I'll be at artDC pretty much non-stop through Monday, manning our booth. If you are in the area, you should definitely stop by. Plus, Friday is a free admission day. Billed as Washington, D.C.'s "first modern and contemporary art fair" there will be art dealers and galleries represented from around the world. arTalks will include panel discussions on contemporary art and collecting and there will be a new media section featuring today's cutting edge artists.
Hope to find some time to post over the weekend, but if not, I'll have a review of Indebleu when I return.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
From the Ground Up: Challenging Perceptions
A lunchtime need to get out of the office brought me to the Renwick Gallery - an often overlooked museum in my repetoire. I admit it has been about five years since my last visit and for someone who works in the arts and just two blocks from the gallery, that is a big confession. After today's visit, I wonder what it is that I've been missing.
From the Ground Up (through July 22) will challenge the way you look at objects and any traditional notion of craft that you may have (other than, perhaps, that it is a "women's" art field). Set in an intimate and crowd-free setting, this show is much more manageable than the larger craft collections on view at the Smithsonian Museum of American Art and is an excellent introduction into the boundaries that craft artists are breaking. No longer do objects have to be "useful," they can just be.
This 2007 Renwick Gallery Invitational features the work of four artists: Paula Bartron (glass), Jocelyn Chateauvert (paper), Beth Lipman (glass), and Beth Cavener Stichter (clay). This is not a show that one can easily just pass through. Each piece invites closer examination and careful inspection to fully know what is going on.
For example, take Bartron's glass works. "Glass?" you might say, "But that looks like stone, heavy and rock-like." Yes Bartron's works are indeed cast glass, but covered with sand and made to look not at all like glass. It is only with the introduction of light that one begins to wonder what are these things exactly. Each piece seems to emanate the ambient light from its core, made possible by the faintest and smallest areas of glass that peek through the sand covering. One particularly striking piece is Blue Disks - a wall installation of 28 identically sized earth-toned disks that, with the introduction of a bit of blue sand, seem to radiate an aura from within.
Lipman creates clear glass renderings of well-known still-life paintings by the Old Masters. Beautiful compositions sparkle in the museum lighting and each piece proves more complex than the last. Glass is layered next to and on top of each other, replicating the end of a raucous dinner party in the 20 foot long Bancketje. Walking around the featured installation, I wanted to tread lightly for fear of disturbing one piece and sending all of the components crashing to the floor. And then I noticed the artist's touch. A few small shards of glass, already positioned on the floor. For a moment, I wondered if the guard had noticed.
Stichter's work is equally intriguing as it is haunting. Fantastical clay creatures, half human-half animal, leap into the space at the viewer or are bound by ropes, one clings to a wall-shelf for dear life. The wall text explains that all are portraits of people Stichter knows and her website elaborates that these works were born of personal accounts of people's "most intimate experiences relating to gender identity, fantasies, fetishes, and abuses." The works are powerful and dramatic.
In the last set of galleries, Chateauvert positions her handmade paper and light into a crafty dialogue. They co-exist harmoniously with the light playing off of each fold in the work. A large piece, that replicates a tree trunk, is a clever take on the origins of paper and really looks like hard, sturdy wood. Other works use paper in its most basic and natural fiber form, the light projecting through soft, wispy strands. And one gallery installation, in particular, will make you feel like Alice in Wonderland.
From the Ground Up is an excellent look at today's craft artists. It will make you take a pause from harried city life and marvel at the magic of art.
From the Ground Up (through July 22) will challenge the way you look at objects and any traditional notion of craft that you may have (other than, perhaps, that it is a "women's" art field). Set in an intimate and crowd-free setting, this show is much more manageable than the larger craft collections on view at the Smithsonian Museum of American Art and is an excellent introduction into the boundaries that craft artists are breaking. No longer do objects have to be "useful," they can just be.
This 2007 Renwick Gallery Invitational features the work of four artists: Paula Bartron (glass), Jocelyn Chateauvert (paper), Beth Lipman (glass), and Beth Cavener Stichter (clay). This is not a show that one can easily just pass through. Each piece invites closer examination and careful inspection to fully know what is going on.
For example, take Bartron's glass works. "Glass?" you might say, "But that looks like stone, heavy and rock-like." Yes Bartron's works are indeed cast glass, but covered with sand and made to look not at all like glass. It is only with the introduction of light that one begins to wonder what are these things exactly. Each piece seems to emanate the ambient light from its core, made possible by the faintest and smallest areas of glass that peek through the sand covering. One particularly striking piece is Blue Disks - a wall installation of 28 identically sized earth-toned disks that, with the introduction of a bit of blue sand, seem to radiate an aura from within.
Lipman creates clear glass renderings of well-known still-life paintings by the Old Masters. Beautiful compositions sparkle in the museum lighting and each piece proves more complex than the last. Glass is layered next to and on top of each other, replicating the end of a raucous dinner party in the 20 foot long Bancketje. Walking around the featured installation, I wanted to tread lightly for fear of disturbing one piece and sending all of the components crashing to the floor. And then I noticed the artist's touch. A few small shards of glass, already positioned on the floor. For a moment, I wondered if the guard had noticed.
Stichter's work is equally intriguing as it is haunting. Fantastical clay creatures, half human-half animal, leap into the space at the viewer or are bound by ropes, one clings to a wall-shelf for dear life. The wall text explains that all are portraits of people Stichter knows and her website elaborates that these works were born of personal accounts of people's "most intimate experiences relating to gender identity, fantasies, fetishes, and abuses." The works are powerful and dramatic.
In the last set of galleries, Chateauvert positions her handmade paper and light into a crafty dialogue. They co-exist harmoniously with the light playing off of each fold in the work. A large piece, that replicates a tree trunk, is a clever take on the origins of paper and really looks like hard, sturdy wood. Other works use paper in its most basic and natural fiber form, the light projecting through soft, wispy strands. And one gallery installation, in particular, will make you feel like Alice in Wonderland.
From the Ground Up is an excellent look at today's craft artists. It will make you take a pause from harried city life and marvel at the magic of art.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Logan Circle - Strong and Growing
It is fitting that at the exact moment that the temperatures started to rise and the flowers began to bud, I noticed the sheer enormity of growth in my neighborhood. And I'm not talking about the trees. Springtime for Logan Circle! While I was holed up all winter, the construction crews were at it - building new property, turning over old property, and sprucing up gardens and parks. It's like a whole new world out there! What happened?
It's exciting, really. What a great time to be young and in this city. I've lived here for 8 years already and have seen so much change. From the doldrums of Foggy Bottom where there was nowhere to eat (Friday's, Bertucci's, SizzEx, and that horrible chinese restaurant in Columbia Plaza do NOT count), continual town-gown drama, and the crowd getting younger as I got older to a patchy stretch of land on 13th Street south of Logan Circle where I could trip over "ladies of the night" if I did not watch my step closely enough. Now, my current resting place - one that I can legitimately call my own - resides on yet another patchy stretch of land (this time on the north side.) With U Street to the north, Dupont to the west and Adams Morgan somewhere in between, I have to say I think I've landed a spot in the best place to live.
The diversity is what drew me to this neighborhood. A strong Ethiopian community to the east (here I'll plug my favorite Ethiopian restaurant, Lalibela at 1415 14th St, NW), the latin and hispanic groups that congregate at the weekly flea market on Florida Avenue, the hipsters in line at the Black Cat and the arts crowd making their rounds through the many galleries that have jumped ship from their old 7th Street and Georgetown digs to lay down roots in DC's new arts neighborhood.
