Visit to Mount Vernon, Gadsby’s Tavern
EF’s second cousin was in town, so they went to Great Falls.
Later in the week, EF wanted to take her cuz to Mount Vernon. We started with a nice lunch at Gadsby’s Tavern.
EF slept through the entire lunch.
George gave me a break and pushed the stroller a while.
We saw some more American Rehab Virginia…
The Butt was more than game for a photo shoot…
LeBeef taught EF and Britney about touchmenots in the upper garden.
Like GW, I’m trying to catch some Shad this April.
We we got home, I celebrated Black Tot Day.
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Bro brunch, Organic Butcher of McLean
Uncle Billy was in town, so we got some of the old gang together for brunch. Its safe to say things have changed a little since college, but we easily picked up where we left off.
The next evening, we splurged on some fancy waygu beef from the Organic Butcher and had a very decadent meal.
Louis Camille Maillard eat your heart out.
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Parenting ain’t easy
The other weekend Pam-ela, Ryry, and WinnDixie had us over for a day at the pool. We enjoyed good weather, great company, and lots of delicious food. WinnDixie hooked me up with a 45 minute smoke…
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All Tune and Lube Falls Church is now A.T. Auto Services
I’ve been taking my truck to the All Tune and Lube since I’ve had it. I have a guy a trust for my BMW, but I needed someone different when I got the truck. Not long after I bought the truck from my uncle, I took it over to Smokey’s Garage in Falls Church when the hood release cable got worn out. Smokey’s is the closest garage to me. They called me about four hours later to tell me they couldn’t figure out how to pop the hood and that I’d need to take it somewhere else. I had been able to pop it with a screwdriver and some perseverance, despite being particularly mechanically inclined, so I knew Smokey’s was just blowing me off (or are really really bad at their job). After writing them a fairly scathing yelp review, I found ATL and never looked back. They have done great work for me, so when I saw on yelp that they closed, I was devastated. I drove by to see if I could figure out what happened, and fortunately, its just an ownership change, and the same guys are still there doing the work. To date I’ve had Tom at A.T Auto Services replace my suspension, replace the brakes, replace some driveshaft bushings, cables, etc. I’ve been very satisfied with the work done and price charged each time. I definitely recommend them. A.T. Auto Services is the place to take your truck in Northern Virginia.
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Greek salad
I’ve always been a big fan of Greek salad. I saw something about grilling octopus the other day on twitter and got inspired.
I got some frozen spanakopita and a couple bottles of Greek wine and we had a meal.
For dessert, I got baklava and gelato. It was a great meal, and we enjoyed getting the family together on such a pleasant evening.
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EF’s first Nats game, taking a baby to Nationals Park
EF has been wanting to go see the Nats for about eight months now. Since her bedtime is about an hour after a 7:05 opening pitch, we took her to a day game. As it turns out, taking a baby to see the Nats is pretty convenient. The stroller parking worked out great, and we got EF a neat First Game Certificate at Guest Services after the game.
I got a beer and a hog dog, and EF got a new lil girl lil girl hat.
As it turns out, EF is good luck; The Nats came back to win. I think Big F might have had more fun than lil.
Unfortunately, EF’s mojo couldn’t do anything for the USMNT, who got whooped by Jamaica. We cried on our beef patties, jerk, etc. from Caribbean Plate.
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Cuba Night: US v Cuba Soccer, Cuban Pork and Chorizo with moros y cristianos and sofrito, Goya flan, H Upmann Magnum 46 Review, Mojito recipe, HC7
The US was facing Cuba in the Gold Cup, so I thought we’d have a Cuba themed night. I decided to make Cuban pork marinated in mojo, moros y cristianos with sofrito base, and chorizo. Cuban food isn’t bland, but it isn’t spicy. Since I like bold food, I decided to go heavy on smoke flavor. I broke out the smoking gun, and used Jamaican pimento wood (because I like it, but also because Jamaica is fairly close to Cuba). I smoked the pork and chorizo, but then decided to smoke some sugar and limes as well for the mojitos.
I marinated the pork and chorizo in smoke by adding smoke to a ziplock, and letting it sit for about five minutes. The result was fairly subtle, so if you really like smoke, maybe let them sit in smoke a bit longer.
We also came across the first US TV show to be filed entirely in Cuba. Its pretty good, and if you’re interested in Cuba and/or classic cars, I highly recommend it.
