Whether You Live Here Or Not

Whether you live here or not, you know that Subway isn't the best sandwich we have to offer.  You know this especially well if you've had Andy's Subs while visiting me (that's at least 4 of you).  Subway smells icky, and Andy's Subs smell like fresh happy yummy omg they put that all together on a sandwich?  I cut those suckers into four pieces, and 3 people can happily share 2 sandwiches, with a little left over.

Whether you live here or not, you know deep down in the pit of your stomach (and if you are like me then it is a deep, deep pit waiting for delicious duck confit hash and eggs) that our best burger is not from Five Guys.  We may not have a Ray's Hell-Burger (or anything close) but we certainly can do better than FG, and we have.

So go here and check out Daniel's list of picks on his FUSSYlittleBLOG, because, as you might have read, he's on a mission to make things change.  Because he, like you, knows that Cold Stone Creamery is certainly not our best ice cream store.  #1 it's not "ours" at all, and #2 it's not the best.  And I have a lot of experience in this area so I can say it definitively.

Keep in mind that Daniel may be Fussy, but he's not bossy.  We built this ballot together over time and comments.  (Sing it.)  I'm not all that helpful having lived in the Capital Region for all of 16 months, and part of that was in a hotel in Latham.  And sometimes I disagree with the Ballot; but the idea is to agree that we're going to agree (not disagree) for a higher case: to change the results. 

For anyone who's confused, it's like the movie Stick It: we're picking the winners, on OUR terms. And it'll only work if we all buy in.  So get Fussy and get votin'. 

2011, The Year Of...

 Corning Preserve, March 2011

My friend Jenna asked me "So what was this the year of?"  Unsurprisingly, I couldn't think of one particular thing to define the year.

But 2011 was big for us.  It was our first full year as residents of the Capital Region, far from the big city that we called home for the start of our adult life, as well as its many amenities.  The second half of the year also made it the year of The House, The Dog, and The Second Car--none of which would have been possible for us without that first part, the move.  And, of course, the marathon invaded all other thoughts from April to November, and my body (in new ways) from August to Central Park.

In travel, it was a year of new North American cities.  Portland, Oregon.  Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri.  Montreal, Quebec.  Hudson (which we've come to know better and love). We hadn't even been to Saratoga Springs before (I'm discounting a meeting where I only saw the inside of a conference room). 

For tea, J seeped most of the year with Prince of Wales (like 2010) and I had Honey Vanilla Chamomile.  Brunch almost always means corned beef hash for one of us, and quick lunch or cheap early dinner often meant Andy's & Sons subs.  In 2011, having company meant having brunch, dinner, or apps and drinks at New World Bistro Bar. But in our own kitchen, it was the year of grilled pizza, grated ginger, crispy no-knead bread, and the slow cooker.

In fresh and local, it was most definitely the year of the cherry.  When we talk about picking cherries back in July, our eyes light up, our faces flush, and we ooze with joy.  J had never even tasted a cherry before this past summer, and there we were, plucking them from trees on a clear sunny day and eating several pounds entirely too quickly.   

I'm not sure what 2012 will bring.  We have a list of new (to us) restaurants to try, so we can start there.  More new places to check out, including Toronto, Nashville, and--fingers-crossed--some cities across the Atlantic.  And maybe we'll get our act together and decorate our house.

If you're curious (I was), the last post of 2010 was The Roundup of Roundups.  In 2009 it was Chanukah at Equinox.  In 2008 I was buried in finals, and in 2007 I was giddy over Rasika, upscale modern Indian cuisine that is entertaining and delicious.

A very happy new year to you and yours.

How You Got Here, in 2011

I write this blog completely for fun.  When it's not fun (or life takes over), I stop posting.  Every time I think I might never post again, I experience the need to overshare (where better than the internet?) about a certain recipe or meal or restaurant.

