"Kidnapped" Kari for her 45th to VA Beach

A couple of weeks ago, Lori and Sheri "kidnapped" Kari for her 45th birthday which really isn't until April 22.  We had a glorious weekend at friend's very cool condo facing Back Bay in Sandbridge.  The weather couldn't have been better...87 and sunny when we arrived.  We did lots of fun things including eating at some great restaurants (see notes below)...checking out the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia and Virginia Aquarium, cruising the boardwalk with all the Shamrock marathon runners and families, and walking the beach.  Cocktails and yummy appetizers were enjoyed on the balcony overlooking Back Bay and the beautiful sunsets.  We got a call from Dad on Saturday evening telling us to look at the biggest moon ever...so we did after dinner at Catch 31 on the beach.  It was spectacular.

Day 1
So to keep Kari on her toes guessing our final destination, we stopped off at Old Chickahominy House for lunch in Williamsburg.  Friends told Lori it was a place we just had to go to enjoy southern food.  Very small and old--some of the building is over 200 years old--although there is a large gift shop, and the restaurant was full of regulars. No reservations although we got on the list before we left home so we didn't have too wait long. Basically you get  unsweetened or sweetened tea.  Then you get flat rectangular biscuits which was a real surprise for us, ham, chicken and dumplings, and they really push the pie.  They thought we were weird not wanting any pie.    Being a Lenten Friday, Sheri had veggie Brunswick stew which was more like veggie soup. Biscuits were great even though they were flat and rectangular instead of round and deep.  Ham salty good.  Chicken and dumplings tasty and very filling.  www.oldchickahominy.com.

 After settling into our condo  (Aqua Boogie in The Sanctuary), we took a walk on the beach and saw a pod of dolphins flying out of the water and twirling around to our amusement.  When we decided we walked off lunch, we headed back to the condo to enjoy cocktails, nachos, fresh salsa and guacamole, and watched a beautiful sunset over Back Bay.  Ready for dinner, we skipped across the street to Baja Bayview Lounge & Grill.  It doesn't look like much on the outside but is very cute inside.  A little surprising it isn't more open to the bay views though.  (Dave Matthews mom lives nearby and sometimes he just shows up and plays until it gets too crowded.) Waitress was fabulous.  Above picture to the left is Angry Mussels which Kari, who loves mussels, and Lori enjoyed for the first time.  Lori was a little skimish but gave it a try.  They were served with a flavorful broth and toasted bread.  Sheri is allergic to shellfish which is a bummer.  We enjoyed mouth watering panko crusted flounder with crabmeat and spinach salad with grilled tuna and sweet vidalia onion vinaigrette.  Yummy all around.  http://hamptonroads.com/2009/06/baja-bar-and-grille-offers-sunset-views-live-music

Day 2

After a good night sleep, breakfast of yogurt, berries and delicious muffins from Greenberry's in McLean, we were off to Virginia Beach.  We stopped off at the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia and saw an incredible exhibit by Marc Sijan.  The sculptures of people, many of his friends and family, are so real-like...muscles, facial expressions, veins, skin, everything.  You got to check it out. The museum is beautiful too and there was a great exhibit by area students as well. www.cacv.org

Back in the car, we drove a short distance and parked at 25th Street.  So excited to see the Norwegian Statue honoring American and Norwegian sailors who perished after a ship wreck.  We cruised up and down the boardwalk with thousands of exhausted runners (many dressed in St. Patty's day attire and colors) and their families with cameras and signs.  It was sunny with a chill in the air and slightly windy, but beautiful.  So fabulous being outside, hearing the waves breaking, and basking in the sun.

