A rare lazy weekend
Saturday I pretty much watched football all day. The WVU upset of Baylor was awesome. Sunday was a beautiful day, so I went over to my dad’s place to smoke some pork.
The pulled pork came out great, and we made more of a dent in the huge jug of bbq sauce I made for OGF.
It was a very fall time. The next day, I made a pretty big lunch salad.
Then HB and I went to Caribbean Plate in Falls Church. A Salteña and some yucca fries hit the spot.
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
no comments yet
Pumpkin Patch
On Thursday, HB, Marteen, and I went to Mad Fox for steal the stein. The Oktoberfest beer was good, and I have gotten pretty good use out of the mug. That weekend, we went to the pumpkin patch to take some pictures.
That night we went to Paladar to meet my sister’s boyfriend’s dad. I got a rum flight, and some awesome ropa vieja.
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
no comments yet
Lamb Burgers, Family Dinner
For my sister’s boyfriend’s birthday, I grilled some lamb burgers and bought some fancy beers. We invited everyone over, and had a good time. My gift of a bottle of Talisker went over well.
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
no comments yet
OGF, Pig Roast in the Northern Neck
On Friday, HB and I headed down to Reedville for our annual pig roast. Back in college, we had a pig roast for a frat brother/roomate’s birthday. Ten years later, we’re still at it. After a rainy but beautiful drive down 17 and 360, we arrived at the bay, had some salty fried chickens from Little River Market, and did a little setting up.
Most of the guests had about a three hour drive after work, so we prepped the hog, did some quick raging, and called it a night.
Saturday we were up early(ish) to get the hog on.
We weren’t the only ones with our hands full…
HW fixed us up some delicious bloodies, and it was time for some breakfast burritos.
With the pig looking good and the coals low and grey, we threw some bourbon soaked smoking wood on and covered the pig with tin foil to saturate the hog with hickory. We grabbed drinks, camp chairs, and did some catching up.
Once we hit about 160 degrees, we pulled the pig. Getting the pig on the table is always a little precarious, but we handled just fine (this year).
With Special K at a high school reunion, Bobby Light took over the carving duties.
The last three years or so, I keep saying we’ve made the best pig yet. I definitely felt that way this year. The rub we use is perfect, and the bourbon/salt water injection we did the night before left a subtle delicious bourbon flavor to the meat. The pork was great, and Patrick’s corn puddin’ wasn’t messin’ around either.
Effie’s first taste of OGF.
I’m no veterinarian, but to the best of my knowledge, Lucy (the dog) is not pregnant.
If you haven’t had Li’s Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes, you haven’t lived.
After the hog was butchered and everyone had their fill, we headed down to the dock for some stogies.
That evening, we somehow found the energy to keep partying. Lil Steve was coming off a long shift at the hospital, so he shotgunned a red bull or two.
We finally kicked the keg around midnight. We’ve kicked four or five kegs in the past, but as time goes on, more ‘festers move away, get busy, get pregnant, etc. The group can still throw down though.
I had the last drop from the last pitcher around 1:30, and called it. I had a few nightmares about a monster under my bed that night…
The next morning I was in desperate need of some coffee.
After some breakfast, we cleaned up the garage, and headed to The Crazy Crab. This year, with all the babies, it was the smallest group at the crab yet, but we had a great time. I won’t really try to explain the road pasta. You really had to be there.
Sweet tea and bloodies.
Sugar toads, hush puppies, and fried green tomatoes.
OGF is always one of the best times I have all year. I’m a pretty fortunate and lucky guy. I can’t tell you have often I have people come up to me and tell me how lucky I am, or how jealous they are of my close knit group of friends. ’14 did not disappoint. Even with kids, we had time to catch up, roast an amazing hog, have some drinks, cigars, and a really great time. Can’t wait for OGF ’15 Carova (or wherever it may be).
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
no comments yet
Follow me on twitter, taking the weekend off for a pig roast
I’m off to the Northern Neck to cook a whole hog. We’ve been having a pig roast for HW’s birthday for 10 years now. The first one was behind the frat house in a residential neighborhood. Now its a bit more upscale, being on the water with plenty of room. I’ll post all the pictures when I get back, but you can follow it live by following me on twitter:
I also love to hear feedback. Head over to the, “about me” page and drop me a line if you’re so inclined.
by rsiv withWarning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
no comments yet
Ted’s Bulletin Merrifield, Grand Opening
On Monday, HB and I needed to go to Home Depot, so we swung by Merrifield for dinner. We saw a new place was open so we stopped by. As it turned out, it was opening night for Ted’s Bulletin. The decor appears to be sort of a hybrid between a 30-40s steakhouse, and a 50-60s diner. The menu features a who’s who of comfort food, including breakfast anytime. I had the chicken ‘n biscuits. HB had the pot pie special. Both were exceptional. I tried a bourbon, and a vodka based cocktail. Both were delicious. The wife got a malted milkshake which was as rich and decedent as one can imagine. When she’s not pregnant, shes excited to try one of the boozy milkshakes they also offer.
It was pretty cool to see that, like me, Ted’s has a West by God connection. I had trouble deciding on a entree tonight as there were so many enticing options. I can’t wait to go back and try some more.
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
no comments yet
Weekend update, Sporting Clays, Spacebar, 9 hours of Nats, Paladar, Anthony’s, Superclásico
On Thursday, the wife and I went to an expectant parents class. Three hours later, I’m a confident expert.
To reward myself for learning so much so quickly, I had some Captain D’s.
Friday around noon, I drove out to Bull Run Shooting Center to get a quick round a clays in. As I found out at the dove hunt, I’m a little rusty. It was misting pretty good, so I went to chick-fil-a to wait out the weather, and enjoy my second round of fast food in as many days.
