Graffiato Review

I finally made it to Graffiato. Despite the City Eats reservation snafu, the service was very good. The Kingdom Come cocktail (bluecoat gin, green chartreuse, passion fruit, lemon) was very refreshing.  Green Chartreuse!

What I particularly enjoyed: the flatbread with the pepperoni sauce, the roasted cauliflower, the crispy gnocchi with mushrooms, the arrancini special, and well...everything was good. The asparagus was a little plain, and the spaghetti was very good, though the gnocchi was just perfectly buttery and crisp...we all would have had a second helping. We did not sample the pizzas or desserts, but I would be up for that next time. We all left a little hungry and headed for some frozen yogurt afterwards before it started to downpour. Perfect ladies night out!

Checking Out Bloomingdale

We met up with Katherine and Brian for dinner in Bloomingdale last night. First, Rustik.We took advantage of the happy hour specials for Bell's Oberon and IPAs and pizzas. They were good, not great, but I liked the very neighborhoodly vibe of the place. And it was perfect weather, until the rain came, to sit outside.  Afterwards, we headed a half of block away to Boundary Stone for a nightcap.  Good beer and bourbon selection.  And the place was packed. Again, a great neighborhood vibe, and I was a little jealous of their corner. Perfect for sitting outside on a warm night. And as always, great conversation.   

Weekend Wrap-Up

1. Dinner was fun with T&M on Saturday, but my purse still reeks of Indian food. Sigh.
2. I did not watch the Oscars. I don't even know anything about most of those movies, except for the Help.
3. Pearl Dive Oyster Palace did serve a good brunch, but man, were portions small and overpriced. It took about six bites to finish my itty bitty omelet. Next time, I go big for brunch.
4.  My favorite thing to cook is my shrimp scampi. Garlicky buttery goodness. So bad but so so good.
5. I will miss my Saturday a.m. shopping routine for the next few weeks. I will miss having Saturdays off for a few weeks, CA and LA be damned.
6. I started Mad Men Season three. Is it possible for a show to stay this good?
7. I also finished Nothing to Envy.  I already ordered Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader. Highly recommend.
8. One more day until Fanfarlo's album comes out.
9. It feels spring like today. Almost 60 degrees and sunny. I am SO ready to say goodbye to winter!
10. It's birthday week...that is all.

Too Much Weekend

So as I suspected, this weekend was crazy. From dinner Thursday at Legal Seafoods, dinner at Las Placitas, Bill & Jen's, lots of football and NFC upsets (49ers! Giants!), way too much time at the Biergarten Haus and far too much carnitas, and dinner at Bangkok 54 with the ladies, I was definitely restaurant'd out this weekend. And socially, it was really too much. I was yearning for some me time, and I didn't really get that. I did get an hour in Barnes & Noble yesterday afternoon, but with no where to sit, it wasn't enough. Gosh, do I miss Borders across the street...

Though all of that being said, it was good to see friends. I am looking forward to a quiet weekend coming up, though. No craziness, just camping out and watching the second to last NFL Sunday until the Fall. And it did make January go by just a bit faster. I really hate winter, I have cold, and and I hate stressing about freezing temperatures and frozen pipes. I just want it to be Spring, you know? Warmness and birthdays (well, never mind on that). I just want the clock to move faster.

Top Ten from the Weekend

1. Breakfast cookies.
2. Terrible service at Tru Orleans, though great food all around, particularly at the Atlas Room and the Argonaut. H Street classics. OMG that beef two ways was amongst the best of what I've eaten this year.  And the lamb ragout and desserts...
3. Making like six pots of coffee. And brunch at home!
4.  A fun game of Loaded Questions. Ridiculous.
5. Long walks and aching backs because we are getting old.
6. Spies and museums.
7.  Lots of lesbian talk.
8.  Our very high, hopefully, yelp rating.
9. Hanging out around the island and just talking.
10.  A weekend with good friends in DC. Gosh I already miss those guys.

