BelleAppetito

Trips, Dips, & Quips

[isabellefurth]

Liberté, égalité, fraternité

Paris is the first city in Europe that I ever visited. Like so many others, I was and am smitten by Paris. It was love at first sight, really, and we’ve been in a long distance relationship ever since. Each time I visit, I return to previously loved spots (one particular patisserie in Montmartre, specifically), but also discover new neighborhoods, new streets, new cafes, and new people. 

Every act of terror is heartbreaking, inconceivably so. My sadness about the latest attack in France does in no way diminish the sadness of other attacks around the world. But Paris hits closer to home for me, because I’ve walked its streets before. Some of my best friends are French. Some of my best memories are from France. In light of that, I’m revisiting my top favorite moments from one of my top favorite cities. 

1. My first time abroad, my aunt and uncle surprise me at the London airport and say that we are heading straight to Paris. So jet lagged that I wish I could tape my eyes open, I am plied with white wine and try foie gras and pate for the first time. I love everything that comes within a foot of my table. I think I’m now a foodie. 

2. Sacre Coeur is stunning in person. Aunt Cece tells me I’m bright eyed and bushy tailed. I take that as a compliment and proceed to be awed. 

3. At the top of the Eiffel Tower. I’ve never burned so many calories in the same instance or been happier about doing so. 

4. I eat the single best pastry of anyone’s entire life. It’s goat cheese, red pepper and basil encased in a buttery dough. Direct message me if you want the name of this place - I try to keep it secret. 

5. A few years later, during my semester abroad fall break, someone has the genius idea of booking a 5 AM flight from Pisa to Paris, which means we have to wake up around 2:30 AM in order to catch a local train to catch a local bus. I’m irritable and starving by the time we arrive. Everyone gets lunch. I get a coconut mint chocolate crepe with ice cream, and I LOVE it. 

6. Versailles for the first time. The weather could not have been worse. Freezing rain. You may think, “it doesn’t look that cold judging by what they’re wearing.” That’s only because we were woefully, embarrassingly unprepared for the cold. (My immune system doesn’t really stick it to me until a few days later, when I’m in Amsterdam, but that’s another story). It doesn’t matter, though, that our toes are numb. Versailles is enchanting. It’s otherworldly. We can’t get enough. I’m a modern-day Marie Antoinette, I think, with less money, less hair, and less suitors, but close enough.

7. Back at Sacre Coeur. I am delighted that a.) I know what Montmartre is, b.) I know exactly where the basilica is, and c.) I can navigate us there by way of the Musée Gourmand du Chocolat. 

8. This photoshoot with the Eiffel Tower worked out much better for me than my first one, which boasted a double chin and poor lighting. After a long day of sight seeing, my friends and I stroll the Seine at night before stopping at a cafe for vin. Our tired, tipsy faces result in hilariously bad pictures. We coin the term “half smile” and then joke about it for at least 6 months. 

9. Back at Versailles about a year and half later. Yes, the weather was perfect! I am viciously stung by a bee on the bottom of my foot, but manage to laugh it off, because I’m in heaven and I just spent about 30 euros on delicious cheese. Yep. It was damn good. 

10. My irrational, longstanding dream to see a show at the Moulin Rouge is fulfilled. I’m so happy that I tear up during the entirety of the show, and again reconsider whether or not Satin would be a suitable name for a child (or kitten?) after all. 

I can’t wait to go back. Je t’aime, Paris. I am so sorry for your loss. Nous sommes unis.

[isabellefurth]

After a lovely day surrounded by more creative, brilliant people than us at The New Yorker Festival last month, Mom and I wanted to kick back for a nice dinner. “Go to Upland” seemed to be a pretty common refrain among the cool kids, so I naively Googled the number and called. Did they happen to have a table available at 7 PM on a Saturday night? The answer would normally be no (we learned upon arriving and seeing the bustling scene), but someone had just canceled. 

The interior is lit up like the Rise filter on Instagram, with big glass windows and wine bottles reflecting off each other to create a gorgeous glow. Surrounded by well-dressed New Yorkers, and with two pretty gorgeous blowouts ourselves (thanks, Glamsquad…), I almost felt famous. That is, until our waiter started talking about how President Obama ate there a few weeks before. 

