Parenthood
I’m sitting on the couch right now, taking a break from getting packed, charging cameras, and just generally getting ready for tomorrow, and the house is quiet and peaceful. Things are definitely about to change. Fortunately, we have a lot of friends that already have kids, and very supportive parents a short drive away. BVVA will not turn into a baby blog, but it will be a little while before you get another restaurant or travel review. In the meantime, perhaps you can see what we’re drinking to celebrate my daughter’s birth by following me on twitter (@bonvivantva)(or if you’re a friend or relative, my personal account, or HB’s FB). Then in the coming months, perhaps I’ll find time to post some old stuff, review some brown I’ve been meaning to get around to, post some dinner party pictures, and stuff about the holidays. I fully intend to keep BVVA going, but we’ll see what happens.
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An intimate evening at McCormick & Schmick’s Tysons
M&S Tysons is my go-to for special occasions and entertaining out of town relatives. It has great food, an amazing raw bar, and plenty of options for everyone. As you can tell from the menu, we just went for FJ’s bday.
My swordfish casino was great, and HB’s flounder was delicious. Unfortunately, I failed to get a picture of the oysters, and the insanely good guinness mixed with pumpkin puree (a must try).
I saved my favorite part about the Tysons McCormick & Schmick’s for last. The private booths are awesome. I’m not much for crowds or loud restaurants. These booths are perfect when you just want to enjoy the company of your group without interruptions.
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Another great brunch at Gypsy Soul
For our last brunch before being parents, we went to my current favorite restaurant, Gypsy Soul. I started with a bloody mary with bourbon and pork belly, and then later enjoyed one with scotch and a pickled quail egg (surprisingly delicious).
The pimento cheese was a very good starter.
My dad got the country fried steak, which I’d not had before. I think I’ll have to order it next time I go.
Chef RJ (a very gracious host), came over and talked bourbon with me. He poured me a little Belle Meade, which was excellent. Gypsy Soul uses my favorite brown sauce glasses as well, but I’d expect nothing less from such a classy establishment.
It may be a while before I get back to Gypsy Soul, but I’m excited to take the baby.
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Panjshir Falls Church, Chopped Kebab, Kadu Palow
HB was craving some pumpkin, so we went to Panjshir for some Kadu Palow. I ordered the chopped kebab, which turned out to be frenched lamb chops on the kebab. They were very good.
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Chasin’ Tails, Bonchon, Nam Viet’s Bo Dun (best Vietnamese dish ever!), man work, Paladar
With the birth of my firstborn imminent, the wife and I have been busy trying to not waste a second of freedom. We enjoyed some Chasin’ Tails a while back. Crawfish, oh dang, n’awlins hot, and beignets and chicory coffee for dessert.
On Veteran’s Day, we had lunch at Bonchon. Then later I poured a dram and lit up a pipe by the fire.
Later in the week we went out with Marteen to Nam Viet for the best Vietnamese dish I’ve ever had: Bo Dun on skewer. Its beef rolled around vegetables, that you put into a rice paper wrapper and dip in a sweet honey sauce. Amazing.
My dad had a half cord delivered, but it was a little larger and greener than advertised. A log took a bad hop into my shin, but fortunately I had my Red Wings on, so I barely had a knot to ice when I got home.
Then HB and I enjoyed another brunch at Paladar. I was adventurous enough to try a pumpkin spice mojito that despite being too sweet, worked very well.
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Veteran’s Day (observe it by reading a book)
For Veteran’s Day, my Mom posted a bio of my Papaw (a WWII vet, and recipient of many honors including the Silver Star) that I’d like to share, but for the sake of anonymity, chose not to. Instead, I’ll share a little about my other favorite veteran, Fred Cherry. Colonel Cherry spent over seven years as a POW in Vietnam. Cherry’s life is the subject of the book, Two Souls Indivisible: The Friendship That Saved Two POWs in Vietnam, by James S. Hirsch, author of Hurricane. One of my favorite parts of the book, and a story I’ve heard several times in person, is when Colonel Cherry helped lock a another plane’s landing gear into position with the wing of his fighter in midair. Thats just a small taste of the amazing things Colonel Cherry has done in his life. I just recently reread the book, and can’t recommend it enough. I have the good fortune to work with Fred, and take every opportunity I can to listen to his stories. I actually just finished speaking with him (and helping him replace a printer cartridge), which inspired me to write this post. To observe Veteran’s Day as more than just a day off (and if you live in the DC area – a free concert), I highly recommend checking out his book. And if I’ve failed to interest you in Fred’s book, maybe check out one about Patton or Robert E. Lee.
