DC.NYC 1

Washington, DC and New York City for eight days, unashamedly focused on gastronomy. Short and sweet. And savory, too.

Food mixes well with... politics. Why not? This is DC after all, where the bizarre seem to occur daily these days. So the first lunch is with an old friend David at Busboys and Poets, a unique community-minded restaurant chain named after a black busboy poet, which made its political stance well known recently.

Busboys and Poets: the flagship location at 14th and K. More than an eatery, it hosts events and more recently political rallies. The "Tribal Statement" seems appropriately dwarfing the TV coverage of an upcoming presidential speech.

Busboys and Poets: we are not here for food, but of the vast eclectic menu on offer, we order a mezze plate in appreciation of the Iraqi-Iranian owner couple.

It may be too early for cherry blossoms, but magnolias are in full bloom near the National Archive.

National Gallery of Arts: East Wing. I.M. Pei and Alexander Calder make the atrium look as contemporary as I remembered from the 80's. 

National Gallery of Arts: No lines. Free admission with an excellent audio guide thrown in for no charge. And a nice collection including this early Picasso group. Is this the most underrated museum in America?

National Gallery of Art: in celebration of ... the New Year? Tottenham Spurs?

National Gallery of Art: a conduit connecting East and West Wings - fancy!

Dinner is at PnP, no, not policies and procedures. Pineapples and Pearls has rapidly gained esteem as a luxurious version of the ever popular Rose's Luxury next door. I love the fact that everything is pre-paid here, including beverages, tax and tip.

Pineapples and Pearls, DC: a beet drink in a crooked cup. Nothing crooked about counter seats right in front of the kitchen, which for some reason were selling less fast than tables (but fast enough to be snatched within a few minutes of being available on line) - this probably wouldn't be the case at most restaurants in California or Asia. 

Pineapples and Pearls: snacks includes Perigord black truffle hoecake presented in the style of takoyaki on an anime plate. The server adds how much Chef Silverman admires Japanese cuisine. Who doesn't, among top chefs around the world?

Pineapples and Pearls: can't pass up this add-on. The potato "ice cream" ringed with ossetra caviar tastes as delicious as it sounds unusual. 

Pineapples and Pearls: charcoals are lit for the cheese course... in the lower right (blurred) is "persimmon butter."

Pineapples and Pearls: mignardise includes their version of fortune cookies. This dinner which also featured excellent versions of tortilla with Oaxacan white mole and a Middle Eastern lamb course, comes to an end..

On the metro back to the hotel, a military veteran comes aboard at the Capitol South station, possibly having attended the presidential speech at the Congress or a related event. I am glad we were at dinner and avoided the garbage.

Another day. Another lunch.

Sushi Taro: fne chirashi at probably the highest rated Japanese restaurant in DC

The Smithsonian area is ablaze with magnolias. Part of the "Castle" in view.

Freer Museum: closed for renovation but Winter Hazel is free to bloom!

Paper Bush blooming in front of Sackler Gallery. Through the Moon Gate seen again is the explosion of magnolias.

Sackler Gallery: multi-level "Monkeys Grasp for the Moon" chain. Will the moral of this story - reality is just an illusion - be used by current practitioners of alternative facts? 

Sacker Gallery: Special Exhibit of the Turquoise Mountain, an art organization in Afghanistan.

Le Diplomate: picked by my cousin Donny, a local resident, for our dinner. A large place packed with people, offering decent food. While I am taking this picture, a loud presidential motorcade zips by right in front of us on 14th St. So much for my daily attempt to avoid anything that has to so with my nemesis! I rather prefer running into Rick Steves! 

Another day starts with a metro ride to Bethesda, no, not to visit the NIH, but to have lunch at Community Restaurant and Lounge, which gained notoriety by offering a "Golden Shower Burger" during the inauguration week. Before I get too nostalgic about living here during residency in the 80's (Grosvenor is just two stops ahead of Bethesda on the red line), it is time to get off the metro. How efficient. 

Community Restaurant and Lounge, Bethesda: chicken and waffles for brunch, but we are not here primarily for food but yo psy homage to their political will.  An ironic image of "I am not a crook" Nixon.

Comet Ping Pong, Chevy Chase: the ground zero for Pizzagate! It's closed for lunch, but I had to come here, taking a 15 minute walk in the wind from the Tenleytown metro station, to personally investigate the Michael Flynn and Son accusation of Hillary's child trafficking. Verdict: erm, no! Thank God I did not get shot while snooping around!  

A coffee break at Corner Bakery Cafe: this company has contributed toward ending childhood hunger. At this location at National Press club, there are pictures of people like Helen Thomas, Dan Rather, Wolf Blitzer ... who have produced fake news!

Memorial to the 56 Cosigners of Declaration of Independence

It's always a delight to visit this monument but seems even more meaningful in these turbulent times. On the right wall, opposite the Gettysburg Address is his second inauguration address, which ends, "With malice toward none, with charity for all..."

A Korean tour group at the Korean War Memorial.

A brief visit to National African Art Museum

The sun sets in the Mall. Must be time for dinner.

This meal at Minibar by Jose Andres is going to be the highlight of our DC visit. I have developed admiration for not only his political stance but also the courage he has displayed for standing up for his belief despite possible impact on his business.  The warm welcome and the nice seating around the luxury counter bode well for the evening.

Minibar, DC: The set of amuse bouche announces the evening is gong to be very molecular! Apple hot toddy, and in the second row, pizza margherita (their version of course), shiso, and hibiscus.

Minibar, DC: Hokkaido uni ceviche presented within a hollowed out rambutan

Minibar, DC: molecular pasta carbonara (Unagi replaces bacon, and I can't even begin to describe the duck egg.)

Minibar, DC: every step of plating in most courses right in front of you makes this quite a unique place.

Minibar, DC: after a few sweets courses to finish the meal at the main counter, we are moved to the bar next door, "barmini." These pretty cotton candies were presented to birthday boys and girls in our group (we did get our own smaller version without a candle - discrimination! But by then everyone was giddy with the prior course which was a meringue that sublimates in the mouth producing smoke that comes out of the nostrils...)

Minibar, DC: last piece and another interactive example. Upon breaking the chocolate eggshell and opening the golden shell inside, even I, Lego-challenged, could assemble the chef quickly. 

We got to talk to the head chef Josh Hermias quite a bit, not just about food but his selection of the Rumi quote written on the wall. The boyish looking former economics major even gave us a recommendation for an Istanbul restaurant - while he may have a Turkish sounding last name, he is actually half-Filipino, and we share our appreciation for Istanbul.

We did see Jose through the window but did not get a chance to meet him. But I made sure the staff relayed my message that 1) we enjoyed the experience even more than at the molecular mecca of Mugaritz and 2) he has won new customers partly by speaking his conscience publicly.