The night before the pickin’, I got four key lime pies from America Seafood Company (behind Arrowine). They make a mean key lime pie. Short of my wife’s, mom’s, and sister’s (in no particular order), they make the best I’ve had. The next morning I iced down some beer, and Lil gave me a road cigar for the ride to the market.
We went to Jessie Taylor at the Maine Ave. Seafood Market, because they always do us right. This year they threw in a gratis dozen, and a half pound of large head on shrimp.
After a quick steam, we grabbed the bushels, shrimp, and headed home to start pickin’.
The Dead Rise beer from Flying Dog was delicious. You can taste the old bay, but its very subtle. Its got a nice summer ale base behind it. The killed the whole case, so I’ll have to go get some more.
The crab, beer, and key lime pie was amazing. This is just about my favorite meal. After what felt like hours of picking, I was food, and we started picking for crab cake leftovers. The Penn’s are seasoned vets, but Jodi was also holding her own.
Then it was bubble party time.
After everybody rolled out, I had once last beer, and enjoyed the weather. It was a great day, with great friends and a great family. Thanks again to Lil for the crabs.
by rsiv withSuperchunk enjoyed being outside. Then I had an interesting Virginia scotch, and we headed to Chelsea’s for cocktails. Aunt Cece watched the butt while HB and I went out for my bday.
After a beautiful walk through Old Town, we had an amazing and decadent meal. We also met another couple, also celebrating a birthday, that ran a secret dining society…
OMG la foie.
I regretted, but would, recommend the rich and decadent cheese plate. If you haven’t been go. In April, they have do a free tasting menu if you have an April birthday (thanks for the heads up Ryry).
by rsiv withIn anticipation of my upcoming golf tourney, I had a fortifying breakfast, and then wore myself out trying to fix some stuff at the range. Then I fueled back up while watching The Masters.
The fat girl helped me send a few emails.
And then HB and I went to Mad Fox with Lil, and I had a bday cigar with Le Petite.
I pulled my thumb from EF’s mouth, got the truck tuned up, and headed to Naw-fuk.
After a little drive, C-Note and I pulled up to Obici house on the Nansemond in Peanut City. Its a beautiful place, it was a beautiful day, and Sleepy Hole is a really nice course.
After a pretty decent round (for me) at some of my favorite Virginia courses, we followed Uncle Thom to the Dirty Buffalo for some wings.
Then we hung out while Thom and Bobby Light played some kickball.
That night, we kicked back with some of Bobby Light’s delicious homebrew.
My tum was (still) acting up on me, but I managed to get enough sleep to function the next day. I watched a toddler for a few minutes (without incident) and then we headed to the tourny.
The course was in pretty bad shape, but we had an awesome time despite it.
Bolt hogged the potty and frightened the passersby on a walking trail with his moans, Bobby Light took matters into his own hands, and I took a selfie.
C-Note made an amazing 90 and some odd foot putt out of a bunker for birdy.
Bolt celebrated with a little rum. Then he started demanding that we play his walk-up song before he hit.
One of us mentioned that Bolt was getting a little drunk. He just looked at us, whipped out his club, and let his driver do the talking. We were impressed, but not as impressed as the two ladies on the walking trail that also saw Bolt’s driver.
After the tourny we went to some University’s campus, perhaps Duke or UVA, its hard to tell, for our frat’s BBQ.
We did a little catching up, and then headed to real plaza for some plaza time.
Bobby Light was excited to be out with friends enjoying a big beer and white sauce, but real talk, he was more excited to get home and see his little princess (#VGTIC #TBIIL).
Bolt opted for more queso fundito.
He seems to be building up a tolerance, so he added a bottle of verde salsa picante.
After dropping C-Note off at the airport, BL and I went under a container ship in the HRBT and headed home.
The next morning, I needed a fortifying meal for the trip home. BL suggested a sweet potato biscuit sammie from Handsome Biscuit. Schliz and I went for the Hella Fitzgerald, while Bobby Light got the Stevie. OMG nom. Very jelly that I can’t get a sweet potato biscuit sammie on the reg.
