Ride Home from Yekta Kabobi in Rockville

There are only a few times a year that we can open the car moonroof and let the fresh air in. Last evening happened to be one of them. On our way back home from Yekta Kabobi in Rockville, we drove along the Clara Barton Parkway along the C and O Canal after taking the Cabin John exit. The ride takes you from a park like setting with overgrown grass and trees and trumpet vines clinging along the barrier stone walls to the big city. You pass under railway tresses and old brick buildings that are scattered by the canal route. Passing through the Pallisades is the exit for Sibley Hospital - our go to place when in need. Further down the road approaching Georgetown we almost ran into a few deer literally walking along the side of the road. Getting on to the Whitehurst Freeway is the full view of Arlington across the bridge. The country begins to look more like city once we see the Watergate structures. Passing by the Lincoln Memorial steps were several people enjoying the best evening we’ve had for over a week since the rain finally stopped. The final turn is at the US Botanic Garden with the Capitol in the background. We know we are about three blocks from home and are hoping to find a parking spot close to our house. It was a lovely drive and so much nicer than on the way out to Rockville having been caught up in the snarling after game baseball traffic. It was well worth the trip on a lively Sunday evening. 

A Cheap Saturday Night Date at Chick-fil-A

I love the Chick-fil-A road signs. The cows are doing everything they can to sway your tastebuds away from hamburgers to anything chicken. Last year I went to a restaurant with my coworkers near Culpeper, Virginia after a morning tour at the Library of Congress Moving Pictures and Sound Packard campus site. I thought my husband might like to try it out one of these days. While on the road from Florida back to DC and to Florida from DC, we stopped in I think South Carolina somewhere to have lunch. I think he liked the change of pace...and he loves fried chicken every once in awhile. Yesterday we were in the mood to go for a ride, and decided it was time for a Chick-fil-A boost. So we headed toward Rockville and needed directions on how to order once we figured out where the line started. I don't know how they figure out what table to deliver the food, but we had a feast of greasy French fries and chicken sandwiches - and of course a healthy side salad. It was very busy, being a Saturday night. We left the house at 4:30 or so and got back home more than two hours later. The traffic was ridiculous on the freeway and near Georgetown. Was it worth it? Yes! But I now remember why we rarely go out for dinner on a Saturday night - even if it's nice outside. 

Yekta Market and Kabobi Anniversary Dinner

Although we have been together almost forty years (!) our official twenty year anniversary was yesterday. We had a wedding day lunch at Reza's in Chicago - a place we went to almost every couple of months when we lived in Milwaukee. So we decided we should celebrate at Yekta Kabobi in Rockville. Because Persian New Year is upon us, the market was still open for business selling out on Haft-sin items. The little grass containers were sitting out front, and a haft-sin was on display at the entryway. The restaurant was really busy, and we were lucky to get a seat without reservations. After dinner we wandered about the market. Everything is so fresh - in fact the salad in the restaurant is my favorite because it is so fresh. My husband had a taste for cookies, and was also on the hunt for quince. This place reminds me of the outdoor markets in Iran and in most other places, including Eastern Market right here in the neighborhood. Obviously tea, rice, and pistachios are well stocked. It's all so very colorful and ethnic. Just as I love pierogis and all things Polish, my husband loves all things Persian. Unfortunately there is not a polish restaurant that we know of here. Milwaukee and Chicago were full of those. So Christmas is the time for Polish food and Spring is the time for Persian food. Although nothing stops us from enjoying it all any time of the year. 

Yekta Persian Cookie Treats

I like cake. My husband likes cookies. But once in a while when there is no angel food cake in the house I will steal one or two of his cookies. Usually he picks a few fancy brands up that are on sale at Harris Teeter or Safeway. But for the last time, our grandson brought over some Persian cookies from Yekta - a Persian restaurant and grocery store in Rockville. It's probably the last time we will get these random treats because they are moving to Virginia at the end of next week and we won't be seeing them much even though it is just a few hours away. I usually won't go after these cookies because my husband really likes these, even though he says he doesn't. I don't particularly care for the rose water taste so he is in luck. And I'm sure he would like to stretch this batch out as long as possible for sentimental value. We'll probably go to Yekta this weekend for dinner. Maybe we'll have to pick up some dessert too while we are there.