Washington, D.C.

dcA weekend in D.C. condensed:

Pizza Paradiso – This place is solid. The pizza and the beer list are sure to please!

The Fainting Goat – I wanted to be more excited about this restaurant, food was okay.

Ted’s Bulletin – we went for the homemade pop tarts, I liked the donut better.

Oyamel – super Mexican spot, tasty food and modern decor

Bayou – Louisiana cooking, food was heavy, but overall good. If you like Abita, they have lots!

Batter Bowl Bakery – I got the sunny side egg dish and I left feeling hungry. If I spend $10 at breakfast, I should be full.

DC Brau – drink it!

 

 

Flatbread Company Somerville

IMG_1580Flatbread is a place that I can always count on to have good pizza and a great draft list. It’s a chain, but no matter which location I dine at, it’s always reliable (I’m trying to go to all of them, including the one in Maui!). The Somerville location is unique since it has a bowling alley attached. They have daily specials for meat and vegetarian pizzas. don’t forget to ask! If you end up loving their dough, they sell it so you can make your own pizza at home.

Weekend in the Berkshires

IMG_0884It’s Saturday morning and we’re in the mood for donuts. Home Sweet Home Doughnut Shoppe in Great Barrington – a mom and pop type place (they make their soup in a crock pot, no frills) and I am charmed by the woman behind the counter wearing donut earrings. The verdict, just okay. I am spoiled by living near one of the best donut shops ever (Union Square Donuts).

Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cider (left) & Sea Salt Caramel (right)

Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cider (left) & Sea Salt Caramel (right)

After breakfast we’re able to make it to the final thirty minutes of the farmer’s market. We scored two great items, Bug Hill Farm’s Rhubarb Rush syrup and R&G Cheese Makers’ Pumpkin Chevre (on a bagel, on a cupcake, just eat it!).  Baba Louie’s for lunch, the sourdough crust is tasty and worth trying for those that like thinner, crispier pizza.

Turkey Sausage and Pineapple

Turkey Sausage and Pineapple – Baba Louie’s

Later, we pop into the Lion’s Den Pub for a pint and then try our luck getting a table at Nudel in Lenox. The wait is over an hour, we cross the street to have a drinks and popcorn at Rumpy’s Tavern and see how long our stomachs can hold out.

Rumpy's Tavern - all decked out for Halloween

Rumpy’s Tavern – all decked out for Halloween

We’ll have to come back for Nudel, about an hour and a half later and we’re still waiting. Luckily, the bar at Brava has cleared. The food is decent and the bartenders are friendly and attentive. Some scallops and a cheese and charcuterie plate and I’m off to bed!

Seared Scallops

Seared Scallops

Cheese and Charcuterie Plate

Cheese and Charcuterie Plate

Otto Pizza – Brookline

I finally tried Otto! It was totally jammed on a Sunday night. We had a large Apple, Bacon and Red Onion pizza with red sauce and a great pinot noir from 14 Hands. For dessert, mini whoopie pies stuffed with vanilla ice cream. Everything was lovely and I’ll be back! Next time, I’m ordering two small pizzas to share instead of a large so I can try more flavors. I love that you can sit at the bar and order a drink and a slice if you can’t commit to a whole pie. A perfect option before or after a movie at Coolidge Corner Theatre.

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Portland Day 2

Voodoo Doll

Voodoo Doll

We begin our day with breakfast at Voodoo Donut Too; classic voodoo doll and an old fashioned maple cake donut. Would I stand in line for them? No. However, I do love a novelty and what’s more novel than a donut shop where you can get hitched (I’m pretty sure you can only marry at the main location though).

Strolling about the city, we worked up quite an appetite. For lunch we stop at Oven and Shaker for a kale salad and salami pizza. Ambiance, food, and service were fantastic!

Kale Salad

Kale Salad

 

Salami Pizza

Salami Pizza

Living in Boston, I am unaccustomed to happy hour. Five dollar cocktails and four dollar craft beers, I was like a kid in the candy store where all the Cadbury Fruit and Nut Bars (imported) cost a penny! It’s a dangerous discount. We stop in Clyde Common and sample a few beverages; punch, cocktail, beer. All lovely. Ninkasi Brewery’s Oatis is a notable mention (and I’m heartbroken they don’t sell anywhere around Massachusetts. Are you listening Ninkasi?).

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Dinner at Noble Rot, the wait was something awful and in the end, we just sat at the bar. I recommend the Rot Meat plate and the view. They have a patio which must be spectacular when the weather is warm/dry enough.

Another trip to Roadside Attraction, just as great as the first time!