DC weekend getaway

Happy Birthday, Mr. President, and thanks for the day off because it meant I got to take a mini vacation and visit cool people in DC!

Kat and I took Megabus bright and early Saturday morning and the ride went smoothly. We got into DC and had some issues with public transportation, but luckily DC metro people are a lot friendlier and more helpful than MTA people, so we made it to our destination in time for the lunch rush. We met Cathy and Kat's friend Aleks at Top Chef Spike's burger place Good Eatery and stuffed our faces with greasy goodness. Ate: burger melt, rosemary fries, onion petals, leche milkshake, and lots of sauces. Honestly I kinda wish I had just gotten a regular cheeseburger bc the melt was SO cheesy, but it was all delicious and I would totally go back there for a burger anytime.

Afterward we walked around to the Eastern Market, which was a good idea in theory bc we had eaten so much, but actually it was REALLY REALLY windy so it was not good for my little head cold that had developed on Friday. I don't understand why when I travel and want to walk around and do touristy things, the weather insists on bringing hurricane-type winds to dissuade me (I'm looking at you, Boston!). Anyway we looked around the market a bit (think North Market in Columbus, or Spitalfields in London) and then Cathy and I retired to her apartment. I passed out for a bit because the weather had given me a huge headache and afterward felt much better. We caught at 7:40 showing of No Strings Attached and actually it was a pretty cute, decent movie. Afterward we got a late dinner in Chinatown and chowed down on some eggplant and ground pork, and peking duck.

Sunday we met up with the St Louis boys for brunch, but our attempt to eat at Founding Farmers failed because they had an hour and a half wait. Fortunately the boys had a car and offered to drive us up to this random pancake house in Bethesda. A bit far, but the scenery was nice (saw the National Cathedral, which I didn't even know existed) and the pancakes were sooooo worth it. I had a short stack (3!) of coconut pancakes and an unnecessary side of scrambled eggs. The boys had blueberry and pecan respectively (6 each!) and Cathy had banana pecan. Made me miss Tom's Diner in Brooklyn... and also made me want to buy some pancake mix so I can just make some for myself, darnit.

Needing to walk off another food coma, Cathy and I hit up the American Museum of Natural History and saw Julia Childs' kitchen and the First Lady exhibit. Then we walked down to the Hirschorn and saw some modern art. The building itself is round and cool, and I bet the sculpture garden is very pretty in the spring, but I think the MoMA here has more to offer. Still, I love the fact that you can just waltz in to any of these Smithsonian museums for free, see what you want, and then waltz along to another one when you wish. DCers are lucky they have that.

Melody got off work late afternoon, picked me up, and we went shopping somewhere out in Virginia. Haha. I noticed that people in DC (what are they called?? DCers??) really like driving their own cars, but tend to get lost a lot bc I guess the roads are really confusing? I dunno. We did some damage at Urban and then drove to another area of suburbia for dinner and got SO MUCH Korean food. I had one of the best bibimbaps ever, except that it didn't come with a fried egg so that made me sad.

We drove back downtown to meet Kat and Aleks for salsa night (!) at a bowling alley (!) in Chinatown (?). I didn't really know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised. Everyone was super nice, super talented at dancing, and also willing to teach Melody and me the basics, since we were clearly not in our element. I think if I lived in DC salsa would be something I could get into... not sure about here, but I hope Melody gives it a try there! We didn't stay out too late, but that was ok because I had the nicest digs to sleep in that night (Mel's hotel) and pretty much once I got in that king sized bed I was glad we made the executive decision to sleep in the next day.

So got a late start Monday, met Kat and Aleks at Spike's other restuarant, We The Pizza, right next to Good Stuff haha. Actually after being around that area (Capitol Hill) a lot I decided I really like the neighborhood--so many cute little townhouses and clearly they have some nice dining options! The pizza was good (had spinach artichoke and chicken bbq) but my favorite was the homemade soda. I got coconut (apparently I was on a coconut kick the whole weekend) and it was amazing. I wanted three more, and I don't usually like soda that much. We had about two hours to kill before out bus left, so Melody and I quickly checked out the Air and Space museum. SPACE! My favorite part was the planetarium (planets. are. amazing.) and also a video map of all the domestic airlines flights on any given day. So many airplanes in the air!

Alas, there the trip ended. We had another uneventful bus ride back to NYC, where apparently it had snowed while we were gone and I was very very sorry on the walk back to my apartment that I had worn my lighter coat all weekend and left my hat at home. Oh well, it was still a really great weekend and I'm hoping to visit again soon (when it's a bit warmer). For now it's back to keeping myself busy in NYC--birthday parties, oscars, signing up for volunteer stuff, and hopefully booking a flight home some time in March. Here's to the days passing quickly and eventfully!

mid feb

This has been a busy week (in terms of after-work activities)! Monday I attended an orientation for NYCares, a volunteer organization that has a huge variety of programs all throughout the city all year round, and now I can officially sign up to DO THINGS. So once I get back from my mini-vacation this weekend, that's what I'll be looking forward to. Then I got home and watched True Grit, which was enjoyable but mainly because I wanted to cross it off my list before the Oscars next Sunday.

Tuesday I raced downtown for a (free, duh) movie screening of the Adjustment Bureau. I guess I overestimated how many people would turn up early, but I'm glad we got in no problem, even if it meant standing outside in the chilliness for over an hour. The movie was quite entertaining! Any movie where people run all around Manhattan and pass by the Shake Shack multiple times is good by me. Plus, Matt Damon and John Slattery. Good stuff.

Ok so Wednesday was eventful. Attended my first Fashion Week fashion show, although it wasn't as Lincoln Center and I think it was generally open to the public so long as you RSVPed. But whatevs, we had the hookup and it was a GREAT show. Plus we saw some psuedo celebs but more importanly, the clothes were really really pretty. The designer is Rolando Sanatana and I have a feeling he's an up-and-comer, so maybe a couple years from now when Heidi Klum is wearing his dress to some awards show I can say, "Hey I saw him back in the day on 10th ave!" Anyway, here's a short review of his show and a couple pics: link!

Now for some pics: After the show we taxied down to the West Village for some sushi at Soto. Lu, being the expert (or I guess willing to leave the food in the hands of the experts) ordered the omakase menu for us... which pretty much means the entire menu, as the chef sees fit. So we ate everything, basically. And it was delicious.

Minute steamed Tai

Lu and his grilled langoustine

Sushi chefs hard at work (and now nominated for Beard award!)

Sushi came at the end (after 14 courses?). Salmon melted in my mouth!

Then we met some fellow Wednesday-night-goer-outers at Little Branch for some speakeasy type cocktails, complete w candle lighting and a live jazz trio. The bartender whipped me up a Chicago Fizz and I assure you, even though the idea of raw egg whites in your drink might seem gross, it was a yummy drink!

Last night I finally did my laundry, and then headed down to Arlene's Grocery on the LES for some friends' debut show. It was a great venue, great turnout out, and of course the music was really good. Tonight I plan on eating a lot of Indian food for dinner and then having a early night, since I have to pack and get on a bus early tomorrow morning for DC. Hopefully it's not too crazy in the capitol this holiday weekend, because I've got mad plans to eat up and visit museums and see some good friends! I'll post all my recent pics to fb when I get back.