8.29.2011

MAP: Where to Eat and Shop in Rockville, MD

I'm getting ready to redo my bathroom and @APoshGirl is sending me on a tile hunt up in Rockville, MD. The only issue is, I know nada about Rockville, but people tell me there is good food up that way. (Yes, I'm being an over-dramatic District resident... it's not like it's Vermont, it's a few miles north.)

So, natch, I asked my Facebook and Twitter friends and got so many great suggestions back. I'll never be able to get to them all today (and still maintain my figure), so I decided to make another foodie Google map in case I find myself back that way. I hope it helps you guys too. Based on frequency and amount of exclamation marks, my friends thing Addie's, Cuban Corner and Joe's Noodle House are the top choices, but looks like there's plenty of ground to try. Here's my Google map with all of the suggestions I received: 

View Rockville, MD in a larger map

PS. I'm also including the shops I'm traversing as I decorate my new condo. Rockville is PACKED with home renovation, furniture and antique shops. You could spend days shopping there for things you've pinned on Pinterest! My targets for bathroom tile are Architectural Ceramics, Mosaic Tile and Porcelanosa.

Tell me in the comments if I missed anything and I'll add it in!

8.26.2011

DC Area Hurricane Specials

The earthquake came too fast to get you disaster deals from the local restaurants, but Hurricane Irene's giving us plenty of notice. I'll add them as I see them, but here's a starter set of fun places to go and weather the storm with your newest best friends...

Cajun Experience in Dupont Circle - $5 Hurricanes all day Saturday!

Free tastings at Cardinal Point Winery in Afton, VA (near Charlottesville(

Who KNOWS what this is... but it's Rogue 24, so you know you wanna find out!
Bottom Line will be staffed up with bartenders from Dewey Beach's Starboard - and tons of specials to go along!
1905 is blowing through with Restaurant Week prices... take that Irene!
District 2 is offering this Stoli concoction for $6 during Irene...
Lyon Hall in Clarendon serves up their version of Come On Irene for just $5
Need to hunker down? Cleveland Park Bar & Grill is the spot. No closing. No way.
Acadiana is making deals on their killer cocktails. I've ridden out two tropical storms here and can verify it's a good time.
Not a better place to ride out a 'cane than Bayou... they know their Nola.
Haha, Medium Rare wins the most amusing deal out there... 


If you see others, tweet them to me at @floridagirlindc and I'll keep sharing em!

PS. Just found more on Washington City Paper.

8.08.2011

Brunch: Rustico in Alexandria, VA

Recently, I met Blair for brunch on her side of the Potomac... and while I like to make a fuss about crossing the river, I really, really wanted to go to Rustico.

I love their locally sourced, seasonal dinner menu and artisan brews - plus it's just a quick zip down Gee-Dub Parkway and there's easy parking (and Buzz Bakery across the street for take home treats.)

Our conversation will remain between the two of us, but the brunch, we'll share. Replicate our order and you won't go wrong (not that you could on Rustico's menu.)  Start with the tangy Bloody Mary, then split an order of the pillowy Ricotta Donuts and finish out with the Fried Green Tomato Pizza. Between the two of us, we still had leftovers!

Rustico Bloody Mary (photo: Tammy Gordon)

Ricotta Donuts (photo: Tammy Gordon)

Fried Green Tomato Pizza (photo: Tammy Gordon)
Follow Rustico on Facebook and Twitter, and make a reservation soon!

Rustico (that we went to) is located at 827 Slaters Lane in Alexandria, VA. Though, that location is not very Metro friendly, they have a new location in Ballston at 4075 Wilson Blvd. in Arlington, VA.