Marteen Gras
For Marti Gras this year, my mom decided to fix up some gumbo. She’d never done it before, but it turned out amazing.
After dinner we had some king cake (FJ found the baby). We enjoyed the fire, and EF had a very apropos book to read.
It was a great night, but unfortunately, someone had one too many hurricanes.
The next morning was a snow day, so we woke up and had some king cake for breakfast with some chicory coffee.
Even though it was now officially Marteen Gras, it was a snow day, so we went to our go-to snow day place for our go-to snow day meal…
For Marteen Gras, we we went to Chasin’ Tails.
Last year, things got a little cray-cray. This year, perhaps because of the snow day, things were a lot more tame. The restaurant wasn’t nearly as crowded. I have an important meeting tomorrow morning, so I wasn’t too upset that things didn’t get out of control. I’m writing this blog the night of, with a nice cup of ginger tea and some fancy french sea salt chocolates (from my Marteen Gras goodie bag) However, if things aren’t crazy next year, we might have to make Marteen Gras a weekend celebration and bring the party ourselves.
Since we could hear conversation as the restaurant wasn’t packed, we did have a lot of laughs. It was also nice to see my friends so happy and in love (vgtic I know). And as always, the crawfish, gator, and drinks were excellent.
All in all, it was a great Marteen Gras. It was also a great way to cap off HB’s maternity leave. Its a little bittersweet, but I think she’ll enjoy going back to work. EF is a little apprehensive about FJ watching her, but she’ll adjust…
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Valentine’s Day at Gypsy Soul
Y’all are probably getting tired of how much I post about Gypsy Soul. So you’ll just have to go and drink the kool-aid, or deal. We started off V-Day by making some canapes for my parents to thank them for watching EF while we were out (first time we’ve been out just the two of us since EF was born), and FJ popped some delicious bubbly.
EF was very interested in the tiny bubbles, but LeBeef wouldn’t let her have a sip.
While show the exterior of the restaurant you might ask? Lets call it the before shot.
We started with some cocktails. Mine had a bourbon base, and HB went with one with Bajan rum.
I had a hankering for some fried chicken skins, but we were tempted by the special Vday menu.
I’ll have to try to make my own sage biscuits. They were delicious.
Fois gras is always a good decision.
The ravioli was a rich and decadent as one can imagine.
With the dry aged ribeye, we had a carmenere which was the most delicious fruit-forward iteration of the varietal that I’ve ever had (and I’ve been to Chile).
The steak was tender, rare, and amazing. It was a very generous portion; the picture below is all leftovers we took home.
Despite being full, I enjoyed way too much bananas foster bread pudding. You could really taste the rum and bourbon.
At the end of the meal, we walked out into a blizzard. As soon as we opened the first of the double doors, the snow blew in and the chill cut through us.
I have a great video of HB on a mechanical horse that she’d kill me if I posted. But I’m definitely not above showing you in person, so ask next time y’all see me.
The parking senors got snowed over, which reminded me of my 14 hour drive from Montreal to VA in a blizzard last year.
Gypsy Soul really delivered again, and the wife and I had a great Valentine’s Day.
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Theme Parties
Getting old isn’t easy. Back in my day, I threw a pretty epic theme party. Kids that were born in the 90s still know about the pastel party I threw for the fraternity. Even after I graduated, I’d have us touring the monuments in a limo dressed in all pink for a Quinceañera y diez, or I’d hire a belly dancer and have things get weird with sacrifices and body paint like at CW’s Nile River party. Nowadays things are a lot more tame. That said, I still need an outlet…
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More catch up, more restaurants and vday
We still haven’t gotten over our freedom to go to restaurants kick. We had some margaritas at El Tio’s while discussing how FJ would watch EF (or vice versa).
EF got the, “best passport photo ever!”
We tried out The Locker Room. The Old Bay wings aren’t half bad.
After way too many wings, a huge plate of loaded fries, and more than a couple beers, we enjoyed the sun and an unseasonably warm February afternoon.
I found out that Sweet Rice has pork belly kapow… Insanely delicious. It might be a limited time thing, so I’d get over there asap.
EF got a very generous valentine’s day prezzy from a secret admirer (who turned out to be Thom).
On the Friday before vday we went to La Caraqueña. EF got to meet Raul, but did not enjoy her first shot of tequila.
