A very roomie visit

Sometimes, it still shocks me that there was a time in my life where I didn't know Martha. Other than our first phone chat (where we bonded over art history, naturally) the summer before Vanderbilt, I really didn't know too much about my new roommate at college. Five years, multiple road trips, late nights, and other bonding-for-life experiences later, I couldn't imagine never knowing 'the roomie', 'the roomz', or (my personal favorite), hellmama.

After a very delayed arrival (thanks to some summer thunderstorms in Arkansas), we spent Friday night was spent soaking in America's favorite past time at Nationals game. Every Washingtonian knows that no Nats game is complete without a significant visit the adjacent Bullpen - a old construction site adjacent to the stadium turned . The bullpen is perfect for pre and post game eating, drinking, and general chilling. Did I mention beer is cheaper here? Thanks Budweiser, for your sponsorship and commitment to fan festivity.

The Nats were up against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and I am embarrassed to say I can't remember who won. However, how can you blame me when when you are catching up with your best friend? Not to mention, mascot presidents are pretty distracting as well.

 

Tegan also discovered her love of the the Utz chip girl - and now has her Halloween costume. 

Our hunt for a cheap, carby breakfast the following morning lead us no where other than somewhere in our own backyard: The Florida Ave Grill. Warmly know as the "World Famous" Florida Avenue Grill, this neighborhood joint has been a local landmark since it was established by then congressional shoeshiner, Lacy C. Wilson in 1944. Wilson envisioned his restaurant as a haven for DC residents to escape the racism, classicism, and marginalization that pervaded society pre-civil rights. Simply put, he wanted a place where people felt at home, and where they could eat good soul food.That's a mission I can stand behind.

 

Seventy years later, the place hasn't changed one tiny bit. You can almost feel the memories seeping from the tables, bar stools, counter tops; its amazing how such a tiny dive-in can hold so many years within it's walls.

After eating our weight during breakfast, the ride along Georgetown waterfront via boat seemed like a natural choice let our food process. Luckily for us, LivingSocial had a sweet deal worked out with DC Cruises for a half price buy-one-get-one ticket. The best part about having Martha is town was being able to use her visit as a excuse to be a tourist in town (Actually, it was being able to hang out with her all weekend!).

 

It is basically unheard of to go to Georgetown without spending way to much on a way too sugary, but oh-so-delicious cupcake from one of the various boutique cupcakeries ubiquitous along the waterfront. One of my personal favorites is Baked + Wired, which perfectly captures how you feel after comsuming one of their cupcakes and coffee combos. Blamo!

 

Martha choose the Texas Sweetcake cupcake - a chocolate and cinnamon creation topped with pecan frosting.  Perfect for a Dallas lady. I re-engerized with chilly mocha. We were on our way to being baked on and wired. 

That night, Ethiopian was the ethnic cuisine of choice. While some people are partial on Ethiopian, I love the spicy, savory flavors and textured injara bread. I also jump at any excuse to eat with my fingers. It was the first time any of us had tried tej, traditional Ethiopian honey wine, and I imagine Etete was the ideal restaurant to do it. Ranked on the best in DC, the food was stellar...though I am not sure honey wine will be our new drink of choice before a night out.

We spent Martha's last day strolling around beautiful Eastern Market. Chatting while sorting through barrels of fresh peaches, glittery jewelry, and odd trinkets was a fitting end to a perfect weekend. I made Martha pose for me on a number of occasions- and of course she stole the show as Eastern Market's new muse. Saying good-bye at the end of the afternoon brought back the same nostalgia when leaving our dorm room for the holidays, or moving out of at the end of the semester. In the words of the lovely Lana del Ray, summertime sorrow. However, the best things about best friends is that the best times are always yet to come. See you soon, hellmama!

 

 

Chicago side-trip

Ok. This has been a long - time coming. Props to Lisa Dershowitz for staying on me about writing a post about our short side trip to Chicago back in March. With DC warming up, its hard to remember the cold and rain that was Chicago. But the first picture I took of the city I from the plane is enough to remember just how cold it was when I first landed. 

It. Was. Frigid. Lisa's friend Tracy generously offered us her place to crash fo' free. Tracy lived downtown and lucky for us, right next to a classic Chicago-style eatery. After Lisa waited nearly 3 hours in traffic to come pick me up, we were both starving and thus feasted on some carbs at one of Tracy's local, neighborhood places. 

The next day was St. Patty's Day. In Chicago, St. Patty's day is otherwise known as the day that the city dyes the river green. Of course, we couldn't miss that tradition so we all lumbered out of bed early the next morning, put on about 3 layers of clothes (ok, as the biggest southern wimp I maybe put on 4 layers) and headed to the Polk L station. The festivities were in full swing when we arrived in the heart of Downtown. 

 

We got free sodas, saw cute Irish dogs, and took some selfies.

The ceremonial dumping of the green dye into the river was suppose to occur at 10:00. Around 9:45 it began to rain, er, snow and let's just say we were feeling the winter. 10 o'clock rolls by. No green dye in sight. So, we take some more pictures and get some free slurpies. Probably not the best idea for warmth when its 20 degrees outside... but who can say no to free slurpies?

After 10:30 when we could officially no longer feel our toes, we decided that the only green dye we wanted to see was in our beers. So we headed to Chicago's bar scene to start the real St. Patty's day celebrations and drink off our disappointment in lack of river-dye. 

Lisa shows off her ballet moves. 

 

...And we took some more selfies. 

After a good afternoon of ringing in the Irish holiday bar-style, I was eager to see more of the Chicago. Walking around the city after multiple drinks was much easier than it was at 10 am. Despite the cold, I loved Chicago. I definitely want to return in the summer when the city is in full swing and has more shopping, eating, and exploring options available. No wonder President Obama calls Chicago home; the city has its own mid-western style and identity that is just as unique as DC or New York, with a more ritzy yet gritty feel that is alluring all on it's own.

However, after all this exploring we were obviously starving. Not trip to Chicago is complete without pizza. Tracy recommend we put our names in for Giordano's, one of the top-rated, ultra-famous, can't-miss- it pizza joints of the Windy city. After waiting for two hours and nearly passing out from hunger, we are finally presented with the most glorious cheese pie I have ever put in my mouth. 

Pizza if definitely a religion, and I was converted in Chicago. That night, we went out in Wrigley Field. It was pure St. Patty's day madness. 

The best part of the night was catching up with old friends and celebrating to the wee hours of the morning. After barely sleeping that night, I found myself on a early flight back to DC already missing Chicago's energy, seediness, and of course, it's green rivers and unbelievable cheesy noms.