Northern Virginia

04
Dec
2022

Mount Vernon Photos

While in the DC Metro area visiting my cousin, we took a side trip to Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington. They were having a “Colonial Market and Fair” which meant there was more going on there than usual. After browsing the market vendors and walking all over the grounds, we took a guided tour of the mansion. Despite being from Philadelphia and having been in many of the buildings where our country was founded, walking through Washington’s home was fascinating and a bit awe inspiring. It portrayed him as a person, not just the mythical history book character who led our country. It also meant walking the same halls he did and seeing his work and living spaces up close. It was easy to imagine what it was like in the 1700’s when George lived there.

Check out all of the photos here.

Posted by Michael in Photography, Site Updates
04
Nov
2020

Northern Virginia Photos

A few times a year, we visit my cousin, Theresa (Buy her book! It’s on Amazon here.) in Northern Virginia. In April 2018 beside our usual sitting around, catching up on family news and talking politics as one does while hanging out in the DC metro area with a former ambassador, we also did a little sightseeing. We visited Middleburg, toured the Manassas Battlefield and went to the incredibly impressive Museum of the Marine Corps at Quantico. I highly recommend a visit if you ever get the chance! We also had a few really good meals ranging a cool little diner to our favorite Greek restaurant to a historic inn.

Click here to view the photos.

Posted by Michael in Photography, Site Updates
27
May
2018

Review: Bob and Edith’s Diner – Springfield VA

Bob & Edith’s Diner takes everything good about a traditional diner and distills down it into one small package. They’re in a shopping center that’s within easy walking distance of the Hilton Homewood Suites hotel that I usually stay at when I’m in the area. They’re open 24 hours a day (a requirement for all diners, in my opinion) which makes it a perfect late night stop. When you walk in, you’re greeted by a bright and cheery atmosphere of white tile, chrome and neon. No matter what hour you go, business seems to be booming, yet both times I’ve been there, there were still some free tables for us plus some seats at the counter. The music from the jukebox keeps the place lively. I was last there on a dark rainy night and I can think of no place more warm and inviting.

Of course, they serve breakfast 24 hours a day as all respectable diners should. The menu is not as expansive as some diners back home in New Jersey, but they have all of the standards plus some. Their burgers are delicious but the best menu item I’ve had is the pancakes. They’re some of the lightest, fluffiest pancakes I’ve ever tasted. I haven’t tried their dinner entrees yet, but maybe next time.

I’m a fan of diners in general and Bob & Edith’s formula of doing everything that a good diner should do without all of the excess stuff that some diners try to tack onto their restaurants is a winning formula!

Posted by Michael in Reviews
24
Mar
2017

Review: Eleni’s Greek Taverna – Springfield VA

Eleni’s is an authentic Greek restaurant with some Greek Diner mixed in. I could probably end this review right here because who could pass up that winning combination? As soon as you walk in, the atmosphere and décor are unmistakably Greek. Then you notice the counter and realize that they serve breakfast all day long along with a big selection of classic diner sandwiches, etc. I’m sure the breakfast and sandwiches are good, but we were there for the Greek food so that’s what we ordered.

We started out with a trio of appetizers. The saganaki was flambéed tableside, just as it should be and it was delicious. The spanakopita and tiropita we equally as good. The portion sizes of all three dishes were much larger than we expected! After eating my salad (which was also surprisingly large), I had one of my favorite Greek dishes, pastitsio,. It too was delicious. It was baked just right. The bechemel on top was properly browned without being dried out and the meat/pasta was properly spiced. All of our dishes came with a side of fasolakia (string beans in tomato sauce with oil and herbs).

Add a very friendly staff to the incredible food and my only complaint is that Eleni’s is so far away from home. Although it’s probably good for my waistline that they’re 150 miles away!

Speaking of location, one note on getting to this place… It’s tucked in the far back corner of the shopping center facing the back of another building, so it’s not easily visible from the street. Just turn into the Concord Shopping Center and you’ll eventually find it.

Posted by Michael in Reviews
19
Jun
2016

Photos from Alexandria, Virginia

Christ Church, Alexandria VAWhile visiting my cousin in the Northern Virginia suburbs of DC, we made an excursion to Alexandria. Besides walking the historic streets of the city, we took a tour of Christ Church. The significance of this building is that George Washington was a member of it as was Robert E Lee. You can sit in President Washington’s seat which has also supported the butts of the last 20 US presidents (except President Obama as of yet) plus Winston Churchill. Talk about sitting on history!

Check out the photos right here!

Posted by Michael in Photography, Site Updates