The beautiful and yummy things I got to eat in Washington DC.

bourbon bakery in arlington virginia

salmon eggs benedict and waffle with fruit at dupont bar

salmon hash at kafe leupold

8 oz waygu steak at bourbon steak in four seasons hotel

butternut squash ravioli, fried chicken, and many others at founding farmers

mack burger with bone marrow at ray’s to the third

Prisoner 2011. Need I say more?

tacos late at night at el centro omg

chips and salsa at el centro

dean & deluca pastries

dean & deluca

half smoked dog at ben’s chili bowl

ben’s chili bowl

thai coconut mussels at brasserie beck

oysters for reverse happy hour at old ebbitt grill

oyster po boy sandwich from hank’s oyster bar

bbq oysters from hank’s oyster bar

charbroiled oysters from seaside in eden center

parmesan trout at old ebbitt grill

On Thursday and Friday, we set out to see as much of the sites outside as possible since it was sunny out. We knew that Saturday and Sunday would be rainy and cold, so we walked as much of the Mall as possible. I was quite impressed with us walking the whole rectangle of the Mall, visiting the Washington Monument first [we couldn’t get in from the reconstruction still going on], the whole length of the Reflecting Pool, to the Lincoln Memorial. We sat on the steps for awhile, soaking in the beauty of the Capitol [and taking a rest stop from all that walking!].

It was so hot by the time we got to the bottom of Lincoln Memorial. I was peeling off layers and sweating up a storm when we took this picture! I got someone standing nearby to take the pics of us, and my friends helped take pics of me at the Vietnam Memorial.

these awesome bikes are for rent all over the city

hanging out at the Lincoln Memorial steps

Vietnam Memorial

World War II Memorial is beautiful

The Korean War Memorial

the geese of the National Mall

in front of the Smithsonian Institute

 washington monument. I had to do something different.

 love this beautiful couple

 Walked right by the American Bar Association…which reminds me that dues are coming up. =(

 Lincoln Memorial at night is my favorite

I finally got tickets to see the US Capitol. We did the tour inside, and then went to the East side of the Capitol to take some pictures. Because it was so cold, coupled with President’s day holiday, there were barely any people in front. I took advantage of the space, made a makeshift tripod from my gloves, and set up the self timer.

You are allowed to take as many pictures as you want, and they are likely to land on you as well. I think my jacket was too neutral a color, because none landed on me. I was a little bummed, but I did get some great shots on Macro feature.

This is Darwin’s Orchids exhibit. Although small, the orchids are absolutely stunning, and the aroma of the flowers permeate through the bottom floor of the museum.

Coming here at night was the best. The Great Emancipator shines in the night and he is so peaceful. I was overwhelmed looking up at him. This is my favorite memorial by far.

The night time takes a different perspective of the Reflecting Pool. It seems more regal and mysterious to me, and I love the graininess in this pic. The obelisk here, with the dark night and graininess, looks like a scene from a sci fi movie.

After a wonderful steak dinner at Sonoma, one of the nice restaurants on the Senate side of the Capitol, I had to cab here for this pic. I wished the pic captures the luminiscence of Abe better to contrast against my dress, but it was freezing so this the best I got. Photoshoppers, take a stab at it if the lighting bothers so you much. ^_^

We saw the Obama girls in the front lawn playing, but that was it. They require you to reserve a tour at least a month in advance so seeing the area where Jack Bauer saved the president didn’t happen. Booo.

This pic cracks me up. It was a really long walk from the Capitol to the Washington Monument, and I stopped to amuse myself with stupid pictures quite often. My friend was taking a pic of the Capitol, and I randomly jumped in. Thank god for wide angle lens.

I really wanted to tour the Library, but I was too fascinated with the Jefferson Library and forgot the time. I wanted to find my dad’s thesis here, and asked the librarian, but she was unable to find it. =(

it was a little chilly in the morning, so i wrapped my light indian scarf around my neck and tucked it inside my evelyn sweater. i love the pairing of the colors.