As I mentioned in a previous post, I was fortunate to dine at Komi before I departed for points south. I wasn’t planning on writing about it, as I was more concerned with spending quality time with my sis and her boyfriend than I was about formulating a restaurant review. Luckily, my sister’s boyfriend is far more dedicated to haute cuisine than I am, so he took gobs of pictures and drafted a pretty exhaustive recap.
I don’t agree with all of his assessments (those who know us will not be surprised by this), but here it is for those who may be interested. It was definitely one of the best meals I’ve ever had.
Ain’t it pretty? Can’t wait to start cooking in it, especially since I now have a shiny pink Kitchen-Aid mixer (a housewarming/birthday present from mom) and this lovely set of pots and pans. Soon, this little food blog won’t know what hit it…
As I enjoyed the company and the grub (fried oysters, grilled asparagus and corn, and blueberry pie, yum) at the Tackle Box last night, I realized how much DC has done to cultivate my love of all things culinary. Sure, I’ve always loved to eat, and I’ve been cooking at home since I was a teenager. But until I came to our nation’s capital, food was a necessity–though an enjoyable one–rather than a passion.
Here, I was faced with infinite dining possibilities, many of which presented quality and creativity beyond anything I had experienced previously. I was offered the freshest seasonal produce at area farmers’ markets, which made home cooking more exciting and varied. I was the closest I’d ever lived to New York City and other great food destinations, a geographic boon of which I should have taken greater advantage. Most importantly, though, DC introduced me to countless individuals whose love for food influenced and shaped my own.
Thanks to recommendations from other local diners, I feel like I’ve truly tasted all that DC has to give. I’ve eaten at amazing restaurants (and I have one more on my list–Komi, which I will enjoy before I leave), I’ve met some incredible chefs and restaurant owners, and I’ve really forged a bond with the city through its many delicious offerings and its welcoming and accessible culinary community.
When I move to Atlanta on Saturday, I will be sad to leave these individuals and businesses behind. However, I will bring with me everything that DC has taught me about food–that its beauty does not have to be complicated or pretentious, that it can make you laugh and cry in the same meal, that it is an important social and political issue, that it can forge lifelong friendships and intense arguments, and that, at the end of the day, it’s all about a connection between the people who create it and the people who enjoy it.
Thanks for the journey, DC–I’m a better cook, eater, and person because of it.
Miss Lemmonex tagged me, and, because I love her so, today you’re getting a meme! Thank her if you like it, blame her if you hate it. :-) This is going to be hard, since I have my “101 things” list already published on this site, but I should have enough neuroses to go around.
1) When I change the volume on the television set, it has to end up on an even number. I get really freaked out otherwise. This behavior simultaneously annoys and fascinates my roommates.
2) Here are the things I’m most looking forward to as I prepare to move to Atlanta: living closer to my folks, never being more than a few miles from Chick-fil-a, the Georgia Aquarium, greater grocery store variety, accessibility to live college football, cooking in my parents’ HUGE kitchen, reuniting with wonderful old friends, warmer weather, bring driving distance to Charleston and Savannah, and having the space to get a dog.
3) Here are the things I’m least looking forward to: driving (and paying for gas and car insurance), living so far away from my sister (though she’s moving to San Fran, so that’s her fault), living so far away from New York, not being able to buy beer on Sundays, leaving my amazing DC friends, not having as many farmers market options, not having as vibrant of a restaurant/foodie community (though I don’t think it’s as lackluster as people claim), and the anxiety of starting a new job.
4) Speaking of my new job, while I am anxious and have a lot to learn, I am really looking forward to the challenge. In a nutshell, I’ll be helping severely disabled veterans (for example, those who are in wheelchairs or who have lost limbs) obtain grant funds to adapt their homes. I can’t imagine a more rewarding position, though I will probably have to invest in the Kleenex corporation due to the amount of crying I will do on the way home from work every day.
5) I met my boyfriend on Craigslist. We’ve been together going on three years.
6) I enjoy really bitter, hoppy beers and dry, acidic wines, but I like my coffee and tea insanely sweet.
7) I’ve decided to take the Georgia bar exam in February 2009, even though a) my job does not require it, b) I’m already licensed in Maryland and DC, and c) it will be incredibly costly and unpleasant. My boyfriend will be taking it then as well, so I decided it would be great if we could serve as each other’s support system. Plus, it never hurts to have something like that as a “just in case,” ya know?
Back to the food soon, y’all…have a great Monday!
