Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Welcome to the Neighborhood, Gastronomically


Jon arrives for Thanksgiving in...

It's no secret that the ideal way to discover a city is through food.  (I mean, right?  That can't just be me.)  Jon arrives in DC on Sunday and we'll be here until Saturday morning, when we'll drive up to Manhattan with my grandparents, and then he flies out of JFK on Monday night.  Our weekend in New York - which includes a fabulous party in Connecticut - is packed already, but I'm still fleshing out Jon's holiday in Washington.

This trip feels different from his others.  He's visited DC half a dozen times over the past five years, but this is the first time he'll be experiencing it as his future home.  When he came for Thanksgiving last year, we knew that he'd be moving over in early 2014, but I was still living at home with my parents so the experience was pretty similar to the other trips we made when I was based in London with him.  Now I'm in the apartment that will be ours and I've carved out a life with comfortable routines and favorite spots that I'm excited to share with him.  I really want Jon to feel like he can belong here and, of course, the best way to introduce Jon to his new neighborhood is by visiting as many local culinary destinations as possible.

I've made a list of everywhere I want to take him that's within a 20 minute walk or 15 minute bus ride of our apartment.  We don't have tons of time, especially since there's that little thing called Thanksgiving that will take up about two days with my family, but I'm nothing if not ambitious!


Sunday
Jon lands at 4:30 in the afternoon and our lawyers have warned us that he might be delayed at immigration because he's in the midst of the visa process.  I have no idea what time we'll get home, but if he's still awake and wants to grab a drink and a bite we'll stop by The Getaway in Columbia Heights or Desperados on U St for their Sunday night happy hour specials.

Monday
We'll start the day with a long walk down 14th St to get Charlie's morning crazies out, and we'll pick up coffee and and a pastry somewhere by Logan Circle like Ted's Bulletin, Bakehouse, or Point Chaud if we're in the mood for crèpes.  Assuming the weather cooperates, we'll then spend a few hours at the zoo; afterwards, we'll warm up with noodles at Taan or Pho14, both on Columbia Rd - Jon loves that sort of thing, so I want him to know it's available right nearby!  If the day is miserable, we'll probably head to 2 Amys up by the cathedral to split a Neapolitan pizza for lunch.  We're having people over on Monday evening, so we do have to save ourselves for that!  (As usual, I plan on going completely overboard with the cooking.)

Tuesday
I have to pick up my family's race packets for the SOME Thanksgiving Turkey Trot at the Pacers on P St, which is the perfect excuse to hit up Stoney's for lunch - they have the best grilled cheese in town.  And then Tuesday night is date night!  I've made us a reservation at Zentan (thanks to a gift certificate I won back in the spring) and we'll probably start off the evening a few floors up at the rooftop bar at Donovan House.  I've never been but I hear the cocktails and the view are fantastic.

Wednesday
Honestly, I think we're going to be fooded out by Wednesday, so it's the perfect opportunity to introduce Jon to Sweetgreen or Chop't, both of which have locations in Dupont Circle.  Those sorts of salad places are such an American concept - they don't have anything like it in London!  We'll need a light(er) lunch on Wednesday anyway because we're going to my parents' house for dinner that evening.  My grandparents and sister arrive in DC that afternoon and it's the first night of Hanukkah, so we're having latkes!  It's just the thing to prepare us for the next day's 5k...

Thursday/Friday
Thanksgiving - enough said, right?

This plan is in pencil at the moment, so let me know if you have any other gastronomic suggestions in these areas!  Now that Chioptle, Five Guys, and Shake Shack have hopped over to London, we don't have to go to them here, and I really do want to hit up new (to him, certainly, but also possibly to me) places.  What am I missing, dear readers?


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34 comments:

  1. Have fun!!! it will be so nice to have him there! :)

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  2. Soooo... you're not excited at all, right? ;) That countdown is PERFECT and you guys are going to have the best time together, but clearly that goes without saying!