There is so much to explore here in Logan Circle and so much on its way. I hear rumors of a tapas restaurant opening on 14th Street. A new furniture store will
make its way to furniture row where Storehouse used to live and HR-57 has added a comedy club to their line-up. Vida Fitness and Bang Salon and Spa scheduled to open in the Metropole at 15th and P Sts. Once completed, will give Results a run for their money, I'm sure. I'm thrilled to see that Written Word has moved over from Dupont Circle and that the owners of Logan Tavern and Merkado plan to open a new restaurant in Columbia Heights. A hotel is slated for the parking lot next to Viridian. (Check out the proposed design above.) In addition, I hear there is some talk about Source Theater and the possibility of a renovation/ expansion into a multi-use arts center.
A lot is happening out this way, and if you are still emerging from your winter cocoon, I encourage you to stop on by!
It's exciting, really. What a great time to be young and in this city. I've lived here for 8 years already and have seen so much change. From the doldrums of Foggy Bottom where there was nowhere to eat (Friday's, Bertucci's, SizzEx, and that horrible chinese restaurant in Columbia Plaza do NOT count), continual town-gown drama, and the crowd getting younger as I got older to a patchy stretch of land on 13th Street south of Logan Circle where I could trip over "ladies of the night" if I did not watch my step closely enough. Now, my current resting place - one that I can legitimately call my own - resides on yet another patchy stretch of land (this time on the north side.) With U Street to the north, Dupont to the west and Adams Morgan somewhere in between, I have to say I think I've landed a spot in the best place to live.
The diversity is what drew me to this neighborhood. A strong Ethiopian community to the east (here I'll plug my favorite Ethiopian restaurant, Lalibela at 1415 14th St, NW), the latin and hispanic groups that congregate at the weekly flea market on Florida Avenue, the hipsters in line at the Black Cat and the arts crowd making their rounds through the many galleries that have jumped ship from their old 7th Street and Georgetown digs to lay down roots in DC's new arts neighborhood.
There is so much to explore here in Logan Circle and so much on its way. I hear rumors of a tapas restaurant opening on 14th Street. A new furniture store will
make its way to furniture row where Storehouse used to live and HR-57 has added a comedy club to their line-up. Vida Fitness and Bang Salon and Spa scheduled to open in the Metropole at 15th and P Sts. Once completed, will give Results a run for their money, I'm sure. I'm thrilled to see that Written Word has moved over from Dupont Circle and that the owners of Logan Tavern and Merkado plan to open a new restaurant in Columbia Heights. A hotel is slated for the parking lot next to Viridian. (Check out the proposed design above.) In addition, I hear there is some talk about Source Theater and the possibility of a renovation/ expansion into a multi-use arts center.A lot is happening out this way, and if you are still emerging from your winter cocoon, I encourage you to stop on by!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Build It and They Will Come
Welcome everyone! I had a number of comments posted to my review on Busboys and Poets this morning and I'm so pleased to see that this blog has readership beyond my most loyal following. [note: Thanks to the nod by DC Blogs, the B&P post was the 2nd most popular outgoing link of the day.]
Today, I received good advice from a reader: Health Bar opens at 8am for breakfast. Of course, being a member of Results, that would mean that I'd feel guilty if I didn't combine it with a trip to the gym, but nevertheless... good to know!
So... you new visitors made me wonder why people read blogs - is it to obtain practical information and advice, to read about another point of view, or simply to gain voyeuristic insight into a stranger's life (which I can certainly be guilty of at times!). It is like finding a diary, right? The only "focus" of this blog is my random thoughts, aside from Thursday's restaurant review, and that's a fuzzy focus at best. Would readers be interested in something more centralized? Perhaps DC restaurant picks and finds (I'm no Tom Sietsema, though). Or maybe a focus on my neighborhood, Logan Circle/ U Street, and its goings-on? I've yet to find a really good neighborhood blog for this area, and maybe this is what the residents need? No offense to Logan Circle News. They only seem to report the crime. But, that is important too. Mid City Live is a great directory of the area and I love their listing of happy hour specials, but it is not designed to host commentary. Who is talking about the gallery events, new stores, and other happenings in the area?
Let me know what you think, what you are looking for, what you need. We can build this thing together. Until then... I'll keep on rambling.
Today, I received good advice from a reader: Health Bar opens at 8am for breakfast. Of course, being a member of Results, that would mean that I'd feel guilty if I didn't combine it with a trip to the gym, but nevertheless... good to know!
So... you new visitors made me wonder why people read blogs - is it to obtain practical information and advice, to read about another point of view, or simply to gain voyeuristic insight into a stranger's life (which I can certainly be guilty of at times!). It is like finding a diary, right? The only "focus" of this blog is my random thoughts, aside from Thursday's restaurant review, and that's a fuzzy focus at best. Would readers be interested in something more centralized? Perhaps DC restaurant picks and finds (I'm no Tom Sietsema, though). Or maybe a focus on my neighborhood, Logan Circle/ U Street, and its goings-on? I've yet to find a really good neighborhood blog for this area, and maybe this is what the residents need? No offense to Logan Circle News. They only seem to report the crime. But, that is important too. Mid City Live is a great directory of the area and I love their listing of happy hour specials, but it is not designed to host commentary. Who is talking about the gallery events, new stores, and other happenings in the area?
Let me know what you think, what you are looking for, what you need. We can build this thing together. Until then... I'll keep on rambling.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Here Comes the Sun
Just a short post to say "Welcome, Spring!" It's about time, isn't it? We can finally come out of our burrows and lift our pasty faces up to the sun. The parks and squares were filled today with office workers unwinding on a lunch break. Suit jackets were shed to bare arms to the breeze and toes wiggled out to play in the cool blades of grass.
With temps set to be in the 70s this weekend, I'm sure we'll all put off that spring cleaning a few more days to get outside and enjoy some fresh air. I know I will. I'm hoping to hit the links and maybe the bike trails in an attempt to make up for lost time here. Perhaps a walk, some warm-weather shopping, and an iced coffee to boot. Welcome, Spring! We're ready for you... can you handle us?
With temps set to be in the 70s this weekend, I'm sure we'll all put off that spring cleaning a few more days to get outside and enjoy some fresh air. I know I will. I'm hoping to hit the links and maybe the bike trails in an attempt to make up for lost time here. Perhaps a walk, some warm-weather shopping, and an iced coffee to boot. Welcome, Spring! We're ready for you... can you handle us?
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Busboys and Poets: ready when you are
Busboys and Poets
2021 14th Street, NW
http://www.busboysandpoets.com/
Don't even get me started on the lack of breakfast places open early enough for me on a weekend morning. I'm 30 now, and not sleeping in 'till noon anymore. But, I'm also not driving out to the 'burbs to hit up the Silver Diner. I need something local and convenient. A roll out of bed, walk a few blocks kind of place. The Diner in Adams Morgan, although typically a short drive for us in the mornings, is always way too crowded. And you know why? Because they are the ONLY early morning breakfast establishment in the city. You can wind up getting there early and waiting until 10 or 10:30 and by that time, something closer to you is almost open. DC restaurant proprietors need to consider this growing generation of people who have settled down a bit from their college fraternity days but who are not yet chasing the kids around the house with dark, heavy bags under their eyes.
Busboys and Poets halfway solves the problem. They are within walking distance from my house and they open at 10am on weekends. Now, its not quite 8 or 9am like I would prefer, but it is a full hour before the majority of restaurants that open at 11am.
B&P is also so much more than a restaurant. They have a bookstore, a bar, an area where they screen movies, they also hold open mic nights, benefits, and author events. It is a true community gathering place, with a crowd as diverse as you would expect given the "something for everybody" nature of the place. Their programs typically have a liberal activism quality to them and their bookstore challenges you to "rethink the world beyond the headlines." You can lounge on a comfy couch or sit at a more formal table setting and it is the kind of place where no one would think twice if you were sitting alone with your Post and a cup of joe or struggling through the awkward moments of a blind date. The atmosphere is a mix between a coffee shop and a casual lounge and welcoming to all people.