After a little more catching up, it was time to leave my gracious hosts, the Light family (of the Northern Neck Lights, formerly the Richmond Light’s), and head back to NYS. It was a great time, and hopefully I’ll be back to the Tidewater for some more golf and catching up with old friends soon.
by rsiv withI’ve made some really good food the last couple of days. The first was last week when I realized we had a lot of hummus and tzatziki leftover. I instacarted some ground lamb, feta, and salad. I pan fried the lamb burgers with some oregano, feta, and herbs de provence mixed in. Then I just put some baby kale in champagne vinaigrette on the plate with the leftover dips, and we were in business. I’ll have to remember this recipe. Its easy, fast, and delicious. Then FJ took me to pick up the M3 at Martin Motorsports. Gary has been taking care of my M3 for over a decade, and he is the best in the area. He has done everything from oil changes to transmission replacements for me. I cannot say enough good things about Gary or Martin Motorsports.
I enjoyed a small success in working from home some this week.
On Thursday, Lemuel and Caroline came in to town. Caroline was headed out to Morocco with LeBeef. Lemuel gave her a ride and then picked up a motorcycle in Charlottesville. We had dinner at Gypsy Soul.
The food was decadent, and everyone had a great time. EF was particularly good that night. She was all smiles and hardly a peep.
The fried chicken, steak, and mac and cheese were standouts. The chicken and dumplings were pretty good as well, and I’d say my catfish rounded out the bottom, despite also being quite good.
Friday, we started on a walk to Mad Fox, but a delicious scent of curry wafted through the air, and like a siren, it pulled us off course and to its door.
I ordered the Junglee Laal Maas. The waiter asked if I liked spicy food, as its a very spicy dish, but before I could answer, HB interjected that not only did I like spicy food, we were insulted that they asked, and that they should try to serve me something too spicy just too see how futile it would be (or something to that effect). I was then served the spiciest dish I’ve ever consumed. I felt dizzy while eating it.
But it was so delicious, I even had the leftovers the next day…
…but that was a terrible mistake. I tried to preempt the inevitable by taking some peptos, but I learned my lesson about trying to play god with my bowels. Nature must take its course and some things are not meant to stay in the body. My tum was not right for a long time, and I would get woozy off even one beer. Something was not right. I feel OK today (5 days later), but its taken me that long to feel right. Moral of story (HB), don’t taunt the waiter when he asks if you can handle India spicy.
Later that week I made some chicken and waffle sliders with some WV apple sauce for breakfast.
Since it was a nice day, I made some Barbados Rum Punch, and we got some salteñas and fried yucca for lunch. For the rum punch, use mount gay eclipse (or at the very least, something aged), and freshly ground nutmeg.
Then we did a little porch sitting with a glass of mount gay eclipse and a bolivar. I’ve been loving this spring weather.
On Saturday, we went to the farmers market and got some crabcakes for lunch.
Then I put my germinated tobacco seeds in plugs. I’ll post more about my tobacco crop later on, or search my archives about last year’s harvest.
On Easter Sunday, FJ and I went to Jefferson to get a quick 9 in (yes I ended that in a preposition, deal). Sunderland came off with a big win, 3 points, and hopefully, a better chance of not getting relegated.
With LeBeef out of town, we still decided to do a family Easter dinner. I had an irreverent idea/good recipe I thought would work with rabbit, so I went for it. I quartered the rabbits the night before, and put them in a brine of salt water (1/4th cup salt, half cup water or so), bourbon, and freshly chopped rosemary. After golf, I got the smoker going (but you could also do them on the grill).
I used FJ’s trusty blowpoke to regulate the temp.
It smelled delicious.
A while back, I found a different kind of rib recipe. Its basically just balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, cayenne pepper, and rosemary. It works really well with pork, but I had a hunch it would also work well with smoked rabbit. I never follow a recipe exactly, but I did use the same ingredients. I used a different brine/marinade overnight, and then since there is a lot of sugar in the sauce, I only mopped the rabbit about an hour or so before it was done, and then added some extra sauce when I took it off. Otherwise, the sugar in the sauce might burn on you (especially if grilling it at a higher temp).
While we waited, I enjoyed the weather with a few beers. If you aren’t up on this Innis & Gunn (thanks CK and Ryan), you don’t know what you’re missing.
LeBeef facetimed us from Rabat.
Otto played with the girls.
