The Food at Aventino

Like all of Mike Friedman’s spots, the Italian fare at Aventino is hearty and mouth-watering. Kick off your meal with a traditional Roman flatbread called pizza rossa, simply topped with a jammy tomato conserva, sea salt and Sicilian oregano, and meaty artichokes smothered in buttery and crispy breadcrumbs and a lemony dressing, with elegant mint leaves as a garnish. From there, choose from a variety of pastas. For something decadent, try the cacio e pepe. Made with thick spaghetti strands called tonnarelli, the cheese and black pepper sauce is like a warm blanket that will wrap you up from the inside out. The ricotta-stuffed cappelletti is another great choice, with a creamy sunchoke-infused sauce and sunchoke chips for a crunchy note. Dessert options are equally as irresistible; the budino with dark chocolate ganache is decadent and luscious; the Amalfi lemon float is fun and unique with vanilla gelato and lemon granita doused in a juniper soda, and the apple cake comes with a gorgeous olive oil gelato that is just the right combination of sweet-salty-fruity-creamy.

The Drinks

Ranging from fun and unique to classic, there is a cocktail for everyone on this menu. For drinks on the lighter side, try the Sicilian spritz for something lesser known, made with Lambrusco and blood orange, or a classic Aperol spritz. For a boozier option, there is the pink lotus with Aperol, gin, lemon, egg white, and orange bitters, or a standard delicious negroni with gin, Campari, and vermouth.

The Vibe

The golden light fixtures, velvety bar stools surrounding the oval-shaped bar, and warm wooden floors are all recipes for an inviting dining experience. The staff is as warm and friendly as the décor, and the only issue will be getting a reservation at this already well-known spot.

The Verdict

This is already our new favorite spot in Bethesda! Aventino can get busy so make sure to reserve in advance. If you’re in Washington, D.C., check Mike Friedman’s other spots too. The Red Hen is also one of our favorites!

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Piscataway Park

National Colonial Farm is located in Piscataway Park, part of the National Park Service along the tidal Potomac River. With views of the Potomac and Mount Vernon, it offers a quiet escape from the busy city life of DC and its surrounding metro area. You can come by car or by boat as there is a docking area available to visitors. If you have your own kayak, you can bring it to the park and take in this idyllic scenery by water. You can also rent a kayak at Atlantic Kayak at Fort Washington nearby.  There are also several walking trails you can enjoy as well. The area is relatively flat so it’s perfect to for kids or a multigenerational family day in nature.

National Colonial Farm

As you enter the farm area, there’s a space that shows a farm home of the 18th along with artifacts of that era. The rustic home sits in a large area of land and the inside has been preserved to depict the farmer’s life of that era. During the warmer months, volunteers reenact the daily life on the farm. The space also has a working farm with livestock such as cows, sheep, and hens. As you walk around the farm you are sure to run into a few hens and a turkey who a roaming free around the farm. The purpose of the working farm is not only to educate guests but to preserve heritage animal breeds of the colonial era.

The Verdict

If you want to take a break from the city and experience nature at its best, consider a day trip to National Colonial Farm. I had no idea of its existence until my friend who works at National Harbor told me about it. It’s truly a hidden gem. This place is great for families with small children as you can interact with many of the animals at the farm and roam freely around most of the grounds.

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Getting There:

Whether you’re spending a day or a weekend at National Harbor, it’s pretty easy to get there. It’s a 10 minute drive from Alexandria, VA, 25 minutes from Downtown DC, and an hour from Baltimore. It is also pretty accessible by Metro/Bus from Washington, DC, taking around 50 minutes to get there. A car is not necessary at National Harbor as there is a circulator that takes you to the Tanger Outlets, the Gaylord Convention Center, and the MGM hotel.  More details on how to get around here.

What to Do:

There’s plenty to do during a weekend at National Harbor. From gambling at the new MGM Casino to the Capital Wheel, there’s enough to keep the family busy. Here are some highlights of what we did during our getaway:

Capital Wheel: I don’t even remember the last time I was on a ferris wheel! This was a great experience to do with the family or as a romantic moment. Given that our trip was in the heart of winter, the lines were short and we had a carriage all to ourselves. I enjoyed taking in the views of National Harbor from the Capital Wheel.

Shopping: Make sure to make room in your luggage for shopping! Let’s start with the Tanger Outlets. No need to travel far from the city to get your outlet fix! So excited to see that some of my favorites: DVF, Tahari, and Nike have stores at the Tanger Outlets.  The Waterfront area is also home to great shopping as well with a good mix of national brands and local shops. Stay warm with sweaters and beanies from Carhartt and contemporary fashion from one of my local favorites, South Moon Under. Side note: I didn’t know Carhartt had such cute baby stuff, a must shop if you’re looking for cute and functional cold weather gear for tots.