After all that walking (we must have burned off a couple of hundred calories at least), our minds turned to lunch.  To Mahi Mah's we headed for some more scrumptious seafood.  Wanting a nice ocean view and being warmed up from our physical exertion, we sat outside.  However, the inside of the restaurant was very cozy and attractive with a sparkling aquarium full of coral and brightly colored exotic fish.  Huge dark wood bar too.  Our waitress was nice, but a little busy and service was inconsistent.  We started off with avocado rolls which were delish.  Kari enjoyed a tasty Bloody Mary...it is her birthday weekend after all and the runners seated next to us were lapping them up. Crispy lightly fried tilapia tacos with shredded cabbage, cheddar cheese, chipotle sour cream, rice and beans, and a giant stuffed yellow fin tuna burrito arrived shortly after.  As you can see from the photo above, it was GIANT.  Fries, fresh tomato salsa, lettuce, jack cheese, sour cream and beans joined the burrito.  Tangy and spicy sauces heightened the flavor of the dishes.  Tasty all around.  Another home run.  www.mahimahs.com


Now it was time to burn off those calories although we were eating pretty healthfully.  Drive down the road a piece to the Virginia Aquarium which is packed with families.  As aquariums go, it was very nice and we got to pet some sting rays. www.virginiaaquarium.com.  

Restaurant 3-An evening of tasty Southern food and Parking Chaos

Appetizers

Meatloaf & Grouper

 Parking in Clarendon is not for the faint of heart...especially for middle aged Moms with short-term memory issues who can easily lose their way into a parking garage, find their way out, or remember where they parked.  To park near Restaurant 3, you enter the parking garage on Garfield, must pass numerous reserved or residential parking spots until you find one available for the public.  Then you pass a number of residential elevators to find an elevator you can use.  If you don't have your parking pass with you, you can't get out.  Once you reach the ground level, you exit on Fillmore.  Finding your bearings, you go up Clarendon Blvd, to the entrance of the restaurant.   No wonder Clarendon is full of young adults with no memory issues who walk or Metro to the area.  Being the Viking women we are (told that repeatedly by Dad), we forged toward victory to our reserved table.  Unfortunately, like many restaurants Sheri wasn't seated initially.  That policy is fine when all the tables are taken and turnover is key.  But there were numerous tables empty probably for patrons who were late because of the parking maze.  Finally, she was seated when she informed the maitre de the other two were parking.

The old ornate bar (found in Kansas in 1909) was jammed packed full of lively young adults seated at the bar, communal table, and lounge area with a flat screen TV.  Loud, vivacious, and happy conversations.  Many patrons left when they were told there was a hour or longer wait for a table.  The contemporary dining room was small but had a spacious feel to it.  Booths and tables weren't on top of each other.  Americana art adorn the otherwise simple, warm decor.  Lighting was perfect and conversation easy.

Staff and service were amazing.  Friendly but not over the top.  Water, wine, beer, bread and food appeared in a stealth manner.  Interruptions were subtle.  Just excellent service.

The menu was amazing as well as a fabulous offering of over 70 beers.  The corn muffins were a little dry but everything else was awesome.  We started out with crisp cool lettuce wraps with tender, juicy roasted duck and a spicy bourbon molasses sauce, and Grandma's Doris' Mac and Salad.  The mac and cheddar cheese was creamy and delicate with linguini noodles, and the salad was fresh, crunchy with a nice dijon vinaigrette.  For entrees, we shared the special tender grouper with a flavorful shrimp and crab mousse with a little kick to it, and pork and beef meatloaf stuffed with brie and bacon served with delicious mashed potatoes and crispy onion straws on top.  The portions were generous and presentation fantastic.  Left overs were taken home to be enjoyed.

Restaurant 3 is the third restaurant owned by Greg and Susan Cahill, and Jonathan and Bethany Sullivan (also own Whitlow's on Wilson and Mama Quans).  Chef Brian Robinson studied in New Orleans and it shows with the southern comfort food offerings on the menu.