Famous or not, our waiter paid attention and advised us on what to order, since we both wanted something on the lighter side. The mushroom appetizer (whole crispy mushroom) that they’re famous for tasted better than calamari. My pappardelle was fresh, with the perfect amount of bolognese to pasta ratio. My mom ate all of her slow roasted branzino before I had a chance to ask for a bite, so I’ll take that as a good sign, too. 

One thing to be aware of: we were advised to order six plates between the two of us, when we said neither of us were starving. We went with our gut and only ordered three, and were perfectly satiated at the end of our meals. Our waiter must be able to really chow down if he’d consider the bolognese “quite small.” 

Go to Upland. 

[isabellefurth]

Central Michel Richard: Review

Ah, Central Michel Richard. Rated one of the 15 best restaurants in DC by the Washingtonian, this restaurant had been in the running for several "special occasion" (read: it's a weekend?) dinners of mine in the past year, but was usually ruled out by showier restaurants with more exotic menus. Then, one day when I was craving fried chicken, I thought again of Central and made a reservation. 

Though Central is marketed as American "with a French twist," it feels more of the former than the latter. The serving sizes are generous and the menu hits all the classic American basics - as evidenced by the glorious background picture of the bacon cheeseburger on the restaurant's site. I will say, though, that if you sit and eat on the patio and look up at the beautiful adjacent clocktower soon-to-be Trump hotel in the moonlight, you almost feel like you're in France, or at least Europe. What we ordered: *Note: Dimly lit patio seating makes for wonderful ambiance and less wonderful photos.

Charcuterie Plate: Says on menu that it's for 2 people, but I think they missed a zero. Delicious? Yes. Overkill? Maybe. No picture, because the lighting did not do it justice, and it makes me feel like an overstuffed sausage when I look at it. Fried Chicken: I loved everything about this fried chicken. It was everything you'd never imagine fried chicken to be. Elegant, delicate…almost light. The mashed potatoes were my favorite part of the meal. They were basically straight whipped buttercream. Perfection. 

Bacon Cheeseburger:  This is the type of burger you'd expect to catch Marie Antoinette eating if you traveled back to 18th-century Versailles. The buttery softness of the bun had elements of a freshly-baked croissant and the cheese was anything but Américain. Each bite felt more sinful than the last, but I wouldn't hesitate to order this again, and again, and again...

Michel's Chocolate Bar: A glorified Kit Kat bar, and I mean that in the best sense. 

I would absolutely recommend Central. Next time, I'd go off the beaten path and order some of the more inspired menu options. But do get a side of the mashed potatoes. And the fried chicken. And the chocolate bar. I hear they have a great brunch...

[isabellefurth]

What did you do over Labor Day Weekend?

[isabellefurth]

Barcelona

If you read my post on Lisbon, you may know that I went clubbing on my last night there and hardly made it back to Home Hostel (I miss you) in time to make my flight back to Madrid early in the morning. The second part of that story is how I arrived back in Madrid evening-time the next day, exhausted, only to wake up at what felt like the crack of dawn the NEXT morning to catch a train to Barcelona. 

Maybe it was the sleep deprivation, my ominously stuffy nose and sore throat, or all of my friends’ testimonials to the nightlife, but I was intimidated by Barcelona. I wasn’t in tip-top nightlife shape, and the thought alone of staying awake past 11 p.m. made me feel hungover. 

Don’t worry, I rallied, but only the first night. I didn’t have anything to be intimidated by, though. Barcelona is a lovely city, with a whole lot to offer beyond nightlife. With my Farmacia-approved medicine, I wandered around the city for two days on a good night’s sleep, intrigued by how different Barcelona felt from Madrid or any other European city I’ve visited, and wondering when and where I could eat my next jamon. 

Food and Drink

Caipirhanas at Berimbau: I loved this cozy bar that specializes in all different flavors of caipirhanas. It’s dark and loud, but perfect for a table for two. Located in el Born neighborhood, one of the trendiest in the city.

Cocktails and crepes at Creps al Born: Across the street from the aforementioned Berimbau, Creps al Born has more craft cocktails, branching out from caipirhanas. It also serves crepes - why didn’t I think of that? 

