A quick Ranking of DC restaurants I’ve eaten at within the past 6 months of so:

Moon Rabbit > Rumi’s Kitchen > Chloe > Blue Duck Tavern > Rasika > Albi > The Dabney

For all his good work, Jose Andres’s restaurants are lackluster. Oyamel was just OK. Jaleo and China Chilcano stank. Haven’t been to Zaytinya but I doubt it could be better than Rumi’s Kitchen and Chloe.

I’ve spent enough time in the US to occasionally call sparkling water “club soda”, but I will never ever be American enough to call it friggin' seltzer.

The last crusty bread of the year. I’ve only started last year so there is much to learn. One of the thing is: bread flour is called that for a reason and you’d do well to chose it over “all purpose”.

What can I say, it’s cheese heaven.

Fries the way they were meant to be made: golden brown and with a side of mayo. Why does the Netherlands have so much better fast food than America, my kid asked, and I didn’t know the answer.

You may not be able to tell, but there is a mound of (Waiola!) shaved ice under these red beans, and it is all delicious.

Behold, the Maryland state flag — one of the best in the Union — and state flower on top of the Maryland state desert, the Smith Island (birthday) cake. Best of all, this was a birthday we celebrated while on Smith Island.

One of the best birthday presents I’ve received was last year’s Tête de Moine. Is it a cheese or is it a flower? It’s both!

Before and after on the second-ever loaf I ever made — recipe here. Why I haven’t been doing this my whole life, I have no idea. ⏲️