And after trying to stoke the smoker up to caramelize the final glaze, and putting the corn on the bottom rack, I managed to start a brief but intense husk fire, which didn’t mess up the food, but was dramatic none the less. Everyone was superlative about the meal. CK said it was in her top 5 of all time. If you want to recreate it, I think I smoked the corn about 45 minutes at about 220-300 or so, and the potatoes can be on as long as it takes the meat to cook. I’d actually have preferred to pan fried the taters, but I didn’t have time and I didn’t want to mess up with kitchen with LeBeef gone. Season the potatoes with the same balsamic, brown sugar, garlic, cayenne, rosemary marinade as the rabbit. Again, due to the sugar, I’d add the marinade towards the end of the cooking process. Spray or mop olive oil on the corn before you smoke/grill it, then butter to serve.
After dinner we had blueberry pie and decorated eggs.
Then the next morning we had some hot cross buns for Easter that we got from the Amish shop over at the farmers’ market.
Monday was opening day, and FJ invited me to the ballgame.
On the way, in the convertible, we saw the first cherry blossoms starting to pop out, and the paddle boats are on the water.
I had a footlong and a beer.
We didn’t come away with a win, but with spring and baseball back, one can’t complain. Especially me. Spring is finally here, I’ve been eating well and seeing family, my girls are doing great, and I’ve got two golf trips on the horizon. Life is good.
by rsiv withEF had another round of shots.
And after she calmed down, we celebrated with some really good beer at Mad Fox. I thought I’d be healthy, so I ordered a Kale Caesar salad with shrimp, which was really really good.
On my daddy daycare day, EF and I went for a run. It was a demoralizing .7 miles…
HB, FJ, LeBeef, and I went to the FCC Chamber gala. Last year I cleaned up on the silent auction, but went home empty handed this year. Jane fared better with an OBX house. Somebody put big money down on the woods. And LeBeef came home with a big award (as always, we’re very proud of her)…
CK and CK Jr. were sleeping peacefully when we got home.
HB made EF a wig.
Then we went to Taqueria El Poblano for lunch. I had a potato chorizo hash, and HB got chorizo french toast (RP would have loved it). The margaritas were also on point, but what I always even up craving is that salsa.
EF can see about 12 feet away now, and she and FJ like to watch my little pony and Julius Jr.
For FCC restaurant week, we went to Sfizi. HB and FJ had wild boar pasta, and we also had a nice barolo.
And finally, forget what I said about Grady cold brew. Cool Brew is now my jam. Pictured below is the summer 15 seasonal flavor, but I’ve also tried the normal/chicory one, and its on point. The easy measure feature of the bottle is also very convenient. Apparently, this is the original cold brew coffee. I have a couple bottles of Grady left over, but when they’re gone, I’m a Cool Brew man all the way.
by rsiv withIt was nice out, so we had the family over. Despite being a HUGE King of the Hill fan, I’d never considering making any of Peggy’s famous recipes (though, if you’ve had spaghetti and meatballs, you’ve had spa-peggy and meatballs). My wife had to make a pie for work, but wanted it to stand out from all the other pies. I suggested Peggy Hill’s Frito Chili Pie (with Wolf brand chili). You can’t make Frito Chili Pie without Peggy’s Apple Brown Betty for dessert, so I looked up some recipes, and got to cooking.
The beauty of Peggy’s recipes is that they are very simple (but don’t tell her I said so). The apple brown betty is basically 8 or so chopped pieces of white bread, four cored and sliced granny smith apples, brown sugar, butter, and if you’re fancy like Minh, nutmeg (and I also added cinnamon and cardamom).
Frito chili pie is even easier. Canned chili (Hank specifically references Wolf brand), fritos, shredded cheddar, and thats it. The can calls for onions which I didn’t buy, but I did add sour cream which wasn’t suggested.
Since I couldn’t find any Alamo beer, I bought Shiner.
I like simple American food. For instance, I’m all about steak-umms and hamburger helper. Even so, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the chili pie and apple brown betty. I made them as a bit of a gag, but sometimes, you can’t beat simple and easy.
To make Bobby jealous, I have some fruit pies to enjoy with my leftovers…
by rsiv withWe finally saw some signs of spring up in Northern Virginia. Over the weekend, we went over to HW and Li’s for a St. Patrick’s Day party. EF had a guinness, I had a harp.