Dinner at Picnic: On a quaint corner close to Arc de Triomf, Picnic is the place to go for impeccable home-cooking style food and charming atmosphere. It serves tapas and larger plates, so you’ll be satisfied no matter how hungry you are. I had slow pork-roasted tacos that were delicious.

 My Main Sights

Sagrada Familia: You know you need to go see Gaudi’s famous church, and you’ll want to see it, too. Its sand castle exterior and rainbow-hued interior combine for an utterly unique architectural style. Make sure to buy tickets in advance (link here) – the line wraps way around the block.

Park Guell: On my last day in Barcelona, I had to choose between going to the beach with friends and visiting Park Guell. It was an easy decision. Park Guell is one of Gaudi’s most famous works, and it is not to miss, both for the best views of the city and the crazy cool modern art. Entry is free, but there are certain sections that cost more (yep, that includes the really famous views with the tiled lizards that everyone Instagrams. That costs more. So does Gaudi’s house). Pictured below and at the top of this post.

Las Ramblas: I think it’s safe to say that you won’t miss out on Las Ramblas if you visit Barcelona even just for one day. It’s the city’s central boulevard that cuts through the heart of the city center, and it’s lined with great shopping, food markets, tall trees and tourists. You can walk the length of it all the way until the port.  

So, Barcelona vs. Madrid vs. Lisbon?

Similarities: Art and history drives much of tourism, distinct fashion (aka great people-watching), combination of old vs. new (like much of Europe),  cosmopolitan cities

Differences: Lisbon and Barcelona struck me as more laid back (proximity to the beach?), while Madrid was busier. Each has a completely different architectural style – Madrid’s classically grand, Barcelona’s funky and modern, and Lisbon’s Gothic overtones. You may assume that Madrid and Barcelona are more similar to each other, since they’re both in Spain, but Barcelona is hardly considered Spain by many Spaniards – they speak Catalan and hold themselves apart from the rest of the country. All three were very distinct. I’d love to compare Lisbon (my personal favorite) to another city in Portugal next.

And, for good measure…

Pros: Each had distinct cultural background, friendly locals, great food, robust nightlife, reliable public transportation (!), lots to do

Cons: Unable to find good pasta in any of these cities, hot as actual hell in mid-summer (from worst to best: Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon)

[isabellefurth]

Madrid

"That's so cool you're going to Spain! Do you speak Spanish?" "No, but I speak Italian, so I'll be fine."

Salida. "Exit," I thought breezily, maneuvering my luggage past the baggage claim of the Madrid-Barajas Airport. I chimed in "si" or nodded thoughtfully while my cab driver chattered away at me for over 30 minutes. Gracias, I said after paying him. He looked back at me kindly and spoke a paragraph. Adios, I said kindly back. My mastery of the Spanish language impressed us both.

Thankfully, one of my best friends from middle school happens to be teaching English in Madrid, so I had my own personal translator. Margaret and I became friends in elementary school (we coined ourselves MIBS - Margaret Isabelle Bird Savers after saving a little bird, who we named Fluffy Puff Chirp), but we'd gone years without seeing each other until she visited me in Florence two summers ago. Now, it was her turn to play tour guide - harder than it sounds, as I was debilitatingly jet-lagged for the first few days, and then came down with a cold after that. The joys of travel.

In my half dazed state, Madrid's vastness surprised me. It's huge and bustling, but my favorite part about it was how authentic it felt. I hardly heard English the entire time I was there, and I could potentially go days without spotting a big tourist group. We ate at so many great local places that I decided to skip out on meticulous notes and just enjoy it. A few food and drink highlights below:

Vacaciones Cocktail Bar 

-Go here for satisfying mojitos and cocktails in a city bar that feels like a tiki hut. Twinkling lights included. 

^From their website

Sala de Despiece 

-Go to this gastropub if you want to rub shoulders with attractive Spanish people, while eating carpaccio in an uber trendy, modern setting. Don't expect to sit down - mostly everyone is standing. 

Amargo 

-Go here for a deeply satisfying menu' deal at lunchtime. For about 12 euro, you'll get three courses. I had a massive burrata salad, traditional Spanish beef, and the best chocolate cake I’ve had in a while.

^From their website

Maricastaña 

-Go here if you're craving more modern Spanish food in a pretty, but casual, restaurant setting. Fried green tomatoes sound good to you? Yep, go here. I felt like I could have been in Charleston for a second.

