DC was awesome!! Thanks everyone for the well wishes and all the welcome backs! You guys rock! Seriously reading through all the comments was so much fun, love it!! I totally missed reading all your blogs last week, I'm working on catching up on all the great chow and new events I want to participate in!

We went all over the place around VA and in DC. John and I walked all over the place. (which is good since John and I didn't work out at ALL while there... no joke the 6 day a week work out fiends didn't work out... CRAZY!)

My Dad dropped us off one day by the Jefferson monument and we proceeded to walk to FRD, WWI, WWII, white house (even though Obama wasn't home that day... I think he was avoiding me), Vietnam, Lincoln, Washington... I think a few others I'm forgetting... we also saw Arlington cemetery another day... the capitol, library of congress, union station... we got around! And of course we saw the declaration of independence at the archives... along with a bunch of Smithsonian's (julia child's kitchen to come in another entry!) Did you know there is a postal museum... yup went there too! We also went to a few art museums... two are connected by an underground walkway that has moving crazy trippy lights...


That's me and my mom... a bit blurry, but you can see all the crazy lights, they move in all different patterns... and make you dizzy, they have a little airport like moving walkway so you can just ride along and watch the lights... I think if I tried to walk and watch the lights I would have tipped over.



John and I are in an underground tunnel in the above picture... there was this cool waterfall that made you feel like you weren't underground, totally fun. sorry for the total blown out background... whooops! man I'm not coming up with too many great pictures am I... that's because all the good pics are on my dad's awesome new camera!! I'm so jealous of it, he got the brand spankin new canon SLR... it's seriously AMAZING!!!!

OK, I need to tell you about an adorable custard shop. First off this picture is horrible of me but it's the only one I have of said custard so please ignore me! LOL It's called the Dairy Godmother (how cute is that name??) And they have a web cam so you can see how long the line is... seriously! Fabulous idea if you ask me :) Every day is a different flavor and you can plan out your month depending on what flavors you want to try. I mean who doesn't plan their month around custard flavors??? :D It's in Alexandria VA and if you are in the area, totally check it out! But beware, there is almost ALWAYS a line :) (hence the web cam to check before you go!)

UPDATE: they also have a selections of sorbets that are nut and dairy free! So hooray for all the vegans, you aren't left out!

You know a Korean restaurant is authentic when you are the only person seated in the place that isn't Korean.

Korean House, now called Sodam is not easy to find... lets face it, if someone didn't tell you in a very detailed matter of how to get there... you'd never find it. Take the entrance off of Jefferson road (in Henrietta) into the Genesee Valley Regional Market. You will be in the middle of a random industrial park. To the left you will see Lori's Natural Foods, turn down this alley and keep going... all the way at the end on the left you will see a small metal door and a small sign for Sodam... park and go on in... don't be scared, it doesn't look like an entrance... but it is :)

Sodam is a treat. A fellow grad student from Korea first told me of this place and I've been hooked ever since. The service can be on the slow side, and they aren't the best at refilling your water glass, but don't let that bother you, because the food is AMAZING. And very authentic (so tells my Korean born friend... who sadly is back in Korea and not here anymore).

Each meal starts with a traditional assortment of kim chi (the offerings have changed over the years):


John loves the different types of sprouts, and the seaweed salad best. I love the spicy fish cakes best.

Don't be afraid of mispronouncing things when you are there. The waitresses are very understanding, unlike my friend who gained much amusement at trying to get me to pronounce all types of Korean words... ahhh good times. John and I both love the chicken bulgogi, it's super spicy but can be a little heavy on the oil (we always ask for light oil and it's perfect that way!). So also don't be afraid to ask for light oil, or lighter spice if you aren't crazy into spice :) Depending on the waitress they will ask you if you want it Korean spicy, or American spicy... just a note to you... Korean spicy is VERY spicy :)


Chicken bulgogi, served sizzling hot with white rice on the side. Seriously good chow!

Sodam is a great place to try something new, if you are in the area, make sure to try it out!

It's restaurant week!! I'm always so jealous of the DC restaurant week that my family gets to go to each year... but finally Rochester has one! Although not well advertised John heard about it and promptly sent me the website last week. After scanning the different options Beth and I decided to hit up Pane Vino for their restaurant week lunch special.


Set Price: $20.09 for two
plus tax and tip

Includes choice of Salad or Soup / Panini or Pizza / and a glass of wine (or soda if you are like me and can't drink wine at lunch because you wont be productive at work the rest of the day... lol... yup I'm a lightweight).

