November 2, 2025

Alexandria, VA

Hit the sack at 21:00 and managed to get some sleep until nearly 07:00. However, it wasn’t a good sleep. I wasn’t awake like last night, but I did toss & turn. Not sure why, just couldn’t seem to get comfortable enough to fallback asleep. Took a nice long shower, got cleaned up and headed out to Starbucks for my normal cappuccino and sausage, egg & cheddar sandwich. I sat in Starbucks and noticed there were very few people here. Much less for this time of day in San Carlos. With all the apartment buildings and homes around one would have thought there would be more traffic. Again, maybe it is a side effect of the government shutdown.

OinkedI finished my cappuccino and sandwich, I ordered a dark roast coffee for Mary, and headed back across the street to the hotel. I worked in the Judge’s biography for a couple hours while Mary pulled herself together. Just about noon we walk across the street to a restaurant called Recess. They had what looked like a nice brunch.

Mary had a Bloody Mary while I chose the classic Mimosa. Breakfast was an order of Millionaires bacon. Thick cut back cooled in maple syrup. It was very decadent. Mary ordered the Bruschetta & Ricotta Toast; whipped ricotta, tomatoes, onions, garic, and shredded basil with balsamic glaze on sourdough. Almost looks as good as it tasted.

I chose the traditional Eggs Benedict. The classic mix of poached eggs, English muffins, Canadian bacon and hollandaise sauce. It was served with little cubes of deep friend potatoes. It was also very good. Later on, the way out we learned there was a roof top area with semi-outside seating. Probably very nice in the summer months.

After brunch we walked to Arlene’s where we played two hands of Super Samba. It wasn’t as much fun because this time I lost both hands. Happily, I can say Arlene won them. Mary managed to beat me in both hands as well.

About 18:00 we too an Uber to a restaurant in Georgetown called 1789. 1789 Restaurant is housed in a beautifully preserved Federal-style townhouse built in the early 1800s. The name, 1789, comes from the landmark year when the U.S. Constitution was adopted and Georgetown University was founded. Once a private resident was transformed in the 1960s to 1789. The restaurant as earned a reputation as one of Georgetown’s premier dining establishments.

The location makes parking a challenge, i.e. part of the reason for the Uber. Doesn’t look any different than the other homes on the historic block, However, once inside you are welcomed by antique furnishings, a wood-burning fireplace and curated colonial-era artwork. The feeling is warm and intimate. One can imagine the Senators and Representatives having quite private intimate romantic dinners here.

Dinner was served to us at a table right in front of the fireplace. It was quite cozy. Mary ordered an appetizer of burrata and medjool dates. Basically, burrata served on a puree of the medjool dates, with pumpkin seeds and vin cotto. Here and Arlene shared this dish while I enjoyed a hot bowl and celeriac soup (parsnips, pomegranate seeds and cranberries). Both were very good.

Mary ordered the saffron-lemon risotto served with Tiger prawns, heads and all, chorizo fine herbs and bottarga. Arlene had the dover sole grenobloise (dover sole with brown butter and capers). I ordered the braised short ribs with polenta.

Just because I had to look it up, bottarga is cured fish roe (eggs), that has been salted, pressed and aged. Supposedly, it has a rich, savory, briny, and slightly bitter flavor. Somehow it compares to nuts or Parmesan cheese. Mary wasn’t sure she could actually taste it. Grenobloise sauce is the classic, tangy French sauce made primarily from browned butter (beurre noisette) capers, lemon (the juice and pieces), and fresh parsley.

After dinner we took an Uber back to Arlene’s. This time I learned how to order an Uber with two stops. The first stop was Arlene’s. I walked her to the door, and hen got back inside the Uber and headed to the hotel. It has been a fun day for everyone. We are looking forward to getting back to California and preparing for the trip to Antarctica in three weeks.

Buonanotte e Ciao,

Enrico e Maria