, I am really hoping for a repeat this weekend. Last weekend I took a run along the GW parkway. If you totally ignore the traffic on one side of you and just look at the river, it's absolutely gorgeous. We also finally finished painting our bedroom, "Manhattan Mist." And even grabbed some pho at pho75. Most importantly, I scored these awesome Sam Edelman sandals at the Nordstrom half yearly sale.

Can't wait for this weekend. Arcade Fire and Spoon on Friday, designing our wedding cocktail on Saturday and seeing some friends on Sunday.

Bleh

Nothing I love more than looking at the weather and seeing that it is raining and 90 degrees... oh DC!

My DC Summer List

My relationship with Washington, DC is definitely complicated. I go back and forth between seeing so much potential, and feeling so bored. And DC summers....are swampy and gross. But this summer, there are a few things on my list that I fully intend to get around to, that I haven't yet done.

For some reason, DC planners have not yet caught onto the idea of establishing some European style cafes, bistros, and gelaterias along the National mall (instead residents and tourists alike are left with hot dog stands and pre-packaged ice cream). I think it would be so much fun to pack a gourmet (read: with good cheese) picnic and nap in the shade.
Lately, I have been hearing nothing but raves about Founding Farmer's brunch. I don't think I can afford to ignore them anymore. To anyone who hasn't been, my favorite brunch spot is Domku.
See Jazz in the Park. Every spring and summer the Smithsonian organizes jazz concerts in the Sculpture garden. I'm not going to lie, I know nothing about jazz. But I think I should give it a shot.
Camping in the Shenandoah. I don't like bugs or mud, but I do like cooking outside and fresh air.

Now that PB and I have our own little balcony, I can't wait to sit outside (maybe on these chairs?) and drink some fruity cocktails while watching a lightning storm.

I finally made it to the Tidal Basin for the Cherry Blossom Festival, but I have yet to paddle around on the boats. It's clear that it would be a great fashion opportunity for all those breton tees I have. All pictures (aside from the first one, that's mine) are via We Heart It.

Roosevelt Island

Friday was sort of a bad day for me. Not sure why, some days are just worse than others. But I dragged myself down to Roosevelt Island for a run. And although it was hot and swampy (although with plenty of shade), it put me in such a good mood. There's no traffic, I saw tons of wildlife, it's dirt so you don't hurt your joints too much, and it was gorgeous. So green and lush. I highly recommend it.

Lyon Hall

PB and I are huge fans of the Liberty Tavern folk, who also run Eventide and Spider Kelly's, (yum and meh). But they've recently expanded their Clarendon reach by opening up Northside Social, in the old Murky Coffee Spot (R.I.P) and Lyon Hall. Lyon Hall is an Alsatian style bistro which means lots of sausages, oysters, and apparently good cocktails as well. Had I know it was going to be so dark, I would have brought a real camera, so I'm sorry for the artless iphone pictures but here we go.

We started in the spatzle area of the menu. Which I love saying...spatzle. So our friends ordered these Potato And Prune Dumplings also filled with speck, sage, ubriaco that were seriously out of this world, and pretty cute too.

PB got these chicken liver dumplings that featured these seriously delicious mushrooms and mouthwatering broth. I opted for the arctic char which literally melted in my mouth. And it features ramps, which I love.

As for the sausage portion of the meal. PB got this short rib frankfurter with English pub mustard that was also delish, but not as good as the Hungarian lamb sausage (pictured second). I also had to get a side of Celeriac Sauerkraut that was really good (anyone have a recipe?).

As I said, I'm sorry for the dark pictures, but I think you can tell, it was definitely a good meal. I am really hoping the place isn't taken over by the popped collar crowd, as with liberty tavern, but even with them...it's worth it.

Lyon Hall

3100 Washington Blvd.

Arlington VA 22201

(703) 741-7636
http://washingtondc.menupages.com/restaurants/lyon-hall/menu

Caesar Salad Search: Hank's Oyster Bar

There are tons of uber- delicious dishes to get at Hank's: creamy and briny oysters, crispy fried shrimp, the best squid ink pasta I have ever had. Caesar salad....eh. It's good, it is classically good. It has a very classic creamy dressing. There was a fresh anchovy (you can ask them to hold it) laying on top. It was adorned with crunchy little biscuits, black pepper, and flaky Parmesan. It's just not a showstopper.

On a hot humid DC day, I absolutely recommend you stop in, order a beer and some OYSTERS.

Hank's Oyster Bar
1624 Q Street NW,
Washington DC 20009,
202-462-HANK (4265)
and
1026 King Street,
Alexandria VA 22314,
703-739-HANK (4265)
http://www.hanksdc.com/

Cherry Blossom Porn

I just had to put up a few pictures from my excursion to the cherry blossom festival and just general cherry blossom goodness. Why do I love cherry blossoms so much? Is it because they look like cotton candy? Or the way the blossoms fall? Or because they make my mediocre photography skills appear even better?