CafeChatNoir

Somewhere, in a drab little cubicle, there is a government accountant that bursts into tears every month trying to reconcile the rent accounts because the Cubans won’t cash the damn rent checks.

For the locals: If you’re contemplating a trip to Lucky’s Sports Theatre & Grill - they do not have pool tables. (I don’t know why I thought they would, but I did, and they didn’t.) It’s as if Glory Days, Q-Balls and the old video arcade at Springfield Mall had a drunken threesome and produced a love child. The OTB feed is a nice touch if you like to watch the ponies, though.

Tonight little bro & I had dinner at The Left Bank - the only 4 star* restaurant on OBX. It was completely phenomenal. This is the same restaurant where cooking school weekend took place in April. You have the choice of the chef’s tasting menu, which is 7 courses and it’s all plotted out for you, or the 3 course menu where you have 4-5 options to choose from on each course. We both went with the tasting menu. Go big or go home. :) I’ll be completely honest - it wasn’t cheap, but this isn’t also the type of place you’re hitting every Friday night, and it was worth every penny. (And I actually dropped more on my own at dinner at Morimoto’s in Philly, so it was a deal.)

At the end of the evening, I asked if I could get a xerox copy of the tasting menu, as I definitely wanted a copy to take home for the Insane Chef. Apparently this is a very common request, as we were handed two copies, rolled up and tied with a ribbon.

Tasting menus are great, because if they’re done right, you end up with a ton of courses, but all are portioned just right and when you’re done with dinner, you’re happily full - no worries of getting halfway through and thinking, “I can’t eat anymore.” Everything was awesome, and as Donald said as we started, “I think I will lose count of how many things I’ve never eaten before.”

Cold Parsnip Soup - Came in a little demitasse cup and was so yummy. Tasted more like a corn/onion puree to me than anything, but incredibly good. I instictively went for my spoon, and the server assured us that, no, just go ahead and drink it from the cup. I still think they were trying to see if they could make us abandon our spoons…

Salmon Carpaccio - Salmon with salmon roe and a bit of herbed creme fraiche. Superb. I’ve never had raw salmon before, and I will definitely have it again given the chance.

Chilled Tomato Gazpacho - Had blue crab and an edible cucumber blossom in it to boot. Outstanding. The cucmber blossom was new for me - it had the flower and part of the stem - crunchy with just a little “cucumberness” to it. Really, you just can’t go wrong with chilled soups in the summer.

Black Cod over Crab Risotto - I’d never had black cod before, and this was fantastic. It still had the skin on and I’m not sure exactly what they did to it, but it was nice and crispy and had none of the oiliness that you might think of as far as fish-skin goes. The risotto was completely decadent.

Veal Tenderloin over Beluga Lentils - I love veal, end of story, so you can’t really go wrong there. SO good. The bordelaise sauce and the lentils and wilted arugula with it just went perfectly.

Cheese & Figs - Some sweet/candied figs and a somewhat bitter-ish cheese, which we quickly figured out that you’re supposed to eat together. Holy crap, the two of them together were absolutely wonderful. I know that fruit & cheese are supposed to go together, but I’ve never been able to figure out *which* fruits & cheeses go together. Nice to have someone else figure it out for me.

Berry Blossom & Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream - The ice cream is self explanatory and was great - and I really don’t much like strawberries *in* things - just give me a plate of fresh ones and I’m happy. The “berry blossom” was a layer of blueberries, a cheesecake type layer, a chocolate cookie shaped like a flower, more cheesecake-y goodness, another cookie and then a blueberry on top. Awesome.

Then the coffee/cordial menu came around. I got the espresso martini - Godiva dark, Bailey’s, Stoli Vanilla, a shot of espresso, and 3** coffee beans. Tasted just like a coffee milkshake.

All in all, the best meal I have had in a very long time - if you’re ever down there and have a few bucks to drop on a spectacular dinner, DO IT.

* - I can’t remember who does the ratings, but 4 is very rare.
** - We learned last night at Meridian that per Italian tradition w/Sambuca, an odd number of beans means you’re welcome to come back, an even number, not so much…

Well, amazingly enough the pancakes came out pretty darn well despite the fact that I literally cannot remember the last time I made them. (Thank god for bisquick and buttermilk.) However, I do need to locate a better pan for it next time around, cause flipping them was a little on the sketchy side and there were a few that ended up in the trash. The paprika bacon was wonderful, no surprise there.

I do believe I’ll have a Mardi Gras Guinness before the night is over, if nothing else to drown my sorrows if the Caps don’t win this evening. (3-2 Montreal, 10:15 left in the 2nd period.)

