Fairmont Hotel Lunch Reception

The husband and I attended a luncheon reception this week at the Fairmont Hotel. This was the site of a wedding of one of my friends from college. While normally the group's luncheon meetings include an architectural salad and precious chicken entree, this new year's gathering included a higher-value lunch.

Crab terrine with fried quail egg.

Roasted fingerling potato, green beans, pan-seared cod.

Alborz Persian Restaurant in Vienna

J and I went to a Korean American political networking event in Tysons. After the nibbles, there were some speeches. We headed out for dinner in the area. After seeing Nostos was full, we switched gears and tried out a Persian kabob place (www.alborzpersianrestaurant.com) in Vienna. 

Must-o-Khiar 

Yogurt, cucumber and herbs.

Mirza Ghasemi

Eggplant, tomato and garlic.

Lovely smokey flavor.

 Chicken Sultani

One skewer of Koobideh (seasoned ground beef) and one skewer of Joojeh (chicken). 

Chenjeh Sultani

One skewer of chenjeh (marinated beef) and one skewer of Koobideh (seasoned ground beef).

***

Highlight of the night, our waiter was hilarious, and joked that J's credit card was declined. Her automatic response: slapped his hand. The portion size was massive, and we both took home most of it. The kabobs were really nicely seasoned and the menu included some great items. 

While we were enjoying Persian kabobs, the husband was at home, enjoying Afghan kabobs from Palace Kabob. We apparently share a stomach. 

Overwood Brunch

The husband was craving pancakes. We went to our local brunch spot in Old Town. Our waiter was amusingly surprised by his double brunch order. 

 Southern Breakfast

Grits, poached eggs. toast and bacon.

 Eggs Chesapeake

Perfectly poached eggs on crabcakes and English muffins.

Blueberry pancakes take one...
Unfortunately, even though they looked nice and brown, the insides were still on the raw side. After the plate was fired again, they came out nicely cooked. While this was not the best brunch experienced there, our waiter hit the right notes of apologetic and helpful.

Kabob Palace Crystal City

Kabob Palace is open 24 hours a day, and every time we've gone there it has been crowded. We planned ahead and placed our order by phone before driving up. We still had to wait in line once we arrived, but it was worth it. This time, instead of having to choose  between chickpeas and spinach, they gave us both.

 Palace Combo with lamb and kubideh.

Joojeh (boneless breast of chicken)

The Angelika + Four Sisters = Fantastic Way to Spend a Saturday

My husband loves going to see movies on the big screen. I, however, got used to not watching movies during that period of insanity when I was working full time and attending graduate school at night. When I regained some free time, I found out that I disliked the interactive theater experience where people brought newborns to midnight R-rated movies or dirty movie theaters with people talking throughout the film. 

Enter the Angelika. 

It's everything I was looking for and more. You can reserve specific seats online, they have good food, the seats are comfortable and there is ample leg room. Most importantly, the bathrooms are clean.

 After finally watching Skyfall, we wandered over to Four Sisters for a late lunch.

I really enjoy Four Sisters, although we haven't been back in many moons because of the difficulty finding parking the last time we were out in Merrifield. It's been so long since our last visit, they built up a whole Town Center in our absence.

 Shrimp Toasts

Wrap the sections in the accompanying lettuce leaves with fresh mint and basil.

 Summer Rolls

 The husband ordered lemongrass pork bun.

Super fresh and delicious. 

I ordered #16, pork and shrimp noodle soup.

Top with bean sprouts, fresh lime juice, cilantro and basil. 

The broth is so unbelievably nuanced and really lovely. Truly fantastic revisit to an old friend.

Downton Abbey Premier Watching Party

We all have that one friend who hosts the most amazing parties. I love the ones thrown by my friend J. In honor of the season two premier, she put together a fabulous party, bunting and all, with a thoughtful menu.

 Even the wine bottles got dressed up in costume for the 1920s.

I love penguins.

Who knew they made snowglobe wine stoppers? J did, of course.

 Platter of all British Cheeses with Union Jack labels of course. 

 Arugula salad with roasted beets, orange slices and pistachios.

 Bubble and Squeak Patties.

 Garlic-Rosemary Roast Beef

 J had been worried it was overcooked, but it was absolutely perfect.

 Vegetable Pot Pie with a Cheese Pastry Crust.

 Even the cocktail napkins stayed true to the theme.

Eton Mess. Which is just British for delicious. Kind of looks likes strawberry compote on snow.

Annandale's Lighthouse Tofu Expansion and Special Combo Menus

We like Vit Goel (Lighthouse Tofu) in Annandale so much I have a member card that I have no idea what it does other than track how often we go there. By now, our profile should include our love of hamul pajeon soon dubu with mushroom spicy and chum churum soju. In fact, our last dinner before heading south for the holidays was to Lighthouse. Imagine our surprise when we stopped in after our first haircuts of the year and saw the restaurant space had expanded and they were offering a new special combo menu.

 I love Korean menus that tell me I'm saving by ordering more.

 We selected Special Combo A.

Love the seafood pancake (hamul pajeon).

 Hello gorgeous.

Fresh kimchi, one of the pan chan offered.

 Jejuk, spicy pork.

Soon Dubu with Mushroom Spicy.

***

Sooo good. Time for a nap.

Redskins Game Day Gluttony

The husband loves RGIII and the Redskins. To prepare some appropriate game day nibbles, I started the day before with crockpot chili. Mix some browned ground beef with tomatoes, chili seasonings, green pepper, jalapeno, onion, black beans and cannellini beans and cooked over slow for 6 hours.

Hello gorgeous.

 Sausages topped with pepperjack cheese on whole wheat hotdog buns.

 Top with chili,

Add diced onions