CarolJoynt.com

Are You In Need Of A Locksmith? In The DC Area? Now? And Friendly?

This morning I found myself suddenly in need a locksmith. The details aren't important because when you need your locks changed you need them changed and generally right this very minute. Only it was 9am and I had an important presentation at work at noon. 

That's how I met Udi Ma of DCLocksmith. That's Udi in the photo, standing by his car. Udi came to my assistance after being recommended by my next door neighbors, who had heard about him from other neighbors. Udi was at my house by 10:15 and I was at my office before noon. 

In between he efficiently went about changing the locks on all the doors while also telling me a little about himself. He is from Israel, where his family lives within miles of the Gaza Strip. He has lived here since '96, runs the business with his brother. He returns to Israel to visit his mom, but he considers Washington his home. He made the choice because he likes it here, not because of the missiles that land in the vicinity of his home and become, he said, "something you get used to."

If you need a locksmith who is in the DC area, shows up pretty damned fast, and is friendly, please call Udi at DCLocksmith. Save this number: 202-459-0994. Here's their reviews on Yelp. No surprise they have 5 stars. 

 

 

Meridian Health & Relaxation: A Restorative Georgetown Treasure

So, the Caribbean isn't happening for you this week, or maybe not this month, either. You feel a little tired and stressed -- two weeks of food, parties, fun. What to do? Try Meridian Health & Relaxation on Wisconsin Avenue just below Reservoir Road. Its a massage find -- whole body as well as foot reflexology. 

A thirty minute massage costs $25. 

I go often and haven't had a bad experience. I like that it's walk-in, affordable, and no fuss, and as few minutes or as many minutes as I want -- from 15 to an hour and on up, plus specific foot massage and reflexology. After years of stripped naked massage I find I don't mind clothing-on at all. Maybe that's because we're doing accupressure and working on muscle intersections. Whatever. It works.

The therapists all are Chinese and male. Some speak English well enough but it's not really essential. The fact of the mild language barrier adds to the tranquility of the place. There's not a lot of talking. There's recorded instrumental music playing, sometimes, but it's discreet. On a bright day, sunshine streams in the back windows. Hit the table and the world slips away.

It is open from 10am to 8pm every day of the week except Sunday, when it is open from noon to 6pm. They take credit cards. The patrons are from all over, all ages, equal numbers of men and women. 

This is one way to get through winter. 

Dan Rather At The Q&A Cafe: Watch It Now

 

True Confession

True confession: once upon a time my husband had the ceiling over my bathtub painted a trompe l'oeil of a bright blue sky and puffy clouds and flying among them the Concorde, hot air balloons, and our two dogs. It was fun, sweet and sentimental. But, wow, look at this ceiling of an elevator at the Katzen Art Center? No shade on that. 

The Occasional Self Portrait

This is one of the ways I'm my happiest. Hiding behind a camera. Another is in a kitchen, cooking. And yet a another is under sail ... to maybe nowhere. Being with friends, having a cocktail, telling stories, laughing out loud. Got a lot of that tonight, just shy of the being under sail. 

The Best DC Area Restaurant Meals of 2014 (photos)

I am reposting this from New York Social Diary. It is a wrap-up of memorable meals from the last year at restaurants in and around Washington. It was a challenge to keep the list to only 14, because there were so many good meals at so many good places during 2014. The full list is at the jump. 

When reviewing the last year through the lens of my budget, it is clear where the fun dollars went: eating out in restaurants old and new. And with good reason — the region continues its growth as a foodie’s paradise. More than any other indulgence — clothing, personal maintenance, entertainment, travel –— an interesting restaurant meal ranks first. Therefore, happily, and in no particular order, here’s a personal round up of memorable dining in 2014 in and near Washington.

The Inn at Little Washington stops time and serves pleasure.

• A night at The Inn at Little Washington. Year in and year out, The Inn is a Broadway show, an experience, a warm bath of excellence. It is a delight to watch chef/owner Patrick O’Connell find new peaks for his incredible talent. Patrick won’t rest on success nor settle for a new idea that’s less than fresh. He now offers three tasting menus. Try the “Enduring Classics” — it starts with a “Tin of Sin” — and the wine pairings. Let Patrick and his expert crew serve you. Gaze into the eyes of that lover across the table and enjoy the ride. You don’t go here to think. You go to slow time, to savor pleasure. Be sure to book a room, walk the pretty town, and do bring the black card. 309 Middle Street, Washington, VA 703-675-3800

• Saturday lunch at Baltimore’s Woodberry Kitchen, where a favorite menu choice is the amazing breakfast flatbread. Woodberry is worth the drive from Washington and, if you live in or near Baltimore, lucky you. The food is great, the décor is bright and appealing, and the service is efficient and smooth. After lunch, visit chef Spike Gjerde’s new Parts & Labor boucherie and also explore Fels Point. 2010 Clipper Park Road Baltimore, MD 410-464-8000

Breakfast flatbread at Woodberry Kitchen.