I'm not a huge stats-watcher, but the best part of visiting Google Analytics once every three or four months is that it will show me, among other things, the search terms people used to arrive at search results, and from those search results, pick a link to this blog.  And there are some gems.  

This year, three out of the top five search terms that lead people to this blog are Harry Potter-related. Thank you to EmM for that guest post on the Wizarding World.  People continue to search for the Best Burger In Virginia.  C'mon, you know where it is.  And people are still wondering (with no answer from me) whether injera is kosher for Passover.

My usual Google strategy is pretty standard.  Type in words related to what I'm looking for, often in no particular order (for example, "car harness labrador" or "kristen stewart bella wedding dress").  It's pretty cute how people type complete questions into search engines.*  Such as:
 
how many calories are in a teaism soba noodle bento box

is injera kosher for passover (and variations)

ray's hellburger, metro accessible?: Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. Courthouse (walk downhill) or Rosslyn (walk uphill), and it's not far from either.  Don't be a wimp.

where is hogwarts (and variations)


how to spend a good time with my boyfriend in dc (that's for another blog, ma' friend)
 
where can i buy sheepsmilk in chicago

who is ray of rays the steaks: Um, Michael Landrum?

why round challah at rosh hashanah: Symbolizes the year, which is cyclical and whole, starting anew at Rosh Hashanah

what bus takes you to comet ping pong: There's a site for that.

Search terms I can't explain include anything to do with Snooki and Brielle (I had breakfast in Brielle, but I wasn't giving out directions to Snooki's beach house, and furthermore, why do you want those!) and anything written in Russian (at least, I think it's Russian).

Thanks to Urbanspoon, All Over Albany, and Google for being my top three referring sites.

I'm looking forward to seeing you, however you got here, in 2012. 

*Extra adorable to the people who include the question mark.  

Henry

Blogging is frequently interrupted by work travel, Jewish holidays, and other timesuckers (which, while often pleasant, are indeed taking up time).  Now we have a new reason to stay off the computer. 

Looking forward to sharing some good meals with you coming up: tacos in Hudson and New Paltz, dinner at a 1-week-old restaurant in Murray Hill, and a delightful evening at the Capital City Gastropub.  Also, I'll be back in DC for work, and you know I'll be revisiting some of my favorite places as well as some new. 

Personal Responses To Your Keyword Searches

But first, the making of a maple syrup ice treat:

 Obviously imagine that little boy has eyes as wide as saucers. Also: me.

Anyway, I don't pay much attention to my Google Analytics because I don't have ads (and I don't make money off of this blog...just joy).  But I do get a kick out of looking at GA every few months.  I love that the majority of new visitors were searching around to see what the heck they are going to feed their hungry Gryffindorian children  in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter--it is consistently a top-5 most viewed post, in basically every time period imaginable since I hit "publish."  Mmmm, butterbeer.

Along with the map of visitors (WHAT IS UP, Norway?!) is fun to see the search terms that bring people right here.  I search for the most random things all the time (or, mostly for [store] + "coupon" "code" "free shipping" or "promo"), and I hope some of my antics bring another analytics peruser some laughs.

"the one burger you must have before you die"  I'm glad you searched that and found me.  But let me assure you that although I favor the shake of the month sometimes, I prefer Ray's to BGR.


"chicken and waffle on a stick"   I like you.

"is injera kosher for passover" and many iterations of the same question.  I doubt it, but ask your rabbi!

"high cotton" "duck hash"  Go.  Now.  I'm jealous of you for going now.

"be at a real sedar online"   I love technology, but if you haven't been invited to a seder, host one!  Your friends, Jewish and non, will love it!  I do know a place for bar mitzvah lessons online though...

"can i walk to art and soul from union station"  ABSOLUTELY.  Also see Metro for directions via public transportation and walking!  Or, in the alternative, Google maps!  It helps me a lot, I'd be lost without it.