By sheer luck I stumbled on a link for the Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar via del.icio.us, clicked on it because it sounded intriguing and discovered it’s in Philly, less than a mile from where I’ll be staying next month. Oh hells yes, I’ve made a reservation for when I’m up there. Really looking forward to this trip.  Which also reminds me that I have GOT to figure out where on earth I put my camera.

Balvenie 12 year Doublewood Single Malt is very, very good.

Zum Rheingarten down in Quantico has some of the best German food I’ve had. Small, so you need reservations, but completely worth it.

German Gourmet now does hot brats to go. Yum.

Argentinian wines kick ass. They have such a consistent growing season, you don’t really have to worry about getting a particular vintage. (Yes, I did take a mini class on Argentinian wines tonight, why do you ask?)

I will readily admit the lack of instant internet access is driving me somewhat nuts. The last time I was here, the zero in netzero still meant free and I just used one of their dialup numbers for the week.

Today was putt-putt day. Three courses in three hours. During the hottest damn part of the day - but they are definitely not crowded. Lost Treasure gets my vote as the best for a couple reasons: a) the train that takes you to the top of the mountain to start and b) about 1/4 of the holes are in “caves”, so you have lots of shady spots.

Carolina Seafood tonight. A paradise of gluttony, aka seafood buffet. Very, VERY good food, and oh so much of it to pick from. Place opens at 4:30 and folks are in line at 4PM, and we were amongst them. :) Oh so very good. Lisa scares me - she isn’t much bigger than I am, ate what seemed to be half her weight in crab legs, and admitted upon getting back to the house that she was still a little bit hungry… We’ve decided she’s not human.

When driving about, found that the Vitamin Sea surf shop is now a gift shop of some sort - may have to make some phone calls to see if perhaps they moved. I do hope so, as they were one of the best down here, and totally independent. I like businesses like that. Speaking of independent vs chains, I’ve yet to see a Starbucks down here - I had figured for sure that one would have popped up somewhere.

Sunburn has faded for the most part, but I think it may be another day before I hit the beach again, no need to make it worse.

Little bro & friends are leaving tomorrow night to head back home and I’ve got the place to myself for the next week. I do miss my critters - it would totally kick ass if I could bring them along with me.

Coffee on the beach again this morning. Oh yes, it is going to suck mightily to go back to the real world.

Note to : good luck!!! (Even though you likely won’t see this, but ah well, the thoughts are there!)

Totally forgot to find a thermos or travel mug when I was out & about yesterday. Really need to get something, though, given my predilection for sloshing coffee everywhere when it’s in a real cup. Went out today and found a place that had them in the window, but they closed at 3PM and I was a bit too late. Also saw something there you don’t see too often and that is police line tape. But it was also just around a sign that had fallen off the overhang of the coffee shop…

Found an ad for Whalebone surf shop last night - looks like they just moved farther down the bypass. *whew* Vitamin Sea apparently is still around, and I consider them to be the best surf shop here. There will be a day of just me hitting all my shops… :)

Hit Jolly Roger’s for dinner last night - still the best Crab Imperial ever.

I think tomorrow I am going to head over to Manteo and the Elizabethan Gardens. It’s very cool - formal English gardens that were built in the 50’s by the Garden Club of NC as a memorial to the first settlers here. They’re incredibly beautiful. Oh, yeah, and the brewery being right there doesn’t exactly hurt either.

Please, PLEASE remind me again that I shouldn’t be plotting how to buy property down here. It’s bad that I am suddenly finding inspiration to get my place sold, LOL.

3 hours on the beach today - sadly, my sunscreen didn’t quite cut it and my legs are somewhat pink. (Sunscreen: SPF 30 Sweatproof, check, Waterproof, check, Towelproof from sitting, not so much.) Now have spray on Solarcaine to also help offset the flying critters that also decided to snack on me today. Good waves, though, lots of surfers out, can’t exactly shoot the curl, but any wave you can stand on is better than none. Been threatening to go get a board, little bro says it would be too dangerous — to the other people in the water…

I think NAS Oceana must be doing some exercises today - have seen three jets over the beach today - very cool.

Went to a new bar last night, “Eleventh” - very good. If you’re in Clarendon & looking for a martini, be sure to drop in - good food, too. It’s on 1041 North Highland, right on the corner - they’re still waiting on approval for the sign, though.

Went over to TR Island today for their annual birthday celebration - pretty much all geared towards kids, and though the weather was a bit spotty at times, they had a good turnout. (Next year, I think what little maturity I have will get tossed aside and I’ll have to make a birdhouse along with the kids.) TR Island is such a pretty little spot here, if you ever have the chance to go visit, pack a lunch and enjoy.

