Good evening! It’s been a while—here’s what I’ve been eating.
First off, since it was Spring Break this week, I went to San Francisco to hang out with Spencer “Kinky” Dean. I got deathly ill on the second day of the trip and was bedridden for a full 24 hours, during which time Spencer cooked me this vermicelli noodle soup. Although my senses were definitely dulled, I could still appreciate it. Great soup; even better nurse.
I also decided to write up the meal Spencer and I had at Cafe Zazie while in SF. Although I was technically half-catatonic during it, I have very pleasant recollections of the food. Read about this lovely French restaurant that doesn’t make people tip here.
Once I got back to DC, I hit up OKPB, my first DC speakeasy (why is this city so obsessed with boozy brunch and speakeasies?). It’s a really strange little place, and also stupidly hard to locate, but I think it’s a fine bar to go to if you want to impress someone by being in the know. Read about how to find the bar here.
Also, I’m trying to get a little more jazzy with my reviews, so I wrote up a review of Madams Organ, the best bar in Adams Morgan. In it, I share five vignettes about moments I’ve shared with strangers on various floors of the bar. (I’m heavily influenced here by are u coming?, of course.) If you are not my family member, you are welcome to read the somewhat-scandalous account here.
Other DC places I’ve frequented recently that haven’t gotten their own write-ups yet:
The Commodore, a friendly, nautically-themed pub on 17th St. I’ve been four times in the past few weeks. SUCH a good outdoor seating area for casual drinks with a large group. Also, the happy hour deal is something like $5 beer and wine from 4-7 every day of the week, which we love.
Peking Gourmet Inn out in Falls Church. Best Peking duck of all time. I’ve been coming here with my family since before I can remember, and we think it’s a riot to sit in the special Presidential corner with all the portraits of George Bush.
Finally, in non-food-related news, a flash fiction piece I wrote a while back just came out on a site called On the Run Fiction. The story is called “You Look Beautiful!” and it’s about a girl trying on bathing suits who has an unexpected visitor in her dressing room. It’s not my favorite thing I’ve ever written—it’s a little heavy-handed—but it’s also a very quick read, so there’s that. Here’s the link if you haven’t read it yet.
As you may have noticed, I’ve switched to Substack to send this newsletter out; but you can still access all my other food reviews at Do Not Disturb, Hannah is Eating, where they will still live permanently. Please consider leaving a comment or sending the newsletter to someone who might be interested using the epic new buttons that I put underneath this paragraph (the opportunities are ENDLESS on Substack), and have a lovely rest of your Sunday!
Love,
Hannah