^Photo from Vogue Spain

In between eating, there is a lot to see. A quick Wikipedia search or glimpse of a guide book will tell you that much. Just like with any big city, you can’t come, see, and conquer everything in one trip. I feel like I only saw a fraction of Madrid, and most of that was thanks to…the hop on, hop off bus. Hold your judgment, though! It was over 110 degrees, and everything is far too spread out to walk in one day. I highly recommend it. Highlights below:

^Plaza Mayor

^One of my favorite buildings on Gran Via

^Temple of Debod

^No, of course this wasn’t taken from the top of a tour bus!

^Cathedral facing the Royal Palace, equally beautiful

For now, adios Madrid, land of the impossibly slim Spanish women, Tinto de verano, jamon, and, last but not least, blistering summer heat. 

[yumi-food]

Chocolate Chip Muffins | Brown Eyed Baker

[isabellefurth]

Who’s cooking? 

[isabellefurth]

Lost in Lisbon

“Not everything goes as planned” is one of those oft-used travel quotes that drives a needle of anxiety straight through my heart. I like to plan, and then I like for those plans to unfold exactly, yep, as planned. When my friend that I planned a week in Portugal with told me her visa wouldn’t let her leave Spain for that week, I faced a conundrum. Forego Portugal entirely, or make some last minute adjustments? 

“Is #Lisbon safe to travel alone?” I tweeted desperately at cntraveler. My flight to Madrid left the next morning (OR SO I THOUGHT, US AIRWAYS), I hadn’t begun to pack, and I now faced the daunting prospect of sifting through pages of results to find the best Lisbon hostel on hostelworld. I was nervous about staying alone in a country I’d never been to before, without a working cell phone no less, but I didn’t want to give up Portugal. It’s expensive to fly from the U.S. to Europe; realistically, I may not do it again for at least another year. I didn’t want to let my trepidation about traveling alone cause me to miss out. 

After some digging, I found Home Hostel. Reviews about this place read as if everyone had a personal financial investment. It has nearly 100% ratings and nothing but glowing comments anywhere I could find. Did everyone drink some bad Kool-Aid? Nope, it’s just a really wonderful hostel. The staff is incredibly helpful and nice, the rooms are extravagant for hostel standards, the decoration is cool, there are nightly homemade dinners, the location is central, the locks are provided…I could go on. The minute I got there, my fears about staying alone were totally assuaged. 

^ Too enthralled to notice my awkward reflection in the mirror. 

With only 48 hours in Lisbon, I hit the ground running. As soon as I dropped my stuff off at [H]ome, I took a tram over to the Belém neighborhood, to the west of downtown Lisbon, chiefly in search of the famous Pastéis de Belém. This is one of those places that locals and tourists both revere. It’s been around since the 1800s and there is always a line of people queued up, typically for the most famous offering: pastel de nata, a custard tart with lemon, cinnamon, and vanilla, sprinkled with powdered sugar. It looks like a miniature pie, and the baked, creamy egg custard is encased by a flaky crust. If you go, get more than one. I will not be making that mistake twice! Also in the neighborhood are the Jerónimos Monastery, Padrão dos Descobrimentos, and the Belem Tower. 

The next day, my one full day in the city, I did a walking tour through the downtown area. By the end of the four-hour tour, I’d seen most of the different areas of the city center. From Bairro Alto, the night life center of the city, (my Tour Guide: “It’s called the High Area, because SOMETHING is always high here”) to the old train station and the views of the ocean, I was hooked. Instead of memorize the map, I accepted that 48 hours was better suited to relax and enjoy the vibe of Lisbon more than anything else, though there is a ton to do if you have the time for it. 

^After I admired the coral color of this church, my tour guide said: “They painted the church this color to honor the blood of the victims who were trapped and died here before.” Lovely.  

^As I was walking through here on my way to the castle, doubting my sense of direction, an elderly Portuguese lady took my elbow and led me 15 minutes back to the shopping area. She talked the entire time. Not a word of mutual comprehension was exchanged. 

^Gelataria Portuguesa will satisfy your mid-afternoon gelato itch. That’s a thing, right?