The brunch here is decent. The menu is not huge, but I do believe it has expanded recently and I'm always happy to see a brunch place offer lighter fare, such as granola, yogurt and fruit. You'll have several omelets and benedicts to choose from, french toast and waffles too. And you really can't go wrong with whatever you choose. The service is quite pleasant and timely and you may even strike up a conversation with your neighbor while you wait (the tables are arranged fairly close to each other but even more the reason why this restaurant breathes a sigh of community).
The full lunch menu is also available during the brunch hours and by far the best marriage of brunch and lunch is the peanut butter and banana panini, which comes drizzled (on the inside) with organic honey. It is to die for. Paired with a side of fruit, and you'll have enough energy to go out and change the world.
***(out of 4)
20% tip: for whatever the occasion, you'll find what you are looking for at Busboys and Poets.
2021 14th Street, NW
http://www.busboysandpoets.com/
Don't even get me started on the lack of breakfast places open early enough for me on a weekend morning. I'm 30 now, and not sleeping in 'till noon anymore. But, I'm also not driving out to the 'burbs to hit up the Silver Diner. I need something local and convenient. A roll out of bed, walk a few blocks kind of place. The Diner in Adams Morgan, although typically a short drive for us in the mornings, is always way too crowded. And you know why? Because they are the ONLY early morning breakfast establishment in the city. You can wind up getting there early and waiting until 10 or 10:30 and by that time, something closer to you is almost open. DC restaurant proprietors need to consider this growing generation of people who have settled down a bit from their college fraternity days but who are not yet chasing the kids around the house with dark, heavy bags under their eyes.
Busboys and Poets halfway solves the problem. They are within walking distance from my house and they open at 10am on weekends. Now, its not quite 8 or 9am like I would prefer, but it is a full hour before the majority of restaurants that open at 11am.
B&P is also so much more than a restaurant. They have a bookstore, a bar, an area where they screen movies, they also hold open mic nights, benefits, and author events. It is a true community gathering place, with a crowd as diverse as you would expect given the "something for everybody" nature of the place. Their programs typically have a liberal activism quality to them and their bookstore challenges you to "rethink the world beyond the headlines." You can lounge on a comfy couch or sit at a more formal table setting and it is the kind of place where no one would think twice if you were sitting alone with your Post and a cup of joe or struggling through the awkward moments of a blind date. The atmosphere is a mix between a coffee shop and a casual lounge and welcoming to all people.
The brunch here is decent. The menu is not huge, but I do believe it has expanded recently and I'm always happy to see a brunch place offer lighter fare, such as granola, yogurt and fruit. You'll have several omelets and benedicts to choose from, french toast and waffles too. And you really can't go wrong with whatever you choose. The service is quite pleasant and timely and you may even strike up a conversation with your neighbor while you wait (the tables are arranged fairly close to each other but even more the reason why this restaurant breathes a sigh of community).
The full lunch menu is also available during the brunch hours and by far the best marriage of brunch and lunch is the peanut butter and banana panini, which comes drizzled (on the inside) with organic honey. It is to die for. Paired with a side of fruit, and you'll have enough energy to go out and change the world.
***(out of 4)
20% tip: for whatever the occasion, you'll find what you are looking for at Busboys and Poets.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Steppin' Up
Sorry for the lack of posts lately. Between the monsoon weather in the mid-Atlantic, my new obsession with Lost (which has kept me up to midnight and beyond), school shootings in Virginia, and the recent departure of the head of my department, I've hardly been able to find my creative side. Work is picking up as we get in gear for our busy season and on top of that, I'm ready for Spring but we're barely breaking 50 here.
But in good news, Blogger finally upgraded me to the new version, so that's exciting. Sometimes there is need to find comfort in the little things!
My husband ran in a 10K this weekend and I am very proud of him. I wish I could run 6 miles with the ease that he seemed to. It inspired me to get more active at the gym. No more 20 minutes on the elliptical and I'm outy. It is time to get ready for bikini season! I have two trips planned this summer and need to get my bod in shape. I took an INTRO to Step class at my gym this weekend because I've always been intrigued by the collective coordination of step aerobics participants, and a little bit jealous too. So, I decided to start from the very beginning.
I, and three other brave souls, set up our platforms in front of the large, unforgiving mirror. No actual steps used in this intro class, just a measly 3" platform. And there we were, at the mercy of Harold for 45 minutes. Repetition was the name of the game, here - going over the moves and the terminology with mind-numbing technical precision. In fact, he wouldn't even move on to the next move until someone in our four-person group called out the name to prove to him we were actually paying attention.
The basic step, the straddle, the L-step, around-the-world, and... the pony? Yes, a throw-back to the 1950s, we really did the pony, incorporating the upper body moves and all. For the most part, I could keep up. I always remembered the names of the moves but I never really looked so graceful or even "with it" moving about the platform. And I definitely didn't bring the funk. Often, I wanted to add an extra little step because I felt that overall it wasn't a natural movement even though Harold kept reminding us that we're just walking up and down steps. Not really, Harold. I don't often combine side-kicks, shuffles or cha-cha-chas as I ascend the stairwell to my condo.
I'm eager to try a real class, but I've had to wait 3 days before going back to the gym. I was shocked that my legs were so sore. Thanks Harold, you showed me.
But in good news, Blogger finally upgraded me to the new version, so that's exciting. Sometimes there is need to find comfort in the little things!
My husband ran in a 10K this weekend and I am very proud of him. I wish I could run 6 miles with the ease that he seemed to. It inspired me to get more active at the gym. No more 20 minutes on the elliptical and I'm outy. It is time to get ready for bikini season! I have two trips planned this summer and need to get my bod in shape. I took an INTRO to Step class at my gym this weekend because I've always been intrigued by the collective coordination of step aerobics participants, and a little bit jealous too. So, I decided to start from the very beginning.
I, and three other brave souls, set up our platforms in front of the large, unforgiving mirror. No actual steps used in this intro class, just a measly 3" platform. And there we were, at the mercy of Harold for 45 minutes. Repetition was the name of the game, here - going over the moves and the terminology with mind-numbing technical precision. In fact, he wouldn't even move on to the next move until someone in our four-person group called out the name to prove to him we were actually paying attention.
The basic step, the straddle, the L-step, around-the-world, and... the pony? Yes, a throw-back to the 1950s, we really did the pony, incorporating the upper body moves and all. For the most part, I could keep up. I always remembered the names of the moves but I never really looked so graceful or even "with it" moving about the platform. And I definitely didn't bring the funk. Often, I wanted to add an extra little step because I felt that overall it wasn't a natural movement even though Harold kept reminding us that we're just walking up and down steps. Not really, Harold. I don't often combine side-kicks, shuffles or cha-cha-chas as I ascend the stairwell to my condo.
I'm eager to try a real class, but I've had to wait 3 days before going back to the gym. I was shocked that my legs were so sore. Thanks Harold, you showed me.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Five Guys: burgers to please
Five Guys
Bowie Town Center
http://www.fiveguys.com/
I went to bed Saturday night hearing my husband rave about some Mexican restaurant in Baltimore that he had gone to - not once, but twice! - during the day as he helped a friend get settled in his new condo. Burritos... tacos... guacamole... I woke up Sunday morning craving Chipotle. We had plans to do Easter dinner at a friend's house in Annapolis but had to drive through Bowie to stop at my husband's office to pick up his jury summons for the next day. Remembering that there is a Chipotle in the Bowie Town Center, I had a light breakfast of jelly beans and malted chocolate eggs. Sufficiently wired on a sugar high, I could not get us out the door fast enough to begin our drive up route 50 to the MD suburbs.
