Shake Shack Hot Date at Union Station - It's Not Kopps!

When we lived in Milwaukee, Kopps was one of our favorite places for burgers. We would load up the car with Tatiana borzoi, and share a French fry with her for being so good. Here in DC, we don't need to drive to these kinds of places, and unfortunately don't have our pooch anymore. So last evening we walked down to Union station and stopped at the Shake Shack for a Saturday evening hot date. We got there at the height of dinner time, and the line was way out the door. The place was packed with everything touristy, including the duck boats and double decker tour buses. The lines were long waiting for cabs and uber alike. Since we never went to Shake Shack before, our expectations were high. One of the biggest differences from other burger joints is that they sell wine and beer. We grabbed a table on the first level, but there is also a second level that's fun to observe the crowds on the floor below. The food was "ok," but nothing like Kopps. The Shake was more vanilla than strawberry. Would we go back? Not so sure. Would we walk back to Union Station? Definitely! Could I get my husband to get on one of those touristy busses for fun? Absolutely not! 

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. 

The Willard Hotel High Tea

My sister asked that we join her, a friend and her mother for high tea at the Willard Hotel. Traveling along Pennsylvania Avenue and ending up right near the White House, my husband dropped me and a friend of mine off at the hotel at 1:30 sharp. The hotel reminded me of the Drake in Chicago. We visited there a couple times over the years while living in Milwaukee. But this place has a different place in history, though it probably looks nothing like it did back in the day. I understand most of it has been renovated from the original, where Mr. Lincoln stayed. My friend was commenting about a story that describes the scene for inauguration. Things have changed a little bit from the six inches of mud in the streets. Nevertheless, it was a delightful afternoon to meet new friends, and chat with old ones as well. The best part was not only the tea, but also the finger sandwiches, the scones, and the desserts!

Right on Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House

In the lobby on the way to the tea

A beautiful place setting

1:11 on 1.11.11

My husband tells me he looked at the clock this morning at 11:11 AM. I told him that was interesting because the date today is 1.11.11! Of course, that sort of thing could have happened here or there. But the chance of it happening again? Probably not in our lifetime.