Tag: m’s adventures

Shop Local in the Big City

M's Adventures

You might wonder how, in a big place like Washington, DC, if it’s possible to shop local. Washington is a touristy place, just like Rome or Istanbul. While the shopping is not on the level of Istanbul’s market, there is shopping to be found here.

Made in DC is a local chain selling items about Washington, DC, or by artists from the greater metropolitan area of Washington, DC.

Made in ALX (made in Alexandria) is a local shop in Alexandria, Virginia. They feature items by local artists from the greater metropolitan DC area.

Shop DC, located in Adams Morgan in DC, is sort of the same type of shop, but they do not exclusively carry locally made items.

Eastern Market is the farmers market on Capital Hill and features items by local artisans. There is a food hall and market as well.

Farmers markets abound in the DC area and many feature art by local artists. There is probably a farmers market for every day of the week, but most are on the weekends.

The Turkish Coffee Lady

M's Adventures
A selection of coffees.

Sometimes a place is just what the neighborhood needed. The Turkish Coffee Lady cafe is just such a place. It’s located in Alexandria, Virginia, on a main street in the old part of town.

Inside the Turkish Coffee Lady cafe.

The place is on a corner, up a few steps, and into a whole different world of ottomans and chatty laughter. The tableware is sumptuous and the food is elegant. There is not only the normal bite size baklava but large wedges of it as well. Who knew?

Lifting the lid on the Turkish delight.

The Turkish coffee is served on a golden tray with a delicate handle connecting the three small parts — one for the cup of coffee, one for the miniature decorated glass of water, and one for the miniature gold pot of ‘lokum’ or Turkish delight.

This place transports you to a different world. Maybe not all the way to Turkiye, but at least to a world of warmth and hospitality.

The corner location is a good one.

I look forward to trying out cafes in Turkiye when I move there…

Free Shows at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage

M's Adventures

Maybe it’s one of those things that everyone knows about, but it bears repeating. The Kennedy Center has free shows (reserve a ticket online) Wednesday through Saturday at 6 pm at their Millennium Stage. The schedule is at this link. That is the long area out in the waiting area by the giant head of John F. Kennedy.

The shows are also livestreamed.

Uniquely Profitable Donation Shopping

M's Adventures

In America, many people donate to charities. One assumes that the used clothes go to poor people somewhere. Or that the profits go somewhere to poor people.

One shop is just open about it. You can donate at the front door and then walk in and shop. They called themselves Unique — which is a clever name.

But, it’s not that cheap. However one feels about it.

What is clear is how grossly over materialistic we have become.

Meet a Founding Father at Gadsby’s Tavern

M's Adventures

But order the west African food (the food is fairly meh but the west African food was not bad — the current cook is from there. I had jerk chicken and jollof rice). And take an easily embarrassed preteen with you (No preteens were harmed in writing this).

Gadsby’s Tavern is famous being one of the restaurants where the likes of George Washington ate. If you want that tourist experience, then go.

The actor who is dressed in period costume and makes his rounds speaking in “olde English” does a pretty good job of riffing in the moment (insert embarrassing comments to parents and preteen).

As Jeeves said, “It makes for light entertainment.”

The American Breakfast

M's Adventures

As my time in Washington draws to an end, I’m reflecting on the things I’ve enjoyed about living in the United States. One of the awesome things about life in America is the American breakfast and brunch. If I was to describe America and what makes it uniquely American, I would say that it’s the breakfast. Take for example the classic American diner. A place where you can get breakfast all day, and night, long. What makes breakfast for an American? Eggs. Bacon. Sausage. Biscuits…

Where have I had the best breakfasts in the Washington, DC, area? Hard to say. Here are a few places.

Bob and Edith’s Diner: Classic old school. Maybe not great food but it’s a greasy a spoon as one can find.

Table Talk: Same thing.

Matt and Tony’s: It’s fancier but I liked that I could order a giant breaded chicken breast as a side.

Classic with pancakes, eggs, and bacon.

Sidamo: An Ethiopian coffee shop. Their breakfast sandwich tastes homemade and they decorate the plate with a side of honey covered banana.

Good Company Doughnuts: Really good for meeting up with good company. Their espresso creme doughnut is so good that one French lady I spoke with told me that it was her second day in a row eating there.

Look at the espresso creme!

Another country that has a famous breakfast is Turkiye. More on that later.

Bespoke Tours Tailored to You

M's Adventures

Did you know that you can request a tour on a particular subject at the National Gallery of Art? One of my friends organized a tour on fashion in art.

Our tour was all in the west wing (non-modern art) of the National Gallery of Art in downtown Washington, DC.

We learned about society, economics, history, painting techniques, and a few saucy elements of fashion.

Tours last about an hour. If you want to have a tour, contact the Smithsonian.

Before or after your tour, you can stop by the cafe and enjoy the ambience a bit more while having a treat or much needed cup of coffee.