I ended up at Home Hostel for dinner on my second night, which segued nicely into going out later, since I spent my first night sound asleep. After a few smaller bars in Bairro Alto, a group of us went to Urban Beach, a club set right out over the water. Everyone had their face painted after getting in, all the better to stand out among the laser beam displays cutting through the sea of people. I will spare everyone my selfies of orange and pink swirled flowers on my face. We danced to electro pop until about 5:00 A.M., right in time for me to catch my morning flight. 

I loved Lisbon, and hearing about my fellow hostel-goers plans to move either north to Porto or south to Lagos made me incredibly envious. Portugal deserves more than a weekend trip. 

For my next Portugal trip, I have an eye on Sintra, a double UNESCO site that looks like a Disney castle...

[isabellefurth]

[isabellefurth]

I think I’ll go back to San Juan - Puerto Rico

I'm at a loss as to why Rita Moreno's West Side Story character was always singing about wanting to be in America. I, for one, want to be in Puerto Rico. 

Originally, my family told me that I shouldn’t join this vacation, because the Caribbean sun would be too strong for my pale skin and I had to babysit the cat. I found these reasons pretty uncompelling, so I bought some new sunscreen, outfitted myself in my Mott 50 SPF dress, and aided in the securement of a catsitter for the week. This was one family vacay that I didn't want to miss. 

Here's a sampling of what we did for one week in Puerto Rico:

Hiking in the El Yunque Rainforest

Let's be clear - this was more a walk than a hike, but there are more strenuous options if you aren't traveling with a large group like I was. Although there aren't exotic animals in Puerto Rico, there is a constant cacophony of chirruping frogs and birds. Every once in a while, you can spot one! Our walk/hike culminated at El Yunque la Mina Falls. Locals and tourists alike splashed around in the waterfall. I also braved the cold water, stayed on the side and took pictures after gingerly dipping a toe in the ice bath. 

  On the way to and fro the rain forest (about an hour drive from our hotel), our tour guide regaled us with tales of his childhood living on the edges of the rain forest, picking fresh fruit and hating the non-native iguanas. 

Old San Juan

Old San Juan is absolutely lovely. Within 3 minutes of being there, I told my family emphatically that I wanted to learn Spanish and move here. With its tropically-hued buildings, historic forts (2 of them!), and views of the ocean, I was sold. Unfortunately, we were only there for an abbreviated day trip. Next time, I'd make it a point to stay and relax in Old San Juan for several days. We also had the best meal of the entire trip here at Cafe Manolin: Really authentic Puerto Rican food, with a friendly, local staff. I had the Churrasco a la Parilla (skirt steak with Chimichurri sauce), and my family members all opted for Mofongo, which are mashed green plantains stuffed with a variety of options. 

Bioluminescent Bay

Our hotel, El Conquistador, overlooks Fajardo, which is home to one of only a handful of bioluminescent bays in the world. One night, we took a 2-hour kayak tour through the mangroves to the bay. You can only conduct this tour at night, otherwise you won't be able to see the bioluminiscence, AND some nights the moon is too bright, so you just have to cross your fingers and hope for the best. Though there were some mishaps - ramming headfirst into the mangroves, getting thumped on the back of the head by another person's paddle, cowering in fear of an iguana on the branch above you - the bay is beautiful. Each time you break the surface of the water, it lights up like a glowstick. 

Most iphone cameras and/or digital cameras can't capture the way it lights up, but just a quick look at Google Images will make you want to go: 

Mom's input: "I would have enjoyed it more if I was on a boat." 

If you are a wimp, then heed her advice and take a boat to the bay at night. I personally enjoyed the kayaking experience. 

Palomino Island 

^My Mott 50 SPF dress

There are many idyllic islands in Puerto Rico, but the El Conquistador happens to rent out a large portion of Palomino Island (Isla Palominos). You can get there in about 10 minutes via a ferry from the hotel. Palomino Island is where you want to go for total relaxation. At one point, workers were cutting coconuts down and then slicing them open for opportunistic tourists (guilty) who wanted to drink fresh coconut water. The island also has hiking trails, horseback rides, a restaurant, and creepy iguanas. 

Things I wish I'd done: 

Bacardi Distillery

 I've heard that this a must-do when in Puerto Rico, but my three underage brothers kinda cramped my style. Until next time, Bacardi. 