Arriving at the Bowie Town Center, it suddenly dawned on me that perhaps the owners of the local Chipotle franchise were God- fearing Christians, in church celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, or simply at home with their families doing Easter egg hunts around the living room. My heart started racing as we passed one dark restaurant after another, please be open, please be open and then I saw it. Chipotle. Dark. Chairs and stools stacked on table tops, as if waiting for the school janitor to pass through. My dreams dashed.
Now, with the jelly beans starting to digest leaving my stomach wide open and ready for the next meal, we moved onto plan B. One of the few places open - Five Guys. Well, hopefully they have a guacamole burger.
My one previous experience with Five Guys was at the King Street, Alexandria location about five years ago. I remembered a dingy and dark, grease stained and splattered dive that served mediocre (at best) burgers and wilted fried. But, I was starving, so I was willing to give it another go.
Perhaps I was hungry, perhaps they've improved, because I was pleasantly surprised. The interior was bright and clean and reminiscent of an old soda shop. The selections were minimal - no guacamole here - but a large or small basic burger with or without cheese and/or bacon, accompanied by large or small fries (cooked in peanut oil) and a drink. They also have hot dogs. All toppings are free and you can choose from basic lettuce and tomato, to something more "fancy" like fried onions, jalepenos or hot sauce. I chose a small cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato and a small order of fries. The burger, although the menu listed all meat to be cooked well-done, was juicy, nestled within a perfectly fresh bun. The fries, although still greasy, were more crisp than I had remembered and well-salted, but not overly salty! Free refills on the soda and peanuts to snack on while you wait.
I'm glad I happened upon Five Guys again. It is a nice alternative to fast food and while probably not too much healthier, something about the hand formed patties and being able to see the line cooks at work allowed me to digest the experience a little more readily.
** (out of 4)
20% tip: if you find yourself hungry on a major holiday, you can count on at least five guys to help feed your appetite.
Bowie Town Center
http://www.fiveguys.com/
I went to bed Saturday night hearing my husband rave about some Mexican restaurant in Baltimore that he had gone to - not once, but twice! - during the day as he helped a friend get settled in his new condo. Burritos... tacos... guacamole... I woke up Sunday morning craving Chipotle. We had plans to do Easter dinner at a friend's house in Annapolis but had to drive through Bowie to stop at my husband's office to pick up his jury summons for the next day. Remembering that there is a Chipotle in the Bowie Town Center, I had a light breakfast of jelly beans and malted chocolate eggs. Sufficiently wired on a sugar high, I could not get us out the door fast enough to begin our drive up route 50 to the MD suburbs.
Arriving at the Bowie Town Center, it suddenly dawned on me that perhaps the owners of the local Chipotle franchise were God- fearing Christians, in church celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, or simply at home with their families doing Easter egg hunts around the living room. My heart started racing as we passed one dark restaurant after another, please be open, please be open and then I saw it. Chipotle. Dark. Chairs and stools stacked on table tops, as if waiting for the school janitor to pass through. My dreams dashed.
Now, with the jelly beans starting to digest leaving my stomach wide open and ready for the next meal, we moved onto plan B. One of the few places open - Five Guys. Well, hopefully they have a guacamole burger.
My one previous experience with Five Guys was at the King Street, Alexandria location about five years ago. I remembered a dingy and dark, grease stained and splattered dive that served mediocre (at best) burgers and wilted fried. But, I was starving, so I was willing to give it another go.
Perhaps I was hungry, perhaps they've improved, because I was pleasantly surprised. The interior was bright and clean and reminiscent of an old soda shop. The selections were minimal - no guacamole here - but a large or small basic burger with or without cheese and/or bacon, accompanied by large or small fries (cooked in peanut oil) and a drink. They also have hot dogs. All toppings are free and you can choose from basic lettuce and tomato, to something more "fancy" like fried onions, jalepenos or hot sauce. I chose a small cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato and a small order of fries. The burger, although the menu listed all meat to be cooked well-done, was juicy, nestled within a perfectly fresh bun. The fries, although still greasy, were more crisp than I had remembered and well-salted, but not overly salty! Free refills on the soda and peanuts to snack on while you wait.
I'm glad I happened upon Five Guys again. It is a nice alternative to fast food and while probably not too much healthier, something about the hand formed patties and being able to see the line cooks at work allowed me to digest the experience a little more readily.
** (out of 4)
20% tip: if you find yourself hungry on a major holiday, you can count on at least five guys to help feed your appetite.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
In the beginning...
I started my drawing class last night and this is my first image. (Disregard all of the background speckles, that is from my poor photography skills.) Our instructor had a still life set up on a platform in the front of the studio consisting of - although you probably won't see it here - several easels, stools, lamps and other art props, all intertwined and connected. I have to say that it was quite intimidating when I walked in and though, "I'm going to draw THAT?" Fortunately, almost everyone in my class is a beginner so I felt right at home and the instructor even applauded me for my courage in signing up for the class, after learning that I studied art history and have been working with artists for the past 8 years. And, believe me, it did take courage to sign up for this class.
She had us do a variety of exercises with respect to the still life in front of us. To develop a sense of looking we had to do the opposite- not look! For the first several drawings, we were not permitted to look at our paper, plus we had to focus on contour and create our images using one continuous line. The pencil was not to be lifted off the paper. Thus, is how the image above came to be. You can kind of make out a stool to the left and the beginnings of an easel on the right-hand side. Not so shabby huh?
We talked much about art theory and the elements that make up space - with each exercise focusing on a different element (value, density, intersection, overlap etc.) My drawings got better and then worse and then better with no real consistency. We each uttered a nervous giggle when it was time to put our pencils down and look at our creations. Fortunately, this lesson was not about formulating an accurate representation, rather learning to look and get used to feeling the pencil move across the paper.
Finally, on our last drawing - we were allowed to look at the paper AND pick up our pencil. Here is the result:
Saturday, April 07, 2007
It's a Small(er) World
"Keep on waiting, waiting, waiting on the world to change."
--John Mayer
Today, I decided not to wait any longer and I took a small step to change the world.
Last week I reconnected with Greater DC Cares and found a project still looking for volunteers, which brought me this morning to the Josephine Butler Parks Center - an historic embassy building that is being renovated into "Washington's first community greenhouse". Now, when I read this, I seriously thought I would be planting shrubs in a warm tropical interior environment, you know, with a nice glass ceiling. Silly me. We're talking "green" here, like "earth friendly." They're making renovations to reduce carbon emissions and generally make the building more in tune with our planet's environmental needs. So, ok. I'm all for that.
The man in charge gave us a brief history of the building and the organization behind it all - Washington Parks & People. He then explained today's tasks to our group of about 10: install window unit air conditioners (of which I know nothing about), paint a bathroom (which previously ended in disaster when I tried it at home), and paint some yellow parking and traffic lines in the parking lot out back. Fine, I think I can do that - aside from the fact that it is close to 30 degrees and snowed last night!
R (the project coordinator), J, C and I volunteered to take on this task - marking out the lines with masking tape and filling in the lines with "traffic yellow" oil-based paint. While we took on this mindless and hand-numbing task, we engaged in introductory conversation. R is married with children and is (self-proclaimed) not a people person, which is why he prefers volunteer opportunities such as renovating buildings, for their minimal social interaction. Yet, he has been volunteering with this particular project for 10 years, which I found quite admirable - regardless of the fact that I could barely understand a word he mumbled. J is a groom to be and was volunteering with his fiance (she was working on the A/C units). And, J and his fiance are due to marry in June at... the Josephine Butler Parks Center! Talk about being invested in your volunteer work. He and his fiance come out once a month to the center to paint, and weed, and shine brass knobs. I couldn't help thinking how nice it will be when the beautiful June day rolls around and they will make a lifelong commitment to each other in a building that they dedicated themselves to many years prior. And lastly, there is C - who I spent much time talking to. C has been in the United States for two weeks. The U.N. brought him here from Iran to join his brother. He was accompanied by his brother's wife, yet his parents remain in Iran. C knows very little English but we got by, with hand gestures and pointing and using only the essential words to communicate. He misses home, but knows he has a better future here. He's getting acclimated to city-life. And he is spending his second Saturday here volunteering his time to paint lines in a parking lot.
