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.   

Block Party

The block party was a lot of fun. Lots of great tacos, lots of great music, lots of great opportunities to meet new neighborhood friends.  I even won the salsa contest, whoo hoo!  We went all afternoon, and the turnout stayed strong all afternoon and evening.  And no rain! That was a bonus, since it downpoured in Arlington.

It reminded me of those days in Detroit, when everyone knew their neighbors and kids were in and out of each other's homes.  Neighbors stopped to talk to neighbors on the stoops. Was it Eric, that older man that dad talked garden with? And Emil....he always remembered us with kind cards and recognition. He lived next door to that mean older lady...maybe she was just lonely.  And Art & Emma, and the Millers and the teenagers at the corner.  And the cop with the big dogs.  And Chris R's uncle across the street.  There was the Mitchells and Jerry's family and of course Diane. We all lived near other and grew up together on Edmore. And around the block there were always others we knew, Brett and Marisa.  And a block away even more.  We all knew each other on that block. And when neighbors gathered together, eating and drinking and talking and dancing, it reminded me of those days 25+ years ago.  I wasn't sure if that camaraderie could exist today, but of course it can. So here's hoping there will be another.

Fun with Friends

To follow up on a good weekend report, we had fun with Jenny & John and C&J on Saturday night for an evening on H Street. Starting with g&t's at home, followed by the Argonaut, H Street Country Club, and a grand finale at Little Miss Whiskey's. I think it helps us like the neighborhood more if we have friends over, and we hang out, as opposed to sulking about things, even when they are not great. And to hang out with other couple friends with NO CHILDREN is also quite nice. We need to do it more often, I think.

Two days til Detroit!!!!!!!

Fun Night, Long Workout

We had a fun night last night with B&J, starting at Granville Moore's and then heading for some awesomeness at Little Miss Whiskey's. I think this is a new H street favorite, though we all drank too much. The bar had a great vibe, it was really relaxed, the drinks were terrific, and it was just nice to find a hang-out spot nearby. I also like the Stroh's Michigan vibe.

Tonight we're checking out another neighborhood place, Bistro Cacao. I'm glad we're getting out a bit, and even better with friends. This snow/blizzard/trapped feeling, the inability to drive anywhere, and the never ending winter is strong enough incentive to roam a bit about!!