Location

We hosted the happy hour at the new Tredici Enoteca restaurant at the St Gregory Hotel (check out my review). I love the modern design of the hotel. It’s perfect for a gathering. Our co-host for the event was Destination DC. The theme was Date Nights to celebrate DC’s romantic themed getaways ideas. That led to Tredici Enoteca bar team to create a special cocktail: the Date Nights DC. The cocktail is  made from a combination of gin, agave, hibiscus, pineapple and seltzer, garnished with mint.  The cocktail was light and flavorful, perfect to start the evening.

The Vibe

We had a great time catching up with fellow bloggers and destination reps from the local area. We also had a luggage demo by Don Chernoff, the creator of SkyRoll, and innovative line of suitcases. SkyRoll was gracious enough to giveaway two bags to two lucky guests.  Kate Gibbs from Destination DC also shared some tips on what’s new in the city and their new #DCinLove campaign.

The Giveaways

Great brands graciously hosted giveaways for our DC Travel Blogger Meetup. Although I never win anything {sad face}, I do love a good giveaway!  The giveaways included: the new Stryde suitcase by Samsonite, tickets to Taste Frederick Food Tours by Visit Frederick, a two-night stay at The Essex Resort in Vermont, tickets to Mangia DC Food Tours, a curated gift bag by fellow blogger Troy Petenbrink of The Gay Traveler, a beautiful map by artist Anna Grunduls, and local attraction tickets by Destination DC.

The Gift Bag

Guests walked away from the DC Travel Blogger Meetup with a fun gift bag with goodies such as: Nature’s Bakery bars (side note: my new favorite travel snacks), postcards by Anna Grunduls, caramels by McCrea’s Candies, Badass Power Cookies, samples by Frederick Benjamin, insulated lunch bags by National Harbor CVB, travel-sized Poo-Pourri spray, amenity bag by Allianz Travel Insurance, and local-made soaps from Joyful Bath Co.

DC Travel Blogger Meetup Verdict

Had a lovely time catching up with my fellow travel bloggers and looking forward to more get togethers in 2017! Are you a #DCTravelBlogger? Send me an email to add you to our mailing list at jessica (at) diningtraveler.com

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Brunch at a bowling alley? “It can’t be interesting”- I thought. I like bowling but besides having a burger, sandwich or finger food, I haven’t known bowling alleys to be places of culinary interest.  I arranged to meet four girlfriends to catch up on our lives at Pinstripes  Georgetown early on a Sunday morning.  Figured this will be unique way to indulge in one of the favorite Washingtonian pastimes: Sunday brunch!

The Scene:  Upon entering Pinstripes Georgetown, I spotted an open kitchen and a chocolate fountain. The bistro and bar area were close by the entrance and the Bocce and bowling alley were in the back through a corridor not directly visible. The brunch spread was inviting and I was starving. The open kitchen displayed crates of fruits and vegetables, pizzas were being baked in a large oven, and omelet and waffles stations were ready to serve. As my party was complete, we headed to the bowling alley where we were made aware we only had an hour to bowl and eat and were not going to be able to go back to the bistro for brunch. None of us had anything to eat before arriving, yet, we decided to bowl first and brunch after. Mimosas asked the waiter?

“Not on an empty stomach”- exclaimed my friend Christine, the wise voice of the group…. I settled for juice.

The Bowling: The place is nicely set up and not dark. Although we started off with low energy, our shared joie de vivre rose above. Between striking and comical bowling poses, commenting about the food we were yet to eat, giving each other tips about bowling, keeping track of the clock and laughs, we really had a blast! There were several families with children bowling and some had small kids who ventured to the front of the lanes and whose parents thought it was cute, taking their time to move their kids out-of-the-way but hey, it was Sunday morning, something you would consider when going in matinée hour. We were very relaxed and took it all in.

Dining Traveler Tips: The bowling alley offers couches facing each other and a table between them for every two lanes. This is great setup for a group to share. If you have brunch at the lanes, you do have to walk out of the alley to the restaurant section, not a major walk but something to consider. You could reserve lanes to bowl for two hours and brunch in that area, but if you are bowling for one hour only, it may be best to separate the activities.

