A Medley of Events

There are just too many things I haven't been able to post, so below is a summation of everything that has happened since the move to today. I plan on setting this up so that when you click on each of these pictures, you'll be led to the album that shows all pictures of that particular event.

Holly's Going to Mexico!

First, let's start with a "Bon Voyage" to Holly! My colleague and good friend is going to Mexico. She was there with her husband, Michael, last March, but fell in love with it so much that she is going back for another exciting trip.

Specifically, Holly will be in Guadalajara for all of next week. Honestly, a few of us at the office are jealous ;) But if there's anyone who is most-deserving of her "me-time," it's her!

Make the most of your trip, Holly! Just don't drink too much tequila! Ole!

Fourth of July Weekend in Washington, DC

After an evening of watching fireworks along FDR Drive, the three of us went home to eat dinner and get some rest for the next two days' activities. John had never been to DC, so he asked if we could take him around. Saturday morning, we hopped onto a bus, and after almost 5 hours of our stomachs grumbling louder than the bus engine, we finally ended up in Ben's Chili Bowl!!!

Having devoured a jumbo beef dog each, we set out for our hotel.

Here's a tip if some of you are planning a trip to DC: in spite of the rooms and the mediocre service, the Hilton Garden Inn on 14th and H is a good place to stay at because of its price and location. It is walking distance from a lot of the DC tourist spots (if you're used to NYC walking), and is also very close to the famous Old Ebbitt Grill (featured below).

After our pit stop, off we went to tour the area. Here are a few pictures of our walking tour:

So obviously at this point, we knew we had to stop and rest :) Plus, we had to get back to the hotel to freshen up and get ready for our dinner reservation at Old Ebbitt Grill!

As it says on its website:
Old Ebbitt Grill is just steps from The White House and museums in downtown Washington. Established in 1856, it was a favorite of Presidents Grant, Cleveland, Harding and Theodore Roosevelt and is still a popular meeting spot for political insiders, journalists, celebrities and theater-goers.

Here's a shot of John with his STEAK!

And here's my Firecracker Chicken!

And this was Javi's desert - The Butterscotch Blondie Sundae!

Whatta monster!

As a whole, our DC trip was a lot of fun! (Sans the trip back home which I refuse to talk about in this blog because I never want to remember it ever again!)

We hope John had fun being the tourist. We sure had fun being his tour guides ;-)

Back in NYC

Another restaurant Javi and I felt we absolutely had to take John to was Max Restaurant in Alphabet City. For those of you who want to check it out for yourselves, I shall warn you: the servings are HUGE, and the food is RICH. So come with a companion and a completely empty stomach, because everything on the menu is SUPERB!

Some of our favorites...

Insalata Di Barbabietole Con Caprino

beet salad with goat cheese and avocado

O Polpettone "E Mamma"

mom's meatloaf with potato pancetta gratin

Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina

homemade gnocchi with tomato sauce, basil mozzarella

Ok then! I think I'll have lunch now!