The Other CIA

A wedding over July 4th weekend in Poughkeepsie, NY was the perfect excuse to visit the other CIA--the Culinary Institute of America. Walking around the campus, you could quickly tell that these people were serious about food. The streets were named things like "Thyme Terrace" and there were even flags every few feet declaring that "Food is Life." No argument here. We ate dinner at American Bounty, one of the CIA's three upscale restaurants. The students work as the waitstaff, hostesses, and chefs, and they encourage diners to speak with them about their program and experiences. It was fascinating learning about the business side of menu development and the sorts of things that students need to be familiar with, such as wine pairing. The food itself was definitely the highlight. We had crab cakes and pork bellies as our appetizers, main courses were rabbit (mine--slightly too salty) and asparagus risotto topped with a poached egg (hubby's--perfect). We finished off with a strawberry shortcake dessert. Everything--from the wine down to the breadbasket--was extremely well thought out. Ah, if only I could re-do my education!

Food Tour of Old Town Alexandria

Hubby and I have discovered a new favorite family outing: food-themed walking tours. He went on one in NYC as part of his bachelor party, and last weekend we took a stroll through Old Town Alexandria, VA. There is a lot of history in Alexandria--we learned about the city's founding before the Revolutionary War and saw the spot where George Washington first announced his intention to become President. We also saw the artsy Torpedo Factory and strolled along the Potomac River waterfront. Of course all of that was very exciting...but the food is what made for a fantastic afternoon.

We started off at Bilbao Baggins (the tour guide asked if there were any Lord of the Rings fans in the group; I demurred). My prejudices regarding the name and hobbit-esque decor aside, we enjoyed a yummy portobella mushroom cap stuffed with brie and topped with basil pesto and a sun-dried tomato tapenade as an appetizer here.

Our next stop was the Union Street Public House. I had been here once years ago for happy hour. It's a renovated colonial warehouse with a true pub feel, complete with dark wood and mirrors everywhere. We had fried oysters--USPH's specialty and what the local sailors would have eaten centuries ago. Though in the olden days they didn't bother frying them, they just ate them fresh on the half shell. The tour guide said that isn't usually a crowd pleaser on today's food tours, but I wouldn't have minded! We also had gazpacho and smoked chicken salad on marbled rye bread. The perfect lunch on a hot summer day.

Then we headed to Columbia Firehouse, a converted firehouse that is now a trendy, bistro-style eatery. We sat in the bright, glassed-enclosed alleyway, which was an innovative and attractive use of space. The food here was amazing--we had seared diver scallops with couscous risotto, oven-dried tomatoes, and arugula pesto. The couscous risotto was similar to a mac n' cheese. Yum. I am such a sucker for the high-end comfort food movement.

Finally, we ended up at Old Town Coffee Tea and Spice for some raspberry iced tea and jellycake, the official dessert of Alexandria, which consists of layers of pound cake separated by layers of raspberry preserves and topped with confectioners sugar. Apparently the Queen of England requests jellycake on her visits to the U.S., though it seems straightforward enough to make at home. Quite tasty, regardless. Old Town Coffee Tea and Spice is an eclectic little shop mainly geared to tea/cat lovers, and it resembles a thrift store with piles of mismatched stock (teacups, tea towels, message tees with tea-themed sayings) in addition to tea, coffee, and spices sold by weight.

Armed with such a solid gastronomic foundation, we are looking forward to doing more exploring in Old Town--we've spent surprisingly little time there given its proximity. And we've already booked food tours on some upcoming trips. Here's to eating well!

Key West: The Conch Republic

Out for a sail on a catamaran where wild dolphins chased the boat.

Hemingway House. He lived here from 1930-1939. Cool guy.

Electric cars are a preferred mode of transport around the island, but you really only need your feet.

Sunset at Mallory Square.

We celebrated Hubby's 30th birthday in Key West. The island manages to be eccentric and funky while at the same time incredibly relaxing. Most inhabitants are transplants who traded life on the mainland for a chill, rat-race free existence. By the end of the trip, I realized they were onto something! Already looking forward to our next visit.

Caragena, Colombia

We went down to Cartagena, Colombia to attend a wedding. I wasn't sure what to expect from the city, but it was fantastic--a former colonial fort straight out of "Pirates of the Caribbean" with high surrounding walls, winding streets, and well-preserved architecture, thanks to its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We spent most of our time just strolling through the picturesque Old City, snapping photos of the brightly colored buildings and bougainvillea-filled balconies. The trip was also a great opportunity to practice our Spanish as English-speakers were few and far-between, perhaps a legacy from the drug wars of the 1980s when Colombia was a no-go for American tourists.

Cruising Mexico's Caribbean Coast

Ok, so I discovered on this trip that cruising isn't exactly my style. But I loved the sights, colors and people of Mexico as much as I did on my last visit in 2007. The "Mayan Riviera," including the ruins at Chacchoben, was fantastic and the beautiful blue Caribbean water will keep me coming back, though probably by air next time.

Kodachrome Gypsy Book Club - Best Reads of 2010

At the end of 2010, I realized that I did not keep up my usual reading pace this year. Another casualty of my new job, along with the significant segment of my wardrobe that I cannot currently button. But here are a few noteworthy selections from the past year:

The Help (Stockett) - This fictional account of black housemaids and their white employers takes place in Alabama during 1960s, but seems like it could be a century earlier. The dialogue evokes the black women's voices and manner of speaking--for which the white author has been criticized. Very thought-provoking with interesting insights into race relations, along with a compelling plot and excellent character development.

Little Bee (Cleave) - The story of a Nigerian refugee who comes to Britain and inserts herself into the troubled lives of a married couple she met on a beach in her homeland. Lots of plot twists and turns.

Half-Broke Horses (Walls) - I didn't like it as much as Walls' earlier book, The Glass Castle, but this is another non-fiction account of her unusual but endearing family. Tells the story of her grandmother--a strong-willed woman ahead of her time--coming of age in the American West. Features Walls' signature evocative writing and irresistible characters.

How Did You Get This Number (Crosley) - Another collection of essays by Sloane Crosley (I Was Told There'd Be Cake). These pick up where the last book left off, reflecting on life as a late-20-something, including musings on self-discovery, failed romances, and the transition to adulthood. A delightful travel read (this time in Paris).

Afghanistan

Afghanistan was starkly beautiful--even with my little point-and-shoot camera, I was able to get some stunning shots. Very cool.