The Food:  As the clock gets closer to zero usually you wish you had more time to bowl but we were excited to head to brunch. Since we changed the setup of our reservation, we had to wait to be seated. At this time there were more people in the restaurant. We were told we had to wait 30 minutes for a table in the bistro so we asked to be seated at a booth in the bar area which was equally close to the brunch buffet. We all quickly dispersed to the buffet tables and my first stop was the omelet station which had bowls of ingredients ready to create the perfect omelet. I paired my omelet with salmon then went back for servings of pasta salad and halves of baked potatoes with cheese. The spread of the buffet was varied and suitable for any tastes which included bacon, sausages but also prime rib, fries, pasta, medley of vegetables and salads. I indulged in dessert:  mini waffle with banana and Nutella with a small strawberry on top, strawberries dipped in chocolate sauce and a brownie. I enjoyed that we did not have to wait long at every station. The flow was pretty good. We were certainly glad we bowled before eating as we felt more relaxed. If it would have been sunny and warm, it would’ve been a great opportunity to continue our Sunday outing onto the patio.

The Verdict: Overall the food was great. the mac & cheese was not popular in our group but the salmon, the rib, baked potatoes, omelets and dessert really sealed the brunch experience. Staff was friendly and helpful.

Tips: Decide whether you wish to bowl and brunch at the lanes or do each separately and in what order and reserve accordingly. While the staff was accommodating, one can’t always expect last-minute changes will always work out. If you end up eating in the bar area ask for the booth in the corner to the left of the bar which can accommodate five comfortably.

I am always looking for different experiences and bowling & brunch is an excellent occasion to spend a Sunday with friends or family. I will definitely be returning.

As it was printed on the coasters, Pinstripes Georgetown was “Strikingly Good“.

Ana

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Cocktail Hour at the Blue Duck Tavern Bar

It is easy to indulge in one of the many cocktails such as the “West Side Royal” with St. George Terroir, cucumber, lime and mint simple syrup. It will make you feel as if summer is still here with its citrusy crisp flavor.  If you are into a deeper, fall taste, reach out for the “The Best of Everything” with Laphroaig, Hennessy VS, and Bual Madeira Lemon Bitters.  This is not a place to go for a quick cocktail. Everything on the menu is carefully crafted, perfect for sitting back on their leather chairs and catch up with friends or reward yourself after a tough week at work with a solo drink. No, there’s nothing wrong with drinking alone! 

You know a restaurant takes their cheese seriously when it enlists a cheese specialist to its staff.  At the Blue Duck Tavern bar, you can spot Sophie Slesinger, a renowned dairy expert at the lounge among the selection of cheese that she hand picks mostly from the mid-Atlantic.  There is also an exquisite selection of charcuterie and breads.  She not only curates the cheese, but also makes butter and buttermilk in-house for the dining menu. When one sees cheese, the automatic reaction is to think wine, but the cheese plate paired very well with the cocktails as well.

The last few months have been a blur with travel, a new home, and getting into the swing of my new schedule. However, it is key to find time to unwind, whether it is alone or to catch up with a friend. The space at the Blue Duck Tavern bar provides just that.  I find inspiration both in the crowded room or when the silent lounge.  Are you a fan of hotel bars? Which one is your favorite?  Dining Traveler Tip: Check out my previous post about the Blue Duck Tavern Fall Menu. 

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Whether you are a local or a visitor to the Nation’s Capital,  you’ll find a wide variety of restaurants (see some of Dining Traveler DC picks here). Some of the best chefs experiment with the influences from far flung places to create dishes for the American kitchen.  Julia Child, the legendary American Chef transformed French cuisine for the American palate.  Her culinary skills can still be followed through her books and videos. However, if you want to get a tangible feel of her legacy, you might want to head to the Museum of American History Food History exhibition to see Child’s original kitchen in display.  She had so many kitchen tools and gadgets, some of which do not exist anymore.  Julia Child’s display symbolizes innovation and the cultural shift in the creation and experience of food.

