Restaurant Review: Social

Everyone’s been talking blogging about Social, the new restaurant/bar in Columbia Heights, so I thought, ‘why not, I’ll join in.’  I was more than excited when I first heard a new place was coming in just around the corner from my house.  It was going to be my new hang out, my Cheers, if you will, but then it opened.

I didn’t make it the first weekend, so I was able to read a few reviews before going earlier this week.  The more I read, the more disappointed I became.  People didn’t seem to care too much for it, and I would have to agree.  They have this interesting “living room” theme going on.  While many people didn’t like it, I kind of got it.  Walking in, it felt comfortable, calm, and relaxing.  I was kind of digging it until I sat down.  Downstairs, instead of seats, they have these big ottoman looking things for you to sit on.  You shared it with the person in the table behind you, making it a little awkward to spread out.  After about 15 minutes my back started to hurt, and I became uncomfortable, making the comfy living room feel vanish.

We ordered a few drinks, I had a glass of wine and Roommate had a beer.  I asked a question about one of the wines, but the waiter had no idea how to answer.  The wine list wasn’t bad, but the beers were lacking.  They had a few solid choices, but nothing on draft.

Then we ordered an appetizer.  They have three sizes of everything.  I asked the waiter what the difference was for the crab cakes sliders.  His answer was, “I’m not really sure, I just know the larger sizes you get more crab cakes.”  While I’m sure that is true, it didn’t really help me out.  We ended up getting the small and it turned out to be 3 sliders, which worked well for us.  They were fine, nothing to write home about.

Before leaving, I asked the waiter about a happy hour.  He said they have one, but didn’t know the times or what the special was.  I know it must be hard your first week open, but they have had ample time to teach the waitstaff about the restaurant and the menu.  In my opinion, that is borderline inexcusable.

If it wasn’t in my neighborhood, I doubt I would ever go back.  But since I’m happy that new places like this are opening in Columbia Heights, I’ll have to try it some night for a real dinner.  I’ll just give them some time to pull it together.

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Don’t let another vacation be ruined!

Oh Ted…

“And this is the cause of my life — new hope that we will break the old gridlock and guarantee that every American — north, south, east, west, young, old — will have decent, quality health care as a fundamental right and not a privilege.” – Sen. Ted Kennedy (Denver DNC, 2008)

Yes we can, and yes we will.

What do they really want to fail, Health Care Plan or Obama?

Lies, I’m so tired of them.  When I first heard that people were protesting the health care plan, I thought to myself, “oh good, now they can’t get mad when we protest their wars.”  I’m a firm believer in debate, I think it is wonderful to question your government, I completely understand concern about the Democrat’s ‘Health Insurance’ proposals, but I will not stand for hate, bigotry, and lies.

All over the news you can watch the opposition stand up in town hall meetings, crying, shaking, and yelling.  They are so upset about this proposal, but nearly everything they say is based on a lie!  It is NOT universal health care, it is NOT based on the Canadian or European system, you will NOT lose the coverage you already have, you will NOT be paying for abortions, you will NOT be paying for illegal immigrants, you will NOT need your treatment approved, you will NOT lose your choice of doctors, and you will NOT be asked to pull the plug when you are dying.  If only Americans did a little research before damning their senators to hell, maybe we could have a real debate.

The debate has gotten so out of control, that people are spray painting swastikas on senator’s offices and creating images of the White House flying Nazi flags.  Last I heard, the Nazi Health Care plan involved mass genocide of entire races and ethnicities.  I can confidently say, that is nowhere written in the Democrat’s proposal.  This has turned into less a debate on health care, and more a way for the far right to destroy OUR President.

If it was considered unpatriotic to speak out against Bush’s war to ‘fight the terrorists’ that would ‘kill American’s’, how is it now considered patriotic to speak out against the millions of Americans that are uninsured and dying because they can’t afford proper treatment?

Obama a Bud Man?

I thought there was enough commentary about the Gates v Crowley debacle last week, and I didn’t think that anyone really knew enough about it to write about it myself. But today’s report that the two of them were actually going to sit down with Obama seemed too good to pass up.

I could write about how crazy it is that Obama is involved in this incident to begin with, or how twisted it may be that people are taking sides on what seems to just be a huge misunderstanding, but I’ll spare you.  Instead I’m going to address how lame it is that Obama chose Budwiser as his  beer!  It may be the safe bet, ‘America’s Beer’ or the ‘beer of the people,’ but really?  When did the President start drinking like a frat boy?  More importantly, doesn’t he remember that Anheuser-Busch was purchased by the non-American owned InBev?

This seems like the perfect opportunity to relate to those liberal, beer loving supporters, like me and find some micro-brew located in a swing state.   Even better, what about a DC area Flying Dog or Starr Hill?  Local appeal, minimal impact on the environment, supporting a small business, hand crafted, and WAY more delicious.

The bottom line is that if there is one thing that I can count on with Obama, it is that he will be cool.  Obama, Budwiser isn’t cool.  You may wish to rethink.

Running Northwest

Roommate and I have decided to take on a new blog dedicated solely to marathoning and running in the district.  We are calling it “Running Northwest” as it will chronicle the pains and triumphs of training through Northwest, DC.

Don’t worry, I’m in no way giving up The Hay Say, but I wanted to keep this site from becoming my running blog.  Running Northwest will be a completely joint effort between Roommate and Myself.