Did get some pics today, no idea how they came out yet, should get around to getting those off the camera & taking a look at them.

Checked the mail today……ooh!! Things from faraway lands! :)

was kind enough to send me his leftover metro fare card from his trip here, and I got this adorable card to boot!

I have to actually get up and go to work tomorrow. Ewh. Granted, I get to start with a nice, clean slate and no calls to my name, but another day of sleeping in would be sweet. However, I do have my follow up visit for my contact lenses on Tuesday morning, so I’ll get about an hour extra to sleep in then. Best to ease back into that whole work thing, y’know?

Went to Carrabba’s for dinner tonight, not too bad at all, especially considering it’s a chain. Lobster Ravioli was VERY good. Went to the website & discovered that I have *not* been imagining things when I heard their ads - to me they sounded like they were from Tennessee or somewhere abouts that part of the country - turns out they’re from Texas.

Fall weather seems to have officially hit - the post hurricane high pressure system brought through a beautifully crispy day without a cloud in the sky, low humidity and some good sleeping weather tonight.

Speaking of which, I should go get some of that sleep stuff.

Ruth Chris Steakhouse…

…kicks ass. Red meat & butter - it doesn’t get much better

…until you get to dessert and ask for a chocolate martini. It’s like drinking a liquid chocolate chip. (I need to email and ask which chocolaty thing they put in it)

We celebrated my brother’s and ’s (in his absence) new employment situations…

And as we continued home (me & mom) discussed Grandma. She’s been calling Mom 2x a week. This is an indication of how little she’s been able to get out and about.

We agreed that when she comes back in May, perhaps - this is the time to discuss coming back East… (unless, you want to take on a grandma!!, LOL!! Edit: She lives in Phoenix, that’s why I thought of you. Realized later that w/out that bit of info, it may not make sense…)

Seriously - as much as she can drive me crazy - I love her. And if there wasn’t anywhere else to go, I would have her here. Hell, even before there was no where else to go…

Tonight, I had dinner at the Honolulu Restaurant for the last time. Tomorrow will be their last day in business, a casualty of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge expansion project here in DC.

From the outside, you’d never know what a great place was hidden within. In business for 25 years, it was a complete Tiki bar theme on the inside with really great food.

It was the first place and I went for a real sit down dinner. The first place I ever had a flaming volcano drink. First place I ever had a Zombie (and DAMN they are good. Drink menu specifically says “Limit 2 per person”)

I’m glad we were able to get in one last trip. I’ll miss it.

Not that I’m counting. ;) But that’s how long until our dinner reservations are at Landini’s. *bounce*bounce*bounce*bounce* Bring on the veal.

I am trying to get myself cleaned up for this and have already managed to burn myself with the curling iron. So, I’m letting the hot rollers warm up now, I seem to be less injury prone with them.

I did at least manage to iron the dress without burning myself, so that’s something.

So, yes, got to go and attempt to spin straw out of gold or something along those lines.

Fondue@ The Melting Pot. Had a really nice time last night - food was great, service was top notch and the mocha martini was perfect with the chocolate at the end.

They’ve got some standard dinners for two and they’ve added a “special” one that has a few more options - we were immediately sold on the Bourbon-Bacon-Cheddar cheese fondue, so we went with that one.

I was still full when I woke up this morning. :)

Seems many folks go there to celebrate something, we were just going because we try to get there around Christmas and this was the first chance we’d had - so we came up with reasons…
- It’s Saturday
- The sun came up
- Joe Gibbs is back with the Redskins
- The Packers are in the playoffs
- It’s 12 degrees out and we didn’t have frostbite

This is just long and mostly whiny. Feel free to skip.

First, I have to say, in all the years I’ve been here, I’ve never gotten into the DC scene. Parking is impossible, which leaves you stuck with metro, which isn’t that great, and it’s only been in the past couple of years that they finally extended their weekend hours past midnight. Given the choice between going into DC for the night and staying home and reading a book, I can’t help but lean more towards the book. Actually, other than getting to the occasional happy hour, I’d pretty much rather stay in than go out in a group of people about 99% of the time. That being said, it’s probably a miracle that I am even dating.

So, the big guy gets an IM from a friend, wants to go out. I say OK, then find out we’re talking about going into DC proper. Crap. Well, at least he’s going to drive. Wait, we’re doing metro. Crap. I have to run a few errands, and in doing that, develop a spectacular headache.