I realized that we all come to volunteer for different reasons - some personal, some prescribed, some out of guilt and some out of desire. And those like C come to give thanks to a community so welcoming - and to learn a little English.
I'm not sure exactly how the lines I painted today changed the world, but I do feel that through the people I met and the conversations I had, I helped make the world a little bit smaller.
--John Mayer
Today, I decided not to wait any longer and I took a small step to change the world.
Last week I reconnected with Greater DC Cares and found a project still looking for volunteers, which brought me this morning to the Josephine Butler Parks Center - an historic embassy building that is being renovated into "Washington's first community greenhouse". Now, when I read this, I seriously thought I would be planting shrubs in a warm tropical interior environment, you know, with a nice glass ceiling. Silly me. We're talking "green" here, like "earth friendly." They're making renovations to reduce carbon emissions and generally make the building more in tune with our planet's environmental needs. So, ok. I'm all for that.
The man in charge gave us a brief history of the building and the organization behind it all - Washington Parks & People. He then explained today's tasks to our group of about 10: install window unit air conditioners (of which I know nothing about), paint a bathroom (which previously ended in disaster when I tried it at home), and paint some yellow parking and traffic lines in the parking lot out back. Fine, I think I can do that - aside from the fact that it is close to 30 degrees and snowed last night!
R (the project coordinator), J, C and I volunteered to take on this task - marking out the lines with masking tape and filling in the lines with "traffic yellow" oil-based paint. While we took on this mindless and hand-numbing task, we engaged in introductory conversation. R is married with children and is (self-proclaimed) not a people person, which is why he prefers volunteer opportunities such as renovating buildings, for their minimal social interaction. Yet, he has been volunteering with this particular project for 10 years, which I found quite admirable - regardless of the fact that I could barely understand a word he mumbled. J is a groom to be and was volunteering with his fiance (she was working on the A/C units). And, J and his fiance are due to marry in June at... the Josephine Butler Parks Center! Talk about being invested in your volunteer work. He and his fiance come out once a month to the center to paint, and weed, and shine brass knobs. I couldn't help thinking how nice it will be when the beautiful June day rolls around and they will make a lifelong commitment to each other in a building that they dedicated themselves to many years prior. And lastly, there is C - who I spent much time talking to. C has been in the United States for two weeks. The U.N. brought him here from Iran to join his brother. He was accompanied by his brother's wife, yet his parents remain in Iran. C knows very little English but we got by, with hand gestures and pointing and using only the essential words to communicate. He misses home, but knows he has a better future here. He's getting acclimated to city-life. And he is spending his second Saturday here volunteering his time to paint lines in a parking lot.
I realized that we all come to volunteer for different reasons - some personal, some prescribed, some out of guilt and some out of desire. And those like C come to give thanks to a community so welcoming - and to learn a little English.
I'm not sure exactly how the lines I painted today changed the world, but I do feel that through the people I met and the conversations I had, I helped make the world a little bit smaller.
Friday, April 06, 2007
My Week in Pictures
I made the haroset for the shortest Passover seder ever. We gathered with about thirty others at a friend's condo to eat, drink and be merry.
Someone from Ebay, who paid $600 for my Masters tickets, enjoyed the practice round.
I bought a plane ticket to Vegas with my girl friends to celebrate our 30th birthdays. Southwest had the cheapest flight - $200 roundtrip, non-stop.
The Office returned!
Bought my first Street Sense newspaper, with the last dollar in my wallet.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Simple and Classic: Butterfield 9
Butterfield 9
600 14th Street, NW
http://www.butterfield9.com/
My husband and I treated ourselves to a celebratory dinner at Butterfield 9 a few weeks ago. I was in charge of selecting the cuisine and while I would usually jump on an opportunity like this to try a new restaurant that has gotten rave reviews, I was curiously drawn to what some may call “an old standby.” Butterfield 9 has been around for a while and certainly doesn’t seem to be getting the attention it used to. This was the third time I’ve eaten dinner here over the course of about 5 years and what I love most about it is its consistency. My memories of Butterfield 9 were of food that was superbly delicious – and classic. No crazy ingredients, just clean, fresh tastes that mirror the equally clean, minimal décor.
We debated whether to go for the five course tasting menu with wine pairings or to order off the regular menu. We ultimately decided to forego the debauchery that would have ensued with five different glasses of wine because we realized that with a good bottle to share, we could get most everything we were drawn to from the regular menu Рbetween the two of us. In fact, everything we selected except the tuna and the cr̬me brulee were also offered on the tasting menu. In addition, we had friends coming to town and did not desire to spend the whole night at the restaurant as so often can happen with tasting menus.
The service was excellent – in fact there were only a few other guests in the restaurant (more on this later). Our waiter was very attentive and very accommodating to our indecision over which items to choose. There was so much on the menu of interest! What I loved about the menu is that no course included that one strange ingredient which, while trendy and of the moment, turns you off from the whole experience (essence of foie gras foam?). Everything was basic yet flavorful, without any overwhelming tastes or textures. Simple, classic cuisine.
We started with the gnocchi (chervil and ricotta with beet chips, pea shoot tendrils and Reggiano) and the seared scallop (with salsify puree, bell pepper jus, pancetta and toast). The gnocchi was well cooked, but not well done. No gumminess here, just delectable, melt-in-your-mouth dumplings. The beet chips and Reggiano were perfect accompaniments, letting the natural flavors of the gnocchi really shine through. The seared scallop was tasty, and large. Enough to share. And the crispy pancetta and toast offered a nice textural balance.
Next up, our entrees. Striped sea bass (with braised fennel, lobster ravioli, and Rappahannock clams) and the yellowfin ahi tuna (with haricot vert, onions confit, black radish, lemon grass scallion broth). I have to be honest, the lobster ravioli was the selling point of the striped sea bass because it is typically not my favorite fish and it was well worth it. The sea bass, which to me never has much taste, took on the sweetness of the fennel and ravioli. The clams were clams, and provided a nice textural contrast but not much to the overall impression of the entrée. The ahi tuna was cooked nicely, perfectly raw in the middle, and again the flavors were born of the onion confit and lemon grass broth.
Dessert was a winner! White chocolate crème brulee and a hazelnut mousse crostiliant with chocolate sauce and hazelnut ice cream. Enough to satisfy our sweet tooths and the perfect end to a quite delicious dinner.
I don’t know if we happened to dine on a quiet night or if Butterfield 9 just isn’t getting the patronage that it used to. I wonder if it is often overlooked due to its downtown location which generally shuts down over the weekends. We were one of maybe five tables filled in the entire restaurant and finished our meal around 9:00 on a Friday night. What I love about this restaurant, though, aside from the food, is that it is not stuffy or pretentious. There is no need to get dressed up – a top with a nice pair of jeans will serve just fine and you will be treated as if you walked in wearing diamonds and pearls.
**** (out of 4)
20% tip: keep this restaurant in mind for a special occasion and you’ll be sure to feel like a king (or queen)
600 14th Street, NW
http://www.butterfield9.com/
My husband and I treated ourselves to a celebratory dinner at Butterfield 9 a few weeks ago. I was in charge of selecting the cuisine and while I would usually jump on an opportunity like this to try a new restaurant that has gotten rave reviews, I was curiously drawn to what some may call “an old standby.” Butterfield 9 has been around for a while and certainly doesn’t seem to be getting the attention it used to. This was the third time I’ve eaten dinner here over the course of about 5 years and what I love most about it is its consistency. My memories of Butterfield 9 were of food that was superbly delicious – and classic. No crazy ingredients, just clean, fresh tastes that mirror the equally clean, minimal décor.