I hope that you will check it out and follow along as we approach 26.2.

http://www.runningnorthwest.blogspot.com

Rockville Twilight

Rockville Twilight 8k Course Map

I don’t get out to organized races very often.  In fact this is the first one I’ve run in several years.  But as part of the marathon training, Roommate and I are trying to get out to as many as we can.  Race #1 came last Saturday at the Rockville Twilight 8k Runfest.  We had heard of horrible humidity and tough racing conditions, but this year couldn’t have been better.  With clear skies and about 75 degrees, it was a perfect evening to lace up our Asics and hit the road.

I was really impressed with the organization of the race, and all the excitement surrounding it.  About 2000 people showed up in ready to run.  There were people cheering at nearly every corner, families out in their front yards, a guy dressed up in a banana suit, and even a jazz band that popped up a few times.  The course itself showed us a few hills, keeping the runners challenged and reminding them to push themselves.  I was lucky enough to have a pretty large crowd armed with cowbells, making it impossible to miss them even in the dark.

The post race festivities were just as good as the race itself.  With registration came 4 free beers and band.  My group closed down the party, sticking around until after the stage was torn down and the lights off.  It was a great night, making me excited about the many races to come.

This weekend brings the Crystal City Twilight 5k.  They have big Twilight shoes to fill, let’s see how it goes.

The Happiest Place on Earth

Green (most happy), Blue, Purple, Orange, Red (least happy)

When someone says, “I just got back from the happiest place on Earth,”  what usually comes to mind is a sweet dream about candyland or Disney World.  Maybe not anymore.  According to the New Economics Foundation, a British independent “think-and-do” tank, Costa Rica turns out to be this planet’s nirvana.  The Happy Planet Index measure not the value of a country in dollar amounts, but rather the greater well being, happiness, and healthiness of the country.  In addition it measures the sustainable development footprint, which will improve the lives in the future.

This challenges the thought that countries with higher GDPs and HDIs live happier lives, as the study doesn’t even take those measures into account.  In a world where we think of development as a form of government, pumping money into projects, and driving fancy cars, this has to make you think.  Central America pretty much swept the top.  Following Costa Rica in happiness was the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Guatemala and Vietnam.   Out of the 143 countries in the study, the US ranked a pitiful 114.  That may come as no surprise considering 1 in 10 women in the U.S. are on antidepressants, with men just slightly behind.  On top of that, our sustainability footprint is one of the worst in the world, bringing down our grade for the future.

Developed nations are so quick to judge our less developed neighbors, and seem to have all the right answers for them.  We tell them how to run their countries, plant their crops, build their homes and drive their cars.  We tell them where money should go and who shouldn’t have any.  We support military coups and fund military operations.  We teach their children that our way is the right way.  But the right way to what?  Hot water and clean cloths?  Maybe it is.  Happiness?  Probably not.

I think this just goes to show that we too have a lot to learn.  The ‘Pura Vida‘ lifestyle seems to be working, what is holding us back from embracing it?  Or maybe we just need monkeys, beautiful beaches and tasty food.

They Won! Twice!

Adam Dunn after his 300th Home Run

I feel like I’m one of the lucky Nationals fan who has actually seen them win, at home, at the stadium.  I’ve tried to go to as many games this year that I can, but I have yet to see them win.  I have to tell you, watching a winning game is much more enjoyable than another loss.  To have the crowd on their feet for the last out is a great feeling.

This weekend brought two out of three victories over the Braves.  In addition, Dunn crushed his 300th homer on Saturday.  All in all a great weekend for the worst team in the MLB.

Because I’m Not Too Cool: Medieval Times

Medieval Times

Because I’m Not Too Cool is a new series about things that some people might think they are just too cool to do, when in fact, when done, turn out to be some of the best things ever.

I know what you are thinking, because well, I thought it too.  Before committing to this adventure, I thought Medieval Times would be the last place you’d catch me on a Saturday night.  It is expensive, it is kind of weird, and it is for kids, right?  Well, partially.  It is definitely expensive, it could be considered weird, but I think I had a better time than any kid there.  We found some discounted tickets, a good crew, and a reason to go.  Kareem’s life long dream of becoming a knight was about to come a birthday reality.

They have a pretty brilliant business plan.  They force you to get there early, in order to get the best seats, and trap you in while selling you anything from handmade swords to overpriced knight paperweights.  While we didn’t get any souvenirs, the bar certainly made a few of our bucks.  After all, what better way to celebrate the knighting of Sir Kareem than a Medieval Margarita, served in a killer commemorative chalice?

The feast turned out to actually be one fit for kings.  Everyone was fed soup, half a chicken, ribs, potatoes and dessert.  All of it surprisingly well seasoned and tasty, and all served without utensils.

But the food was nothing compared to the show.  I think it probably helped that our view was slightly blurred with vodka, but man was it exciting.  Each section is given a Knight to cheer for.  We had the Black and White Knight.  Our crew cheered on his successes and moaned when he was struck.  We booed his opponents, and were on our feet when he was victorious.  It felt a little like I imagine a kid feels like when he/she goes to their first sporting event.  They didn’t care who won before arriving, but would be devastated when the team they started cheering for lost. Thank God we won, because I don’t know what I would have done had we been defeated.

It really was a hilarious night.  When you are surrounded by 200 other people (some of them actually Medieval buffs, others just as hesitant as you), it is hard to not let lose and have a great time.  A true Knight (get it?) to remember.