B-Day

Phew, still in my 20s..barely...;p
27 was quite an exciting year..lots of ups and downs and big changes that thank god is working out in its own good way.  Hopefully 28 will be full of new challenges, new things to learn, personal growth, and more amazing things to eat!

B-day started out in a spicy way! Uncle Liu's hot pot!! =D

 a twirling pot of hot spicy broth--yums

There must always be quail eggs for hot pot!

Dinner was just absolutely perfectly amazing.  I felt extra special and undeservingly extra spoiled but it was so good!  Thank you babe!!!

 Heading out to dinner and feelin' good

Marcel's (French) in Washington, D.C
http://www.yelp.com/biz/marcels-washington

At Marcel's, you have a choice to order individual entrees or do a 3, 4, 5, or 7 tasting menu.  After convincing George we shouldn't be fat asses, I chose the 3 course and George got the 4 course tasting menu.

The ambiance was definitely swanky--a bit stuffy and classy for my taste but such great great service and a good excuse to dress up!  

We were greeted by a warm candle lit dining room, chandeliers, men dressed in suspenders and suits.  Our next table neighbor also spoke french =).  

I chose tonight to try out my b-day gift from George, a Canon digital slr camera...but the place was so intimate and dark that I felt extra rude for flashing the flash!  It's gonna take some time, but I love learning new skills and can't wait to take some amazing food pictures with my new baby!

An amuse-bouche of asparagus soup, assorted fresh bread--rosemary bread, and 3 different types of butter spread (paprika, rosemary, and fennel)

Each dish came out on a silver tray by men in bow ties.  I think we went through 5 sets of utensils tonight---they kept changing our silverware.

My first course: Halibut, wild mushrooms, black truffle pureee (gleeeee =) it's all that black paint on my plate!), asparagus, herb oil and yellow chives!

Great crust on the halibut and super moist center.

George's: Diver Scallops with English Pea puree, pea shoots in a warm sherry vinaigrette.  God this was super good!

Is it me..or are the french real skimpy with their food..these plates were like 3 bites!!

Screw disturbing the ambiance--all this food looked so gorgeous I couldn't resist capturing it with flash!

Beaver Creek Quail Breast, Gruyere Cheese potato cake (!!!!! super crispy and creamy), cippolini onion, tarragon quail butter.  Though small, the quail was crispy, lightly pink in the center and bursting with juicy flavor....mmmmmmm!

Roasted Pork loin, potato croquettes, lardons of smoked hickory bacon (!!!), julienne apples and brandy sauce...drooooollll

Martin's Ranch Beef Tenderloin, Potato Puree, Hericot Vert (french green beans), Port Cream Sauce (this sauce was bomb!).  So diddlyscrumptious!!!

DESSERT TIME! Valhrona Chocolate Ganache, Brulee White Chocolate Cake, Vanilla ice cream, raspberry and chocolate sauce!  The sugar cane on top was super cool!!! Such a good dessert!

French press coffee while waiting for our second dessert!

What made this chocolate souffle even better--was that it was freeee =) because we had to wait an extra 8 minutes..crazy impeccable service!!!

George pouring that chocolate!!! mmmm!!!

Chocolate souffle with hazelnut chocolate icecream

A delicious parting gift by the pastry chef--a petite four--forgot what the first one was...lol..2nd: white chocolate mango sorbet that literally melted in your mouth 3rd: white chocolate ganache and 4th: chocolate mint truffle

SOOO YUMMMY

Gorgeous flowers in the bathroom!

I seriously love this new camera!  It captures food and things so beautifully!

Leaving Marcel's after a wonderful dinner with Georgy

Full and happy back at home

Look who greeted us all sleepy at the door!!!

Thank you everyone for all the birthday love =)

I'm very grateful and truly blessed.

9/11

On the Sunday of the anniversary, we decided to walk around Old Town Alexandria to appreciate the day.

About eight miles from our apartment sits Old Town Alexandria.  Dating back to 1749, Alexandria’s riverfront was an important port during the colonial, revolutionary and Civil War periods. Today Old Town Alexandria still has the same colonial charm with 17th-18th century homes, cobblestone streets, churches, museums, shops and restaurants.

Arlington and Alexandria used to officially be part of Washington D.C, however in 1846, all areas south of the Potomac River were retroceded to Virginia by the Federal Government.  Today, because it is still within the beltway, these areas are still considered to be part of the Washington D.C Area.

Pride and patriotism was in the air--signaled by the many American flags that hung on people's homes and shops.

The Art fair that happens every Sunday

Honoring the crawfish!

My favorite medium's definitely acrylic.  Such vibrant colors!

This was my favorite artist.  Such great affects by printing photos onto canvas and using watercolor!

Lunch at the Old Firehouse

George's fried chicken n' waffles with kale

Didn't care much for the kale but the fried chicken and waffles were really good-- light and crispy!

My Eggs Benny with Virginia ham.  I rarely get this since a lot of places don't make it right..and i was correct.  My english muffin was burnt and I couldn't cut through it with a knife.  But the potato hash was super good and runny eggs are always great!

 So many homes and buildings here have this historic seal!

So random, but while looking, a passerbyer who also happened to be a historian told us if we looked at the side of the building, we could still see the fire that was set to it during the Civil War!

While walking, I also noticed the leaves--fall is coming...!!! =)

All in all, it was a really nice day that served as a wonderful reminder to appreciate, be grateful and enjoy the life you live because it is a short one.

Ray's The Steak

We went to Ray's the Steak for Labor Day dinner with George's parents since it's one block from our place and we heard great reviews about it.  Wine was cheap, the steak was also reasonably priced, tender and cooked to your choice of done-ness.  All in all it was a great dinner and even better leftovers for  lunch at work!  I had the whole kitchen smelling like truffled mushrooms! yum!

http://www.yelp.com/biz/rays-the-steaks-arlington

aged hunk-o-beef

options options options!  We didn't top our steaks off with bone marrow or seared foie gras w/ truffled oil--but my oh my would that be decadent!

pretty reasonable--even cheap for a great steak house!

We started off with the Sherried Crab Bisque.  Supper yummy, creamy--a bit on the rich side.  There were tons of crabby lumps!!

George's parents had the 28 oz. bone in rib eye, I had the 14 oz cajun blacked rib-eyed and George got the hanger steak--a very tender and underused cut of beef that was so good!  I'm getting the hanger steak again next time!

Our steak came with really yummy garlic mash and creamed spinach (I didn't like the spinach b/c they added to much italian parsley).  I ordered the extra side of truffled wild mushrooms.

My steak with garlic toppings!!--Traditionally blackened and medium rare, the way i love it.

yummy wild shrooooms!

A great meal makes everyone happy =)

And not to forget about dessert--their awesome and popular key lime pie!