We debated whether to go for the five course tasting menu with wine pairings or to order off the regular menu. We ultimately decided to forego the debauchery that would have ensued with five different glasses of wine because we realized that with a good bottle to share, we could get most everything we were drawn to from the regular menu Рbetween the two of us. In fact, everything we selected except the tuna and the cr̬me brulee were also offered on the tasting menu. In addition, we had friends coming to town and did not desire to spend the whole night at the restaurant as so often can happen with tasting menus.
The service was excellent – in fact there were only a few other guests in the restaurant (more on this later). Our waiter was very attentive and very accommodating to our indecision over which items to choose. There was so much on the menu of interest! What I loved about the menu is that no course included that one strange ingredient which, while trendy and of the moment, turns you off from the whole experience (essence of foie gras foam?). Everything was basic yet flavorful, without any overwhelming tastes or textures. Simple, classic cuisine.
We started with the gnocchi (chervil and ricotta with beet chips, pea shoot tendrils and Reggiano) and the seared scallop (with salsify puree, bell pepper jus, pancetta and toast). The gnocchi was well cooked, but not well done. No gumminess here, just delectable, melt-in-your-mouth dumplings. The beet chips and Reggiano were perfect accompaniments, letting the natural flavors of the gnocchi really shine through. The seared scallop was tasty, and large. Enough to share. And the crispy pancetta and toast offered a nice textural balance.
Next up, our entrees. Striped sea bass (with braised fennel, lobster ravioli, and Rappahannock clams) and the yellowfin ahi tuna (with haricot vert, onions confit, black radish, lemon grass scallion broth). I have to be honest, the lobster ravioli was the selling point of the striped sea bass because it is typically not my favorite fish and it was well worth it. The sea bass, which to me never has much taste, took on the sweetness of the fennel and ravioli. The clams were clams, and provided a nice textural contrast but not much to the overall impression of the entrée. The ahi tuna was cooked nicely, perfectly raw in the middle, and again the flavors were born of the onion confit and lemon grass broth.
Dessert was a winner! White chocolate crème brulee and a hazelnut mousse crostiliant with chocolate sauce and hazelnut ice cream. Enough to satisfy our sweet tooths and the perfect end to a quite delicious dinner.
I don’t know if we happened to dine on a quiet night or if Butterfield 9 just isn’t getting the patronage that it used to. I wonder if it is often overlooked due to its downtown location which generally shuts down over the weekends. We were one of maybe five tables filled in the entire restaurant and finished our meal around 9:00 on a Friday night. What I love about this restaurant, though, aside from the food, is that it is not stuffy or pretentious. There is no need to get dressed up – a top with a nice pair of jeans will serve just fine and you will be treated as if you walked in wearing diamonds and pearls.
**** (out of 4)
20% tip: keep this restaurant in mind for a special occasion and you’ll be sure to feel like a king (or queen)
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Carpe Diem!
Every so often I read something that really resonates and inspires me to find change and improvement to my life. One of those instances came to me last night while reading a Newsweek interview with Elizabeth Edwards, "I'm Not Praying for God to Save Me" (April 9, 2007). She stated,
Something about Elizabeth Edwards’ words struck a chord with me. It is more concrete and definitive than the 80 years logic I’ve been using. She’s inspired me to start volunteering again, to take time for myself and carve out quality time with my family (new hubby included!). They’ve inspired me to stay active and community oriented and to keep a positive attitude. I want my last day to be productive too, and I want to be happy with what I’ve accomplished and I’m going to start working on that goal today.
"There is going to be a day before each of us die, and you have to think about how you want that day filled. I want that to be a productive day about which I am enormously proud, as opposed to a day where I had the covers pulled up over my head."I've always had the attitude of living each day to the fullest although I can't say I've always put it into practice. Whenever I've felt down, I've always said that I have, presumably, about 80 years on this Earth and it is up to me to make it the best possible 80 years I can have. Of course, and especially as I get older, I come to realize that the 80 years is no guarantee. Perfectly healthy people find themselves with incurable diseases, and then there are genetics and freak accidents. And in some cases, I’m sure, it takes the realization of one’s own mortality to kick life into high gear. But why wait until then? You don't get time back. (When people say "life is not a dress rehearsal," it is true.)
Something about Elizabeth Edwards’ words struck a chord with me. It is more concrete and definitive than the 80 years logic I’ve been using. She’s inspired me to start volunteering again, to take time for myself and carve out quality time with my family (new hubby included!). They’ve inspired me to stay active and community oriented and to keep a positive attitude. I want my last day to be productive too, and I want to be happy with what I’ve accomplished and I’m going to start working on that goal today.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Lately I’ve been seeking a sense of community. My husband and I moved into our new house about a year and a half ago and while I love where I live, I’ve yet to get that feeling of a neighborhood. I don’t exactly know why I feel this way lately because it was never important to me before. As long as I could walk to the grocery store and have a few decent restaurant options nearby, that is all that mattered. As much as I hate to admit it, I think that a lot of this new desire parallels recent change in my life. I’m recently married, I’ve invested in property, and here it goes... my maternal instincts are kicking in even though we don’t have any kids yet. (There, I said it.) I mean, who do I go to if I need an egg or a teaspoon of sugar or a cup of milk for a recipe? It is such a 1950s mentality, isn’t it, and the funny thing is, I don't even bake. Truly, the Safeway is two blocks away – why do I need a neighbor to provide these things for me? Just tie up my New Balance and I’m on my way.
Where is our community? I think that much of it has to do with the fact that we live in a city and not along tree lined suburban streets that make up pretty little neat and tidy subdivisions. (Even this could be a daydream.) I think much of it has to do with the transient nature of Washington, D.C. where people come and go all the time, never really planting roots in any one place for too long. Another reason could be that our neighborhood is in a serious state of growth and transition. New condos and apartment buildings are going up everywhere. The long time residents are, in fact, getting pushed out. It’s becoming too expensive.
Regardless, I’d like to get to know my neighbors. Even if they don’t plan to stick around for too long. I think it adds to a sense of security and a feeling of belonging, which as far as I know never hurt anyone. And if any of them need a teaspoon of sugar, I’d be happy to oblige.
Where is our community? I think that much of it has to do with the fact that we live in a city and not along tree lined suburban streets that make up pretty little neat and tidy subdivisions. (Even this could be a daydream.) I think much of it has to do with the transient nature of Washington, D.C. where people come and go all the time, never really planting roots in any one place for too long. Another reason could be that our neighborhood is in a serious state of growth and transition. New condos and apartment buildings are going up everywhere. The long time residents are, in fact, getting pushed out. It’s becoming too expensive.
Regardless, I’d like to get to know my neighbors. Even if they don’t plan to stick around for too long. I think it adds to a sense of security and a feeling of belonging, which as far as I know never hurt anyone. And if any of them need a teaspoon of sugar, I’d be happy to oblige.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Seasonal Affectiveness
Spring has sprung in D.C.! The daffodils and forsythia are blooming in bold yellows and the tourist level has spiked. (Today the cherry blossoms are supposed to be in peak bloom, so get down to the tidal basin before they are just slippery brown tread-upon petals).
This morning, I noticed that my step has gotten lighter and my posture is stronger and straighter as I slowly emerge from my self-imposed winter hibernation. I walked to work this morning, for the first time in a long while, with a determined Monday motivation. The soft breeze caressed my bare legs, my shades firmly in place, a new Coach bag on my shoulder – I was a girl on a mission. Seize the day! Humorous warm weather memories caused a few chuckles along the way; I hope that the passers-by thought I looked happy, not crazy.* My Ipod played the best music, as if it felt the warm weather relief too. It is amazing what a little sun can do to my demeanor.