Nascar is back. And finally, EF got a vday prezzy from daddy (because her future is so bright).
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Catch up, restaurants on restaurants
After Del Campo, we’ve been on a going out binge. After having to stay in so long, its been nice, but exhausting to get out. We got some breakfast at Ohop. Always on point. And the bacon. Dang.
We did a little mobile bird watching.
HB had her first steakumms and loved them.
We met HW, Li, and VA for some plazatime. I had as many ounces in one glass as EF drinks in a day.
We went to Anthony’s with the parents. I enjoyed a mythos and ordered my usual: pizza with bacon, jalapenos, and gyro meat.
Then Christine threw a soup party. The highlight was definitely the black bean butternut squash chili. Jes. The cornbread was also really good.
I brought some DC United beer in honor of the upcoming season.
We played some heads up and trivial pursuit.
I was surprised by how much I liked yogi ginger tea. I need to get some.
Then we went to El Tio for some jumbo margaritas (all lime no mix), and some good food. EF was jelly of our margaritis.
We also heard Nilda got a new whip. Congrats on the 52 Chevy.
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Del Campo DC Review, Baby’s first night out
EF’s shots finally kicked in, so we are liberated from the house. We decided to celebrate our first night of freedom at Del Campo. Del Campo takes its inspiration from a Latin American Estancia, and its menus did remind me of my time in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. Even better, at Del Campo, they seem to agree that everything tastes better off a wood grill. Even the sea salt and olive oil have a touch of smoke.
I started with an Encanto del Campo which was peppery, just sweet enough, with lime, mint, and delicious all-spice. The rest of the group had the Limonada Sucia, the Dirt and Smoke, and a Pisco Sour. The first two were most interesting, but I think the classic pisco sour was my second favorite.
We cheers’d, and EF cheers’d with leche de madre.
The smoked oysters with chorizo and butter were divine, and made for an excellent appetizer.
FJ and Swaggy-we started with the smoked uni, angel hair, and caviar. It would not have been my first choice, but it was decadent.
Del Campo had a special on a bottle of Rioja, which was excellent. Then came the asado. We had the short ribs, rolled wagyu skirt steak, del campo chorizo, and morcilla blood sausage. I really liked the short ribs, but the wagyu was pretty dang good. The board came with bone marrow, which is awesome. I doubt that many would order marrow, but this way, I bet a bunch try it for the first time and fall in love. Classy move.
The grilled swiss chard may have been a little too salty for some but I loved it. The chimichurri was decent but nothing special, while I found the salsa criolla delightful. However, the meat certainly stood on its own.
Surprisingly, we had a little room left, and as it was a celebration, we ordered dessert. If you read the blog, you know sweets are not my thing, but the crispy apple empanadas were delicious, and the tres leches twinkies really surprised me. The twinkies were good enough to be more than a gimmick, and the mango sorbet really set it off.
I enjoyed a nice madeira as a digestif, and we even got some complimentary last sweet bites.
Del Campo was worth the wait, and more than lived up to the hype. I had high expectations and they were exceeded. I hope to be back soon. Its definitely not the kind of place that I’d call baby friendly (no changing table in the restroom), but the servers were very accommodating, and we had no issues. We did go early which was key as the restaurant filled up quickly. We also managed to be as mannerly as possible since EF had her mom and mamaw there to keep her quiet. She hardly made a peep. If you’re looking for a great night out in Chinatown, give Del Campo a try.
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Catch up, Superbowl
We had another good meal from Caribbean Plate.
HB made some great food on a snow day. It started with cinnamon rolls, then we had some fried thick cut bologna sammies, and finally, some breakfast for dinner.
One day we thought we’d be healthy and get some Cava mezze grill. The food was amazing, but based on the portion size, I don’t know how healthy it was.
We also got some taco bamba. The food was great except they’ve ruined their chicarrones. I think they’re using store bought pork rinds. Very sad times.
EF has decided she likes sitting up like a people and got a new wub. She also had a perfectly timed kerchoo (thanks Chashley for the book).
On superbowl Sunday, I had time for a run. I think thats my second run since EF was born, and my time definitely reflects it. I hate running, so I can’t wait for the weather to warm up so I can get out on the water.
Then C-Note and Jodiah came over for some hot tubbery. We made bourbon lancers and lit up some stogies. I had a Hoyo, and RP had a Partagas. Then we warmed up in the sauna.