Three Reviews

On Friday night, we finally made it to the Big Board. Very, very tasty.  Granted, I cannot eat red meat like I used to, but occasionally a juicy burger is called for. We received ample amounts of fries, old bay seasons, and super good garlicy, parmesan coated sweet potato fries. We shared the "Le Burg-aire au Poivre Seared with cracked black pepper, topped with Great Hill blue cheese & a cognac cream sauce" and the "Memphis Blues Topped with Colby-Jack cheese, house BBQ sauce & crispy "tobacco" onions."  Both were great, and we'll be back.

Sunday, I brunched at Granville Moore's, where I haven't dined in quite a while. Also good.  I had a very garlicy mushroom omlette with home fries. And two cocktails, including a peach bellini and the house mimosa, which had all sorts of alcoholy goodness in it.

And finally, we watched Pearl Jam 20 on Saturday evening. I sort of knew some of the history of the band, including the back story of Mother Love Bone and Temple of the Dog.  It was striking at how quickly the group synthesized, how naturally Eddie Vedder just blended in and how great their early songs were (Alive in 1990, just weeks after they officially hooked up).  It was remarkable that even though they had a good time performing, they avoided that awful drug scene that ended MLB.  I don't think Cameron Crowe interjected himself too much at all, and I found the anecdote about how Pearl Jam just totally phoned it in and drank themselves to oblivion during the Singles party pretty funny.  Pearl Jam became so big so fast, and lived long on after the tragedy and rivalry of Nirvana.  Terrific flick. Oh, and favorite piece of trivia was that first album "Ten" was after Mookie Blaylock's number, the NBA player that the band was initially named after.

Oh yes, the rest of the week was spent watching football.

Weekend with the In-Laws

We enjoyed a very busy weekend with family. It was much needed.

Thursday we headed out to our favorite restaurant, the Atlas Room, which once again did not disappoint.  We shared these delicious slices of lamb bacon, along with the dark meat chicken flatbread and lamb, along with the pumpkin cake.  And cocktails, of course, including my clover club.

Friday we ventured out to Virginia wine country, starting with a pit stop at the Dogfish Head Brewery for a terrific flounder sandwich. We went to Rappahannock, and we most enjoyed the Viognier and the Cabernet Franc.  They then recommended we head over to Chester Gap which had an amazing view of the Shenandoah Valley.

The highlights Saturday were lots and lots of mussels at Brasserie Beck, dinner at  Philomena's, and then Les Miserables. The Kennedy Center is always awesome to go to. I largely agree with the reviews that the show itself was a bit frantic and rushed, particularly in the beginning.  The sets were amazing, and almost film-like, particularly when Jean Valjean is in the tunnels.  The leads were great, although it was the Javert understudy who was featured. Reviewing the story synopsis beforehand was helpful, although in general I thought the play was clear and you could hear the lyrics--luckily the orchestra didn't drown out the (very loud) performers.

I was grateful for the long weekend, the time with family and my  husband, the chance to get away from everything when the next few weeks will be hectic. And soon it will be Thanksgiving!!

Weekend

We went to Atlas Room on Friday night and had another terrific dinner there. We always do. Short rib ravioli, lamb two ways, and a pork loin were all delicious. The pumpkin cake dessert we shared was so good. Best desert yet, I think. We will be back in a few weeks with Steve's folks.

The rest of the weekend we relaxed, watched football, and took it easy.  I was feeling a little under the weather Saturday night; must be the dramatic change of weather from Spring to Autumn. Lions won a nail-biter comeback over the 'Boys, and the Tigers evened their series against the Yankees. Game 3 tonight with Verlander!!

Acadiana

We went out for an impromptu dinner at Acadiana the other night. We split a bottle of wine, the meat pies, and redfish with cheesy grits.  It was my first time there, and I don't know why I haven't been before. The biscuits they served as bread would have been much better had they been warm, and we were a bit taken a back by the abruptness with which they gave us our 2/3 completed bottle to go. But it was a nice, early night out and what has been a mediocre week.

I am actually hoping to do some real cooking this weekend. I really want to take a stab at making chili. I might break down and get a slow cooker. I bet I could get a decent one from Target. I have all of these magazines and recipes I've ripped out but have been too exhausted to cook. It's time, especially if it will be somewhat rainy this weekend and I'll be held hostage by football.

