Foodie Adventures: DC's Sorta-Secret Supper Club

I'm sure there are super-secret supper clubs around DC that you have to be extra cool to know about, but I am not that cool so I discovered this one by chance. A group of GWU students had created a mini-documentary called "HUSH" about a woman of Jain descent who operates a supper club out of her home. I happened to come across it at school, so I signed myself, Seth, and our friend Leslie up for a meal. Four days later we were standing on the doorstep of a Spanish colonial-style house in the U Street area, trying to remember the password required for entrance.

The host, who goes by Geeta, graciously welcomed us along with 9 other guests. We sat in her living room sipping saffron cocktails and gazing into the large terrarium on the coffee table.

Geeta snapping photos of guests. You can see the terrariums in the background.

Geeta was slightly flustered because the server had broken her foot and had to leave, meaning she was a one woman show for the night. Ironically there was a writer from the New York Times in attendance.

Austin Part I: Oh, Crappy Days

 

Thus far Austin has taught me that poor judgement leads to repercussions. I have spent the entirety of my 2nd full day in Austin waiting around the house for a plumber, and the situation totally stinks. Literally.

5-star Vagrancy in Charlotte, NC

the Sparkle Demon

Let me tell you about the best job I ever had. My employment lasted only 3 days and I didn't make a dime, but the working conditions were exquisite. 

Sweet Views & Sour Beers on a Portland Holiday

Every once in a blue moon a beer comes along that makes me think: I could drink only this for the rest of my life. Hair of the Dog's 2007 oak-aged Fred, a belgian style blonde, is one of those beers. It costs $15 per 12 oz - a wallet-lightener for sure - and you can only drink it at the brewery in Portland. The smooth maple-vanilla awesomeness make it worth the splurge, like a once-in-a-lifetime experience (though we may be back tomorrow).

Seth and I have done a lot of wallet-lightening at craft breweries in the 24 hours since our arrival. We've conquered Cascade sour beers, Full Sail dubbels, and all sorts of fantastic nosh. But what are the holidays for if not stimulating the economy with wild spending? Here are some highlights from our first day of Pacific Northwestern fun:

Turkish Power - Abbreviated Adventures in Istanbul

 Dervish whirling underground in Turkish ruins

A person could live in Istanbul for centuries without knowing the secrets hidden beneath their front steps. This bubbling metropolis sits upon a strata of ruins erected by extinct cultures, like the rings off a tree trunk, counting back the years.

One year ago, Seth and I arrived in Istanbul for a quick 5-day trip. We were couchsurfing, as always, but had no idea what was in store for us. The experience was, to say the least, enchanting.

Playing Catch-up

Nine days ago Seth and I were eating Açorda at a beach side restaurant with three new Australian friends, Pebbles & Bam-Bam and their photog friend, Pic. We had been camping in the incredibly dusty compound of the Super Bock Super Rock music festival, and the Aussies were our neighbors. Seth, employing his natural Seth-ish charm, had immediately befriended everyone in the general area of our tent, but we had special group chemistry with the Aussies that inspired several adventures and lot of bad jokes. Ex: Have you heard the news about corduroy pillows? They're making head lines!

Aside from the head lines, the festival was an amazing success for us on the fun-o-meter. We had sushi in Lisbon with friends to celebrate our last night, and then we were off. Vamos embora. Our epic trip had come to an end.

Super Bock Super Rock!

A sea of colorful tents, communal showers, endless sand....The Super Bock music festival is turning out to be just as we'd imagined it. The first act starts in a few minutes and I thought I'd pop into the makeshift internet trailer to write a quick post, hoping to redeem myself for my extended absense from writing. Seth is at the beach with some new friends. I'm supposed to be resting up for the late night, but with the heat and the commotion, that just isn't happening. I'm going to be kicked off the computer in about 30 seconds so I gotta roll, but so far our final four days are rockin'!