{the bliss + the palate} a lovely start to 2012!

This New Year, I decided to keep things low-key.  Chris and I had a fabulous dinner at Columbia Firehouse in Old Town Alexandria.  We both had some beer and some wine and delicious meat.  Yessir.  Meat. But to start, Chris wanted to try their Tuna Tartare Tacos — say that three times fast! — and I have to admit, tartare served in tacos?!  But you know what, they were flavored perfectly.  Tiny, but perfect.  Heh heh.

I also tried their Roasted Beet Salad.  I love arugula and I love blue cheese, so the salad was gone in less than a minute.  I probably moaned and groaned and the couple next to us gave us weird looks.  Who knows.

Oh yeah, so meat…I had a 9 oz Dry Aged New York Strip Steak (I loved the Roasted Vegetable Hash that accompanied it!) and Chris had their special: a 10 oz Dry Aged Prime Rib.

For dessert, yes, you know I had to: Chocolate Crème Brûlée!

Afterward, we walked about 10 blocks to watch Old Town Alexandria’s First Night Out countdown.  We were disappointed.  They canceled the fireworks for safety reasons but they promised a light show and it was weak. :(

Ah well — it was still nice to hear the crowd welcome 2012!  Especially with my love.

The next morning, I made breakfast (I know!  I actually cooked and will post the recipe with a later blog post!) and we attended Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.  It was stunning.  This church is beyond beautiful and I was in awe.

Okay, can I be honest with you for a sec?  I was raised Catholic but yes — my parents never enforced a strict schedule.  When I first moved in with Chris, he told me we would attend Mass every Sunday and at the time, I was not looking forward to it.  But now, I can’t imagine my weekends without going to church.  It’s my time for reflection and a chance to speak with the Lord.  I am grateful Chris has changed this part of me for the better.  Thanks babe.

Alright, back to the church.  It was kinda strange to see people take pictures during Mass.  It was also very weird to see random groups of people touring the little chapels on the left and right sides of the pews.  Nonetheless, I loved it.  We toured the church ourselves after Mass ended.  And yes, I took pictures.

On Monday, we were both off so we decided to have lunch at Coeur di Lion at Henley Park Hotel.  Why?  Because I won Lunch for Two at my work’s holiday party.  I’ve eaten there before — my first day at my new job — and it was great.  This time, however, not so great.

The waitress that served us is truly a bartender so she was nice but a bit clueless.  She never mentioned her name but whatever, we ordered.  We had their Smoked Salmon Toast Points.  Chris had their Jumbo Lump Crab Cake (seriously, almost all lump crab meat!) and I chose their Seared Organic Pecan Chicken.

The food was decent, but I am a big customer service person, so when I don’t get the whole experience, I am easily turned off.  I’m sure I’ve mentioned that plenty of times in past blog posts.

Anyway, this weekend was spent eating delicious food, lots of shopping, and…reading The Hunger Games.  My good friends have turned me on to it and less than a week ago I was hardly making a dent into the first book and I am now almost done with the second book!  It’s quite addicting and I will say — I am not Team Peeta or Team Gale.  I am Team Katniss!  I have no idea what I’d do if I were in her position.

On that note…’til next time!