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  3. Pica Taco - one location at 16th and harvard, one location at 14th and w.

    also if you don't feel like shlepping up to 2 amys Etto is run by the same people i think.

    Also Bethesda bagel in dupont!

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  4. I would recommend Pound for Nutella coffee and scones and Le Diplomate for brunch!

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  5. I know it probably can't happen on this trip, since time is short and the logistics would be difficult, but you all have got to make a trip out to Loudoun! Gorgeous wineries and delicious restaurants. You can totally bring Charlie and the dogs can have a playdate!

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  6. This sounds so fun and exciting to have a sneak peek of what it to come!

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  7. You are the ultimate planner! Wow. I hope when we come to DC you'll plan something similar for us? :) It all sounds so amazing. I can't imagine walking to all of these amazing places. So cool and unknown to me!

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  8. If Jon enjoys Chopt, there's one in Selfridges for him to enjoy when he comes back to London! :)

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  9. Oh man, this sounds great! I want to come visit DC and go eat at all these places. :)

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  10. I've saving this list for when I finally make it over to DC! Have fun you crazy kids :)

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  11. Aw, you guys are so cute together! 2 Amys is a great destination, ditto Pho14. I'm not that familiar with Logan Circle but it sounds like you have enough planned as is!

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  12. London now has salad places! There is Chop'd, Tossed and Vital Ingredient. Enjoy!

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  13. I've eaten at Chop't before! and I'm weirdly excited that I recognize a resto name you just dropped here. I have nothing of actual value to contribute to this conversation.

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  14. haha nooooo not at all, how could you tell?

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  15. we're going to New York! we'll do bagels there :) but OOOH yes Etto is worth a try!

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  16. when he moves over, we really want to do a long weekend out in VA for wineries and battlefields. let me know if you have specific recs!

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  17. YES of course we will eat ALL THE THINGS when you are here :)

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  18. that's true, I forgot! I always go to the mediterranean stall thing (that we went to) when I go to the Food Hall there :P

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  19. yes! and hopefully I'll have even more ideas by then :)

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  20. I've actually never been to Pho14 but my parents have and I hear good things!

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  21. BUT WHAT IS THE VITAL INGREDIENT?


    haha - I didn't know about the last two! I'll have to remember that for the next time I've over there :)

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  22. I smiled the whole way throught this post (except for the possible immigration hold up). It's funny how I don't really 'know' you, yet I'm still so incredibly happy for you that Jon is coming for Thanksgiving!!! Your first Mr.&Mrs. Thanksgiving! It's very exciting! x

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  23. Sounds like Jon has a great week in store! I bet it will be really exciting introducing him to places that could become his favourite lunch spots. We need more salad places here! I think we have a few, but those two look so much better.

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  24. Just reading this I'm excited for you!! Sounds like a great week you've got planned :)

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  25. Of course, just tweet at me (is that a real phrase?) when you're planning your trip! I think you two would really like Morven Park--it's a beautiful estate on the outskirts of Leesburg. It was once owned by Westmoreland Davis, a former govern of VA back during WWI.

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  26. Yes!!! They are amazing!!!! They also have this Pound N' Paws event every Sunday from 5-9pm where you can get small plates and discounted drinks. You can even bring your dog! Here's their website: http://www.poundthehill.com/

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  27. This is darling! So sweet of you to plan it all out for him like this.



    This might be a little out of your way, but have you ever been to Good Stuff Eatery? Their burgers and fries are amazing (and don't miss the array of fun dipping sauces for the fries), and their toasted marshmallow shakes are out of this world. It's not the healthiest food but absolutely delicious. I'd highly recommend it!

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  28. sounds like you have everything all planned out! enjoy it!!! :) xo jillian - cornflake dreams

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  29. haha now when I go there I will feel a connection to you :)

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  30. these salad places - especially the ones downtown near all the office buildings - are CRAZY at lunch.

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  31. on Capitol Hill? I've never been but I hear EXCELLENT things. I've actually been doing some babysitting for a family that lives near there so I'll have to find an excuse for us to go :)

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