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. 

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 Kabob Meets Pierogi Kielbasa Factory

We planned to have lunch with my side of the family members at Yekta in Rockville this afternoon. It's always very nice. The salad is fresh and crisp and the food is very Iranian - like my husband. We usually stop at the grocery store for a few items and we did. Then we made our way to the Kielbasa Factory that is just down the street for some home made pierogi and blueberry Danish. My side of the family is very Polish. I'm too lazy to make pierogi so this is the next best thing. It's perhaps the start of a great tradition and a reminder of our backgrounds- in the most delicious way.