What better way to kick start this US expedition than to first receive the blessing from our forefathers in our nation’s capital? And of course Julia Child’s.
After fifteen stops on the Metro, we come to our stop “Smithsonian”. Not being a huge political junkee, a quick snap of the US Capitol Building and the Washington Monument, looking more phallic than ever, suffices my appetite. What I was craving for was the Julia Child exhibit at the Smithsonian.
A quick check through security and a glance at the map, and I felt like a little girl racing to grandma’s house. As soon as we were in front of the thresh hold my eyes lit up. We were here! In Julia’s kitchen! And I heard it, coming from one of the television sets; I can still hear it resonating in my head, Julia saying “Bon Appetite!” After carefully reading all about Julia’s cooking gadgets, we were drawn to a television set which featured Julia thoroughly explaining how to prepare roasted chicken. “First you must wash the chicken thoroughly…” Julia even layers strips of bacon on the top of the chicken, so it can self baste, and she trusses the bird as though it were a mental patient in solitary confinement. By the time it was ready for the spit, that poulet was paying homage to Hannibal Lector. You could hear great laughter from everyone visiting the exhibit, as Julia wa
s effortlessly funny and endearing. Looking at her stove, kitchen table, cupboards and all, I envisioned what it would be like to be over for dinner with the Childs. The love they had for one another translated into Julia’s delicious cooking. A few more shots of any foodie’s Mecca, one last glance and there it is Julia’s mantra, “Never apologize in the kitchen.” Never again Julia, never again, I promise.
We walk around the Smithsonian a bit more, and come across a collection explaining all about oyster fishing in Chesapeake. Typical of me to have paid any attention to it, as I absolutely LOVE oysters! Quick snap of the oyster plates from the 1930’s.
Exiting the Smithsonian onto Constitution Avenue we head over to the infamous 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, just to say, “Hi” to the Obamas. We both think, how far do you reckon we’d be able to get if we jump the fence?
We were now off to The Palm, an institution for businessmen, political figures and celebrities. Founded in 1926 by John Ganzi and Pio Bozzi, they opened their first location in New York City. Today they are located all over the United States, with now three international locations. As we enter through the front doors, we make our way over to the bar. What a treat! We just walked into happy hour. Apps ranging from $7 to $12 were now all $3.50. How exciting. Kobe beef, filet mignon and, oh no baby! Oysters at a dollar each, how did they know?
Hoping to try a little bit of everything, we dive right into the menu with our first round; filet mignon, crab cakes, and of course oysters on the half shell.
The filet mignon was served like mini sliders, a cold trio with a very fresh and clean taste to the pallet. The medium rare cooked beef stacked with a fresh basil leaf, imported buffalo mozzarella and balsamic aioli, served in between two mini buns, make you put both hands up in the air. What a well thought out flavor combination. Talk about a capri twist.The crab cakes served with a mango salsa and chipotle mayo was next. Not in usual crab cake form, it looked like a macaroon. Staying true to my ways of wanting all the flavors on my plate in one bite, I take a hearty piece of crab, top it with the mango salsa and dip it in the chipotle mayo. Yum! There’s a smokiness to the crab, the chipotle kicks it up a notch and the mango provides that cooling sensation your pallet is looking for.
La piece de resistance was my oysters. House made cocktail sauce with horseradish on the side, it was definitely an aphrodisiac that made me cross my legs! The freshness of the oysters with the tanginess of the house made sauce and lemon, I almost stood up with excitement. Paired alongside Kim Craford’s Sauvignon Blanc, from New Zealand, was a decadent orgy on my tongue.
Round two, kobe beef, chicken tenders, jumbo shrimp and yes, oysters. As we order another glass of wine, we brace myself for what’s to come. Could we handle more food?
With these flavors, yes! The kobe came out with a flavor that no Canadian could ever be exposed to (me). It was like beef butter melting on the tongue, with the fixings of any b
urger, of course prepared under Canadian Health Standards, at medium rare. Let me reassure you, if was not “any” burger.
Sit down for this one, because the chicken tender, were more than tender, it was Atila The Hun and Napolean battling in my mouth. The penko and parmesan cheese dusted, pounded out chicken breast was a flavor I still cannot describe to serve it justice. Paired with their Asian plum sauce, it was a FUSION! And yes, I am yelling it.
The jumbo shrimp was accompanied by the house made cocktail sauce which was also served along side my oysters, complete with horseradish on the side. But, darling, the shrimp was massive! It was succulent and sweet, a great taste to leave on your tongue and pallet at the end of the evening.
Round two, kobe beef, chicken tenders, jumbo shrimp and yes, oysters. As we order another glass of wine, we brace myself for what’s to come. Could we handle more food?
With these flavors, yes! The kobe came out with a flavor that no Canadian could ever be exposed to (me). It was like beef butter melting on the tongue, with the fixings of any b
urger, of course prepared under Canadian Health Standards, at medium rare. Let me reassure you, if was not “any” burger.Sit down for this one, because the chicken tender, were more than tender, it was Atila The Hun and Napolean battling in my mouth. The penko and parmesan cheese dusted, pounded out chicken breast was a flavor I still cannot describe to serve it justice. Paired with their Asian plum sauce, it was a FUSION! And yes, I am yelling it.
The jumbo shrimp was accompanied by the house made cocktail sauce which was also served along side my oysters, complete with horseradish on the side. But, darling, the shrimp was massive! It was succulent and sweet, a great taste to leave on your tongue and pallet at the end of the evening.
Visiting The Capital was short and sweet, but left us with enough to keep our eyes out on coming back. A patriotic feeling, with the backdrop of the White House and the Washington Monument, makes you feel good about your country. Like a big, “Hell Yeah!” The weather was perfect, although cloudy, it was the ideal temp to venture into the downtown core. What was a long walk, did not seem like such. If anything, we weren’t guilty at the end of dinner. For a city, I was surprised with the amount of open space, especially along the Ellipse, which was where we realized was the foreground to the most famous protests in history.
We ride back on the Metro, and I feel like I am being transported back into time, with it’s tangerine leather seats and matching carpet that runs from end to end of the car, it was like remnants of a 70’s airplane. 13 more stops to go, and our minds, hearts and stomachs are happy. Good night D.C. it was a pleasure. 