Get home, take Advil, decide that if it’s not better by 6, I’m staying in. Find out that we’re not just doing some beers, this is full on dinner then another bar afterwards. Feel like someone is putting an icepick through my eye at this point, and realizing that there isn’t really enough time to take a shower *and* lay down for a few minutes. Hop in shower just praying that the Advil kicks in.

Small miracle - headache goes away!

At this point, I also haven’t eaten all day. (Probably a contributing factor to the headache.) We had to stop at the gas station, so I run in and get something to snack on in the car. There is no way I can wait until we get into DC.

Get to metro. Get on train. Sit for freaking 10 minutes before actually going anywhere.

Get up to Chinatown, find the place we’re supposed to be - RFD. First thing I notice when we get in is that something smells bad. Not in the ‘this place is going to give us all food poisoning’ kind of way, just something that smells bad to me. Fortunately, whatever it was - it was only near the entrance. Weird, but by the time we got to our table, I couldn’t smell it anymore. I think it was just whatever they had on the grill at the time I walked in.

Now, this place is cool in that they’re run by the same people that do the Brickskellar, so they’ve got something like 300 beers. This place is NOT cool in that they didn’t have Xingu - of course not - I’ve had it at the Brick once, and they’ve never had it in stock again. So, I just continue down the list, end up having a Black Radish, a Blackend Voodoo, and a Turbo Dog. (Variations on a theme…figure if I at least stick with the same beer genre, I won’t end up with mixed alcohol sickness…it worked.)

Perusing the menu, I see that most of the dinners are in excess of $15 a pop, and of course, the item that catches my eye is $19. I’m just not in the mood to spend that much on dinner, and considering the chowing down I did in the car, I’m figure I’m not really hungry enough to finish it anyway. So, I end up getting an appetizer - little crab cakes. Very good, and a hell of a lot cheaper. My wallet is still $40 lighter by the end of dinner.

So, dinner is done, and now we’re supposed to go over to the bar next door. At this point, I’m just not really into this, but the big guy is having a good time, so that’s good, and a pint or two isn’t such a bad thing.

We get into the bar and the place is packed. Of course. Somehow, it becomes MY responsibility to find us a place to sit. Great. We keep moving around, I don’t see any open space anywhere.
The gal that was with us: Well, this means it’s a good bar, right?
Me: No.

To me, overcrowded does not necessarily mean good, it means it’s popular and trendy. It could still be good, but it’s not a defining factor.

Finally we find a table with someone sitting there with their bill, looking like they’re getting ready to leave, so I go over and ask if we can please claim their table. No problem, finally we sit.

This place is LOUD. Several beers and strange conversations later, it’s starting to get on to the point where we need to go, because of the metro. My wallet is damn near empty at this point. Gal we’re with wants to go to Chaos. Seriously. I don’t think so. I am now counting to see how much money I’ve got to get home, and for the first time in the evening, getting visibly annoyed. It’s 1:30 in the morning, we’re running out of time to get to metro, we’re supposed to be going to Harrisonburg today, and she wants to go to a drag club. I don’t think so.

Finally convince them that I am NOT going anywhere but the metro, because it’s late and I don’t feel like getting stranded in DC. Chaos gets put off until another night.

We finally get home at 3 AM. I go straight to bed.

It was an evening that was perfectly OK, but not one that I’d be chomping at the bit to repeat. I am just not the party girl anymore. (Not that I really ever was…)

In review:
RFD (Chinatown) - Good food, but too expensive. Odd atmosphere. Like it can’t decide if it wants to be a dress up place or casual.
Fado (Chinatown) - 20 oz Guinness, very crowded, very loud. No clue on the prices, didn’t actually see the check.

before ordering food at Dave & Buster’s…

Would seem that several people from the big guy’s office had “extreme” reactions on Sunday as well…

- C.
he’s feeling better, good thing. My one piece of nurse advice is: “Go get some sleep!”

Been seriously jonesing for Japanese food for a while lately. If you’re in NoVa and want something other than the ‘flashing knives’ or just sushi, here is the place:

Koto Restaurant
211 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 683-2232

Very, very, very good. Something oddly comforting about saying ‘thank you’ in Japanese again after all these years.

- C.

Found out today that last fall when I was scraping for $8,250 to send to my ex-husband as part of the divorce settlement, he was getting ready to move into a $360,000 house with his new wife.

I hope the roof falls in.

My sunshine is sitting right behind me at the moment.

He was stuck at work until around 10 tonight, and then went into the city to make sure that one of his coworkers got to the last train on time.

He’s a good guy.