Parking issues aside, Restaurant 3 is definitely a place where you want to go back for great food, plentiful drink, nice atmosphere and fantastic service.

www.restaurantthree.com

Busara Thai Cuisine

On a blistery cold and windy evening, we met at Busara in the Tysons area.  We were greeted by very friendly staff and seated near the back.  The decor is very colorful, eclectic, and contemporary.  Our waitress is from Thailand and has been in this country for four months.  She was very sweet and patient with us as it takes a while for us to even get to the menu.  She brought us chilled white wine and told us the specials.  We ordered soup to start...Tom Yum Goong and Wonton soup.  The Tom Yum Goong had shrimp and mushrooms in a hot and sour lemon grass broth. The Wonton soup was light and flavorful with light shrimp and chicken dumplings, veggies, and slivers of roasted pork.  Then we shared three entrees...Honey Roasted Duck, Moo Yank (pork), and Pad King (chicken).  The pork was our favorite with two different sauces, one spicy and the other more on the sweet side, brown rice and grilled veggies.  Yum.  The chicken was in a light bean sauce with ginger, onions, mushrooms and very moist.  The duck was served sliced with the skin and fat over steamed spinach, watercress, crispy noodles, sweet soy sauce and pickled ginger.  The author of today's blog liked it less than the other two sisters.

We enjoyed sharing what's new with our lives, and sat down to business coming up with a long list of restaurants to try.  If you want us to check a place out, let us know.

Our overall experience was very positive.  Easy parking, friendly staff, good food, and a cheerful and warm atmosphere.  We would recommend Busara's if you are looking for a good Thai experience.

Sheri and Kari check out the menu

Lori enjoys the cool decor

Yummy!

Lunch with Dad at Cassatt's

On a wintery day a couple of weeks ago, we were suppose to play tennis and lunch at the club.  However, Kari's wrist is broken and there were no courts available so we decided to meet at Cassatt's in Arlington.  It is a very busy, cheerful and fun cafe.  Dad, who is forever curious about everything, found out from the staff the owner is from Philly and so was Mary Cassatt, thus the name.  The owner used to own the seafood place in the back, and spent a year in New Zealand with his wife which is why there is a New Zealand influence to the cuisine and atmosphere.  The cream colored walls are adorn with art work by local artists with the Arlington Artist Alliance.  The art work changes monthly and is for sale or pleasant viewing.
The seafood bisque soup in a savory tomato broth with rice and a rich melody of fish, and chicken orzo veggie soup were piping hot and very flavorful served with toasted french baguette slices.  The pear walnut salad with chicken, sun dried cranberries and feta was served with a light vinaigrette.  The penne pasta in warm tomato sauce with orange slices, olives and lamb was mouth watering.
Staff is friendly, service is prompt although sometimes chaotic, parking is easy both in the front and back, and no reservations are taken but the waits usually aren't too long.  This is a casual venue with the kitchen visible.  If you wish to linger over "Flat White," one of their coffee specialties, it is better to come before or after the lunch and dinner rush hour.

www.cassattscafe.com

Background of Sister Night Out and the Three Sisters

Our Dad has said for years we should start reviewing restaurants since we have gone to so many in the DC, VA and MD area.  We usually go to restaurants we have read about or heard about from friends.  Sometimes the recommendations are great, sometimes not.  We go to expensive restaurants usually to celebrate birthdays, and to moderately priced and inexpensive places the rest of the year.

We have traveled and lived in the U.S. and internationally and have enjoyed a vast array of diverse cuisine.  We enjoy cookouts and camping as well as five star restaurants and hotels and everything in between.  We have been to formal affairs at the White House, embassies and other black tie events as well as neighborhood, sport team, and church potlucks.  We are decent cooks ourselves, and one of us is a great baker.  Sharing a good meal with family and friends is a favorite past time for us.

Caveats:  we eat out once a month.  We share what we order which is primarily soups, salads, appetizers and/or main courses.  We rarely eat dessert.  Two of us are wine drinkers, and the other sister favors beer.  Our comments are strictly personal and limited to that one time experience regarding cuisine, atmosphere, service, staff, parking and expense.  We meet primarily for dinner, and occasionally for lunch.