Zaytinya in DC

Hummus, Baba Ganooj and Fattoosh

I had some lovely mezze with my cousins and my mom in DC. We were able to get the restaurant week menu so we tried lots for a low price.

Falafel, Calamari and Sauteed Shrimp

Lamb kabob, chicken kabob and salmon

Dessert!

My Honda, Forever Memorialized

My reliable 1998 Honda Accord is gone but she will forever live on this blog. Sold her through Craigslist in preparation for buying a new car in Atlanta. Fare thee well, old friend, fare thee well!

Seize the Day!

Three Generations, Mom, Amy and Grandma Sarah

On Mother's Day I ventured home to Charlotte and had a lovely dinner with my mom, stepdad, Grandma Sarah and Aunt Anne (step-grandmother). We went to Carpe Diem in Charlotte. I had a wonderful dish of BBQ Shrimp and polenta and my mom's pan seared coriander and orange rubbed duck breast was to die for. Once we got Aunt Anne her crabcake all was good with the world and we enjoyed a sumptuous meal.
BBQ Shrimp with Polenta


Duck Breast - mom's favorite!

Our Last Mexican Fiesta as Law Students

Amy, Ryan and Nathalie: Forever a Trio

As usual, some friends and I headed to have our traditional post-finals Mexican meal. First we had drinks at Tequila Rose and then we went over to my favorite spot, South of the Border, for dinner. The photo says it all... Tacos Carne Asada with extra hot sauce. I'm sure going to miss these guys... and I don't just mean the tacos.

My favorite Williamsburg tacos

My buddy Chris

Blue Talon Birthday

Katie - the birthday girl!

The Katies, Will and I had a lovely dinner at the Blue Talon in celebration of one Katie's birthday. I had some tasty mussels and fries. The broth was nice and garlicky - wonderful for sopping the nice French bread they serve. This might be my last time here for awhile...

Les Moules Frites - that's mussels and fries for all of you
non-French speaking people.

The Queen, the Queen!!

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II - see the pink hat!?

Being in Williamsburg during the Jamestown Anniversary festivities has been a slight pain but I was happy that I got to witness THE QUEEN riding in a carriage down the famous Duke of Gloucester Street right after my Trusts and Estates exam.

QC Quick Trip

So I went to visit my family in Charlotte over the weekend after I found an E-Saver ticket from Norfolk to Charlotte. While I was there I had some stellar Vietnamese food at Saigon Palace - the yellow pancake and fresh spring rolls.
I also had brunch at the Charleston House on the Plaza, which was very tasty after we finally got to order brunch. Apparently this place used to offer brunch every Sunday (it was even written up as one of the best brunch places in Charlotte) but because business was slow in the morning they had converted brunch into a Sunday dinner buffet. Since we arrived at 11 AM and really wanted some brunch food, we talked to the owner and he said they could make us brunch food. It is really a shame that the brunch menu, which I finally got to see, is no longer being served, but it seemed like if you got to know the owner you could call and request anything from the menu. We tried a wonderful shrimp and crabmeat omelet with a Creole sauce and smooth yellow grits. The lunch buffet was also excellent, with fried chicken, macaroni & cheese and desserts like banana pudding and peach cobbler. Unfortunately I left my camera back in Williamsburg.
It was a great trip, albeit a quick one!

Rosa Fiesta!

My Office Family at Rosa Mexicano!

Bar area at Rosa Mexicano

I have been in Atlanta for a couple of weeks working for my new firm - my true dream job! Today our entire office went to Rosa Mexicano at Atlantic Station to celebrate our senior paralegal's ten years of work with the firm.

We indulged in the guacamole, which was, to my delight, made tableside. All of the food looked delicious, including the enchiladas in mole sauce, which I stole a bite of but failed to photograph.


I got the steak tacos, which were tasty. They were served with corn totillas, a piquant sauce, rice, beans and an interesting slaw.


Waterfall with small divers!

While the food I had was good, I think this place is generally overpriced for what you get. I'll be looking for a few more authentic Mexican places when I move to Atlanta.

Party, Party!

My cake - made by the fine folks at Sweet Art bakery in Charlotte

On my birthday we went to lunch at one of my favorite places in Charlotte, Cuisine Malaya - you have to try the mango shrimp, the crispy duck and the roti canai appetizer! Then Dad, Diane, Patrick and I saw the movie "Blood Diamond." Later on we went to a fabulous holiday party at a family friend's house before heading back to my dad's house for my quarter century birthday party.

Holiday Party!!

Amy and Shelley at the holiday party


Steve, Mom and Liz at the holiday party

I had to try the fruit tart even though I knew my birthday cake was waiting at home!

They also had this lovely chocolate yule log cake


Liz and Anna - forever "the twins."

Amy's Birthday!!!


Dad, Diane and Maxine at the birthday celebration


Amy, Lori and Nishita


Dad bringing in the cake!


Amy takes charge and cuts the cake - it was lemon cake with a homemade raspberry filling.


My two grandmas - Bea and Sarah.


Nice posed kiss from Grandma Sarah

Woodfire Thrills!

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The lovely table at my firm's holiday dinner at Woodfire Grill in Atlanta, GA

After the trip to the mountains we drove down to Atlanta to attend my new law firm's holiday dinner. The dinner was held at Woodfire Grill, a restaurant specializing in grilled organic meats and local produce. We had a wonderful meal with great food, great company and great wine! Below are some of the dishes we savored throughout the evening.

We also had this delicious butternut squash soup


This whole trout was excellent - even with the eyes staring me down!


The three dessert choices - I recommend the caramel apple shortcake

Nice House and Mountain Fun

The Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC

During the trip to Charlotte and Atlanta we managed to make time for a quick trip up to the NC mountains. We toured the gorgeous Biltmore Estate and tasted some wines at the winery that is located on the grounds. The unseasonably warm weather only added to the delight of being in such a lovely place.
This was also an opportunity to go back and see my beloved Camp Celo, the Quaker camp I went to every summer for six years of my childhood, and our mountain house, which is located only about a mile from the camp. We even cooked dinner there, as you will see below. To me, the air always smells better up in the mountains and I look forward to visiting every time I get the chance.

Amy with goats at Camp Celo

Roaring Fork Falls near the Mount Mitchell Golf Course

Here comes the Hanukkah Man!!

The Hanukkah Table in Williamsburg - ready for night 1.

This year Hanukkah started on the evening of December 15 and continued until December 23 (also my birthday)!

Melanie gave me some really cute cookies in a Hanukkah holiday basket.

We were in Charlotte, Asheville and Atlanta during our vacation week - and we did A LOT! Actually, it was more of a busy, busy week than a vacation, but we still had a great deal of fun seeing everyone and travelling around.

My Dad got a new Ozzie Smith jersey. As you might guess, Dad's favorite team is the St. Louis Cardinals.

One of my favorite gifts, a goat donated to a needy family through the Heifer Project and a matching stuffed goat to symbolize the donation.


Steve with his new Ecko shirt - see the rhino?

Later in the week we enjoyed a wonderful Hanukkah party hosted by my Grandma Sarah at her Fort Mill, SC home. We saw lots of family members, ate potato latkes and had an all-around good time.

Family friend and mah-jongg player Howard making latkes at Grandma's house.


Steve helps cousin Dylan light the Hanukkah candles.


Grandma's cat (formerly belonging to Bernie, Teri, Jason and Adam) Pillow reigns supreme.

Overall we had a great Hanukkah!