With the return of the sun in the D.C. area, I wonder how people do it, in those areas of the world where the sun sets for the entire winter. Or, in this Italian town which came up with an ingenious invention.
Seasonal Affectiveness Disorder is a serious condition, one that I simply speak of in jest in this post. It affects an estimated 6% of the United States population, mostly females between the ages of 15 and 55.
The good news is, that at least here in D.C., it seems the winter tide has turned. We should be ok until at least September, or until the summer humidity pushes us back into a different kind of hibernation!
___________________
* I’ll share one of those memories with you: many years ago I was at a friend’s hot tub/pool party and this guy was hitting on me all night. Early on I found out that his father is a Methodist minister. I proceeded to sing “Son of a Preacher Man” all night long, which got louder and more boisterous in proportion to my alcohol content. Not that I was interested, but I never heard from him again.
Friday, March 30, 2007
ISO (Washington, D.C.)
Young female twenty- (I mean thirty-) something seeks:
- a decent sandwich in the Farragut Square area
- an affordable salad
- real pizza
- lunch under $8
- a breakfast place that opens before 10am on weekends
- a bagel store
- a genuine arts community
- museums that stay open past 5, year-round
- the ultimate termination of “Small French Paintings” at the National Gallery in favor of something more “edgy”
- happenings
- improv everywhere stunts (see link list)
- a hairstylist with whom you can “lock in” your initial rate
- NYC pricing on manicures and pedicures
- boutique stores with affordable clothing
- a safe commute
- a pleasant traffic cop (17th and K Streets, weekday mornings)
- drivers who give pedestrians the right of way (17th and I Streets, weekday mornings)
- a traffic cop (pleasant or not) at 17th and I Streets, weekday mornings
- an understandable taxi fare map
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Toppings Galore
As I start to experiment with this blog and figure out just what the point of it all will be, I’ve decided to dedicate the Thursday post to restaurant/ food reviews. Just accept it as the next step toward fulfilling my aspirations of becoming a food critic. And besides, I think Tom Sietsema does his reviews on Thursday. I want to be just like Tom.
Today, since you have had to wait so long for the re-birth of this blog, I give you my dear reader not one, but TWO restaurant reviews!
Today’s theme: it’s all about the toppings.
The Whole Foods Salad Bar
1440 P Street NW
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
To the casual observer, the Whole Foods Salad Bar appears to be a mecca of healthy living. And it is. The freshest vegetables are beautifully laid out in vivid greens, yellows, and oranges. The lettuce is crisp and diverse – you can choose from spinach, baby greens, and romaine and top your salad with anything from cherry tomatoes and sliced chicken to noodle salad, roasted beets, and mandarin oranges. The reason why I love salad bars so much is because I hate lettuce. To me, the lettuce is a waste of space. With little to no flavor, it just gets in the way of a zesty artichoke heart or tangled up with a buttery chickpea. I’d rather fill my cardboard box with the toppings.
Whole Foods gives you a few container options. They tout their rectangular paper boxes because naturally they are recycled and earth friendly. They come in two sizes. They also offer round plastic containers. On both recent occasions that I visited the Whole Foods Salad Bar, I opted for the smaller, rectangular paper box option – which measure 4” l x 3” w x 2” d. That is 24 square inches space to fill. The good news is: the salad bar is already open for business at 8:30am when I walk by on my way to work. That means I can load up a healthy salad and save it for lunch. The bad news is that at $7.99/ pound, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to afford the larger container, nor make it a daily staple of my diet.
Today, my 24 square inches turned out to cost $7.49 (should have left out the lettuce, see?) – it is more than I would typically like to spend on lunch, but, I did fill it with sliced chicken, red pepper, roasted beets, corn, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, peas, raisins and mandarin oranges – topped with some olive oil and balsamic vinegar and it really was a treat. Certainly better than any salad bar that I have within walking distance of my office (Park Place Gourmet and Sizzling Express to name a few) and it should be enough to keep me going until 5pm. We’ll see.
*** (out of 4)
20% tip: do not let the weight of your salad exceed the weight of your wallet.
M’Dawg Haute Dogs
2418 18th Street NW
http://m-dawg.com/index.html
When I found out that this spin-off of Amsterdam Falafel was opening just across the street from the pita paradise that I adore, I could not get there fast enough. Literally. My husband I ran there last night. And mind you, I do not run. But we did. We went for a run through Adams Morgan and the only thing that kept me going was that on the way back I could dress my hot dog up with yummy toppings.
We got there around 7pm and it was fairly empty, which gave us a great view of the toppings bar and the chalkboard with our “instructions.” First you pick a bun. Nothing fancy here, just potato, poppy or wheat. Then on to the dogs. 13 to choose from! Options range from the Split Beefer (described as a NJ Ripper and deep fried till it splits. I wasn’t sure what would actually rip if I ate this one, so I stayed away), the Oy Vey (it’s Hebrew National!), the Brokeback (a corndog), the Kobe (beef) Bryant for $20!, and of course a veggie dog. I overheard the cashier say that his absolute favorite was the #9 – the French Made (“andouille to tickle your sausage fancy with just enough spice” per the menu not my own overt sexual references). He also said that he ate it every day for 3 weeks. I thought that was scary. I selected the tried and true Hebrew National to allow the full flavor of the toppings to come through. Hot dog prices range from $4 to $5.36 not including the hefty Kobe beef dog. And for an additional $1, you can load up your hot dog with all the toppings you’d like.
Now on to the yummy goodness that is the reason I salivated up and down 18th Street – the toppings. They offer the standard ketchup, mustard, onions etc. for free for those that don’t want to experiment with the endless permutations of the toppings bar, but seriously if you come here for that, you are better off economically with the street vendor. On the gourmet side of things, you can dress your dog with several types of slaw, carmelized onions, corn relish, apricot chutney, blue cheese, bacon crumbles and more. They have so many options that you have no option but to return again and again until you try everything. I chose to dress my Hebrew National on a potato roll with small bite size selections of chili and cheese, baked beans, garlic mushrooms, carmelized onions, and cole slaw. Call it the tapas of hot dogs. It was delicious.
***1/2 (out of 4 and solely based on the novelty factor)
20% tip: go hungry and order more than one hot dog so that you can try a large range of toppings.
Today, since you have had to wait so long for the re-birth of this blog, I give you my dear reader not one, but TWO restaurant reviews!
Today’s theme: it’s all about the toppings.
The Whole Foods Salad Bar
1440 P Street NW
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
To the casual observer, the Whole Foods Salad Bar appears to be a mecca of healthy living. And it is. The freshest vegetables are beautifully laid out in vivid greens, yellows, and oranges. The lettuce is crisp and diverse – you can choose from spinach, baby greens, and romaine and top your salad with anything from cherry tomatoes and sliced chicken to noodle salad, roasted beets, and mandarin oranges. The reason why I love salad bars so much is because I hate lettuce. To me, the lettuce is a waste of space. With little to no flavor, it just gets in the way of a zesty artichoke heart or tangled up with a buttery chickpea. I’d rather fill my cardboard box with the toppings.
Whole Foods gives you a few container options. They tout their rectangular paper boxes because naturally they are recycled and earth friendly. They come in two sizes. They also offer round plastic containers. On both recent occasions that I visited the Whole Foods Salad Bar, I opted for the smaller, rectangular paper box option – which measure 4” l x 3” w x 2” d. That is 24 square inches space to fill. The good news is: the salad bar is already open for business at 8:30am when I walk by on my way to work. That means I can load up a healthy salad and save it for lunch. The bad news is that at $7.99/ pound, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to afford the larger container, nor make it a daily staple of my diet.