Bad Eats, Good Company

Tonic Restaurant wins the award for my least favorite place to have eaten in recent months. It did have close competition in the supremely overrated Tru Orleans, which was just panned by Tom Sietsema, and Smith Commons.  Both were overpriced. While the latter had better food, both were too trendy for their own good, and I'm not sure we are terribly eager to return.  At least I enjoyed Liz and Ann's company at Tonic.  The food was cheap, though the service was horrid and the menu confusing. I don't feel bad for over-tipping when it took about a half hour to get drinks and even longer to get fairly average food, even if it was only a summer pizza, veggie sandwich, and salad.

Though I have to say that Foggy Bottom area is changing, with a Sweetgreen and a Roti open already, and a Whole Foods about to open. I will definitely be checking that out in a couple of weeks.

Osteria

Ate at Osteria last night. The menu on their website is outdated, but I had some kind of tomato/goat cheese starter and some pasta with tomatoes and a lemon-raspberry charlotte. I was a bit disappointed with my choices, but that is life. Dessert was an A and so was the company. And yes, I should have had pizza and ravioli. Oh, well.

Michigan tomorrow!

Restaurants of Note

Last night I went with Liz to the Columbia Room for their much anticipated cocktail tasting menu. It was superb (though pricey). We enjoyed a champagne-esque vintage punch, then something with cherry and rye whiskey, and I finished it up with a gin fizz which apparently had egg white. Very good, all three. We had a little nut/craisin type tasting plate, which was great, but it would have been nice to have a more substantial bite since that was obviously dinner. But best of all was good girly talk conversation, over carefully crafted, meticulous cocktails at a quiet bar.

And then last week, Jenny and I met at Lincoln. We enjoyed several glasses of wine. I really enjoyed their seasonal menu of artisanal breads with a butternut squash, ricotta, and hazelnut spread; roasted heirloom eggplant with goat cheese and honey; and heirloom tomato risotto.  We also split a watermelon salad with feta. I'd definitely go back, though it was SO loud inside. We did eat outside.  It was just reviewed by Tom so the timing was great.

Steak Shack

So I am a little bit in love.

So no, I cannot eat burgers every day, though damn, Steak Shack burgers are the best ones I've had. In a long while. Better than fast food or Spike's or Fuddruckers or Five Guys. The Shack Burger's special sauce, the perfect amount of fry and salt on the french fries, the delectable meat perfectly cooked medium.  Yummmmmy.

And yes, I will fill uncomfortably full and bloated later. And I may regret the red meat. It is calorically bad, and I may regret that, too. But that is why you work out: so you can indulge in the Steak Shacky goodness of that beef patty with cheese and special sauce. Oh god it was sooo good...the absolute perfect burger. And fries. Sigh.

Easter 2011

Different from last year.  Thank God. We settled on Friday and went to Lauriol Plaza with Katherine and Brian.  Then we went bowling yesterday and ate at Cafe Deluxe with Adam and Rachel.  Then we went to mass and worked out and I've been taking it easy today.  I needed an easy day.

So calm and quiet today. And hot. In the 80s and humid.  When did Spring just disappear?

This was good. Happy Easter.

Ladies Dinner

We had a fun ladies night out dinner at The Liberty Tavern in Arlington on Saturday night. Much to celebrate!

I started with a half-portion of the "Gnocchi trumpet royal, hedgehog and porcini mushrooms, cotechino sausage, arugula."  Wow, was it good. A little salty, but that's ok. I could have eaten this entire portion for my entree.  I followed up with" Georges Bank Haddock wrapped in house bacon, with buckwheat polenta, roasted Brussels sprouts, chestnuts, pink peppercorns, chestnut-rosemary emulsion."  Also very delicious.  I just couldn't finish it all, though.  I am loving the polenta, the bacon was perfect, and the fish very nicely cooked.  We then shared a cheese plate and decaf coffees, like the rebels we are. Very  nice meal! And I had two delicious cocktails: "Hemingway Daquiri Cruzan Light Rum, Fresh Lime, Ruby Grapefruit, Luxardo, Up" and another that does not appear to be listed. I was a happy girl.

