Shirlington Brunch at Palette 22

While trying to come up with a topic for my next blog post, I'd completely forgotten the fact that a few weeks back, a few friends and I went to a newly-opened restaurant/artist studio in the Shirlington neighborhood, Palette 22.  I had heard a plug for the opening of Palette 22 from a radio DJ on the way home from work one day, describing the restaurant as a restaurant that would feature a rotating set of artists in residence at the restaurant.  Additionally, it would serve small plates and drinks.  So I dragged a few of my friends along to check in out.

An artist quietly working at easels set up throughout the restaurant.

Drinks are apparently their specialty.

Because Palette 22 is more of a tapas restaurant, guests were encouraged to order several small plates and share them among their party.  Had my friends and I not have gone for brunch, we may have tried this out.  But alas, we ordered just one plate each, giving their globally-inspired menu a try.

I ended up getting the Tacos al Pastor.  Verdict: ehh, the meat was pretty dry and the flavors, I didn't think, had incorporated well.

While I will say I did sorta like the vibe and aesthetic of the space, with the murals and artist loft-feel, I don't think I'll be paying Palette 22 another visit.  I wasn't particularly a fan of the food or the prices, but I do love the concept.  Supporting and giving exposure to local artists is, I think, a great idea.  I'll be curious to see how Palette 22 fares.

Currently listening to: "Bird" Oldcodex

A Feast for the Eyes: Crimson Peak

This past weekend on campus was William & Mary's Homecoming.  While I'll post some pictures from the festivities of the weekend later, this post is about Crimson Peak.  My friends and I took an early-ish Sunday morning to get together like the good old days and watch a horror movie.  And while it wasn't quite a horror movie, it was a beautifully artistic ghost story...or a "gothic romance" as Tom Hiddleston put it.  I won't lie, I was holding onto every word Tom Hiddleston spoke.

Here are some shots from the film.

The Crimson Peak estate, in all its dilapidated glory.

I thought the movie was interesting; it may have combined one too many horror movie elements, but I appreciated the novelty of the story.  Everything was incredibly intricate, from the costumes to the house itself and I was glad that I was watching it on the big screen so I could take full advantage of it.  Definitely one to see again, if not only for the wonderfully romantic being that is Tom Hiddleston.

Currently listening to: "This is Why We Fight" The Decemberists

Adventures Along the National Mall

On any list of "Vacations to Go On This Summer", "being a tourist in your own city" is bound to be on most of them.  Growing up just a stone's throw away from Washington, DC, one definitely does forget about all of the amazing things to do in the nation's capital.

As you get older, the idea of DC changes drastically.  As a child, it's going to the museums and the festivals on the Mall.  As a higher schooler, it's taking pictures with your friends at the monuments and memorials, especially at night.  And as an adult (or at least, after 21), it's checking out the nightlife and showing around out-of-towners and friends from college.

This past weekend, I made my best attempt at showing a friend the city.  We only had one day to see the sights, so we tried to hit the most popular destinations.  Museums, memorials, and restaurants in the Dupont Circle and U Street neighborhoods.

The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.

The Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool.

The Lincoln Memorial.

View from the top of the Lincoln Memorial steps. 

National World War II Memorial.

Korean War Veterans Memorial.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

As the Fall semester quickly approaches, I've got a few more things lined up for the remaining weeks.  However, visiting family and catching up on some sleep is definitely high on my to-do list.

Currently listening to: "Sedona" Houndmouth

Magic Gardens, Philadelphia

Last month, I visited one of my friends in Philadelphia.  One of the city's treasures I've been interested in visiting for years is the Magic Gardens.  It's a gallery space created over a span of fourteen years by an artist named by Isaiah Zagar.  It's a beautifully unique space, with glass, tiles, toilet bowls, bike wheels, and anything else you can imagine.

It's an absolutely gorgeous place and my pictures definitely did not do it justice.  The day we went was overcast and rainy, but it was still amazing.