• 1789 in Georgetown for Thanksgiving. It is a venerable spot and the last bastion of the classic Washington repast, with a menu of classic items such as Nantucket Bay scallops, fried oysters, rockfish, short ribs and duck. Hugging the Georgetown University campus, it is a favorite spot for visiting parents, but it is also a good choice for a dinner when you want the luxury of quiet conversation. Also, white tablecloths, candlelight, and excellent martinis. The Pub Room is romantic and cozy, and the adjacent John Carroll Room has a fireplace. 1226 36th Street Northwest 202-965-1789

1789 Restaurant, an enduring favorite, and now more than ever for the chance to enjoy quiet conversation.

• Toki Underground lures me back again and again, for dinners as well as weekday and weekend lunches. All good. I’m a creature of habit here: the pork dumplings, fried chicken steamed buns, Toki Classic ramen, chocolate chip cookies and, always, a round of beers for the kitchen. It is a rock-and-roll, hipster, skateboard, Asian thrill ride and chef/owner Erik Bruner-Yang is as pleasant as he is creative and talented. Climb the dark stairs to a culinary good time. 1234 H Street Northeast 202-388-3086

All the seating at Toki is counter-style, including some with a view of the kitchen.

•  Daniel Boulud’s DBGB Kitchen + Bar is only months old and with each month it gets better and better. Daniel is a long-time friend, and I cheer and support him, but friendship has nothing to do with why I crave the seared duck breast, the creamy boudin blanc, the golden fried chicken, the steak tartare, the soups and the burgers, not to forget the glass-enclosed jazzy CityCenter vibe. For my Christmas Eve lunch with Lyndon Boozer, I had the juicy “Yankee” cheeseburger, which I’d been ogling on previous visits. New Year’s Resolution: entice 7 kindred spirits to gather for the feast that is called the “Whole Hog.” 931 H Street Northwest 202-695-7660

DGBG Kitchen + Bar.

The "Yankee" burger at DBGB.

• Mother’s Day lunch at Fiola Mare couldn’t have been better. A sunny day, overlooking the Potomac River, starting with the refreshing Spring Garden cocktail, followed by the spectacular seafood platter with oysters, clams, lobster, mussels, scallops, jellyfish salad, tuna tartare, Alaskan King Crab legs, and other raw and cooked delicacies. The iced platter is expensive at $75 for the small or $140 for the large, but it is a meal in itself. Start with the excellent Colors of the Garden salad. Their coconut sorbet is the perfect ending. It was also the ideal spot to dine and watch the July 4th fireworks. 3050 K Street Northwest 202-628-0065

Perched on the Potomac, with the Kennedy Center in the distance.

Sunny daytime at Fiola Mare. The big glass doors are pulled open to the breezes.

• Taqueria Nacional is a darling nook on T Street off 14th  that produces thoughtful, tasty and authentic Mexican. I order shrimp or carnitas tacos, occasionally toastados, and their fresh fruit drink of the day. The guacamole is just right. Also tempting on the menu, Heuvos Rancheros. Created by chef Ann Cashion, Taqueria seems to get it all right and, more good news, they also deliver! 1409 T Street Northwest 202-299-1122

Taqueria Nacional.

• Chez Billy Sud is a welcomed arrival in Georgetown. It’s new, it’s pretty, and it’s well run. I go often and have the Salade Verte and then switch between Moules Frites one visit and the Steak Frites the next, or go with the trout “Grenobloise.”  The Profiteroles are a popular dessert choice. But when they have chocolate sorbet, go for it — fudgesicle for adults. Note: We went to Chez Billy Sud the day after Christmas with family and our group quickly expanded from 6 to 8 plus two babies who needed high chairs. The staff were accommodating and cheerful and helped to make our meal relaxing and pleasurable. (Be sure to also try the original Chez Billy, in Petworth.) Chez Billy 3815 Georgia Avenue Northwest 202-506-2080 Chez Billy Sud 1039 31st Street Northwest 202-965-2606

Chez Billy Sud.

The day after Christmas, at Chez Billy Sud, graciously accommodating the whole family.

This is only some of the list. Read the full story, with more photos,  at NYSD: Best Washington Restaurants 2014.

Photos of Winter

DUMBARTON OAKS IN JANUARY

The photographer David Kennerly has created a photo challenge group on Facebook, and I'm happy to say he added me to the group. As I started to look in the archives for photos to post I was drawn to various images of winter. I've posted some on the group page but here is a larger selection. They were shot over the past several years using either a Canon Rebel, Sony Rx100 or various iterations of the iPhone. 

MONTROSE PARK SWINGS

BENCH, MONTROSE PARK

While there are a lot of chilly justifications for shooting only B&W winter photos, I like color photos of the cold, too. Here are some:

WISCONSIN AVENUE, SNOWMAGEDDON

CLYDE'S IN A BLIZZARD

IT'S COLD OUT HERE FOR A BIRD

DITTO

SNOW, GEORGETOWN WATERFRONT PARK

SNOWSTORM, 3AM