Always use more butter than the recipe calls for…
So I’d never caramelized sugar before… The Goya box said not to stir the sugar. I think this is a trick for the uninitiated gringo. I burned the crap out of the sugar the first go around. Then I got on google and decided to try again with vigorous stirring. It worked out much better with lots of stirring on slightly lower heat.
Here is the difference between the two methods:
When making cocktails, one must use superfine sugar. If you’re making simple syrup, or warm cocktails, any sugar will dissolve, but if you’re trying to incorporate sugar into a cold or room-temp solution, only superfine will do.
Being an American, Cuban rum is hard to come by. White Cuban rum is even more rare. I didn’t have any, but I do have a white rum that I really highly recommend. Cruzan aged white is what all white rum should aspire to be. Its soft on the palate, delicious, and very mixable. I believe its aged 14 months which takes the edge off it, and makes it perfect for cocktails. The price point is also very agreeable.
For a mojito you also need mint. Store bought mint is OK, but go on the ol’ interwebs and get you some Kentucky Colonel mint. Its easy to grow, and you won’t regret it.
I used some coconut soda and shaved coconut to make HB a coconut mojito. I went traditional, and just had rum, smoked lime, smoked sugar, kentucky colonel mint, and some club soda/sparkling water.
The pork was on about ten minutes and was about an inch thick. This gave the chorizo plenty of time, and you could see the juices boiling in the casings.
The food was spectacular, and it was time for some soccer.
My second attempt at the flan worked out great. I added some bourbon to the mix for flavor (maybe two ounces), and would definitely recommend that you do the same.
After the match, I was still in a Cuban mood, so I lit an Upmann Magnum 46, and poured a little liquid flan. The H Upmann brought back memories of Havana. The draw was a little tight (the Mag 46 is build like a tank and won’t go out on you), but the flavor was intense. I got cedar, buttered toast, and a hint of salt and sweet hay. There was definitely that je ne sais quoi one gets from a puro habano. Perhaps best, there was none of the hot white pepper taste one gets from non-cuban cigars of milder-medium body. Its probably obvious that this cigar was on, and I really enjoyed it. I kicked back with a playlist that can be found here, as well as my inspiration for the evening in general.
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The Beach DC at The National Building Museum, Rosa Mexicano
Last weekend we tried to take LB to The Beach exhibit at The National Building Museum. Its been all over the social medias, so it was insanely crowded. This past Friday, we thought the wait might be shorter, so we tried again. It took me about 30 minutes to park and walk over after I dropped off HB and LB, but after I got there, we only waited about 30 more minutes and we were in (Readers, if you’re looking for some birth control/trying to delay having a child, bring your significant other to the line at the The Beach. Seriously, it was loud, crazy, and this kid grabbed the velvet rope which guided the entrance line and started screaming, “This is just like a giant wiener!!!” while his mom just texted away with a dead look in her eyes).
The superchunk was about the youngest baby we saw there, and definitely the youngest baby in the ball pit. She was a little weirded out at first by the noise, commotion, and balls flying around, but she settled down and enjoyed it. 
If we hadn’t kept a good grip on LB, she would have sunk below the surface. It was also very difficult to stand. It may have been a little reckless, but EF seemed to get a lot out of it, and we had a lot of fun as well.
After getting bowled over by a big wave, and about a half an hour in the pit, we figured we’d pressed our luck long enough. EF really enjoyed it and never cried, but kids were jumping in right around her, throwing balls, flailing around, and we decided to end on a high note. We went up to the second floor to get a picture of the chaos below. As it turns out, there is a really interesting exhibit about unique architecture around the world lining the rail. We walked around the atrium and enjoyed it.
After the museum, we stopped for a late lunch at Rosa Mexicano. Despite being a chain, I really like Rosa’s food and drinks. It was a little overcast, but not hot, so we dined al fresco.
The Beach exhibit runs until September 7th, and really is worth the wait. On Wednesday nights, 5-9, its more adult focused with live music and booze.
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Crab on crab on crab
After having some of HB’s soft shell crab pad thai the night before, we went out to Pizzeria Orso and had crab pizza (and a negroni). We did this despite knowing we had plans to get crabs with Lil’ the next afternoon.
Taylors hooked us up as usual.
We went to see the O’Gs before their lil girl was born. Notice HW’s cool hat made specifically for shooting (no nub on the top for when one wears ear protection).
We went to Ted’s Bulletin with Lil’ and then again with CK. I can’t get enough of that place. The chicken and biscuits are delicious.
