Dear District of Columbia, I love you.
Before this weekend, I couldn't conjure up an image of what my social and professional life could be in our nation's capital.
I would love to live and love in the neighborhoods we drifted in and out of over Independence Day weekend...though not too soon.
As we sat back and took in the vibe of particular neighborhoods, not one person seemed to be in much of a rush.
On one particular evening later in the weekend, we ordered a car to take us onto the 14th Street Corridor (a street encompassing the Northwest and Southwest neighborhoods of D.C.) and boasting numerous ethnic and diverse food venues, bars, and quaint shops.
14th was where the first streetcar lines ran. It also connects DC to Virginia via a bridge over the Potomac River as well as one culture to another.
On this night, we started at Dolcezza for some very adult behavior...dessert BEFORE dinner! Gelato!
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| Georgia Pecan & Salted Caramel Gelato #DessertBeforeDinner |
There were major flavors of both gelato and sorbetto on the churn at Dolcezza including Mascarpone & Berries, Champagne Mango, Thai Coconut Milk, Honey Cardamom, Peppermint Stracciatella.
Afterwards, we dined at Le Diplomate, a classically styled French restaurant, from menu to handsome staff, to food presentation, style of outdoor seating and service (in a well-behaved french resto), it was almost reminiscent of Paris but with better manners and attitude on the staff's part.
As a bonus, I was distracted at least half a dozen times by neighborhood dogs out for walks with or in spite of their owners.
One bull terrier named daisy, with a pretty pink halter and the cutest, sweetest of faces decided, at the very last moment on the stroll down 14th, that she would hold a sit-in, to the amusement of outdoor diners, but not necessarily her owner.
There would be no active participation in this walk though her "master"/"dad" attempted to go so far as to drag her along one short square of the sidewalk before giving in and tying her to wrought iron in front of a brownstone while he tended to other business.
It wasn't a rare moment where I didn't ooh or ahh at either the adorable pups walking by, the food being placed down on our bistro table, or the handsome men passing by. Good neighborhood eye candy!
We basked in the light humidity and slightly overcast sky with a cool breeze back and decided it was better than our earlier attempt to be "real tourist" on the Smithsonian Museum campus upon which we ended up hot and unimpressed at the National Museum of American History vs. our initial intention, the Museum of Natural History. #Fail
Our server Rob was extremely knowledgeable, there was also a Latino server/runner who was in his #TopModel feelings, serving us long, exaggerated turns as he descended upon and beyond our table (lol) and lovely hostess ladies in navy a line dresses with flats and thin red belts which struck me as the only way I'd want to dress were I officially in the industry ...sans the flats. Those who know me know I'd swap those for red pumps or stilettos.
My Full Review of Le Diplomate will be posted soon.
We stayed in Dupont Circle at the Renaissance where I had a few nice bites for one breakfast and one dinner.
The frittata was loaded with fresh veggies (mushroom, spinach, bell peppers, onion), ground turkey sausage and topped with cheese and salsa.
For dinner one night, I enjoyed a large bowl of Maryland crab chowder topped with large pieces fresh crab meat.
The frittata was loaded with fresh veggies (mushroom, spinach, bell peppers, onion), ground turkey sausage and topped with cheese and salsa.
For dinner one night, I enjoyed a large bowl of Maryland crab chowder topped with large pieces fresh crab meat.
The salmon was served with a tangy lemon butter sauce with rice and haricots verts.
Since Derek had arrived two days before I did, he had a surprisingly great handle on the best food neighborhood in which to hang We both did our research!
My research came heavily from the perspective of Washington Post Food Critic/Writer, Tom Sietsema who suggested Boqueria for a Spanish brunch.
Derek's was from getting out amongst the people and having a keen eye for what's happening in the city as well as some historic locations like Busboys & Poets. So we had a pretty diverse experience together and apart.
Since Derek had arrived two days before I did, he had a surprisingly great handle on the best food neighborhood in which to hang We both did our research!
My research came heavily from the perspective of Washington Post Food Critic/Writer, Tom Sietsema who suggested Boqueria for a Spanish brunch.
Derek's was from getting out amongst the people and having a keen eye for what's happening in the city as well as some historic locations like Busboys & Poets. So we had a pretty diverse experience together and apart.
