Hometown Glory: Virginia

Happy Holidays!


I'm visiting my mom and family for the holidays, mainly between northern VA and NYC. I love travelling between the two, it's a nice balance between the bustling city and rolling greenery of the suburbs. My family lives in Fairfax County, which is just outside of DC. When I was younger, I couldn't wait to leave behind the shopping malls and multiplex cinemas, but now having been separated for awhile, I appreciate the convenience of Potomac Mills and donuts and dinner salads at one of the Great American Grills. 


My cousin recently raved about a new culinary expedition, which got me thinking. Northern VA has come a long way since my high school days and there are some amazing eats to be had. So if you plan on driving through the state of dogwoods and bald eagles, here are few places to check out. 


Co Co Sala

Chocolate lounge and boutique. Yum. Check out the AZTEC CHEESE ENCHILADA with pepper cheese & guava, cocoa nib cheese stuffed jalapeno beignet and guava & lime sauce (um hello?!) and the Scotch and Chocolate Flight for dessert. 

Amphora Diner

This local Greek diner has been a family staple for years, we use to always go on Christmas Day cuz it's open every day of the year. The food is hearty and homey and the fresh baked pies are to die for. My favorite is banana cream. 

Rocklands BBQ

Wood-only BBQ. Most of VA is considered the South and so good southern influences are everywhere. This place is authentic and they make honey jalapeno cornbread. 

Il Porto

My parents took us here for special occasions like their birthdays growing up. It's in historic Old Town, which is beautiful especially in the spring and summer time. 

Fish Market

And this seafood place is just down the road in Old Town. I've always loved crab legs, drove my mom nuts ordering them as a kid. They also have a great raw bar. I use to hate raw oysters, now I absolutely love them. 

Gadsby Tavern

This place reminds me of Thomas Jefferson's House and trips to Virginia plantations. It dates back to the late 1700s and makes me think of Fleet Street in London. It also has a haunting feel to it, which I like. I have a thing for being spooked. They make Baked Brie en Croute with raspberry coulis and Shellfish Newberg.

Peanut Butter Lovin'

Photo Courtesy by daveywaveyfitness.com

I love peanut butter. That's probably an understatement. And I've been waiting with anticipation to share my love for the spread and all things edibly linked for over a week now.
So I read about Bake or Break on Cup of Jo's Sweet Tooth post and I thought I'd sift through the site and google some tasty desserts with peanut butter. Let me tell you, there are a plenty.

Also Christmas is coming up and I told my mom that I would make the dessert. She's not crazy about peanut butter....but I can make two. Besides who says I have to share? One for the family and peanut butter for me.

Peanut Butter Pie
I love really rich desserts, the richer, the better in my book. And this looks like a slice would fill me up. I'd still make room for two.

Peanut Butter Tart

I originally saw this on Bake or Break who gives some pointers if you want to attempt the dish. She also links to the originally recipe by Martha Stewart. It's no bake and is a layer of chocolate ganache topped with whipped pb cream cheese goodness.

Peanut Butter Torte

Um...yeah, I found this on One Perfect Bite. This is the type of treat that I would have as dinner with Twilight (guilty pleasure) playing, on a night when the Hub was playing football.

 

Peanut Butter Cookies
These are actually filled with caramel, but I can see myself putting more pb inside or dark chocolate.

Brownie Peanut Butter Cups
Yes please! All I would need is a glass of soya milk to wash these bad boys down. These are from a cute blog The Girl Who Ate Everything.

As Master Chef's Gregg Wallace would say, it's the sort of thing I'd dip my head in!