First Week: Wagshal's, Moby Dick's, Boston

The blog is changing. Instead of weekly dinner posts with Julia, I'll be using this medium to update and record what is going on for all of us. And, a new feature (!!!): short sermon summaries from National Presbyterian. Also, I am going to try and venture beyond the favorite restaurants. I realize that although I could eat the same thing every day for the rest of my life and be happy, it doesn't make for exciting blog posts or potential yelp reviews.

Tribe update
Steven had a major legal victory with "XXXsecretXXX" this past week--kudos after a year-long bloody battle! I had a normal week, highlights included a four-day streak at Wagshal's (some pics below) and Moby Dick's combo II (along with lots of inquiries about how Julia was doing). :) Julia went to Boston with the Green Engineering Scholars program over Labor Day weekend; she stayed in a "green" hostel downtown and visited the Museum of Science, MIT, Harvard, and Prudential Tower (to see skyline). Pics below from China Pearl and Max Brenner. Her first few classes were good and she sounds excited, busy, and engaged.

Sunday sermon summary
The sermon was titled, "Abraham: The Best Guide in the World." Dr. Renwick talked about how God spoke to Abraham in very clear ways and asked: How does God speak to me today? BBC Through the Bible, inspired by the Holy Spirit to guide us; Believers, fellowship and share to get feedback from likeminded about what God is doing in your life; Conscience, although influenced by the world around us, it should be shaped and reshaped by God and His word. When we tune into the "BBC"--ha ha, yes, pun intended--these come together for assurance that what we are hearing/sensing/understanding is from God.

Beef empanada

Seafood pasta salad

Pork ribs, seared tuna, stewed beef, mother-in-slaw

Berliner with cookies and cream ice cream and peanut butter crunch; gingerbread cookie

Columbus, OH: Union Cafe and Jeni's

This is our third trip to Columbus and we are feeling pretty comfortable with this town. We ate lunch at the Rusty Bucket (again--and didn't take pics). You could pick out the other parents/students from the crowd. The food was great. Friday night we ate at the Union Cafe and Jeni's for dessert. All delectable!

Steak and eggs--the steak was perfectly cooked to medium rare.

Chicken pad thai

Shrimp pad thai, extra spicy

Beet salad with tofu

Beet salad with shrimp

Successful OSU Move-in

Julia and proud parents.

Kudos to the Ohio State University for a smooth, well-organized move-in event! The longest line--which wasn't more than 20 minutes or so--was for picking up season football tickets. Everyone was friendly and helpful. Julia is so excited and we are too.

The main floor is organized by dorm room, where you check in and pick up parking pass.

Julia's #505

Mailboxes on the right.

Holiday Inn converted into dorm--own bathroom with plenty of room.

Mirror Lake at OSU

Long Island, Wagshals, and Pack Pile

Salmon, collard greens, brisket, and mother-in-slaw (LS)

This past weekend was just a taste of things to come...Julia was in New York and we were in DC. Next weekend we will be moving her into OSU and saying goodbye. However, I hope to use this blog as means to still share great meals and updates from Columbus, OH, and Washington, DC.

We went to Wagshals for dinner (again!). Julia and Chris went several places...but below are the pictures from iHOP.

BLT pasta (SS)

Deer! It safely crossed New Mexico

Omelet (JR)

Stuffed french toast

Eggs, bacon, hash browns

Julia with her newly acquired records from Chris

Cutie couple

Packing pile...not too much

"Chocolat" and OSU Puzzle

This past weekend--Julia's LAST weekend in DC--we watched the movie, "Chocolat," with Jonny Depp, Juliette Binoche, and Judi Dench (2000). A light drama based on the novel, Chocolat, tells the story of how a small chocolaterie changes the lives of the townspeople. The scenery of the French countryside is beautiful. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. We also completed the OSU puzzle--YAY! We separately sampled neighborhood favorites: Wagshals and Surfside. Julia made great progress on packing her clothes and other must-haves. I am not counting down the days...I am remaining in denial.

Our Birthday Bash!

We enjoyed a great dinner at Wagshal's and then bought our meat for the week! We are so glad they are in the neighborhood and wish them all the success possible. The food is really good and the meat is exceptional--reasonably priced too! By far, Steven and Julia's favorite was the Berliner. Wagshal's puts their own spin on this doughnut-like dessert by filling a sweet bun with gelato, your choice of a topping/filling (peanut butter, chocolate crunches, nuts), and then putting it in a panini press. A must try and worth a special trip. Steven was telling the server that it was better than anything he had in Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, London... Too funny--we obviously have not been to Berlin!

Delicatessen info: 3201 New Mexico Avenue, www.wagshals.com, 202-363-5698; M-F, 8am - 9pm; Sat., 9am - 8pm; Sun., 9am - 7pm.

Recommendations: Half-smoke with the works, hot bar for seared tuna, seafood pasta (tons of seafood!), make-your-own salads, and gelato bar for Berliner!

Julia's 18th Birthday!

Julia is an adult. WOW. On the first morning of adulthood, she was kidnapped by her fantastic friends and whisked off to Philadelphia for cheesesteaks and shopping. Upon her return, we opened presents--including a new OSU puzzle to work on.