Local Puerto Rico

One of the highlights of traveling is unearthing places away from the maddening crowd. I loved our hotel and all of the activities we planned, but would make an effort to stray farther from the tourist spots if I could. I like BBC's smattering of travel gems in PR.

Finally, a shout out to the El Conquistador Resort! One of the most beautiful hotel views I've ever seen, with a wide range of coordinated activities both on and off the resort. (My little brother LOVED the water park). 

What to Pack: 

It’s hot. Bring sunglasses, hats, sandals, and bright colors! Everyone I saw was dressed pretty casually, even when out to nice dinners. 

Another shout out to my dad - without your business trip, I would have been staying in a tent on the beach, so gracias!

[fairytale-europe]

Madrid, Spain

[isabellefurth]

Countdown is on = 3 days until I leave for Espana! 

[isabellefurth]

The Red Hen Restaurant Review

The Red Hen - http://www.theredhendc.com

1822 First Street NW DC

[phone]

Known as one of DC’s coolest, hippest, most rustic restaurants, The Red Hen is an Italian-influenced American restaurant located in the dubiously-titled “historic Bloomingdale.” 

After months of failed attempts to land a reservation, I looked ahead on my calendar and set an alarm on my phone to call exactly 30 days ahead (you can’t make reservations there over a month away). When I was told there was one spot at 9:00 PM on a Saturday, I felt like I’d won some type of prize for which I deserved congratulations. I did it. I got a reservation at a not entirely horrible time for dinner at Red Hen.  

What I liked:

The Venue - Once you step inside and see that the restaurant only has one large room with a handful of tables and limited bar availability, you start to forgive them for how hard it is to get a reservation here. I hardly minded that I had to wait 10 minutes, even with a reservation. It’s so small - bless their hearts. The space also happens to just be supremely cool, really bright and unpretentious, with just the right level of lively conversation all around. 

The True Dedication to the description “Italian-Influenced” - On the drink menu, an Aperol Spritz is highlighted. Thank you, Red Hen. I will have an Aperol Spritz. “This tastes like Italy,” I proudly tell my boyfriend across the table. A real Italian influence is noted across the menu, actually, from the handmade pastas to the sorbetto. I liked how Red Hen took Italian staples to the next level with unexpected ingredients like sweet potatoes and corn. 

The Relative Affordability - The fact that one of the most buzzed about DC restaurants has entree pastas for $17 is a feat. 

What I didn't like:

The Hype - The one thing that would take some points off Red Hen is, somewhat unfairly, how buzzed about it is. When you’ve been waiting months to eat somewhere that always being raved about, the bar gets set pretty high. While all of our dishes were good, some great, it can be hard to temper expectations. Basically, I wish I’d found this place first. 

The Lighting that Made it Hard to Take Good Pictures (kidding, kind of)

What We Ordered:

“You can pick any appetizer except for the chicken liver. I don’t do organs.” 

Tuscan Chicken Liver Mousse with Fig Conserva, Fresh Thyme & Grilled Rustic Bread $9

Truth be told, when I really think about the idea of liver, it grosses me out, too, so I just don’t think about it. This was a nice, light appetizer. The fig glaze on top of the chicken liver mousse was very sweet, mixing well with the saltiness of the liver. I ordered more bread to literally scrape the last remnants from the bowl, while my boyfriend looked on in slight disgust. 

“You always make me get pasta so that you can eat off my plate.”

Saffron Paccheri with Duck Leg Ragu, Chorizo, Mint, Roasted Sweet Potato & Parmigiano $17

While solidly good, the eclectic mix of ingredients sound more exotic than it actually tasted. I didn’t even remember that there was chorizo in the dish until just now, and the duck leg ragu tasted like…regular ragu. 

Whole Wheat Cavatelli with Sweet Corn, Asparagus, Bacon, Lime & Pecorino Tartufo $17

I promise I tried to get pictures where this delicious dish looked less like a serving of worms. This pasta was our favorite of the two. The combination of the gnocchi-like whole wheat cavatelli pasta with the crunchy asparagus and corn was delightful. Great mix of textures, and the creamy cheese was the perfect finish. (I didn’t distinctly taste any lime). 