For dinner, Li made a salad, some delicious soda bread, and a hearty Irish stew.
For dessert, we had pie, I want to say it was called grasshopper in the mud, and it was mintly, light, and excellent.
Besides getting the crew together, I really like when HW has people over because he serves punch. HW is a Virginian in many ways. He was raised in the Capital, he is rarely caught without the Richmond uniform on (dressed for dinner at the Tobacco Company), and he doesn’t throw a party without serving a bowl of punch. For St. P’s day, HW made Fighting Irish Punch. The base of Fighting Irish Punch is Jameson. There is a fair amount of apple juice too. What really makes the punch interesting is Benedictine and chamomile tea. HW made a good punch for New Years, but he really outdid himself with this one. Give it a try on Tuesday.
On a side note. If you have a boat, or a child in HW’s case (PS Li, don’t you owe HW a boat?), you’ll be interested in this coozie HW got that blew my mind:
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Last night, FJ and I braved the cold to go see Steph Curry and the Warriors take on the Wizards. Before the game, we went to Poste. It was very cold in DC, so I ordered a Hot Toddy to warm up.
After an amuse-bouche, I ordered the crispy duck ravioli, truffle frites, and the slow cooked salmon. FJ ordered us a pinot noir, had mushroom soup, and the Lamb burger.
The good was good, but not mind-blowingly so. The standout was definitely the crispy duck ravioli. The toddy really hit the spot as well. Honestly, the restaurant didn’t matter so much as I was quite happy to have a guys night out with my dad, and get a short respite from my responsibilities at home.
We lost, but the seats were great, and watching Curry was definitely a treat. Even more so for FJ as they share an alma mater.
by rsiv withLast night CK hosted an OBX planning meeting. It was EF’s first trip to Aunt Cici’s. I wish I’d gotten a picture of EF’s expression after waking up in a new place. It would seem that she is used to her house, and her grandparents’ house, but something about CK’s house was very confusing to her. EF met Teddy and Otto.
Tedford was very affectionate.
We poured some wine, and discussed some family reunion deets.
After our meeting, we headed over to Virtue Feed and Grain, which is on the water in Old Town. Our waitress told us that the building used to be a grainery/feed house owned by George Washington. Now it functions as a different type of feed house.
We ordered just about every cocktail on the menu. My blood and sand made with laphroaig was excellent, but CK’s drink, made with fireball and cider, was surprisingly good.
We started with the spiced nuts, mac and cheese, tuna tartar, and crab dip. Its hard to pick a favorite, but the mac and cheese was pretty amazing. I got the waygu burger for my entree with the fries well done (Lemmy-style). If you like crispy fries, but don’t order your fries well done, you’re missing out.
HB got the chorizo mussels, which were delicious, but not quite chorizo-y enough for me.
We had a great meal. Since CK lives less than a mile away, we’ll definitely be back. Hopefully next time it won’t be so cold, or so slick out.
by rsiv withWe had yet another snowday up here in Virginia. We’d just had a chimney sweeped, so it was the perfect time for a fire.
EF got in a little tummy time by the fire, but mostly just put her feet up and relaxed.
I grabbed an ice bucket (courtesy of Pam-l-a and WinnDixie), filled it with some snow, and then popped in a bottle of bubbly (courtesy of Ryry and Jojo).
I took a look at our netflix options, and found out we only had one disc (for those reading in 2016, see wikipedia), which was The Hundred-Foot Journey. You can’t watch a food movie on an empty stomach, so we braved the cold and headed out for some grub.
EF is getting nice and fat off that mommie milk, but we made it to Saffron Indian Cuisine. We had been to the previous restaurant in the same location, and found Saffron to be at least as good, if not better than its predecessor. The decor is unchanged, there seems to have been little staff turnover, and while the menu is different, the food is very good. We had the lunch buffet, but I hear that dinner is also great. My friends over at the NOVA Restaurant Blog had similarly superlative things to say about Saffron.
I’d definitely check out The Hundred-Foot Journey after a nice meal at your favorite Indian or French restaurant (bonus points for Indian-French fusion). It was a great movie, and a great way to end a fun day. As much as EF enjoys walks in the snow and watching the snow fall, I’m about ready for spring.
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