Back for more Afghan Food!

I took Nicoletta and Andrea to the Afghan Kabob Restaurant in Springfield.

The restaurant is quiet and relaxing. The food is wonderful!

I love the bread!

Nicoletta and Andrea enjoyed the food. We started out with a fantastic noodle soup with cilantro. Then Nicky and I had vegetarian dinners with eggplant, spinach, and pumpkin.

Afghan Kabob Restaurant in Springfield

My friend Sheila and I met for lunch at the Afghan Kabob Restaurant in Springfield (Old Keene Mill and Rolling Road).

We had a delicious lunch.

After our delicious meal, Sheila jumped into Wild Blue and drove away.

Birthday at the Phillips

Carol and Chris at Entrance

My friend Carol and I met at the Phillips Collection to see two exhibits, one of works by photographer Brett Weston and the other of works by painter Diebenkorn. Neither exhibit excited us that much. We did enjoy seeing some of the permanent works at the museum such as the crown jewel Renoir's Boating Party and works by Van Gogh, Monet, and Modigliani.

Chris and Carol in the Cafe

We then had lunch in the Phillips' cafe. We ate outside which wasn't such a great idea. After a while we really got overheated! The temperature was in the mid to high 90s. But we had a fun time and I continue to enjoy my birthday celebrations!

DC FolkLife Festival

Entrance to 2008 DC Folklife Festival

Every year, on the National Mall, the Smithsonian sponsors a festival in which it honors one country, one US state, and one organization/group/entity.



The country focus was Bhutan.




The state focus was Texas.


The organization focus was NASA.

Oriental East and Caribou: Birthday Dinner

Sisters Eating Chinese

Chris and Andrea

My sister came to town for my birthday (and for business, too) and stayed at a hotel in Bethesda. My friend Synthia recommended this Chinese restaurant near the hotel which we liked very much. The food was marvelous.

Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows

After dinner we went next door to Caribou (Minnesota's answer to Starbuck's). The atmosphere was so cozy and warm and toasty and it reminded Snooks so much of her birthplace that she ordered hot chocolate (although it was July and 95 degrees in the shade just outside the door).

Busboys and Poets

Busboys and Poets - A Langston Hughes Connection

You may remember that my friend Gertraud and I lunched at the Busboys and Poets in the District. (See http://melonidcmetroarea.blogspot.com/2007_09_01_archive.html). A new one has appeared in Shirlington so Mary, Pat, and I decided to try it out. (Actually Pat had already been there with Susan.) We loved it and we hope to go back often.

Pat, Christine, and Mary

Anniversary Tradition: Petits Plats

I first went to the Petits Plats restaurant with my DC Dinner Club. Then Andrea and I chose this charming place for our wedding anniversary in 2007. We chose it again for 2008 so it has become an anniversary tradition!

The romantic atmosphere is, of course, a big draw but the main attraction is the absolutely scrumptious desserts! I always order my very favorite dessert, creme brulee!

Even Andrea, who doesn't have a sweet tooth in his head, ordered a lemon tart with gelato. (He let me eat half of it!!)

A secret: One of the reasons we like celebrating in a French restaurant is because our French grandson Paul chose our anniversary as the day of his grand entrance into the world. So we toast his birth while we toast our wedding! (He chose Paris as his birthplace.)

Sunday Brunch in Annapolis

Andrea, Christine, Dona - a window seat!

My husband and I joined our dear friend Dona in Annapolis for brunch on a gorgeous summer day. We ate at the Charter House. The food left something to be desired but the location was terrific. We had a fantastic view of the bay.

Boats cruised by our window

On the dock after the brunch

Then we went to Aromas in town for the best gelato in the US! It was a wonderful occasion!

Vinoteca

Pat (new member), Mary, Chris, Jodi, Susan (from the Sunshine State)

I went with my DC Dinner Club to a wonderful new restaurant located on U Street, Vinoteca. The food was delicious and the atmosphere great. The wine was excellent (or so my friends said). We ate outside on a lovely summer evening. Of course, the company was scintillating, as usual.

A view of the restaurant