"directions to ray's hellburger from metro"  We've been through this a few times, and I've given some smart-alecky talking-tos to people who claim it's not Metro-accessible.  (Sorry if you live in the Capital Region and could not care less.)  The deal is if you get out at Rosslyn you have to walk uphill on the way there (sad panda).  I'd prefer to get out at Courthouse and walk downhill.  It's less than half a mile, and if you live in the city and are urban and walk everywhere with your reusable shopping bag just in case you happen upon a farmer's market, you can do it!  Driving there can be a hassle because that parking lot is minuscule and always full.

Have a lovely weekend everyone.  Search hilariously.

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

So you may have noticed that we moved.  And yet my name and URL stayed the same, while the headline and logo have been updated.  So although the blog is officially now titled Capitol to Capital, that was too long of a Twitter name, and in any case, it was taken.  Also taken: Cap2Cap, C2C, etc.  So I did like my pal hawaii2DCdee and chose DC2ALB.  We'll see how that goes.  FYI, ALB is an international airport.  Fancy.

I think Capitol to Capital is a cute way to say that we moved from The Capital (with The Capitol) to another capital--a much smaller capital, a place that's less international, has fewer restaurants (but a chockload more mountains), but a capital nonetheless.

So if you use Twitter on the web, please remember my new name and tweet at me there!  I know it's #ff so many not the best day to switch it, but you have to nab a name when you can on the Twitters.

Let me know what you think of the new Twitter handle!  Sorry in advance for any confusion.  We'll keep eating, so I hope you'll keep reading.  The URL is staying the same (at least for now).

New Stuff on the Way

[Shoutout to MB who made my new logo.  Thanks, brosef!]

So, how about that weather?

Just a year ago I wrote about how we Finally Left Arlington.  And now we've gone and abandoned the DC Metro Area all together.  No more Beltway, no more Wisconsin Avenue light after light after light, no more wtf event is going on that shut down Canal THIS TIME....but also, no more Ray's, Palena, 2 Amys, or Pete's, our latest go-to.  No more once in a while splurges at places like Komi or Restaurant Eve.  

But alas.  We will visit.  Our blood, friends, pals, puppy friends (Tiki and Ella to be exact), Tweeps, and the leader of the free world still live there.  Here is Tiki, wishing we were watching football with him.  Or Twilight.

 For now, we're getting settled.  We have stairs for the very first time, and more than one bedroom and bathroom.  A far cry from the studio apartment we shared in Dupont Circle south just 5 years ago. 

Tim Carman thinks the NY Times picks on DC (love this article by the way, and I love how EVERYONE I follow on Twitter re-shared it.  Go Tim!), well hun, you don't want to hear what they say about RONY (Rest of New York.  Like RoVa but not.).   But I'm going to do my best to find what's fun, yummy, cool, different, comforting, and downright delectable in the greater NY Capital Region. 

Other people do it, and I've been enjoying their blogs for a few months now.  I have a customized Google map full of places I want to try (also: supermarkets, banks, post offices....).  There's a year round greenmarket nearby, plenty of CSA options (even a Community Supported Bakery--I bet DC wishes Miz Modern Domestic would get on that!), and a brand spanking new Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (although I intend to head to Syracuse for the original, too).  I expect spring and summer will bring lots of day trips and weekend getaways to the Catskills, Adirondacks, Green Mountains (Vermont), and the environs.  Mountains = rich people with country homes = good food.  Until then, sandwiches at lunch spots, strip mall sushi (it was great, don't knock it), and places we can  ::gasp:: walk to.  If we wanted to.  If it weren't 20 degrees and brrrrrr cold.  But hey, it's cold everywhere this week, right?

I hope all 10 of my subscribers don't unsubscribe.  If you hang on a bit, I'll warn you if I decide to change my Twitter name and my URL.  For now I'll leave iEatDC, since it's who I've been Internet-wise for the past 3.5 years.  Stay warm, drink tea, and have some soup.

P.S.  If you move somewhere cold you have an excuse to buy great boots and outerwear.  Exhibit A.

