Fave Restaurant Openings of 2012

Oh, the close of another year. I can't believe 2012 is almost over.  I'm trying to get a head start on my New Year's resolution and am starting up the old blog.

With the close of 2012, let’s take a look back at some of our favorite restaurant openings of the year.

Mintwood Place

Neighborhood: Adams Morgan
In the always transitioning Adams Morgan scene, Mintwood Place has become one of the  hottest reservations in 2012.  The rustic menu of chef Cedric Maupillier (formerly of Central) is seasonally focused with a French twist.  This was only one of the places where we celebrated Big Spoon passing the bar.
Pros:  imaginative cocktails and delicious appetizers
Cons: parking is a challenge in the neighborhood, but there is a small valet parking lot next door
Favorite dish: Maple Pork Cracklin' (looove my chicheron) or the Tagiatelle Bolognese
Favorite table:  the window seats provide great people watching opportunities and lots of pillows
Event space: Reservations for groups over 5 need to be made by calling the restaurant directly. Private rooms are not available but they will do their best to accommodate your request.

Above: Mintwood Place's wedge salad

 

The Green Pig
Neighborhood: Clarendon (Arlington)
For those willing to drive to across the bridge (and if you’re into food these days, you shouldn’t limit yourself), The Green Pig in Arlington’s every growing Clarendon neighborhood is a surprise hit.  Following the ubiquitous pork trend, the restaurant utilizes the whole product, from snout to tail in dishes that are accessible and sustainable.  The restaurant’s rustic and attractive design incorporates repurposed barn wood and wallpaper that’s actually made of pages from cook books!
Pros: if you want to learn more about Wilbur but were intimidated, this is a great place to start at reasonable prices in a neighborhood atmosphere
Cons:  reservations used to be on a walk-in basis, but now you can make them online at City Eats
Favorite dish: pig taco with avocado and the buffalo ribs (think buffalo wings sauce on ribs)
Event space:  the Communal Table can seat up about 12 guests and the restaurant is making itself available on Tuesdays for larger events

Rasika West End

Neighborhood: West End (where else?)
Some say it’s high time D.C. restaurateur Ashok Bajaj gave us another reincarnation of his immensely popular Rasika.Like the original, one’s eyes cannot help but devour the restaurant’s mod design while noshing on theflavorful cuisine.
Pros: modern Indian food that even people who “don’t do Indian” will love and an intimate bar setting if you can’t get a table
Cons: naan is an additional fee and if you have favorites at the original, check first to make sure they serve it at the second location (they didn't have my mango puree cocktail and their replacement was all vodka)
Favorite dish: the Palak Chaat (crispy baby spinach, yogurt, tamarind, date) is everyone’s favorite and you can’t go wrong with it
Event space:The Library seats 35, the Garden Room accommodates 10 for dining and the private Chef’s Table Room seats eight guests.

Above: Mintwood Place's wedge salad

 

Fuego Cocina y Tequileria
Neighborhood: Clarendon (Arlington)
In its first landing across the bridge, Passion Food Hospitality (Acadiana, District Commons, many others) brought us another neighborhood hot spot in Fuego Cocina y Tequileria.  The restaurant, specializing in modern takes on Mexican tapas, features a 50-ft. wraparound bar with over 100 tequilas and a brilliantly colored downstairs lounge and an upstairs featuring subtle earth-toned banquettes and tables.
Pros: go for happy hour (and make sure you have a DD) – cocktails are half price and there are too many to try in one visit (the Corona-Rita includes an overturned bottle of Corona in a traditional frozen margarita)
Cons: while delicious and much easier on the wallet than Bandolero in Georgetown, some of the dishes tended to be over salted
Favorite dish: Ceviche de Pescado (tilapia, habanero, red onion, lime), Taquitos de Atun (tuna tartare, avocado, salsa de arbol, lime) and Flautas de Pato (shredded duck confit, oaxacan cheese, mole negro)
Event space:  semi-private room on the upper level accommodates 20 seated guests; the entire restaurant accommodates parties of up to 200 standing and 160 seated

Above: Fuego Cocina y Tequileria's Corona-rita

 
Other recent openings we're looking forward to (finally) trying in 2013:
Bryan Voltaggio's Range
Toki Underground
Little Serow (rhymes with "arrow)
Suna - We fell in love with Chef Johnny Spero's cuisine at Townhouse (Chilhowie, VA), which was near my hometown and are so excited he's now in D.C.! 

Cheers to many more good eats in 2013!

Skiing is not like riding a bike

This past weekend, we went skiing with several of our friends and some new ones.  I have gone skiing maybe 5 times in my life, most of which were when I was a wee tot.  But I'd been in high school and didn't remember them as traumatic, so I thought I was fine.  But I quickly realized that I'd never really been skiing.  This was my first big ski adventure and we were lucky enough to have it at Stratton in Vermont.  

Skiing felt like the following emotions (in pretty much this order):  exciting, scary, paralyzing, painful, exhilarating, intimidating, painful, rewarding, and...painful.  However, the strongest emotions I felt at the end of the first day was gratitude and love.  Cheesey, I know.  But Big Spoon didn't realize I had never really been skiing.  As I timidly made my way from the ski lift toward the beginner slopes, he happily pointed out that I should follow our friend Jesse.  I started to move in that direction, but I became frozen with fear.  I didn't know what I was doing!  

My eyes started to water and I froze.  What was I thinking? I don't know how to ski!  So he skied over to me and showed me how to "snow plow" and we started to make our way toward the trail again.  I don't know how many times I fell, took a dive because I couldn't stop or make a right-hand turn, and collided into the snow bank.  I was frustrated and scared and exhausted after just 30 mins on the slope.  I was so mad at myself for thinking I could ski when I really couldn't.  No, it wasn't like riding a bike. But I was even more afraid how the Big Spoon would handle my brazen behavior and how I was likely testing his patience.  If you don't know him, he's very competitive and good at almost everything he does.  When we play boardgames, he always has to have the last word if not win.  However, throughout the entire DAY, he didn't lose his patience with me once.  He skied alongside me or behind me so he could watch me and make sure I was okay.  He offered me his pole when I fell down and encouraged me when I was "doing it."  I kept apologizing for slowing him down or keeping him from enjoying the mountain, but he only said he was happy he was able to be with me.  

That day and this whole trip could have quickly devolved into an argument, ending with me in a crying fest, and him taking me home because I couldn't take the pressure.  But it was pleasantly one of the best weekends we've had despite the major aches and bruises we endured, both by our bodies and our vanities.

And the honeymoon ends

Today is our 7 month wedding anniversary. Technically, the honeymoon phase is supposed to end 6 months post wedding. Where are we now? Big spoon is getting sick. Little spoon is blogging.

Are we still honeymooning? I think so. It was really hard to get out of our cozy bed with flannel sheets. Of course, I had to go to work and he was getting sick and had a headache.

This weekend is our anti-couple's retreat. Skiing with friends in Vermont . . . at our friends' parents' place . . . with his parents. Yes, we're still in our 20's (not saying "mid" or "late").

I wonder what are the signs that the honeymoon is ending. . .I'll let you know when I find out.