Maple Custard with Caramelized Hazelnut Crumble $8

The dessert menu looked impossibly good, so we ended up asking the waitress for her recommendation. This maple custard is the staple dessert that Red Hen is known for. It’s pretty simple, but I could eat a whole vat. Perfect maple custard crusted with hazelnuts - che bello! 

I would happily go back to Red Hen. 

[isabellefurth]

The Food Issue, 2015: Here's a restaurant and bar for every occasion. - Washington City Paper

Here's a restaurant and bar for every occasion.

Oh my god. I love this food guide to DC dining. Prepare to salivate. 

[isabellefurth]

Giving Puss in Boots a run for his $

[isabellefurth]

Eddie V’s Tysons Review

Eddie V's Prime Seafood - https://www.eddiev.com/

900 Tysons One Pl, McLean, VA 22102

Phone: [phone] I spent my past two years of high school living in the Mclean/Tyson's Corner area, and the area's culinary breadth can best be described as bleak. Most restaurants are extremely overpriced and mediocre, in my opinion. Whenever my family asks, "Where should we go for dinner?" a dispirited debate ensues. No one wins. 

To that end, I've been pleasantly surprised by Tyson Corner's attempts to rejuvenate themselves as of late. They've added several hipper restaurants (Shake Shack!) and an outdoor area where normal people would actually want to hang out. One of these new restaurants is Eddie V's. It's a fine-dining chain with a seafood and steak menu, plus a cocktail lounge featuring live jazz.

What I liked about it: 

Live jazz - Added a nice touch to the sleek interior and modern decor. When the waiter found out I was from Savannah, they played "Georgia on my Mind." I was flattered. 

Great service - The waiters and managers I interacted with were very attentive, but not annoyingly so, and dealt with my indecision and questions ably. 

Good food - Some aspects of our meal were better than others, but overall it was pretty good. I think it gets extra points, because it stands out in the neighborhood. 

What I didn't love about it:

Price - I know, I know. The DC area is expensive...but I still don't have to love that. The prices at Eddie V's are really comparable to some of the best restaurants downtown, though, so that might hinder my chances of dining here (and staying in Tysons) anytime in the immediate future. 

What we ordered:

Appetizer 

Point Judith Calamari--Kung Pao Style with Roasted Cashews and Crisp Noodles $15

Verdict: This hugely portioned appetizer was the highlight of our meal. The crispy Asian noodles paired really well with the crunchy calamari and cashews. We both loved the subtly spicy sweet & sour-style sauce. 

Main Courses

Swordfish Steak--Broiled with Fresh Lump Crab, Avocado, Cilantro and Red Chile $33

Verdict: My dining partner typically never goes for seafood, but I bullied him into trying something outside of his comfort zone. He'd never had swordfish, but finished his whole dish before I did! Descriptive words include: "moist, flaky, delicate.”

   Georges Bank Scallops--Sautéed with Citrus Fruit, Roasted Almonds and Brown Butter $33

Verdict: Pleasant, if a little bland. I'm the sucker who always goes for the "brown butter," "maple roasted," "hazelnut encrusted" sweet anything. While I liked the contrast of my lightly sauteed scallops with the slivers of orange and grapefruit on top, I didn't get much of a brown butter taste at all. Next time, I'd probably go for something more flavorful. 

Dessert

Dark Chocolate and Crushed Toffee S'mores - $10 (*I believe this was exactly $10, but can't find it on their site) 

Verdict:  It didn't overly resemble a s'more in either taste or appearance, but it was pretty tasty. Basically, it was a hunk of mild dark chocolate, smothered in a melted marshmallow with whipped cream (or was that more marshmallow...) on top and chunks of toffee. Yummy.

  **Full disclosure - Eddie V's recently opened in Tyson's and is still trying to drum up loyal customers, so I was mailed a $100 gift card (perk of being an Amex card holder) last month. If I didn't have that gift card, I would not be so cavalierly enjoying a 3-course dinner at an expensive restaurant on a random Sunday afternoon. But, I did have a gift card, so here we are.

[breathtakingdestinations]

Madrid - Spain (by Omar Parada) 

[isabellefurth]

I will be there in less than 3 weeks!!!!!!!! Can’t wait to explore Spain for the first time.

[isabellefurth]

Say HELLO to my new beautiful baby, Opal. Isn’t she gorgeous?!