Potomac Riverboat: We were bummed when we found out that Potomac Riverboat was closed for the season. If you read this blog frequently, you know I LOVE a boat ride. I can’t wait to return to go on the Mount Vernon boat tour.

Where to Eat:

When spending a weekend at National Harbor, bring your appetite! There’s so many places to eat and for every taste. Some culinary highlights:

Granite City Brewery: For a casual meal, head to Granite City Brewery. They have an onsite brewery and a wide selection of beers to choose from. The beer selection ranges from a light pilsner to a chocolatey stout. If you can’t make up your mind, they have beer flights with a sampler of their offerings. The highlight of our meal were the pulled pork nachos. Sooo decadent but sooo good! What makes Granite City a great stop, especially for families is the service. Everybody was super friendly and accommodating as we were dining with an infant. Local Tip: My friend who works at National Harbor recommends their margaritas for happy hour!

Portum at Harborside Hotel: This restaurant is a hidden gem. Located at the newly renovated Harborside Hotel, Portum offers a unique and refined menu. I indulged in a succulent lamb shank as the meat just fell off the bone. Away from the crowds of the Waterfront, this space makes for quiet yet delicious culinary experience.

Old Hickory Steakhouse: What makes Old Hickory interesting is the contrast of navigating through the maze that is Gaylord Hotel to this cozy dining space. This is perfect for a romantic dinner or a business meeting.

MGM National Harbor:

The culinary offerings at the MGM National Harbor are worth the trip! Bonus: the parking at MGM is still free! Make sure to head to Jose Andres’ newest restaurant, Fish. The restaurant features local seafood items from the Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay. Dining Traveler Tip: book a table at their kitchen bar to witness the culinary magic!  The Voltaggio Brother’s Steakhouse is also a culinary experience to be had. The highlight of dining at Voltaggio Brothers was the service. I’ve never encountered a staff who knew their menu as well as at this location. Must add the brunch buffet at Marcus by Marcus Samuelsson to your weekend at National Harbor itinerary. The quality and selection of the food, especially for a buffet is exceptional.  More about the MGM culinary experience coming up soon!

Where to Stay:

For this getaway, we stayed at Harborside Hotel, a newly renovated boutique hotel in Oxon Hill, MD. Although the hotel is not located directly in the waterfront, they do offer a free shuttle from the hotel to MGM, Tanger Outlets, and National Harbor Waterfront. The staff is super friendly, rooms are large and comfy, their restaurant Portum is excellent, and there’s free parking. Aside from experiencing National Harbor, this hotel is a great choice for families who want to visit the DC area who can use a larger room and free parking without the hassle of the city. My only point for improvement was the breakfast. The selection was quite limited as we waited 30 minutes for sausage and bacon to be refilled at the buffet. To be objective, that weekend there was a cheerleading competition at National Harbor and the hotel was filled with hungry teenagers!

Weekend at National Harbor: The Verdict

Whether you live in DC or you’re visiting the area from abroad, make National Harbor part of your itinerary.  Whether it’s been a short visit or a weekend stay, one thing is consistent: the staff at National Harbor is superb. From the friendly note from our housekeeper at the Harborside hotel to the staff at Granite City going out of their way to make sure our baby was comfortable, we encountered lovely people every step of our staycation! At every stop, we’ve encountered exceptional service from a vibrant and diverse staff. It truly reflects the richness of metro Washington, DC area.

Disclaimer: This experience was partially sponsored by National Harbor CVB. However opinions are my own and I have been to National Harbor several times on my own before this weekend staycation experience. 

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The Scene:  A beautiful country home that is over a century old, Lodgecliffe on the Choptank is the quintessential American Bed and Breakfast.  Although B&Bs usually have a romantic theme, Kat and I felt right at home with its colorful flowers and relaxed vibe.  The home has a large year with an epic view of the Choptank River.  Although we didn’t have a chance to put them to work, the house has paddleboards and kayaks available for the guests. Perfect for a sunrise paddle!

The Food:  We had breakfast at the sunroom of the house with a glorious view of the Choptank River.  The ladies prepared a yummy spread starting with homemade granola and fresh fruit. We continued on to a delicious omelet with homemade scones. Fran was born and raised in Scotland and is known for being a master at preparing these heavenly scones.

The Service:  We loved all the personal touches around the house.  Juli admits she doesn’t have the greenest thumb, but her raised bed garden was looking pretty good.  Our room had two beautifully decorated twin beds.  We loved the attention to detail with fresh flowers waiting for us at the nightstand and a gorgeous view of the Choptank. As we learned from others in Cambridge,  Fran is famous for her shortbread cookies.  Upon our departure, she gave us a little bag filled with cookies. After biting into the cookies, we quickly understood her fame!

The Verdict: Bed and Breakfasts are not only for romantic getaways!  Sometimes you need a beautiful, peaceful place to catch up with friends or family.  The Lodgecliffe on the Choptank is the perfect place to do just that.  If you’re looking for a home away from home in a Idyllic setting, this is the place for you.  The amazing hospitality of Fran and Juli are a constant in Cambridge, Maryland.  Travel time from Washington, DC: 2 hours. 