The Museum of American History Food History exhibition has a wing dedicated to the subject, encouraging visitors to explore what influenced innovation and transformation of the American kitchen.  Fall has just arrived and the museum will host the Smithsonian Food History Weekend in October and it is a great opportunity to attend lectures from culinary leaders, culinary demonstrations and opportunities for hands-on learning, as well as tastings and explore the museum’s innovation wing. If you feel like having some beer, head to the Brewing Innovation at the museum’s After Hours at the Food History Weekend.

In her last book, “My life in France”, Julia Child wrote “And thinking back on it now reminds me that the pleasures of the table, and of life, are infinite – toujours bon appétit!”.  Come to be inspired at the Smithsonian Food History Weekend, Thursday Oct. 22 to Saturday Oct. 24.

Food History Roundables  -Friday, Oct 23 Free Registration (I’ll be there! )

Food History Festival –  Saturday, Oct. 24 Free Admission

Brewing up Innovation – After Hours at the Food History Weekend, Saturday, Oct. 24, Tickets $40

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We paired the Hugo with buttery soft burrata and toasted bread.  I must admit I don’t get to Georgetown often, and when I do, I almost feel like a tourist as it is so different than my North East DC neighborhood.  I like to have a seat by the window at the cozy brick room on the second floor of the bar.  It allows me to stay cool on the hot summer days and still get my people watching in.  It’s one of my picks if you need a shopping break, a catch-up with friends, or date night.  Tip: ENO has free two hour valet parking at the adjoining Four Seasons DC Hotel.  During my other visits, I’ve tried their wine selection on tap (favorite: the King Acrobat Estate Rosé). Verdict:  if you need to feed your European nostalgia, head to ENO Wine Bar and have a Hugo!

Eno Wine Bar, 2810 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

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The Scene:  As you enter the space, with its grapevines intertwining in the patio, you can immediately see this place is an oasis in the middle of the city.  Even in a hot muggy day,  you can catch people sitting on the patio catching up over coffees or beers. During the day, the cafe is filled with creatives typing away on the laptops and neighborhood folks coming in and out for coffee. However, there’s a time when the laptops are stowed, the baristas slow down, and food takes center stage:  dinner service.

The Food:  My breakfast favorite is a savory everything bagel with lox and cream cheese.  Their lunch menu changes often.  My favorite, the pastrami is no longer on the menu, but their grilled cheese is just as delicious.  This is the part of Big Bear Cafe that everybody knows.  That being said, I am going to move on to share our recent dinner experience there.

Although I lived around the corner of Big Bear Cafe for over two years and had countless bagels and sandwiches, I never tried their dinner menu.  It took to move a few neighborhoods over to try it.  The kitchen at the cafe is tiny and the daily, date stamped menu has limited items, which truly reflects the vision of using locally sourced products (I once spotted the chef at the farmer’s market buying the greens for the restaurant).

We started with soft shell crab and mussels, two of my favorite seafood items. The soft shell crab was the perfect consistency as you bit into the juicy and salty legs.  The mussels were large and plum and perfect with the accompanying bread.  The dishes were deliciously simple, devoid of any crazy garnishes or presentations.  The main courses were the stars of the dinner: a beautifully juicy pork chop sitting on top of potato puree, mushrooms, and asparagus.  The Dutchman raved about his free range chicken served with fresh sauteed greens and rice.

The verdict:  I believe Big Bear Cafe deliberately does not serve dessert because the main dishes speak for themselves.  All you need to conclude your evening is a nice macchiatto or an espresso and take a stroll on First Street to indulge in real estate porn.  As any special place, one has to share it with the masses.  The dinner service provides a more intimate setting for a date night or a catch up session with friends.  Whether you’re visiting DC or a local, this is a must-eat spot. Have you been to Big Bear Cafe? What’s your favorite time of the day to go? Tip: make reservations for dinner, you can do it via Open Table.

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