Currently listening to: "Ship to Wreck" Florence and the Machine

Night at the Theatre: Diner

There's really nothing like live theatre.  And I was reminded of that fact last Thursday night, when a friend and I went to see Diner, a new musical playing at the Signature Theatre.  Based off of the film of the same name, it's a story about six guys reuniting for the wedding of one of them.  Seeing so many big-name Broadway actors in such a small and intimate setting was pretty mind-blowing.  And the Signature Theatre definitely earned its Tony Award; it is such a cool theatre and I'm definitely going to need to go to more shows there.

I snuck a quick picture with Adam Kantor before the show.  Can you say fangirling?  Having listened to him on Rent and The Last Five Years (that one on repeat), it was absolutely incredible to meet him and see him live.

We also got a picture with a few of the leading men after the show.  From left to right: Derek Klena (ahhh, Dogfight...another great musical), Josh Grisetti, Bryan Fenkhart

Not a review, but the show was a whole lot of fun; the 50s era music and aesthetic was great, the actors were great, and the staging was a clever use of the small space.  The show is sold out for the rest of its run and I'm incredibly interested to see where the show goes from there.  I, at least, would love there to be a cast album.  The songs were incredibly catchy and I'd love to hear the stars sing them again.

Currently listening to: "Some Kinda Time" Dogfight musical

Decisions, Decisions

Spoiler alert.  The post you are about to read is very much a stream of consciousness post.

The first day of the semester was yesterday.  Also known as the last day of my undergraduate career.  However, I'm still at home.  Hell, I'll even be missing the first weekend of this last semester.  I made the decision, with my parents' permission, to stay home an extra week.

Why?

One of my closest and dearest friends was visiting the States from Geneva.  I couldn't stand to not see him and other high school friends.  On the one hand, it felt like a bit of a selfish thing to ask my parents to let me stay.  But after more thought, I'm glad I did it.  I've lost countless high school friends because of my ridiculous introversion and it's something that I've been recently trying to reverse.  The past few weeks I've spent with my friends; eating, drinking, just hanging out have reminded me that I want to keep these relationships for as long as I can.

If the last two weeks are any indication as to what the rest of 2014 will bring me, I think it's gonna be a good year.

Currently listening to: "Personal" Stars

Halloween 2013

This year's Halloween was filled with firsts.  A group of friends and I finally trick-or-treated the President of The College, photo documentation and all.  As you can see, I was the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.  Fitting for the blog, don't you think?

This weekend, I also attended a party fit for autumn and the eerie holiday.  The house was on a tiny street off the highway, surrounded with complete darkness.  We had spaghetti squash, sangria, and s'mores...pardon my alliteration.

Now that the Halloween's over and the fall temperature has once again joined us, I've only got a few more semi-stressful weeks until I get to go back home.  :)

Currently listening to: "Say the Word" Meghann Fahy

Farm 2 Fork

I'm beyond excited to write a post about the amazing dinner I went to yesterday.  Our campus held their 2nd annual Farm to Fork dinner outside on the Sunken Gardens.  The idea of the dinner was to take food produced and grown in local farms and put together a big, family-style dinner for a couple hundred foodies and people who want to feel good about knowing where their food is coming from.

After a stressful and busy week, this event was great for getting my spirits back up.  The event started just before sundown and it was a perfect autumn atmosphere.  All guests that attended were given small jars of local jam to take with them; I took back strawberry and blackberry jam.  The table setting was a basket filled with autumnal vegetables and a mason jar with water and rosemary.  Throughout the dinner, there were various folk music groups performing.

Table setting.  The basket and pumpkin are looking great in my apartment now.

Most importantly, the dinner was phenomenal.  A picture of the menu is up above and I think my favorite course was the wild mushroom lasagna, with the crab dip a close second.  The combination of the incredible food and the meal being family-style resulted in a comatose-like state by the end of the dinner.

Roast Free Range Chicken with Assorted Vegetables and Seasonal Greens

 Five Spice Rubbed Beef Brisket with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables

 

Supporting local farmers and smart, healthy eating are both things for which I am a big proponent. Having learned about the food industry methods and the environmental effects, in addition to its effect on small and local farmers, has led me to "shop on the edges of the supermarket" and buy organic and seasonal as often as I can.  This dinner was the perfect mix of my environmental and food consciousness.

Currently listening: "Featherstone" The Paper Kites