Other than this tour, you can also ask for tours on women in the arts, IM Pei, or “dress like art” which I have to say was lots of fun.

Viks Chaat is Licking Good

M's Adventures

Aromatic, seductive, entrancing, spiced crumbles of ground lamb, warm like an embrace, soft like sweet nothings, strong like passion… is what you feel, smell, sense, when you bite into the flaky crunch of the thick golden samosa crust.

I miss Vik’s samosa.

Photo does not do it justice.

I liked the dosa and I liked that he has children’s dosas. I love the chutneys and sauces. I love the strong substantial mango lassi, bright yellow like a sunny memory. I liked the pani puri (small chickpea ‘bowls’ which one stuffs with more chick peas and ‘water’ if one gets the kind with lots of spicy sour ‘water’).

Dosa is a crepe like wrap. This one is ‘masala’ so filled with potatoes and spices.

Viks Chaat (‘chaat’ means ‘to lick’ as in the food is so good you will lick the plate) is a hidden gem on 4th street in Berkeley, California, serving Indian street food. It has been around since 1989. Don’t go to any imitations. Go hungry. Sit indoors or out. Eat in or take away. Tell yourself that one portion is enough.

Pani puri — pani means water.
Pani puri with the spicy ‘water’.

I dream of lamb samosa.

Falling Water

M's Adventures

Radical open plan living was shocking in the 1930s in Pennsylvania. This is one of the things you learn when visiting Falling Waters, the house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Falling Waters is a UNESCO world heritage site.

The inside living area was low, cool, and open.

Visiting Falling Waters makes for a long day trip (a 3.5 hour drive each way) from Washington, DC. Falling water is a popular site so make sure to buy tickets beforehand. The tour is about an hour. Be warned that there are many steps.

The house is built over a water fall and one can see how this was a calming retreat from the bustle of the big city.

The amenities are super. The visitors center is well designed and has a cafe, shop, bathrooms, and lots of comfy chairs.

Falling Water is so secluded that your cell phones will not work out there. The WIFI is spotty at best.

The building is being renovated.

We visited during off season which was cool and peaceful.

Best Mexican Restaurants in the Washington, DC, Area

M's Adventures
Jicama salad at Cielo Rojo.

I was going to do a list of the 10 best Mexican restaurants in the Washington, DC, area. But, I just don’t want to. Also, I am not finding them… so here’s my list.

Cielo Rojo, Takoma Park, Maryland: High class, world class, cosmopolitan, Mexican food. Also includes a vegan menu. Really good food.

A basil mezcal drink at Cielo Rojo.

El Bebe is the next best. But it’s a bit tex-mex…

Helena’s Mexican Restaurant: Authentic but also a bit tex-mex.

Old School Eatery in Alexandria

M's Adventures
There are two dining areas and a bar.

As I mentioned earlier, I went to Table Talk diner. Inside it sure has the feel of an old school diner.

I imagine that they have a waitress named Flo… with big hair…

Gloria taking orders for pancakes.

As I was saying, it’s retro inside. One can meets locals. I did. One can chat with passers through. I did not. One can eat there everyday. I met a local who does.

If you find yourself back in the area, and need to get a crab cake, then drop by Table Talk. They got them under “must try.” They even have meatloaf and liver and onions. I may have to go back to try those. Meanwhile, their ham was good!

Virginia ham, bacon, and sausage.

The place needs to be saved. I hope they stay open for years to come.

They have a private parking lot.

One Week in Guatemala

M's Adventures

Isn’t it dangerous? That’s what I heard before I went. Yes, it’s as dangerous as other places in the neighborhood. If you decide to go, here’s what I recommend.

In Antigua.

Two nights in Antigua: Or more. It’s safe, cute, and there is lots to see and do from museums, ruins, churches, shopping, chocolate tasting, etc.

Absolute photo op place in Antigua.

Two nights in Isla de Flores: Or more. That town is too cute! Cooking classes, salsa lessons, coffee tastings, disco, delicious food, and outings! Plus, just walking, swimming, boating, and photographing…

One early morning trip to Tikal: Tikal is one of the largest Mayan ruin complexes. It’s also HOT in the jungles. The walk in to the bottom of the main ruin plaza is over a mile (2 kilometers). And out again. A total of five or six miles (10 kilometers). It’s HOT. I would recommend doing the sunrise tour where you get picked up at 2 am from Isla de Flores.

Two nights in Lake Atitlan: I did not do this but apparently it’s worth visiting.

Notice I did not mention Guatemala City. If you do spend time in the “Guate” as the locals call it, then go to the Central Market to buy cheaper souvenirs down in the lower level. The market is near the main square so you can see that as well.

The main things about Guatemala is how sweet the people are, how good the fried chicken (and food in general) is, and that not everyone else on the planet has been there for tourism. Prices are not as cheap as you would think but you can also go there on a budget (I did not). Also, everything takes a bit longer so don’t expect to see it all in two days (we tried!).