My New Love: She's Dressed Up and Ready to Chop

Today I discovered the absolute love of my life.  She is so soft and voluptuous, sweet and surprising and lives in the new-vibrant and cosmopolitan Chinatown.

Actually, she is more flavorful when she's dressed and sexy when she's spiced up, ready for a swing.

Her name starts w/ the letter "C" and she doesn't have a last name, at least I'm not so sure.  She has family, a close relative in Virginia (Roslyn actually) and two other cousins that just moved into the city.

She's not from here originally.  She was born and raised in New York.  But she's all grown up and ready to stretch her wings.

I've known her for some time, for five years actually.  I would see her from time to time, sometimes I would walk right past her, sometimes I would even stop to say "Hi".

Today, I decided to try.  "Go for it, hot shot," I said.  I gathered up my nerves and tried my best to win over her heart, artichoke hearts, that is.

Yes, the romaine was fresh and crunchy, the naked asian salad and edamame beans were simply delectable.

But what is it about Chop't salads that gives it a thumbs-up advantage to their competition, and yes that includes my favorite Chipotle.

It's the way they actually chop the salad into tiny little pieces and wrap all the goodies into a warm, soft pancake-size tortilla that makes your heart melt from the inside out.

I know it doesn't sound too sensational, but frankly there is something delightfully new and unfound new flavors are being released when you chop up the lettuce and greens into tiny little bitty and you mix it with all that's soft and pretty.

It's called Chop't and Honey, she's my brand new fling.

Speechless over Baby Goats

Last night I went out on a charity date.  Yes, the date went well, and yes, I did not monopolize the talking.

But there was something special that completely left me speechless.  No, it wasn't the cocktail at Zola's, although I did look around to see if there were any double-agents spying on us.

It was the dinner we had at Poste Moderne Brasserie.  Set in the center of the Monaco Hotel, the decor is a blend of French European and yes, simple Washingtonian.

The Five Senses of Tapas

"Tiene usted Tapas?"

There's something romantically divine about Spanish tapas.  I don't know if it's the succulent taste, the exquisite Mediterranean touch, the Spanish, romantic feel of the whole setting,  Hearing the fruity crunch of the almonds in my gazpacho salad, or the delicious smell floating over my pan-seared scallops, stimulating my sense of smell.

Whatever it is, I love it when exquisite food stimulates my five senses.

Graces Mandarin

Exotic, stylish, surprising -- is all I can muster to say.   My friend and I went there on a spur of the moment because an errand that we had planned to run didn't work out at all -- in fact, it was a complete disaster. So you can say, that we were trying to salvage the night and hoping for the best.

National Harbor was close by, in fact it was the only thing in my mind.

"Why don't we check out Graces," I said.  Hoping against hope that this time, the plan would let me ride.

We found parking just in front. Yes, so far, so good.

As we walked up, the giant glass and steel doors gently opened as if we had enlisted some sort of magical powers, enchanting, inspiring -- our curiosity piqued as we tried to surmise what was left for us to find inside.

We were wowed by the decor: exotic and sexy.  The food, Asian-fusion and spicy, was classy and delectable and the service definitely world class.  Everyone even the guests treated us like we were one of the firsts.

Not to mention the lighting, the spectacular view of the harbor, the River, and the elegant Woodrow Wilson Bridge.

Felt like this was paradise just for the two of us.  The greatest surprise is that I was able to salvage the night -- thank you Graces.