Today, my 24 square inches turned out to cost $7.49 (should have left out the lettuce, see?) – it is more than I would typically like to spend on lunch, but, I did fill it with sliced chicken, red pepper, roasted beets, corn, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, peas, raisins and mandarin oranges – topped with some olive oil and balsamic vinegar and it really was a treat. Certainly better than any salad bar that I have within walking distance of my office (Park Place Gourmet and Sizzling Express to name a few) and it should be enough to keep me going until 5pm. We’ll see.
*** (out of 4)
20% tip: do not let the weight of your salad exceed the weight of your wallet.
M’Dawg Haute Dogs
2418 18th Street NW
http://m-dawg.com/index.html
When I found out that this spin-off of Amsterdam Falafel was opening just across the street from the pita paradise that I adore, I could not get there fast enough. Literally. My husband I ran there last night. And mind you, I do not run. But we did. We went for a run through Adams Morgan and the only thing that kept me going was that on the way back I could dress my hot dog up with yummy toppings.
We got there around 7pm and it was fairly empty, which gave us a great view of the toppings bar and the chalkboard with our “instructions.” First you pick a bun. Nothing fancy here, just potato, poppy or wheat. Then on to the dogs. 13 to choose from! Options range from the Split Beefer (described as a NJ Ripper and deep fried till it splits. I wasn’t sure what would actually rip if I ate this one, so I stayed away), the Oy Vey (it’s Hebrew National!), the Brokeback (a corndog), the Kobe (beef) Bryant for $20!, and of course a veggie dog. I overheard the cashier say that his absolute favorite was the #9 – the French Made (“andouille to tickle your sausage fancy with just enough spice” per the menu not my own overt sexual references). He also said that he ate it every day for 3 weeks. I thought that was scary. I selected the tried and true Hebrew National to allow the full flavor of the toppings to come through. Hot dog prices range from $4 to $5.36 not including the hefty Kobe beef dog. And for an additional $1, you can load up your hot dog with all the toppings you’d like.
Now on to the yummy goodness that is the reason I salivated up and down 18th Street – the toppings. They offer the standard ketchup, mustard, onions etc. for free for those that don’t want to experiment with the endless permutations of the toppings bar, but seriously if you come here for that, you are better off economically with the street vendor. On the gourmet side of things, you can dress your dog with several types of slaw, carmelized onions, corn relish, apricot chutney, blue cheese, bacon crumbles and more. They have so many options that you have no option but to return again and again until you try everything. I chose to dress my Hebrew National on a potato roll with small bite size selections of chili and cheese, baked beans, garlic mushrooms, carmelized onions, and cole slaw. Call it the tapas of hot dogs. It was delicious.
***1/2 (out of 4 and solely based on the novelty factor)
20% tip: go hungry and order more than one hot dog so that you can try a large range of toppings.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
On 30.
All grown-ups were children first. (But few remember it).
--The Little Prince
Today I am 30 and 1 week. One week into my thirties is not very much time to reflect on the past or plan for the future, but so far so good. Most of my friends are turning 30 this year and it is a milestone in our lives. Over the past few weeks we’ve shared excitement and anxiety. We’ve found new reason to celebrate. Have we accomplished our goals up to this point, are we ready to embrace our individual notions of 30 and support each other through the transition? At 15, I thought 30 was old. And 40? Definitely over the hill. At 30 (and 1 week), though, I still feel young. I don’t know what “adult” feels like, and I don’t think I’m there yet. I work as a professional, but cringe at being called a woman. Yet, I also resent being carded at restaurants and bars. I have accomplished a decent amount to this point and feel I’m entitled to a drink without the hassle. So, where do I find my happy medium? On my last day in my twenties, I embraced the transition. I promised myself that my thirties would be about me and those that I love. I promised to focus on my personal health and well-being; a cleansing decade if you will. I will strive to give selflessly to my new husband, to start a family, and to keep my friends close to me. I want to live in the moment. I want to blog more. I want to make a difference somewhere. And so what about not "feeling" like an adult. I don't see what all the fuss is about anyway.
--The Little Prince
Today I am 30 and 1 week. One week into my thirties is not very much time to reflect on the past or plan for the future, but so far so good. Most of my friends are turning 30 this year and it is a milestone in our lives. Over the past few weeks we’ve shared excitement and anxiety. We’ve found new reason to celebrate. Have we accomplished our goals up to this point, are we ready to embrace our individual notions of 30 and support each other through the transition? At 15, I thought 30 was old. And 40? Definitely over the hill. At 30 (and 1 week), though, I still feel young. I don’t know what “adult” feels like, and I don’t think I’m there yet. I work as a professional, but cringe at being called a woman. Yet, I also resent being carded at restaurants and bars. I have accomplished a decent amount to this point and feel I’m entitled to a drink without the hassle. So, where do I find my happy medium? On my last day in my twenties, I embraced the transition. I promised myself that my thirties would be about me and those that I love. I promised to focus on my personal health and well-being; a cleansing decade if you will. I will strive to give selflessly to my new husband, to start a family, and to keep my friends close to me. I want to live in the moment. I want to blog more. I want to make a difference somewhere. And so what about not "feeling" like an adult. I don't see what all the fuss is about anyway.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
To those who know what they are doing
Who am I kidding? I’m no bonafide blogger, that’s for sure. Never have been and never will be. But oh how I enjoyed reading through my previous posts. Brings me back to the days when I used to keep a diary – commenting on little observations here and there – even if it is for my own enjoyment, gotta do what makes you happy, right? I thought of posting links to blogs that I do genuinely enjoy, and read regularly. Consider it my props to those who have made it. To those with a following. To those who, with a few short key strokes, make me happy.
http://dcartnews.blogspot.com/
http://www.dcist.com/
http://lyrical-rain.blogspot.com/
http://www.rockcreekrambler.squarespace.com/
http://www.artsjournal.com/man/
http://blanktop.blogspot.com/
http://dcartnews.blogspot.com/
http://www.dcist.com/
http://lyrical-rain.blogspot.com/
http://www.rockcreekrambler.squarespace.com/
http://www.artsjournal.com/man/
http://blanktop.blogspot.com/
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Apologies and promises
3 months? Really? I swamped at work. Is that a good excuse? I'm planning my wedding. How about that? No good. There are simply not enough hours in the day, and I know I've let down my readership - of 1? :) - and for that, I am truly sorry.
I need to get the creative juices flowing again but all I can think about it getting two exhibits created for work and installed in less time than is humanly possible, signing the florist contract and picking out bridesmaid's dresses. Oh, and planning a honeymoon. Yes, I will need something to reward myself with once all of this insanity is over. It is amazing how all can get blown out of proportion. Yes, I'll have a fabulously loving husband to spend the rest of my days with once the planning is over and that is reward in and of itself, but WE WILL NEED A VACATION!!
In other news, my friend R graduates from law school this weekend - and celebrates a birthday. In fact, it was on her birthday one year ago this Friday that I started this blog, so I dedicate this post in her honor. Happy celebrations, R!
I promise to try to get back on track soon. How's that for a promise?
I need to get the creative juices flowing again but all I can think about it getting two exhibits created for work and installed in less time than is humanly possible, signing the florist contract and picking out bridesmaid's dresses. Oh, and planning a honeymoon. Yes, I will need something to reward myself with once all of this insanity is over. It is amazing how all can get blown out of proportion. Yes, I'll have a fabulously loving husband to spend the rest of my days with once the planning is over and that is reward in and of itself, but WE WILL NEED A VACATION!!
In other news, my friend R graduates from law school this weekend - and celebrates a birthday. In fact, it was on her birthday one year ago this Friday that I started this blog, so I dedicate this post in her honor. Happy celebrations, R!
I promise to try to get back on track soon. How's that for a promise?
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