Category: DC/MD/VA

Local adventures in DC, Maryland and Virginia

Feed Starving People

You know what's awesome? When people can find a way to do something they love, and help people at the same time. My car club recently joined forces with another team to Feed Starving people. The event raised money to support this organization's next mission in South East Asia. They also collected clothing donations.

We had the event at the Greene Turtle in Dulles. They were very accommodating. We had a car show with trophies for winners, car limbo, a DJ and vendors. It was fun to share the day with other car enthusiasts and my team!

 

 

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In A World Like This: Backstreet Boys Concert

The last time I saw Backstreet Boys, all together live, was when I was 13, and Nick Carter was 16. It was my first concert ever. I was out with my other middle school friends. And my parents weren’t there. It was my first night on the town you could say. This was back when my room was dark because the walls were covered, every inch of magazine tear outs and posters of Backstreet boys, along with a tiny space on the ceiling above my head dedicated to Nick Carter.
 

Fast forward 15 years, and here they are again. Same dance moves, same energy, just a little more weight, facial hair, wrinkles. Same smiles though. Brian is still flipping and goofing around on stage. Kevin is still charming, smooth and suave. AJ is still super awesome and cool. Nick is still an attention whore trying to get all the ladies to love his magic mike moves and well Howie’s still just trying to get everyone to love him and notice him.

 

They were opened up by DJ Pauly D. Who did a fun set, while I was still eating my burger in the VIP lounge. It was a pretty short set. And then I got my teeny bopper squeal on when Jesse McCartney stepped out on stage in a suit and started singing his old hits, sprinkled with a couple new ones…that I DO LOVE. Realistically, Nick Carter and Jesse McCartney aren’t the type of guys I would swoon over in real life…but on stage what is it about the magic there that just wins a girl over?

 

My friend Megan (who is an awesome hair stylist by the way) got us the VIP package. Parking, lounge and seats. We were in row A. Close enough to make eye contact with them and share smiles. Did I mentioned, I've probably died 20 times that night? I had an amazing time singing at the top of my lungs, hanging out with Megan and friends. I was still a little sick. But worth every bit of it. If I could afford to do it again, I would. Now I feel a rekindled love for my 5 guys. To another 20 years boys!!!

 

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Bangkok Noodle

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Not sure if you noticed, but I love noodle soups. It’s so comforting, and even though it could be 100 degrees outside, I could probably still have some noodle soup. A couple of people have mentioned Bangkok Noodle House in Springfield, so we decided to give it a shot one day for lunch.

They also serve a regular thai menu, but we were there strictly for the noodles. The service was attentive and friendly. I chose the floating market soup. I have never had it before. It was flavorful, but I don’t think I would get it again, it was too…liver-y for me.

But their homemade ice cream? YES. Winner. We had a scoop of coconut, and a scoop of taro. AND IT HAD BITS OF REAL TARO in it. Taro is one of my favorite flavors, artificial and real.

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Emerald in the Woods

 Our friends came up to visit this past weekend, and they wanted to go “camping”. The boo and I were like, alright! We have a 3 bedroom tent, let’s do this. But then other people in the group made the requirement of…running water and electricity. WOMP. So somehow we ended up in a beautiful log cabin (mansion) in the woods. Definitely check out Emerald in the Woods. It’s spectacular.

 This place could sleep I believe up to 20 people, but there was only 10 of us. We brought enough food for the week..but we only stayed two nights. It was fully equipped. TV, WiFi, game room with air hockey, hammock, grill, wrap around porch, giant kitchen, two car garage, 4 full bathrooms. This place was stocked. Linens, towels, toilet paper, everything was included. Basically we were in a luxury hotel in the woods with no made service.

 

We were definitely not “camping”. It was a weekend getaway, wrapped in the silence of the woods and dark lit sky of stars. I had a great time cooking in that kitchen, and have big meals together with our friends around the dining table. We ended our last night there around a campfire, roasting marshmallows and making s’mores.

I really enjoyed the peace and quiet and not having to think about my “fast paced” life at home. But now its Monday and we are back on the grind!!!

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La Diplomate

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I finally got a chance to taste La Diplomate. Paris was an amazing experience for me last year. After having tasted a REAL baguette and croissant my palate has been in search of the perfect baguette here in the good ol’ states. I found ONE place that I can pick some up at for home nearby.

It was a hot cloudy day when we went. There were no reservations available for sunday, so we decided to try our luck and wait for a patio seat outside. So french. Other than being a fairly large place on the corner of the street, decor wise, it did remind me of Paris. I loved it.