After watching a little world cup while HB was in Target, we smoked some very interesting cigars that constantly changed. Practically each puff tasted different; it was wild. Later, I made some coconut crusted tilapia, and we had a very delicious rose.
LB was given her first kids menu.
She had her first taste of meat.
While I was doing the stay at home mom thing, we had a picnic.
And I finally got around to hanging the last of her nursery decorations.
Now we’re headed out to Tim’s Rivershore for more crab.
Updated to include more crab:
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The Octagon House DC, Mt. Airy, American Rehab Virginia, and A Tale of Two Plantations
I forget how I found out about the book I’m currently reading, A Tale of Two Plantations: Slave Life and Labor in Jamaica and Virginia by Richard S. Dunn. I recall that I was familiar with the Virginia plantation featured in the book because it hosts dove and duck hunts. We’ve made a tradition out of going to Shady Grove’s dove hunt and party each year, but hopefully I’ll make it down to Mount Airy for a duck hunt so I can get a few ducks to put on the smoker for the holidays. The book is a historical comparison of slave life in Virginia and Jamaica. As a Virginian, I’ve found it very interesting. I’ve always been a student of Virginia history and The Civil War, but I’ve already learned a lot from this book. For instance, Virginia experienced slave population growth and exported slaves to the other colonies, while the harsh conditions in Jamaica made the purchase of new slaves a necessity to keep up a work force. The ability of Virginia slaves to have some semblance of a family life is contrasted with Jamaica where family units were rare and mostly temporary. Thats not to say slave life was easy in Virginia, but its very interesting to learn more about it, and see how very different it was from slavery in Jamaica. The research that went into the book allows one to follow generations of slaves and see how they and their offspring lived. Its a very interesting concept, and unlike anything I’ve ever read about Virginia or slavery. The book is a bit dry and tedious at times, but its very interesting and informative nonetheless.
After reading about a quarter of the book, I got interested in my own genealogy. My sister and I found out that our family goes back pretty early in Virginia, and we had land dealings with the Tayloe family of Mt. Airy (the Virginia plantation featured in the book), and the Carter family of Nomini Hall (another Virginia Plantation). Since I intend to eventually get down to there for a hunt, I follow Mt. Airy on twitter, and saw that they have a show on the DIY network right now about restoring their plantation. Since I’m reading about Mount Airy, we decided to watch the show (congrats to the current generation of Tayloes on hauling the anchor up).
The wife and I look forward to seeing the plantation in person eventually, but in the meantime we thought of something closer we could see. The Tayloe family had a winter residence in DC, call The Octagon House. Its one of the three oldest buildings in DC, was designed by the architect of the US Capitol, and served as a temporary White House after the White House was burned in The War of 1812. Its a really interesting place that was not on my radar despite being from the DC area and having a passion for history. We organized a tour and visited over the weekend.
Maggie was a great tour guide, and you could tell she really had a passion for history.
The railings of the servants’ stairs on the upper floors were marred where ropes were thrown over to hoist up heavy loads.
One would not have wanted to visit The Octagon in July back in the day. DC was a swamp, and Constitution was a river/canal. The mosquitos were even worse than they are now. However, when the winter came round, it was ball/entertaining season, and DC came alive. Congress was only in session at this time, so it was the place to be and the time to be here if one had political aspirations.
The white area in the photo below would be filled with ashes and operated like a modern range to make delicate sauces and other things you couldn’t do over an open flame, etc. The opening on the right of the fireplace was for baking bread, which was generally done at a bakery using your own dough, but since The Octagon was host to many parties, baking was done in house. The Octagon was unique in that the kitchen was in the house and not in an out-building. This was due to the constraints of the plot, and the warmth that a continually lit chimney provided the house.
John Tayloe III had quite an impressive liquor/wine collection and willed it to a son upon his death. I’ve easily got a couple barrels of brown sauce myself. Time to get going on that will…
The servants doors were all painted to be inconspicuous. Since so many rooms are rounded, the doors were curved to fit.
The treaty that ended The War of 1812 was signed in the office of The Octagon.
This filing table was really neat. It had triangular drawers, and the top could spin.
Its been really fun to learn some more Virginia history, and being able to visit sites in the book makes for a much richer experience. I look forward to getting my dad down to Mt. Airy for some duck hunting (hopefully this year), and maybe the girls will come too. If you’re in DC, The Octagon House is definitely worth a visit.
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