Free Burrito Day

Don't forget ya'll:

The question is should I dress up like a burrito tomorrow in order to get a freebie at Chipotle? I believe the answer is “yes” and you should as well! Call ahead to make sure you’re location is participating, but most restaurants will give you a free burrito if you show up after 5 or 6pm wrapped in tin foil. Technically you can dress up as a burrito, taco, bowl or salad and I’m seriously doubting that your costume has to be all that elaborate. I’ll probably just cover my face in tin foil, poke a few eye holes, and then enjoy my tasty freebie for dinner.

Copa Gets Their Grub On

It’s that time again….DC Restaurant week! And who would we be to miss this August (and January) celebration of cheep eats from DC’s top restaurants.

For this week’s gastronomical experience we finally made reservations for the oh-so posh and modern PS 7’s located just blocks form Gallery Place and steps from the Copa fav…Acadiana.

Often restaurants will provide a special pre-fix menu for Restaurant week and PS 7’s followed suit. As much as we try to mix our selections, Katie, Linds and I had almost identical orders this go-around.

I ordered for the appetizer Ale Poached mussels featuring Prince Edward Island mussels with rustic bread, rosemary, ale, and a mustard broth, which turned out to be as generous a buttery helping as the description.

But before the appetizers were simultaneously served, we had not one, but two helpings of the light rosemary and cottage cheese rolls.

By the time my perfectly sautéed sea scallops over golden Yukon potatoes arrived, we had fallen madly in love with our waiter, Maurice aka “Mo.” (“Why settle for less when you can always have Mo.”)

When making our wine selection (from a very short list of overpriced, disappointing offerings) he suggested, “the more you drink, the better I look; by the end of the night I’ll look like Denzel Washington.”

But as if to compensate for the wine list, my beignets (French churro) resting on a chocolate and raspberry jam garnished plate sent me into foodie heaven.

Overall – amazing meal, poor wine, great service, even for a 9pm reservation!

This is no taco shop! For Katie's birthday we took her to Oyamel, rated very highly on the Washingtonian's 100 best restaurants. Among katie's fan club is my foodie soul mate, Jordyn, who is about as adventurous in eating as I am so we sailed through the menu.

Done in tapas style we ordered the chef's recommendations for the evening. This included the Ceviche de cayo (sea scallops) with citrus dressing, Ensalsa de Chayote (mexican squash), Albondigas enchipotladas con queso doble crema (chipotle meatballs), Nopal asasdo con salsa molcajete (cactus paddles in green salsa), and Lengua quisada (cow tongue tacos). The stand out for the evening (aside from the foregone conclusive guacamole) had to be the cactus. The mole was perfectly smokey and addicting. There may or may not have even been a few licks to the plate!

After a few mango margaritas we were proudly proclaiming this our new favorite restaurant.

Celebrating Independence

The ladies of Chez Copa hit the old dusty trail last weekend to celebrate Independence Day in North Carolina with Katie's Sis! Not only can I cross off another state from my to visit pile, but we had a blast!

Day One:

Jamming along to the PURE GOLD play list linds assembled we made it to Cape Cartaret in record time! Spread out in the back seat of Lucy (yes my foot was elevated Jerry) I was appointed ambassador of the road. Like a kindergartner in a station wagon I waved at everyone who made eye contact!

Pulling up to the gorgeous house I was greeted by the other gimp (Katie's Dad) and we hobbled the rest of the weekend in unison!

Day two:
After stuffing ourselves with All-American Grub including Jeff's world famous b-b-q (ok maybe not WORLD famous but it was pretty good) we headed onto Emerald Isle to secure our fireworks viewing spot. A co-worker of Jeff's lives practically on shore. But nothing is every a straight shot with chez-copa.

When we arrived, we noticed a few things out of place, like the 5 police suvs parked outside the house. Pulling up in our 4x dodge ram complete with beer cooler in the bed, the officers were so gracious as to leave their search of the property and properly greet us by encircling the truck while the neighbors laughed from their porch.

Probably not the most natural reaction but while Linds froze, Katie giggled anticipating a hoax. My first response was to speak to the PIO and find out if there was a story. The backpack reporter on the scene beat me to it.

Just as our host emerged from an adjacent home, we were released and made our way up to continue our own investigation of the scene.

Not wanting to be left out, we all actively participated in the the police search. For example, during a later arrest of the perpetrator, his drivers licence fell out of his car. While Katie eagerly snapped shots ( for later reporting purposes of course), we called down from the house to the officer. Just think, we may single-handily saved a CRUCIAL piece of evidence. Right? Never mind those officers who have been investigating these hardened criminals (petty theft, fyi), we were going to show them how to work a real crime scene. We watch NCIS and CSI!

As the excitement wained and the perps were hulled off, I debated whether or not to offer my services to the reporter, I mean, I did see the whole thing go down and had already investigated the neighbors and the home owner. (BTW- they had no idea..etc). The poor channel 12 man had to be the cameraman, producer, and reporter, I wanted to help the guy out.

The fireworks didn't seem to be quite so exciting after that.

Day 3: The BEACH!
We had a few preconditions for an otherwise routine beach veg session - with a bum foot and crutches it had to be close to the drop off point. Working within our limited options we chose the pier. After a lovely day in the sun and a quick dip we headed for dinner. Brace yourself for another copa-ism.

Apparently the pier we selected was a fishing pier. A one stop shop where you can fish, gut and clean your catch. Well those little remains rarely make it to the provided garbage receptacles. Rather they are dropped off said pier. Now in California we have well acknowledged and adhered to shark seasons, but I guess in NC it is a year round phenomenon. And would you like to guess where the main shark hangout is for the area. You guessed it...our little pier. Oops.

Always an adventure!