How amazing is that deal?? There are a bunch of places participating. Some deals are amazing, others... not so great. Make sure to check out all the details before you decide where to go :)

As for the atmosphere... It has a high class feel to it, but at least at lunch time didn't seem overly pretentious. There is a well stocked bar when you first walk in with plenty of space if there is a wait for dinner (which it sounds like there normally is). The floors are this really cool old old super wide wood with rope linning the cracks between the boards. Large windows line one full wall of the eating area looking out onto the river, lending a nice view and good light. The crowd leans to the older side, when we arrived we were the only ladies in the entire place (male server, and all older business men dining). By the time we left it was mostly business men in their late 40's early 50's and a table of salt and pepper ladies with one older gentleman (what's going on there??). Beth and I (both in our 20's) were a bit out of place, but the server sure seemed to be happy to see us :D

OK onto the chow!
Beth started with the Pane Vino Salad, it had an amazing Balsamic Vinaigrette and was HUGE. I went with the Lentil Soup which unfortunately (for Beth) was not vegetarian so she couldn't try any. Turns out it was spiked with bacon - YUM, the chef was a bit heavy handed with the salt, but otherwise the flavors were amazing.


For our main dishes we both chose pizza. Beth went with the Vegetable pizza (minus the cheese) Roasted peppers, broccoli, artichokes, & mozzarella. I went for the Chef Special of the day: Feta cheese, a garlic oil sauce, artichokes, tomatoes and spinach. It was heavy on the garlic (totally a good thing in my mind) but also a bit heavy on the salt (not so good)... but otherwise very flavorful. The crust was a grilled pita which made for a wonderfully crisp crust.


The specials go through Sunday so if you live in Rochester make sure to check out somewhere new!

Thank you everyone for all the wonderful comments you all left me on Friday :D Mom and I had a wonderful time, lots of eating, trying dresses on, and relaxing!

I'm a low key, no makeup kind of girl... so trying on wedding dresses was a bit scary for me lol. I didn't think I'd want a train, or a veil. I found two dresses that were AMAZING... the second one may be it... but I can't say I'm committed yet. (plus I'm having some serious issues justifying the price tags on these things... I mean I know it's all about the quality and the lace and silks are top notch... but man they are $$$$) The second dress also looked amazing with this cute little side of the head small flower thing... no veil, and totally cute! Love it.

OK for all you food lovers out there (yes you!), this is going to crack you up... so one dress had these pleat things on the top and the woman called it a "crumb catcher" LOL!!! Seriously that's what she called it!! And it's so true! All the crumbs would totally go right into these pleats and get stuck! Needless to say I moved onto the next dress ;) Because we all know I will be CHOWING at my wedding :D

Mom and I spent most of the weekend eating amazing foods. If you are in the Rochester NY area I highly suggest Lento. The menu changes every day and everything is made from scratch, nothing comes from a can, even the mixed drinks were made with fresh squeezed fruit. Apple martini = amazingly fresh, not neon green mix *gross*. They start the meal with in house made foccacia bread that was warm and perfectly baked. For an appetizer we had the Verdura Mista, chickpea battered local vegetables, lightly fried with Asian sesame sauce. AMAZING, not at all greasy, totally light and flavorful. Mom had a lamb stew that was so tender, while I opted for the duck confit served over a bed of lentils spiked with applewood smoked bacon... to die for! I wish we had taken pictures... you'll just have to go and see for yourself!

OK that's all I've got for now... sorry for the serious lack of picture today!

Today I figured I'd let you all drool a bit over some tortes from Phillips European. Phillips is one of those places that is tucked behind a hotel in a mini strip mall... It looks like nothing at all, until you walk through the doors. Once inside you realize you are in a very high end gourmet restaurant. You wouldn't think these were recessionary times with how packed this place always is. John and I wandered in on the late side Saturday night to grab some slices of cake for take out, and the place was packed! They have a wonderful pastry display case as soon as you enter. The take out option is perfect when you don't feel like waiting 30 minutes to be seated before you can dig into something like this!


John picked the black and white mousse torte. I know what you are thinking "John doesn't eat bad for him desserts" I know I know It's true, but I twisted his arm and he agreed :) Want a closer look at this bad boy?... here you go


This thing was decadent without being overly rich and overpowering... unlike mine...


The peanut butter torte. Layers of peanut butter and chocolate fudge between moist chocolate cake... It's heavy, rich, beautiful, amazingness (yes it's a word... I say so), this thing is a belly bomb. I'm pretty good at chowin, but even I was unable to finish this slice in one sitting. What's that you want a closer look of this one too?