One evening, we headed over to to Busboys and Poets (the original location at 14th & V), a community hotbed for racial, political and social change. The space is named for poet Langston Hughes who worked as a busboy at the Wardman Park Hotel in the 20's prior to his life as a transformative poet.
There are three other locations in the Metro area.
There are three other locations in the Metro area.
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| Langston Hughes at Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC - 1925 |
The community space features an amazing book collection (for purchase), music, art, food/drinks, and a wholly inclusive vibe from patrons of all ages, ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientation, etc. We sat at the bar and took in the scenes.
A busy painting hung on the wall above the back bar kept us entertained for quite some time.
The beautifully, colorful piece by Anna Rose Soevik was eye-catching and all around fun piece!
The beautifully, colorful piece by Anna Rose Soevik was eye-catching and all around fun piece!
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| Langston Hughes by Anna Rose Soevik- Canvas (19x6 Feet on 5 Panels) |
We enjoyed a few libations and I ordered the Tuna Nicoise salad which was bright, fresh, and pretty much on point for a Nicoise salad. I didn't expect a huge piece of tuna steak, being that I am used to it with sliced and pan-seared tuna. Had I known, I would have requested a warmer temperature on the prep.
A new friend did rave about the shrimp and grits and another about the fried chicken and collards!
Sounds like a must try on my next visit to the District!
Sounds like a must try on my next visit to the District!
The next day we decided on Boqueria, a Spanish tapas restaurant, for brunch. Boqueria boasts a spectacular Unlimited Brunch tapas, drinks, and sweets for only $39 pp with a time limit of 2.5 hours.
The entire table has to decide to order this way in order to get the deal. The server brought out dish after dish and pitcher after pitcher of mimosas, white/red/pink Sangrias, and then two desserts.
It was almost disturbing how many dishes we had in front of us at any given point.
The highlights for me were some of my favorite Spanish dishes to begin with.
The entire table has to decide to order this way in order to get the deal. The server brought out dish after dish and pitcher after pitcher of mimosas, white/red/pink Sangrias, and then two desserts.
It was almost disturbing how many dishes we had in front of us at any given point.
The highlights for me were some of my favorite Spanish dishes to begin with.
Check out our feast below...
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| We were stuffed at this point. I have no idea how I managed to smile without bursting wide open. |
Even with food restrictions at the table, we were all able to enjoy a full meal.
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| Albondigas: classic Spanish lamb meatballs bathed in tomato sauce with sheep's milk cheese and cucumber slices which added a layer of beauty, texture, and color and coolness. |
Even though the tapas were unlimited, the presentation did not lack.
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| Large, crisp spears of asparagus over a puddle of hazelnut Romesco sauce. Simple, fresh, and full of flavor. |
| A beautiful roasted beet salad with orange wedges, frisee, green pistachios, Valdeon blue cheese, and Sherry vinaigrette |
Golden and Purple Beets make for a beautiful dish!
Outside of the lovely beet fries served at GrassFed Boston, I cannot seem to wrap my brain around eating purple beets, as my grandmother's pickled beets on dinner salads continues to haunt me. I'm all about the golden,however.
#ChildhoodPhobiaNumber 3
#FirstWorldProblemsNumber 29840753084
And yes, I am using hashtags in blog posts now (smile).
Your entire life can be described in fun hashtags...trust me.
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| Huevos Benedictinos |
Wooden tray full of delicious accompaniments: 
Griddled and halved English muffins were topped with thin sliced jamon Serrano, a perfectly poached egg, Hollandaise sauce and sprinkled with smoked paprika and chives.  |
I can hardly call this sauce or include in the title of this dish a Salsa Verde. It was bland, thin, uninteresting. Out of season tiny mussels yearned for undeserved recognition. I had one and decided against giving it much more attention. With all the bread that ended up on the table, it would have been dreamy to have a sauce worthy of' dipping housemade bread.
Service was attentive and quick. I highly recommend Boqueria for a hearty meal and creative cocktails.
Of course I had to sample a highly rated ramen shop before leaving DC. Check out my review of Daikaya which I am adding to my latest ramen article entitled:
"A Collection of the Ramen, Pho, and Other Noodle Soups I've Enjoyed Over MY Past 6 Month Obsession."
Bar reviews coming soon!
