For my birthday this year, my husband and I took a quick weekend trip to DC to attend the MetroCooking show. While we were there, we decided to try out a local brewery in Silver Spring and to go out to dinner at my favorite Japanese restaurant ever – Daikaya in downtown DC! Denizens Brewing… Read More Whirlwind Foodie Weekend in DC

This weekend, my husband and I will be adventuring in DC. We’ll be hitting up the MetroCooking DC food show, as well as some local bars and restaurants. Get your tickets for MetroCooking DC 2015 online now! There are a number of special events taking place during the show, including a BBQ Bash, Beer, Wine… Read More MetroDC Cooking Show – Oct. 24-25, 2015

Fall in Virginia means gorgeous trees in brilliant reds, golds and oranges. It also means it’s time to pick apples! This year, I took my kids to Carter Mountain Orchard in North Garden, just outside Charlottesville. Since both school and my work were closed on Columbus Day, we picked that day to visit. LOTS of… Read More It’s Apple Season Again!

Did you know that Virginia made alcohol illegal a full three years before the rest of the country? In larger Virginia cities like Alexandria, Richmond and Norfolk, this extra three years of “dry”ness made speakeasies a booming business. Virginia’s history as a hotbed of moonshine production, combined with the natural harbor of the Chesapeake Bay… Read More Richmond’s Own Speakeasy

I can’t quite put into words my reasons for adoring “The Great British Bake-Off” while simultaneously being completely turned off by most American cooking competition shows.  Maybe it has something to do with the bad taste I still have in my mouth from the Food Network taking the original cooking competition show – “Iron Chef” – a… Read More My Mild Obsession With “The Great British Bake-Off”

I recently had the pleasure of visiting a new local barbecue and taco restaurant and grabbing a beer flight at a local craft brewery.  Both spots far exceeded my expectations.  Here’s why: The Cultured Swine, located in the midst of the burgeoning Jackson Ward restaurant scene, offers tacos, sandwiches, tamales and sides that marry the flavors… Read More Local Barbecue, Tacos and Beer – The Cultured Swine and Isley Brewing Co.

If you’re a foodie, there are plenty of upcoming events in Virginia and DC to keep you busy in the coming weeks and months: RVA Sandwich Week (August 24-30) – The latest in a long line of themed food weeks sponsored by Style Weekly, RVA Sandwich Week features $5 sandwich specials from a variety of… Read More Upcoming Food Events

Recently my husband and I had the rare opportunity to get away for a quick overnight trip to Charlottesville, sans kids. Of course I wanted to pack in the wine and beer tastings, so we started out at Jefferson Vineyards.  The tasting, $10 per person with a complimentary glass to take home, featured dry and semi-dry… Read More Wine-ing and Beer-ing Around Charlottesville

I know, I know – it’s been a while.  Between my new job and a busy Spring filled with soccer, Cub Scouts, school activities and family obligations, Summer is finally here!  Our whole family has some time to relax, and I have the opportunity to hit the reset button on my blog.  So here goes:… Read More Easing back into the blogging habit