Presentation, GT Cupcakes, and Al Dente

This grown-up freshman sent me a shot before her engineering presentation (and before changing her shoes:). She has two more mid-terms this week. Classes are going well and we can't wait to see her on Friday! We sent her a surprise Trick or Treat dozen from Georgetown Cupcake--1 Vanilla Bat cupcake, 1 Pumpkin Spice with “Spooky Tree” fondant, 1 Chocolate Ghost cupcake, 1 Chocolate Salted Caramel with “Jacko-Lantern” fondant, 1 Lava Fudge with “TRICK OR TREAT” fondant, 1 Chocolate Spider Web cupcake, 1 Red Velvet with “BOO!” fondant, 1 Vanilla Spider cupcake, 1 Chocolate Squared stuffed inside with green buttercream with “Green Ghost” fondant, 1 Pumpkin Cheesecake with “Black Cat” fondant, 1 Chocolate Cubed with “Haunted House” fondant, and 1 Peanut Butter Fudge with “Witch” fondant. Rave reviews from OSU students--thank you Georgetown Cupcake!!

Saturday, Steven and I went to see "Gone Girl." We both read the book and liked it--and surprisingly, we really enjoyed the movie version as well. Sunday, we went to Al Dente, which is conveniently located next to our favorite butcher, Wagshals. Al Dente served the best grilled octopus we have ever had--great smokey flavor, perfect texture, and complemented well with olives, fennel, and orange sections. Steven ordered their meatballs and wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza (looks boring, but he enjoyed it with the meatballs and no cheese). I had a salad with delicious anchovies and poached egg. 

Restaurant info: Al Dente Ristorante, 3201 New Mexico Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016, 202-244-2223, www.aldentedc.com. 

Bodega: Spanish Tapas & Lounge

Bodega is located smack in the middle of Georgetown; however, at 5:30pm we were seated immediately and our food came quickly. Everything we ordered was delicious. The atmosphere screams Spain and we sat in the bright bay window (otherwise, the rest of the restaurant is quite dark).

Tonight we talked about the college essays. Yay--the common application essay is finished and Julia has her personal statement written. NCSU's earliest deadline is October 15 and she's going to make it, no problem. 

Recommendation: Steven recommends the Spanish Tortilla. Julia and I couldn't pick favorites--it was that good.   

Restaurant Info:

Phone: (202) 333-4733
Fax: (202) 333-4909
E-Mail: info@bodegadc.com
Address: 3116 M St NW
Washington, DC 2007, USA
Web Site: www.bodegadc.com

Brocheta de Pollo al Ajillo con Salsa Picante de Pimiento
(Grilled Chicken Skewer Served With A Spicy Pepper Emulsion Sauce)

Brocheta de Solomillo de Ternera
(Beef Tenderloin Skewer With Red & Green Peppers, Onions, And Cherry Tomatoes) 

Pulpo a la Plancha
(Seared Octopus with Potatoes and Smoked Paprika) 

Salmón con Aceitunas y Alcaparras 
(Salmon With Olives, Capers & Shallots )

Tortilla de Patata con Chorizo y Jamón Serrano
(Spanish Tortilla with Chorizo, Topped with Ham)

Judías Verdes Finas Salteadas con Almendras
(French Green Beans with Almonds) 

Chandelier above our table.

From our table, looking at the bar.