P.P.S.  Here is a giant bowl of beef stew that I got for $4 at the joint around the corner.  Because I know you read this blog for the food, not the boots.  Review pending; we need to have brunch there first (obviously). 

It happened. We left Arlington.

Between snowpocalypse and the holidays, we actually relocated.  No no, don't worry--we'll still be eating food all over DC, but expect significantly less Arlington.  At least, if we can stay away.  As recent Marylanders I expect we'll delve into Bethesda eateries, and try some off-the-beaten-path (read: non-Metro) establishments as well.

Things we'll miss include Faccia Luna, Boccato, Dairy Godmother, Ray's, Brooklyn Bagel, and frequent trips to Old Town.  But we can do without the super-packed Orange Line and schleppy commutes.

Onward and upward, right?  Upcoming posts hopefully will bring my postcard from Asheville (finally!!!), the Best Pizza In NY (some say), and a few more spots around town.  Got a reservation for VOLT in February, biiiig mystery for me was how exactly to GET a reservation, when 30 days in advance was booked already at 12am on OpenTable. 

Also, it turns out I've been on to something all this time with my brunch obsession.  

"Followers"

V asked me why I don't have any followers. I told him that I have three, but I thought adding the gadget was sort of weird because I only have three "followers," but I definitely have more readers. At least 4 or 5.

Apparently he thinks the gadget is useful. Here it is. On the left. Follow if you'd like. You're all leaders in my book!

Adventures in Grillpanning

When J got this book for Chanukah, the first thing he did was flip through for some wisdom from the Mighty Rocco DiSpirito. Among the nice features of this particular cookbook, the chef has a "tools" section for each recipe, including a picture of that tool! It took about 10 minutes for J to completely convince himself that he Must. Have. A grill pan.

Grill pan--what's the big deal, right? Turns out the internet is full of pro- and con-grill pan people, like here on Chowhound. It's hard to clean--not it's not. You need a cast iron one that you can heat in the oven first or it doesn't really work--no, I've used mine 82372445 times on an electric stove, and yada yada yada.

Regardless, I didn't read any of these comments until the damage was done. He bought it at the outlets in Leesburg.

Our favorite Rocco Recipe to make in it so far is our interpretation of his "Grilled Turkey Steaks with Sauteed Belgian Endive, Bacon, & Mango Chutney." I say interpretation because we use chicken breast instead of turkey steaks, turkey bacon instead of oinkers, and have used now both bok choy and leek instead of Belgian endive (not that we don't like BE, just availability issues). This dish is so full of flavor and deliciousness, with my favorite sweet (mango chutney) and salty (turkey bacon) combination going on. Anyway, here are a few pictures.

I'm not in any way joining the dramz about the grill pan, but I'll say that so far we like ours :)

Finals

Finals just ended and I have pending updates, including Farrah Olivia, more Hell-Burgers, Kaz Sushi Bistro, and my obsession with Java Green. For now please enjoy my bev of choice--the non-fat, sugar-free vanilla (or caramel!) latte.

Tassimo
My Kitchen
Arlington, VA

April Showers...

...bring new colors and fonts. Thoughts?

I decided it was time for spring cleaning, or in our case, spring spruce-up-our-color-scheme-ing. Taking the time to go through Blogger options alerted me that I've been in PST this whole time--yeah, believe it or not, I haven't been posting many restaurant reviews at 5am or anything.

In other news, B informed me that a link to this very blog can be found on dcfoodies.com. This phenomenon may have something to do with my failed effort to become a guest writer specializing in "cheap eats." I believe my email to Mr.DCfoodies went something like this:

"I'm a law student/big fan and I always read your blog and go to your favorite restaurants and order your favorite dishes and OMG I love 2Amys thanks for telling me about it and also your wife's blog makes me laugh out loud during class hey do you think I could write on your blog about cheap eats k thanks"

I wonder why he said no. My most recent birthday gift should help my situation.