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10 Year Frat Reunion
When I joined my fraternity, it was just starting on my campus. We got a Charter about 10 years ago. Last weekend, we went back for the 10 year reunion.
The business school has changed a lot. I used to go to class on the top floor of a bank.
This view brings back so many memories I can’t even tell you.
After some fairly intense pregaming, we went to the gala.
Bobby Light did an excellent job as Master of Ceremony.
JD and Josh both gave really exceptional and heartfelt speeches.
The founding fathers that were present.
House of the Founding Fathers.
Singing the Conclave version of Country Roads.
Drunk dialing Varga (hope I don’t end up on standards).
Afterparty at Schooners.
Here’s to brother Chad…
Birthday shot of Jager for CW, very corridge time in corridge.
The next morning we awoke to a cold rainy day. Very Bad News (VA).
We had a fairwell brunch at The Warwick Restaurant. I got to see my old place.
Jes. Desperately needed, and delicious. I wish I had a pic of the group. We had a huge table in the back. I was sitting next to Moose, and we cracked each other up the whole time.
It was a really great weekend. I’m really optimistic about the state of the frat, and damn proud. I really had a lot of fun hanging out with all the guys, and meeting a bunch of the new ones. Can’t wait for the 20th.
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Lot of catch up
Got the whip washed. It looks fresh. Also had some more fancy beers at Spacebar.
Last Monday The Black Cats were on the telly and I fancied a proper pint, so the missus and I knocked off work early, bobs your uncle, we’re at the pub for a match. Really I just wanted Sunderland to not cock it up, but we ended up coming away with three. Brilliant!
We went out to see Nightcrawler (pretty good), and also went to True Food in Merrifield. Having some healthy food was a nice change of pace. We’ll be back.
Then Thursday, we had a dinner party with friends.
Over the weekend, we went to my sister’s place in Alexandria for dinner. She made some very fall pasta, and a great pie.
This weekend we took it easy. I watched WV and DC United lose, while Sunderland merely threw away a lead to tie. Thank God for the Skins’ bye.
HB made us some enchiladas which were awesome.
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Michael’s Noodles, Shanghai Arlington
Growing up, I was a very picky eater. There was a time when chicken nuggets and hot dogs were about all I would eat. Pretty early on, my parents discovered that I liked Chinese food while out with my uncle Parker and aunt Candy. We lived near Shanghai in Arlington, they went on a whim and loved it, and after that we would go at least once a week. Wai, one of the owners, would carry me around, and when I got old enough, take me to get ice cream, show me the kitchen, etc. She became a close family friend. We exchanged Christmas presents each year, and she never forgot my birthday. Shanghai suddenly closed in about 2007 as I recall, and we didn’t even get to say goodbye. Years later, a review came out in the washingtonpost about Michael’s Noodles, and it included a huge picture of Wai. My whole family went bananas, and we went out to see Wai the first chance we got. This past week, we went to see Wai again, this time, to show her that Nicole was pregnant.
We got first class treatment, including my favorite (off menu now) soup: Shrimp Tomato and Crispy Rice Soup.
In keeping with our tradition, we also ordered fried dumplings, chicken schezwan style, and moo shu pork. Wai also brought out some of her new favorites. It was an amazing meal, and an awesome time. I assume one can tell that I’m partial, but this is just about my favorite meal, and Shanghai was definitely my all-time favorite restaurant.
Effie even got her first fortune cookie.
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VOTE! – Maneki Neko Halloween Roll.
First things first, get out and vote if you haven’t already!
Next, I want to share the lunch I had earlier today. The wife and I went to Maneki Neko, and I ordered the Halloween roll. The roll was eel and tempura pumpkin, topped with black and orange roe. It was really some of the best sushi I’ve ever had. I generally stay away from sushi that has been fried in any way, but this was definitely a delicious exception. If you’re in the area, check it out before its gone.
I’ve been pretty busy, but I’ll try to catch up on the blog here before too long.
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