Hillwood Estate

Hillwood Estate, the former home of heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post, is open to the public in a posh setting in Washington, DC. 

Hillwood is set in a lush surrounding of acres of gardens and also features two clever outbuildings. One is an Adirondeck cabin and the other is a Russian dacha. 

Mrs. Post inherited the Post cereal fortune. She then went on to buy Birdseye frozen foods. Her life was complex and glamorous, featuring four husbands and three or more daughters, including the beautiful actress Dina Merrill. 

Seen in my picture is Mrs. Post's dining room table which she used originally in Mar-a-Lago, her huge estate in Palm Beach. 

The collection contains both Faberge' eggs and a stunning array of Russian Imperial paintings and bejeweled decorative arts, such as the crown of Czarina Alexandra. 

The State Department Diplomatic Reception Rooms

My personal favorite was the Thomas Jefferson room, where I am pictured below. Many of his personal artifacts are on exhibit. Tours are available by booking online and are free. Plan on making reservations months in advance. 

Graffiato's Goes Creative

Dear Fellow Foodies,

If you watch Bravo TV's "Top Chef," you may have heard of Mike Isabella, a young creative chef who puts his own flavors on traditional Italian cuisine to bring it into the twenty-first century. 

Pizza has never seemed more creative than here, with far ranging options including cauliflower, squash, arugula, and even calamari pizzas. Side dishes excel, with a delicious roasted Brussels sprouts with pancetta that I found to be extraordinarily tasty. 

Mike has restaurants in both Richmond and Washington DC, as well as his Greek place Kapnos, which I hope to visit sometime soon. 

Trendy and tastefully industrial inside, his restaurants are deliberately noisy, so this is not the place to have a quiet chat with your lawyer, your grandma, or your first date. 

The British Embassy: America's Answer to Downton Abbey

The Drawing Room, Fabrics Designed by Brown Davis

The State Dining Room in the British Embassy, set as it was for Queen Elizabeth's visit

Andy Warhols' Portrait of Queen Elizabeth Hanging in the Embassy State Dining Room

Architectural Details Abound

The Grand Hall of the Embassy Residence

Irises and Tulips

Allium Against a Backdrop of Boxwood

The Azalea Garden

Wisteria

The Lovely Luytens Bench in Front of the Luytens Architecture

Side Portico

Would Not Mind Living Here!

The Sticky Toffee Pudding Was Pretty Yummy

 

 

We Stood in a Long Line on a Muggy Day, But It Was Worth It!

The Islamic Center

 In Washington, DC, a very imposing structure sits on Washington's Embassy Row on Massachusetts Avenue: the Islamic Center. 

Today it was open to the public and we were welcomed. 

Inside was a rather small mosque decorated with Karastan rugs and beautiful tile work. That is the area where men worship. 

There is a basement room where women are allowed to worship, with no decor and a low ceiling. 

The Islamic Center also contains a book store, ATM machine and a bevy of drink vending machines. 

Next door is the large Turkish Embassy. Today was the annual Embassy Tour, and the participants included Turkey, Peru, Brazil and South Africa. 

Le Diplomate Divine

If you find yourself on the hunt for a new gourmet experience, look no further than the Parisian-inspired Le Diplomate, near Washington, DC's Logan Circle. Situated at the corner of delicious and divine, I meant, 14th Street and Q St., NW, it is an accurate French bistro with authentic decor and fine cooking.

Le Diplomate has the most delish version of  beef bourguignon and whipped potatoes that I have  ever had the pleasure of tasting. The dark chocolate napoleon beckoned, but I resisted. 

The bar at Le Diplomate has a stunning Sazerac as well as many, many other cocktail selections. It may be the best-stocked bar I have ever run across. 

How many more reasons do you need to go?

Your fellow foodie,

Patsie

The beef bourguignon, heavily laced with burgundy richness

Tiny tiles decorate both inside and out

There is a charming sidewalk area, too.

From the White House to the House of Sweden

Last night, Carlo and I took a chilly stroll around the beautifully lit White House. We walked past it, then continued in the cold toward the Ellipse to see the National Christmas Tree, surrounded by smaller trees representing each of the fifty states.

Washington, DC, is beautiful at night, no matter the temperature.

Your freezing blogger,

Patsie

In front of the White House

Glowing with light

The National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse of the White House, with the Washington Monument behind it

The House of Sweden, and Embassy right on the Potomac River

Hanging Out in Slovenia

Dear Imaginary Friends, 

Yesterday was the amazing Kalorama Embassy Tour in Washington, DC. I was privileged to be a docent on Slovenian "soil."  I learned so much about Slovenia!! It is the shape of a chicken and it is roughly the size of New Jersey. Slovenia is 97% Catholic. Part of the former nation Yugoslavia, it boasts Alpine areas and the famous Lake Bled, as well as Mediterranean coastline. There is lots of polka dancing going on. 

I was supremely honored to meet the Slovenian ambassador, who is the nicest man ever, as well as the friendly Portuguese ambassador. Meeting them both was the highlight of my week.

Did you know that crystal has been manufactured in Slovenia since 1665, and that Slovenian crystal is used in Miss America's crown?

Slovenia is a beautiful country, with a lot to offer. I understand it has become a mecca for Hollywood shoots. If you have a moment, Google the image of the scenic Lake Bled: truly gorgeous, with a tiny church on an island in its midst.

Your virtual traveler,

Patsie

The modern Slovenian embassy on California Street in Kalorama.

The gold band on her hat indicates that she is married.

Check out the beautiful crystal in the right hand case.

Sweet Georgia Brown

Dear fellow foodies,

If you long for the comforts of Southern food as I do, then head on over to Georgia Brown's in Washington,DC, for some elevated soul food. You will not be disappointed  by the gumbo, the fried green tomatoes, or the cornbread with honey butter. Lordy!!

Indulge. 

Scrumptious Seafood Gumbo

Sampler plate- a vegetarian entree'

What Is Fun To Do In July in Washington, DC?

At the Aquatic Gardens