As promised, here is the finale of my birthday weekend extravaganza.

A surprise trip to Volt with MJD and my parents! MJD made the reservation almost six weeks ago – is that not the best birthday present, ever!! According to what I’ve read, the place is booked solid now.

I was so surprised when we arrived – MJD had spent the whole weekend and ride confusing me, so that I had no idea what state we were in by the time we arrived! I was so thrilled – Bryan is definitely my preferred Voltaggio brother (check out this interview), and I LOVE Top Chef.

Volt is located about an hour outside of DC in Frederick, MD – such a great little town. I really want to go back one day and walk around and look in the stores!

Frederick, MD

The restaurant itself is in a renovated old mansion- beautiful. There is a bar, where we sampled some pre-dinner cocktails, a main dining room, and an open kitchen dining room.

The restaurant will also feature an open kitchen dining room for 16 guests allowing patrons to watch the chefs at work. “I love to interact with my guests and am excited that I will finally have a kitchen that will really allow me to do so,” says Voltaggio. “It’s entertaining for patrons to see and interact with the kitchen. It results in a greater appreciation for our craft.”

Since it was my 30th birthday and my husband and parents apparently like me a lot, we got to sit in the open kitchen dining room (Yikes) and eat the tasting menu with the wine pairing!!! This is the sample menu that’s posted online. Talk about extragavant!

Cosmo at the bar

we were right next to the kitchen!

The six courses end up feeling like eight or nine with the extras that come out from the kitchen. We started with an amuse bouche of macarons, including the guacamole and beet ones Bryan talks about here. My favorite was a lettuce flavored macaron with ceasar dressing in it – no joke biting into it was like eating a delicious ceasar salad! Then we had a sunchoke soup — unbelievable.

For the second course, my mom and I got the duck liver, I liked it so much more than I thought I would. It was bizarre, had kind of a gelaton quality, but fabulous. (MJD and dad skipped that for some yummy ravioli!)

I forget the order, but the next two courses were pork belly and monk fish. Melt in your mouth!!! Just a reminder, we had different 2 ounce glasses of wine for every course!

The last entree was the steak…so well seasoned, salty, but not overpowering…mmmm

so pretty

Lastly, we had the dessert course (chocolate peanut butter fudge with cilantro ice cream), and a dessert with a candle for me (no idea what it was, but it tasted like a pile of delicious frosting), AND a final farewell of bitesize ice cream sandwiches.

I love Volt.

Thank you all for taking me there!! Thank you for an amazing birthday weekend!

I am officially 30. Or I will be at around 4:30pm today.

Happy Birthday to me!

I could be upset about that, but instead I will focus on the fabulous birthday weekend I just celebrated!

It all started with a little happy hour that my fabulous husband offered to throw me on Friday night! My sister arrived in town at around 6pm, so MJD and I picked her up and raced home to get ready. We went to the upstairs bar at Marvin on 14th Street, and so many amazing friends came to help me ring in the big weekend. Thank you all!  The bar was so great – outdoors, with heat lamps, loved the atmosphere! The party had all the right stuff…kamikaze shots (gross, but flashback to my younger years;-), gift for a Queens girl, and late night noodles to help with the beers!

On Saturday, we had brunch and just hung out until my parents came, and then we took them to the DC holiday market. My sister and I each got a necklace, and hot apple cider. I love holiday markets!!

Saturday night, we went to a friend’s holiday party (amazing Christmas decorations and apps!!), and ate dinner at Al Tiramisu in Dupont. Of course we had to do more shopping on Sunday, and my sister sweetly gave me a manicure before heading home to NY.

Pretty fabulous right?! But it doesn’t end there!!!

Sunday night we went out for the last birthday dinner of my 20s….I need the pictures to explain. I’ll be back once they are downloaded!

What could make you remember why you are ok with cold weather, more than a picture of Artie playing in the snow? Without cold weather, there would be no snow days, which would mean no puppies running and jumping like crazy in the snow!

Happy Friday!

Check out these perfect holiday cards that were posted on Oh So Beautiful Paper today.

Adore.

I am sorry to ruin the surprise, but I’m pretty sure that I will be sending the menorah-antlered reindeer next year. Too cute!

Designed by Albertine Press

Artie and I took a morning walk today in the bitter, bitter cold. He was having a great time, sniffing everything, running around, while I was obviously suffering and trying to drag him down the street at top speed!

Just as I was laughing to myself that Artie and I had such different views of the cold, we walked past two neighbors with their dogs.

And both my neighbors were having the same conversation with their dogs!

“Why are you so happy!?”

“Let’s go home”

“I don’t have a fur coat like you do!”

I was laughing to myself the whole walk home – wondering how many freezing cold people were walking their dogs at that moment, and wondering how their dog could be having so much fun while they were frozen solid!

Random thought for the day.

BTW, I have to get into the party mood for my birthday cocktails tonight. I cannot allow the cold to stop my birthday fun. Countdown to the big 3-0 on Monday!! Let me know if you have any words of wisdom!

OK, it’s cold here in DC, but at least it’s sunny, right?! It’s nice to be home, and Artie is being so cute this week.

His hair is a disaster though, and is getting groomed tomorrow.

Just in time to impress his visitors (my parents/sister).

Also, I wanted to let you know that I currently feel oddly cool about turning 30. I am hoping this feeling remains all weekend. I am super excited for bday drinks tomorrow and have gone from:

AHHHHHH

TO

calm

OK, maybe not that calm! But I think Hawaii has left me a little more relaxed about it! Here’s a glimpse of our trip (what could be more relaxing than water, boats, a sunset…and a pina colada!)

Lastly, I want to send out yet another Birthday wish!! As I said, December is a great bday month. Yesterday, my friend Jen celebrated a birthday. Happy Birthday Jen!!!

A heartfelt hello and belated-Happy Thanksgiving!! MJD and I have returned from our honeymoon/one year anniversary getaway to Hawaii.

Our trip was wonderful. I’m so glad we took the time and went away and relaxed. I’m looking forward to sharing it all, but first I have to mark this birthday crazy day!

Happy Birthday Dad!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s my dad’s birthday, and while I can’t be there today, I am fortunate enough to be seeing him this weekend so we can do a proper toast! My birthday is six days after his, so my parents and my sister are coming down for the weekend. I love the holiday season!!

I also have to note that it is my friend Ellen’s birthday! For years and years and years, we’ve had joint birthdays, but now that I’m in DC, we have to rely on calls and cards. So, Happy 30th you old lady!!

(full disclosure – I approaching the big 3-0 as well…)

Hope you both have wonderful birthdays!!!

Hawaii pics soon to come…

I was uploading some old pictures last night and I found this from the last time we were dogsitting Artie’s girlfriend, mattie. How cute are they?

The lovebirds

I am just really not adventurous. I have looked at so many lights for the dining room, and I can’t find anything. I looked at this awesome post on design sponge, searched Decor 8, and drooled over decorology, but I am at a loss.

I love the adventurous ones like this, but I am too scared for that:

Way too bold

Something classic is great, but our apartment has a pretty relaxed style:

But too fancy?

Or more casual:

will this get dirty?

the original idea:

too dark?

Of course the Restoration Hardware pieces are also $$$$ mad pricey. Anyway, just letting you know the turmoil continues…let me know your thoughts.

Ok, feedback on yesterday’s post has not been very positive! So, can anyone suggest additional places to look for lights to hang over the dining room table? I want something simple, not too formal, and not too modern. Our furniture in not modern.

Any ideas?! Suggestions!?