This lovely stay at Lodgecliffe on the Choptank was hosted by Dorchester County tourism. As always, opinions are my own. 

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As you leave the noise of the city, you step into a world which seems much further away than two hours.  My friend and fellow blogger Kat from SpicyCandyDC and I arrived to our B&B, Lodgecliffe, to the smiling face of Juli, one of our innkeepers. She took us to our room, which had a beautiful view of the Choptank River. We dropped off our bags and headed to lunch at Old Salty’s on Hooper’s Island, a traditional Chesapeake fishing village.  Without hesitation, we ordered crab in many ways: steamed crab cake, fried soft shell crab, and a fried crab cake.  I can still remember the light buttery flavor of the steamed crab cake.  No wonder Old Salty’s is regarded by many as offering the best crab cake in Maryland.

From there, we headed to Hooper’s Island Oyster Aquaculture, an oyster farm.  The owner, John Shockley, was a second generation waterman (Maryland word for fisherman).  His son, a Marine Biologist, has also joined the team as they develop unique sustainable ways to raise oysters year-round, making the company a three-generation endeavor.  We had the opportunity to tour the farm and see all the steps taken for deliciously plump Maryland oysters.  Dining Traveler Tip:  tours of the facilities are available, make sure to book ahead!

It was a gorgeous summer day in Dorchester County.  It was sunny with a perfect breeze coming from the bay.  On our way back to Cambridge, we stopped several times to spot birds: ospreys guarding their nests, elegant blue herons, and the majestic bald eagle.  Witnessing nature at its best reaffirms one of the things I love about living in the United States: its diversity.  You can go from a city as busy as Washington, DC to this sanctuary of nature in just a short drive.

Back in Cambridge, we headed to RAR Brewery.  There, we met JT Merryweather, one of the co-owners of RAR.  It was inspiring to see how his passion for craft beer turned into a beloved local business.  He and his business partner, Chris Brohan, built the business from scratch and brew all their beers in house.  From IPAs to jalapeno infused beers, there is something for every taste at RAR. Dining Traveler Tip: pick up a growler of your favorite brew (you get to keep the cool bottle) for $17.

We headed back to Lodgecliffe to decompress from an intense day.  The view of the Choptank River from the beautiful turn-of-the-20th century home was very serene, the perfect way to unwind.  We truly felt at home with Juli and her mom, who also bakes delicious shortbread cookies.  More about our stay at Lodgecliffe coming soon on the blog!

We worked up an appetite from the busy day and headed to The High Spot Gastropub.  Pretty much everyone we talked to in Dorchester County raved about this place.  We had to see it for ourselves.  We were sold!  Chef Patrick Fanning spoiled us with a culinary tour of their delicious menu which truly reflects the spirit of Dorchester county.  From the fried oysters of Hooper’s Island to the grilled peach salad, the chef has a passion for all things local.  The famous duck fat burger lives to its hype with a thick, succulent patty.  Wash it down with RAR beer served on tap for the full Cambridge, MD effect.

We decided to go for a walk after indulging in such delicious food.  We walked from the restaurant to the Choptank Lighthouse where we witnessed an amazing view of the river as dusk settled in.  The sky was an indescribable hue of blues and purples. The perfect setting to end the day.

The following morning, we headed to Blackwater Paddle and Pedal, for a guided kayak tour of the Blackwater area.  Susan, the company’s owner, led the tour and shared interesting facts of Dorchester County as we paddled along the vegetated waters.  A short yet strong woman, Susan’s eyes light up as she talked about the history of her business and how she and her husband, who were born and raised in the area, have built a life there.  We witnessed bald eagles and ospreys as we glided through the waters.  As we listened to Susan’s story, we were inspired by the passion she exudes in what she does.  Dining Traveler Tip:  head to Blackwater Kayak and Pedal during the fall if you are a bird lover. Susan says the best sights are between October and November. 

We concluded our trip with lunch at Ocean Odyssey, another local favorite.  When we told Susan we were headed there, she was very excited for us.  An active morning of kayaking called for a large lunch! No trip to Maryland is complete without steamed crabs with a nice coat of old bay followed by delicious fish tacos.  As we shared our blueberry trifle, Kat and I both agreed that this is a trip that needs to be repeated. Dorchester County is truly an American gem, not only for its natural beauty but for the hospitality and passion the people of the county possess.  My plan is to return in the fall to go bird watching with the Dutchman. Hopefully we will get to see more eagles!

This lovely trip was hosted by Dorchester County tourism. As always, opinions are my own. 

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The Lobby at Loews Annapolis

Our Goodies

Guest Room at Loews Annapolis

Brunch at West

Crab Dip and Focaccia at West

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