HB got back from the inlaws. I fixed some wings and fries upstairs and then we went downstairs to watch the game. I didn’t really have a horse in the race, but I would have liked to see New England lose.
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HB’s Bday
HB’s Bday was this weekend. Since FJ and Swaggy-we were going to St. Lucia, we went over to celebrate early. FJ got some soup and pretzels and beer cheese dip from Taste by Katie. Very delicious. CK made some birthday cupcakes, and LeBeef had us smoke some smores, which were…interesting.
Since my parents were out of town, we had to have a party at their place. HB and I had been craving wings, so I instacarted 30 lbs, got some sauces, 16 lbs of fries, and we were in business. We smoked the wings to defrost them, and then grilled him. I don’t have any pictures of this because it was quite an undertaking. Thankfully, HB and Jodi sent me a bunch of pictures so I could still do a post (thanks again!).
The spicy buffalo did a number on my tumtum. CW loved the bbq, and HB was all about the sweet chili.
HB blew out her candles, and errbody gave EF some love. HB opened some prezzies, my fav of which was the bourbon.
Then, in keeping in the spirit of a high school party while the parents are out of town, someone suggested a drinking game. Things got a little wild, and we did a little singing.
It may look like drunken karaoke, but things got a little slow, a little country, and a little emotional, and HB may have not been the only one to shed a tear…
Later that weekend, HB enjoyed her first hot tubbin since getting knocked up.
Then EF gave her mommy the gift of going out, by getting some vaccines (which will be enjoyed when they kick in in two weeks).
Now, its time for one of those 80s cleaning montages before the parents get back. Fortunately, a lot of picking and cleaning up got done at the party. We have good friends. I saw Ash in particular doing a lot (thanks again). It was a really great party, and to quote CW, “We needed this.”
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Snow Day
I intended to go to work today, but HB had a doctors appointment, and she didn’t want to drive the baby in the snow, or walk with the carrier though an icy parking lot, so I stayed home with EF. When HB got home, she brought our traditional snow day meal, and then we took EF out for her first snow angel.
It was so pretty out, we decided to take baby girl on a walk. HB wanted a beer, but not just any beer: draft beer. We headed over to Dominion Wine and Beer. They just got taps, and you can see their current list here. We got some growlers of Founders Big Lushious and Uinta Hop Nosh.
The premiership on the tube was an added bonus.
EF got to meet a lot of her neighbors on her walk. She also facetimed CK and FJ, but LeBeef, who still doesn’t have facetime, missed out. Time for a new phone.
I poured myself a glass of the IPA (delicious), and HB went out to get the best burger in Falls Church (from Mike’s Deli).
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New Year’s Eve’s Day, New Year’s Eve
Since so many of us have bebe’s now, HW and Li planned a New Year’s Eve’s Day party. There was a great spread, a delicious punch, plenty of beer, and plenty of bebe’s.
VA did her best Bobby Light impression by grabbing her chair and doing the booty-do.
I was pretty crazy to see how fast the bebe’s grow. All the girls are four months apart.
After we had our fill of football, dranks, and snacks, we headed back home for an evening in.
We just planned on having the capt’n over, but with ML’s lady in Indiana, he joined us as well. Fortunately, we had a pretty decent spread.
We sabered some champs, and let the good times roll.
We promoted the Capt’n to Rear Admiral (Lower Half) for gallantry in champagne consumption. HB backfilled the Captain’s position.
Riding high on his promotion (and tiny bubbles) RDML Thom danced recklessly with EF.
EF got ready for her first New Year.
And ML sent a sext to CT (mid-salsa). RDML Thom went below deck for a little R&R (not pictured).
We went through some champs and vodka, but ended up with plenty leftover.
The next morning, I was first in line at Taco Bell’s drivethru to make sure everyone had a filling start to 2015.
Chad.
Thom brought about twenty board games and insisted we play one. I’ll admit, I did enjoy some spy alley.
Last year, HB and I had a pretty epic new year. This year we just planned to watch the ball drop on TV (#WYMGTB?) and have a little bubbly. Thanks to HW, Li, Thom, and ML for making this year special.
My resolution last year was to start a journal (this blog). I haven’t thought of a resolution for this year yet, but I’ll definitely keep BVVA going.
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