20130604-141656.jpgWe sat outside, facing the sidewalk, and watching the street. I had an Orangina, and ordered the duck terrine. I was sad that they lacked the standard charcuterie board, which is my go to whenever I go to a french restaurant. But Ben, our wonderful server suggested the duck terrine, which was on point. The boo had the macaroni au gratin, which was made mostly of gruyere, his favorite cheese, and cavatappi noodles.
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Then it started to rain. HARD. Luckily we were finishing up and didn’t have to find an alternate eating situation. The service was great. He even threw in a baguette with my to go food because I loved it so much.

Definitely gotta go back there with someone who will share mussels with me, and again for brunch!

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SUMMER 2013

PondPond by Te Whiu, on Flickr

I know. It’s not officially summer yet. But it’s hot outside, and its starting to be steady. At this point I am usually planning out my travel destinations for the next few months. This year though, I think I want to stick around. Road trips, and dog friendly activities. The only two out of state trips I foresee is a road trip to Canada to see Amy and an Orlando trip to visit our friends who’ve recently moved.
Mr Bento's inaugural picnicMr Bento’s inaugural picnic by Erica Nofi, on Flickr

That being said, I am on the hunt for 2 hour max radius adventures. I want picnics, and hikes, and beaches!

What are you looking forward to this summer?

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Life with Bawse

After being cooped up all week due to the unpredictable rain, we decided to take Bawse out to Leesylvania Park and test his swimming instincts. They were there, but he definitely was scared. Which is to be expected, coming from a dog who is scared to walk into unknown places. He actually had to get CARRIED out into the water, and then he swam back to shore because he hated being in the water. Granted, it was the Potomac River. I wouldn’t want to swim in it either!

He’s such a character. If you pick him up and hold him over water, he starts doggie paddling…before he’s even in! I guess he just wanted a head start!

 

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Daikaya

Hmmm. I’ve been craving ramen a lot lately. Maybe because the weather got cold again. What are you doing mother nature? *shakes fist. We decided to try out Daikaya one cold Sunday.

20130422-091558.jpg Daikaya is located right next to Graffiato in chinatown, DC. Tiny place, and set up like a ramen place is known to be. Side by side seating. Fast paced and buzzing with chatter and slurping. They are very hi tech in there. Seating system is via tablet. Order system is also via handheld.

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Our server was super friendly and helpful. Explained the difference between broths and helped up make all decisions. Even though it was busy, he was very patient. It was a sunday evening, and the wait for 2 wasn’t that bad. Maybe 5-10 minutes. I would guess bigger parties would be more of a hassle. Don’t count on sitting together.

The noodles were great. Perfect texture. I think I picked the wrong broth for myself. The shoyu was great, and very traditional, but I’ve come to realize, I like a lighter broth, like the miso, or I will try the shio next time. The bowls were too big for me, and I got tired of the flavor. The egg in it was delicious! It all was really great at first…but half way through my bowl I was sleepy!

I would definitely go back. Great vibe. Delicious broth.

 

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Izakaya Blue Ocean Restaurant: Ramen

After hearing many great things, and being recommended this place often, I finally got the chance to try Blue Ocean Restaurant. I hear their sushi is GREAT and their ramen is flavorful. But that would be too much for me to judge on at once, so let’s break it down by food. Today we are talking soup. Ramen noodle soup to be exact.

I ordered the soy ramen soup. And that was it. It came out in a perfect portion, for me. Meaning it wasn’t a huge bowl that I was doomed to waste. There was bamboo, a seaweed sheet, scallions, half a boiled egg, and piece of pork. Your standard ramen bowl. No extras to add in were even offered on the menu. Just straight up ramen.

And that was all it needed to be. The noodles were a perfect texture, the soup full of flavor. WOW. I did not expect this from a non dedicated noodle joint. I am happy. Maybe all the other places had too many choices? And I made the wrong choice? Now I have to reevaluate and try ALL the soups every where else. Or maybe not. But yes. It was GOOD. and I am satisfied. Better than Tanpopo for me.

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Hot & Juicy Crawfish

How have I not written about this place before? I’ve gone here a couple times already, to quickly satiate my cravings for crawfish, when my brother can’t whip me up a pot “real quick”. Out of the two places in the area that I’ve been to for crawfish, this place is only second best to my family’s boil.

I took my little there for her birthday the other weekend. It was her first time EVER having crawfish. But being the adventurous eater she is, she opened them like a pro. She even sucked the head for the sweet brains, and loved it. I was a super proud big. They also have crab legs, clams, blue crabs, oysters, calamari…basically its a down and dirty seafood joint.

They take their spices really seriously there, so their “mild” is spicy enough for me. So tread carefully when you are ordering your spice levels. My favorite is their Juicy Cajun flavor for the crawfish. Since it’s not like Ai Toy’s crawfish, I have to dip the meat back in the sauce…but at least it doesn’t taste like pond water!

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