FoodFash

Adventure Begins in the Kitchen

Intention

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There are roughly three scatter brained thoughts I have going on about dinner tonight.  I’ll start with simple first.  I had a feeling as I drove by Jackson 20 that it was a place I’d like to eat even though it had a “Pig-A-Palooza” sign out front.  Just a feeling.

Partial thought:  When I turned to Google to scope out the best restaurants in Old Town Alexandria, Jackson 20 was near the top.  Convenient.

Relevant thought:  I immediately went to their website to look at the menu and saw mac and cheese, ribs, yada yada, Pig-A-Palooza stuff, then… Vegetable? Tempeh?  I assumed they were smothered in cheese, as most restaurant vegetarian dishes are, and then stumbled upon this:

In order to accommodate every appetite, we are more than happy to offer vegan and vegetarian dishes in addition to our daily menus.

Which brings me to another point: intentional vegetarian.  I read something about intentionally vegetarian dishes at restaurants some time ago, most likely Tal Ronnen related.  It was at that point I could put my finger on why I loved certain dishes so much (Restaurant BT, whaaaaat!).  I have a huge appreciation for dishes that are vegetarian on purpose and not make-shift, dairy covered, thrown together side dish veggies.  Besides, I’d have to order them without cheese and then they’d be make-shift squared.  A bummer.

So all that scattered-ness brings me to the Roasted Vegetable Napoleon.  Wow. It had simple layers filled with flavorful bulgur wheat and complimentary pureed sauces.  It filled the fancy void that foodie vegetarians have, the void that was most likely responsible for me returning to the pescatarian world.  It was a version of something I wish could be on every menu at restaurants that are reservation and eyeliner worthy.  It was…  exactly what I wanted.

Day Done Right

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I baked apple buckwheat muffins last night in preparation for an early morning flight.  I’m really beginning to get the hang of this airport life. Whether that’s good or bad has yet to be determined, but such is life.

As I sat in the early morning, sun-blazed terminal, I was re-reminded how much I love Tampa’s airport.  If it hasn’t won awards for best XYZ airport, it should.  The best.

By the time I landed at DCA and metro’d to Alexandria, it was lunch time.  A co-worker and I headed to Whole Foods for some highly addictive salad bar. Garlicky kale, boiled egg, dill white beans, beets, and broccoli – I wish every lunch could be this green.

I checked into a hotel in Alexandria (rather than my usual Arlington spot), put on some sneaks, and headed to…. Trader Joe’s!

As many times as Ariel’s taken me to TJ’s in LA, you’d think I’d be less surprised at how low the prices are.  Not the case.  Sandwich, veggie, dessert, and tomorrow’s breakfast, all for $14?  It’s both confusing and amazing.

P.S. Gone Bananas! are so darn good.

How often are you able to shop at Trader Joe’s?

A Day In DC

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Sooo… It’s been a whirlwind past few days.  I rushed home from Gainesville on Sunday to a laptop full of work and an empty suitcase in need of packing.  And by 7 AM Monday morning, I was scarfing boiled eggs and a V8 at the airport before heading to DC.

A very chilly DC.

As soon as I arrived it was work, work, work and then Whole Foods for salad bar lunch and then more work.  The Alexandria, VA Whole Foods’ salad bar totally kicks T-town’s butt!  I got a ton of zesty kale with some balsamic tofu, Asian noodles, beets, and hearts of palm.  So random, so delish.

Helllooo home til Thursday!

And dinner?  Mediocre hotel salmon dinner.

Rather than focus on the blah-ness of being busy, let’s talk about the zesty kale.  I could eat it every day.  Rather, I want to eat it every day.  I’m obsessed.

Have you been to a Whole Foods while traveling that totally kicks your native store’s behind?

Good Times At Hard Times

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Thanks to excessive Facebook status updates, my old roommate, Lex, noticed that there would be an ever so slight overlap in our DC work trips this week. And since my office is located in Alexandria (near DCA), it ended up being super convenient for her to swoop over and meet me for lunch after her plane landed.

I had eaten at Hard Times Cafe once before and was pretty impressed by the intentionally veggie options at such a meat centric place.

I ordered fried pickles as soon as I sat down with hopes that Lex and app would arrive around the same time.  Good thinking, cause it worked.  It should also be noted that these friend pickles were pretty delish sans sauce (since I don’t do ranch).

I ordered the chili salad, nixing everything except for lettuce and tortilla chips. A few shreds of cheese found their way on my plate,  but they were slight enough to push aside.

I was so happy to see the little Lex, even if it was only for lunch!

Are you a picky diner?  What are your signature special requests when dining out?