Chow baby chow :)

I grew up in NJ right outside of "the city" aka NYC. When people think bagels they think NYC... I think of Sonny's, a small locally owned Jewish water bagel places. The best bagels in the world come from Sonny's on South Orange Avenue. It's an institution, and I have to go whenever I'm home to get some amazingly perfect bagels, they are not bread in the shape of a bagel that some try to pass off around other places, they are the real deal :)

So in my head you have to be Jewish to make a good bagel... I am not Jewish... although I did go to around 10 bar and bat mitzvahs! This must give me a little street cred to make bagels right??? Hmmm maybe not. I gave it a good try but these are no where close to the ones at Sonny's. I mean they aren't horrible and taste great toasted up with a little cream cheese and a little honey drizzled on top... mmmmm YUM But they didn't pass the "eat it hot out of the oven with nothing on them" test. If you can eat a bagel straight up plain with no toppings on it to help the flavor, then you have a winner. Mine... not so much a winner, but not last place for sure! They sure did look pretty though!


If anyone has a recipe they swear by let me know! If it has some whole wheat flour in it that would be great :)

Water Bagels
from Pastrywiz
Yield: 12 Servings

2 c Warm water
2 pk Active dry yeast
3 tb Sugar
3 ts Salt
2 cups whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup wheat germ, and about 2 3/4 cup all purpose flour
3 qt Water
1 tb Sugar
Cornmeal to sprinkle baking sheet
1 Egg yolk
1 tb Water
poppy seeds sesame seeds sea salt to top

Combine warm water, yeast and sugar. Let stand 5 minutes, stir in salt. Gradually mix in 4 cups of flour, beat at medium speed for 5 minutes. With spoon add 1 1/4 cups more flour to make a stiff dough. Turn out on a floured board and knead until smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky (about 15 minutes), adding more flour as needed. Dough should be firmer than for most yeast breads. Place in a greased bowl, cover, let rise until almost doubled (about 40 minutes). Knead dough lightly and divide into 12 equal pieces. To shape, knead each piece, forming it into a smooth ball. Holding ball with both hands, poke your thumbs through the center. With one thumb in hole, work around perimeter, shaping bagel like a doughnut 3 to 3 1/2 inches across. Place shaped bagels on lightly floured board, cover lightly and let stand in a warm place for 20 minutes. Bring the 3 quarts of water and 1 tbls sugar to boiling in large kettle. Adjust heat to keep it boiling gently. Lightly grease baking sheet and sprinkle with cornmeal. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Gently lift one bagel at a time and drop into water, boil about 4 at a time, turning often, for 5 minutes. Lift out with slotted spatula, drain briefly on a towel and place on baking sheet. Brush with glaze made with 1 egg yolk and 1 tbls water. Bake 35 - 40 minutes, or until well browned and crusty. Cool on rack.

Chow!

Ok I swear this is the last post about Blueberry Hill :) although I know you've been loving and drooling over all the pictures!

Sunday morning breakfast was a huge bowl of fresh cut fruit, cinnamon bun type things, blueberry cake, and muffins. I filled my plate up high and sat down with a glass of orange juice...


I then looked over to the right and noticed the other full table with the rest of breakfast.. whoops! The main course of breakfast was eggs and sausages wrapped in phyllo dough... I think I needed a larger pair of pants by the end of the trip haha


Lunch was quick so people who traveled far could get on the road and head home, Matt and I had a 6 hour drive ahead of us, Kendra a 5 hour, we decided to stick around a bit longer for one last hike though :)


Lunch was build your own sandwich style with lots of other goodies floating around. Dessert was more self saucing cake (for those of you who where wondering, it's a hybrid between cake and pudding, super moist and amazing) blueberry crisp, blueberry cake, rice crispy treats... Oh and did I mention Matt bought a sleeve of cookies for the road trip home... he ate a total of 7 cookies that day. CHOW MATT CHOW!!


This Inn is so like home it's unreal. It just makes you want to curl up with a good book and never leave.

closed in greenhouse, it's feels like a nice summer day all winter long

So you're back for more chow pictures are you! Saturday lunch was juicy meaty ribs, accompanied by a beautiful salad.


Everyone enjoyed the chow... :)


Dessert was a self saucing chocolate cake. It's almost a cross between a cake and a pudding, it was delicious and I definitely went back for seconds! And yes you read this correctly, we had dessert at both lunch AND dinner every day... now this is how to live :)


After an afternoon playing in the gardens and getting dirty it was time for a little shower and a nap. Then it was off to the cookie jar to hold us over until dinner. Dinner started with another wonderful cheese platter, then it was onto the appetizers. The crab stuffed mushrooms were my favorite!


For the main course there was beef stew with biscuits on top, steamed veggies, fresh rolls, and a veggie lasagna for the beef adverse. Yum!


Dessert was a lemon custard, very light and refreshing. Fran talked to Tim and managed to get the basics out of him, boil milk and sugar, add fresh lemon juice, refrigerate.... I'll have to play around to try and make this one!