The weather passed, so I hit the course. I gradually got to where I was shooting pretty well.
Someone must be an incredible archer…
Then my fraternity brother Thom came up from Ptown. I traded him a NLDS ticket for help putting together baby stuff. That night, we went to Spacebar, and then enjoyed some Woodford and a smoke. I commandeered Thom’s tender account, and learned that tinder is fun for maybe five minutes, but then becomes monotonous. Worse still, no one wanted to tell me what they were drinking when Thom matched. Fortunately, Thom’s yacht rock mix consoled me.
The next morning, I made french toast breakfast sandwiches with a side of tots. After all was said and done, I sprinkled some nutmeg and cinnamon on top, and poured a little maple syrup on them. Delicious.
Before breakfast, Thom had already put together a rocker. Afterwards, we put the crib together. Then we headed to the Nats game. We got to the park when the gates opened at 3. I had a ribs, HB had shake shack, and Thom had the DMV.
Closer to game time, you could tell it was a sellout. I went down to give RP his ticket, and then we headed to our seats.
The atmosphere was electric. Everyone was really into the game.
So into the game that we stayed all 18 innings, until the heartbreaker. Since we arrived at 3, we’d been there 9 hours. Pretty amazing considering it was chilly, and the I-talian woman is just about as pregnant as one can be. She was a trooper. We gave RP a ride so he wouldn’t get raped mugged at gunpoint again (true story).
After getting to bed at about 1, we woke up hungry. We headed to Paladar for exceptional food, and bottomless mimosas (three varieties from which to choose). The maple pulled pork was a sweet and savory delight.
And what does one do after bottomless mimosas? Gardening with a Confederate saber.
After some light pruning, we put a pack and play together and installed a dimmer switch (dimmable LEDs are awesome). Having worked up another appetite, we headed to Anthony’s for Linner.
Again Thom, I can’t thank you enough. We got a ton accomplished, and I really appreciate it. I’ll give you a call January-ish about Caps tickets, and the high chair thats currently unassembled in my basement.
After Thom left, I figured out that I was able to stream the Superclásico live. I’m a Boca Juniors fan, but I’m never able to watch their games where I live (though it was on GOL TV, but neither I, no my parents have that channel). Being able to watch the Superclásico, and essentially in HD, was awesome. Here is a link to the site that streamed it; it looks like they show a lot of Argentine Primera División matches. It was made all the more epic due to the torrential monsoon the teams played through. A ball booted at full strength on the ground only made it about 20 yards. A slide tackler could glide for about 15 yards. The weather made for a reckless chaotic spectacle. It was a physical, hard fought game, but there were occasional graceful plays strung together despite the playing conditions. Boca went up early, but then experienced a terrible call. Gago amazingly blocked a shot on the goal line with his head and foot, but the ref called a handball, issued a red card, and penalty kick. Karma intervened, and the penalty went high, but boca had to play the rest of the game down a man. River came back to tie it up, but all in all it was a very fun match to watch.
What an amazing, productive, and action-packed weekend. Thanks again Thom!
by rsiv withWarning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
no comments yet
Live Classic Rock
by rsiv with
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
no comments yet
Instacart, for those that hate shopping but love fresh food
Instacart is a food delivery app and service. I’ve used it about ten times, and I highly recommend it. Basically, you pick a store near you from their list, shop online, and in a few hours, instacart will deliver your groceries. I hate shopping, but love having fresh food at home, so instacart is super convenient for me. I generally order from whole foods, but for the BBQ the other weekend, I was able to order from Costco (without my own membership), and saved a ton. Its also great for figuring out what to make for dinner. They have recipes, or you can just browse online like you would in the store. On friday, I was browsing the meat counter (online), and decided on some lamb.
I’m not a chef, and I really only grill and fry. I end up with some pretty good food (if I do say so myself). The way I do it, is using high quality ingredients and keeping things simple. I love the complex foodie style dishes served over several courses at fancy restaurants, but for the amateur, a handful of high quality ingredients is the way to go. I salted the meat, and then rubbed some herbs de provence on too. I pan fried the lamb to get a nice crust on the meat. Then I grilled it, using some food to get a nice smokey flavor.
While the meat was on the grill, I threw some brussel sprouts in the pan and fried them. Then I covered them with some parmesan in a grill pan, and grilled them to melt the cheese.
When I pulled it off, it was about medium. I was shooting for medium-rare, but with the pregnant wife, safe is better than sorry. I topped the lamb with some fresh herbs, added the brussel sprouts and salad, and we were in business.
Pro Tip: If you get some whole foods on instacart, the dark chocolate sea salt caramels won’t show up, but if you describe them for your shopper, they should have no trouble finding them for you.
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
no comments yet
Fancy Beers with Marteen
On Saturday, Marteen came over for some fancy beers. We started with some bourbon barrel aged ale from Brooklyn Brewery (a gracious gift from my sister’s boyfriend). Then we headed over to Spacebar. They had some great local Oktoberfest on tap, but the stouts were the standouts to me.
I’m not sure this is possible, but Marteen, you should post that pic you took to the comments and put my photos to shame (Marteen is literally a pro).
The grilled cheeses at Spacebar used to be too greasy for my taste (which is saying a lot, because I love greasy food), but they finally got it together. The bbq sandwich is on point. The totchos have always been delicious. “This dog’ll hunt.”
I like to think Tommy Sietsema is really going around tagging the restaurants he reviews, but I doubt it. Thanks again Marteen for generously picking up the tab. After a couple strong beers, Marteen and I thought it was a great idea to taste almost the entire Buffalo Trace Mashbill #2 line. We started at Ancient Age and worked our way up to Blanton’s. Then I threw on some hipstery tunes, and we bro’d out.
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
no comments yet