I had brunch at Jackson 20 on Sunday. I think the hash brown and free fruit plate were the best parts of the meal. Coffee was eh. And the plentiful bacon was great, but not the best bacon.  $10 for bacon and eggs weren't bad though.

I cannot complain, though. Good eating weekend, with tacos on Sunday  night. And a really good Bertolli Shrimp pasta on Friday night that fueled my 8 mile run.

Birthday Dinner

We ate last night at Bibiana to celebrate Steve's 37th birthday.  I had the Arancini (Saffron Rice Fritters, Mozzarella) which were good but not nearly as good as Taylor's risotto balls.  Steve chose Spaghetti al Nero di Seppia (Black Spaghetti, Maryland Jumbo Lump Crab, "Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino") and this seafood brother which I can't identify from the menu online. He had the spaghetti, which was tender and the crab was perfectly light. The seafoody broth paled in comparison to the Atlas Room's seafood stew, which is what he really wanted.  We also shared a slice of the ricotta cheesecake, which was good, because how can cheesecake not be, but had a little too much going on.  Anyway, we should have stuck to two pasta dishes. 

Anyway, it was still a good meal out.  Two more days....

RW2: Charlie Palmer's

Great experience at Charlie Palmer's on Saturday night with friends. Everything was delicious...the pork gnocchi, the sirloin (not a trace of fat, and cooked absolutely perfectly. This is why I am still a carnivore!), and the carrot cake-esque dessert (not to mention the bites of the cheesecake). A great bartender afterwards, with port and old fashions. And the best part--no corkage fee for wine! We enjoyed cabernets from Cakebread and St. Supery. So good, so much fun, and I definitely would go back.

RW: 701

With the exception of the juvenile bartender, I enjoyed 2/3 of my courses at Restaurant Week at 701.  I had the chestnut and mushroom soup, which was a great, flavor-filled starter, and then moved on to the red snapper with saffron risotto, peeky toe crab (though not much of that), and lemon.  The dessert was eh: a lemon poppy seed cake, though the marsala ice cream was delectable...I would have preferred a plate of that. The cake tasted like it had been sitting out all day. Eh. Anyway, I am looking forward to Charlie Palmer's on Saturday. It will be a treat, and I'll need a good workout before that!

Atlas Room

On Saturday we dined at the Atlas Room and enjoyed one of the best meals we've had all year. We started with a Blood & Sand, described as having "The Famous Grouse Scotch Whisky, Carpano Italian Vermouth, Cherry Heering, Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice."  We then shared the seafood stew, with cobia, barramundi, shrimp, clams, and majoram cream. All I can say is that it was delectable.  Then we also shared the flatbread with spiced butternut squash puree, goat cheese, and parsely/herb gremalata.  Oh gosh that squash was perfect.  We also shared the lamb duo, described as "saddle and top round, crackling, sauteed mushrooms, fingerling potato, and broccoli rabe." Yum. Almost as good as the Australian embassy lamb!  We also shared a tort/chocolately/wafery dessert.

So good. Great service, a perfect cocktail, and terrific food. We'll be back.

Eventide

We dined out last night at Eventide with Laura & Ed. The restaurant was swank yet comfortable, with black leather seats that were sort of amusement park like with a door that opened up the booth. The food was delicious--I had the lobster gnocchi which I ate every last bite of, and Steve had pan seared Alaskan halibut with parmesan grits, fava bean cream, pickled okra, roasted corn, fava beans, and marjoram. Those grits were the best thing ever, and it was so fresh and seasonal. The gnocchi had Roasted corn, cherry tomatoes, chopped basil, baby arugula, lobster/corn butter. Corn, yum. Afterwards we split a slice of vanilla mascarpone cheesecake with Espresso granita, chocolate-covered espresso beans, dark chocolate caramel, milk chocolate crema. Oh good.

But the two bottles of shiraz (name not on the website) were the best...so good and juicy and fruity. I'd come back for the wine!

And conversation flowed too...from work to tea parties to children to religion to football. Nice evening, even if it was a bit pricey. I do endorse Eventide and would love to go to their lounge to try that out next time!