See you back here tomorrow for Sunday's breakfast and lunch! :)

Now I know you all came back to see all the glorious food pictures from our weekend in Vermont at Blueberry Hill Inn. Tim is an amazing chef and I guarantee these pictures will leave you drooling... so you probably should cover your keyboard in plastic wrap!

We arrived Friday right on time for dinner. We started with a glorious cheese platter that was demolished before I could get a good picture. We all hunkered down with our various wines and awaited for dinner while munching on a wonderful assortment of sharp cheddar, brie, blue, and other cheeses. Soon after we found ourselves with beautiful bowlfuls of butternut squash soup with hot fresh rolls from the oven.

Next came a chicken pot pie with the flakiest buttery crust accompanied by broccoli and baked potatoes.

For dessert blueberry crisp made from none other than blueberry hill blueberries. MMMMM


We spent the night chatting with the other people staying at the Inn, some faces were familiar from last year, others were new. It was great to catch up with old friends and to learn about some new interesting people. After all the wine was gone everyone headed to their rooms for a peaceful nights sleep.


Matthew Kendra and I woke up early to get a hike in before the day began, we arrived back to the Inn with the smell of apple wood smoked bacon wafting up the trail... our pace quickened a bit to make it in time for breakfast!


Awaiting us was a glorious spread of fresh fruit, hot croissants, french toast with a fresh blueberry compote, bacon, and hot coffee.

Come back tomorrow to hear about Saturday's lunch and dinner!

So there is this little Italian import shop literally 2 blocks away from where John lives. I've driven past it hundreds of times and never gone in. Two weeks ago on a lazy saturday afternoon John said "you should go up and get yourself a good old fashion italian sub, I know you'd love that place up there" So off I went... and then again the following weekend... and probably again this weekend... it's so tasty!! Talk about old school. It's awesome, you have all the older and younger Italian guys with the thick accents calling you sweetheart. I had to go with the golden standard, italian assorted, genoa salami, capicola, ham, extra sharp provolone... have you ever had extra sharp provolone?? it's insane seriously, so sharp and intense. Anyway if you are ever in the area of Gates a suburb of Rochester... also known as little italy... take a stop at this place and order up something good!

chow!!!



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When I flew down to DC to see my new nephew we ate at a TON of great places. I flew
into DCA and landed before 8am... ugggg and was picked up by mom and dad. We headed to Old Town Alexandria for a little breakfast and the farmers market. We went to La Madeleine. Breakfast was amazing. I must have asked my mom if she had her camera while dad was paying since in reality he HAD the camera but she thought they left it at home.. bummer!! This breakfast was as beautiful as it was delicious, I wish I had known we had the camera! You can see their pictures (that don't do the food justice) here. Mom had croissant dough with raisins encased in caramelized cinnamon sugar, topped with fresh fruit, whipped cream and your choice of syrup. A little too sweet for me but very tasty. Dad ordered a very hearty breakfast sandwich of bacon egg and cheese on a croissant that was amazingly flaky and buttery. I had the Crêpe Romanoff two sweet crêpes topped with fresh strawberries, their signature brandy cream sauce and cinnamon. The sauce had a very complex and intriguing flavor, dad wished he had ordered what I did once he had a taste :)

Next we walked over to the farmers market and picked up some beautiful peaches, tomatoes, figs, yams... mmmmm (click on the pics to see them bigger)



For lunch one day we had some take out from a very tasty Peruvian chicken place... called The Chicken Place... gotta love the creativity of that name :) The spices on the slow rotisserie roasted chicken were so flavorful and packed with a combination of spices I couldn't figure out. The yucca was delicious (it's basically fried cactus haha) and then the plantains... mmmmmmmm soo good!!

For dinner the first night mom dad and I went to Evening Star Cafe. We started with a duck egg roll that was nicely plated and crisp without being too greasy. Mom had scallops that were cooked perfectly. I had a nice rare piece of tuna that was delicious (but not as good as the one John had in Cape Cod) and unfortunately dad had ravioli that were more like bricks of blandness then anything else. Bummer... we made it up to him with some ice cream from the Dairy Godmother yum!

Sunday morning was spent at Luna Grill and Diner. It was packed with a line out the door, luckily we got there before the rush. I can't remember what mom and dad had... but I had a simple 2 eggs with toast and potato, all simple and well prepared :)

The rest of the meals we had were ones we cooked up. I made some flourless chocolate chipolte cupcakes one night along with hamburgers, yam chips, and asian cole slaw. yum! Stockton made some yummy pizza one day, and the last day we had sandwiches.. mmmm sandwiches!

I had a wonderful time visiting and can't wait to go back and see Walton!!!