Casbah Cafe

Tonight we enjoyed Casbah Cafe. Classic Mediterranean flavors…Steven enjoyed the lamb and beef gyro; Julia and I both ordered the chicken shawarma. Yummy hummus, tabbouleh, and tons of fresh pita bread.

Julia is still considering U. of Wisconsin--although there are no direct flights to Madison. The deadline is next Saturday. We've decided to visit OSU in Columbus, OH, over president's weekend. The amount of mail from OSU, NCSU, NU, Villanova, and Penn State is overwhelming.

Recommendation: Gyro or shawarma

Restaurant info: 1721 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20007, 202 342 3854

Pho Viet & Grille: Taste of Vietnam

Open since August 2013, Pho Viet & Grille is a welcome addition to Georgetown. Everything we had was delicious. The atmosphere is cozy and trendy; the service is friendly and quick! We would definitely go back and happily grabbed the take-out menu on our way out the door.  Tonight we recapped the plan for applications… just one more, University of Wisconsin. We are on pins and needles waiting for Penn State. And speaking of Penn State, CONGRATULATIONS, Chris on your acceptance!

Happy early birthday to Steven… turning 45 on Monday.  :)

Recommendations: See plates below!

Restaurant info: 1639 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington, DC 20007, 202-333-0009, www.PhoVietGrilleDC.com

Egg rolls with fish sauce (two rolls missing from pic)

Fried tofu with Sriracha and hoisin sauce

Salad with grilled pork

Grilled salmon with  with mixed vegetables

Lump crab meat, fried rice with eggs and onions, topped with shredded chicken

Shrimp and beef fried noodles with mixed vegetables

Quarantined with Rocklands

Family pic at the Kennedy Center 

No, we do not get tired of Rocklands. I tried the beef ribs this time and they were huge and delicious.

This week we were a bit under the weather, fighting bronchitis, ear infections, and sinusitis. However, a visit from my mom, take-out from Rocklands, and watching the movie, White Christmas, was enough to suspend unwellness for a few hours. Special thanks to Meme for risking her health to join us!

Julia got accepted into Northeastern! Boston is her favorite city, so this is very good news for her. The plot thickens. We're still waiting on Penn State and she is considering adding a few more to the list: University of Wisconsin - Madison, Northwestern, and University of Illinois. Carnegie is a no-go and U. of Michigan is deferred. Ohio, NC State, Villanova, and Northeastern have all sent welcome packages with plenty of checklists and pressure to commit! Julia's handling it like a trooper.

Here's to more dinners (and a healthy family) in 2014!