What a wonderful difference 30 degrees makes! We had amazing weather for February and I can’t wait for more of it to come.
I kicked the weekend off with a Thursday night dinner out with my friend Kipton! Isn’t she gorgeous in the candlelight : )
We hit up Orzo for restaurant week. I love Orzo but I don’t really like any place during restaurant week. The ambiance is just off! The food was delicious, however.
Mussels to start – this broth rocked! It was a lemongrass something-or-other
Course #2 was a simple salad with pumpkin seeds, radishes and Manouri cheese
I had the salmon for my entrée – Perfectly grilled salmon with with rapini, roasted green wheat, oyster mushroom and a garlic bread sauce (!)
I did not like that you had to pay extra for dessert, but we splurged anyways and split this delicious Semi-Sweet Chocolate Pot De Crème with whipped cream and shaved chocolate. As we picked up our spoons Kipton said “You can have all the whipped cream – I don’t like it.” DON’T MIND IF I DO!!
On Friday night we hung around the house. Matt had to work the early shift so we kept things low key. But all of that changed on Saturday!
In the morning I went to athletic conditioning and took it easy during nap time, but in the afternoon we went out to Pippin Hill for some sparkling rose and cheese.
The kiddos had a great time running around. The temps have been so cold lately that we have all gotten cabin fever.
Prompt for photo #3: “Make a funny face!”
Karen just returned from 2 weeks in the Caribbean and we spent the day with her. She is soaking up her Mazen time and sent Matt and I out on a date. We tried the new restaurant at Stonefield – Parallel 38.
It’s a wine + Mediterranean tapas place. The interior was cool and industrial – but not all that cozy. We were at a table right in the middle and wished we been tucked into a booth.
The wine list was impressive and the dishes creative, although the menu wasn’t extensive.
We shared some wine and a few small plates – the trio of dips (tapenade, red pepper + feta and yogurt dips). Loved the herby pita bread.
Followed by the citrus grilled octopus over hummus
Shrimp + chorizo
And lamb with root veggies
We had a little over an hour to kill before we headed to a birthday party, so since we were right next to the movie theater I suggested we see Gravity if the timing worked out. Well the timing was perfect – we arrived just as the previews were ending and sat through 90 minutes of scary space! {I had just watched this video earlier in the day so it was a double dose of space walking!}
Our night ended with a couple of these!
Sunday morning after a light breakfast and some housekeeping we all headed downtown for the annual Great Harvest Holiday Brunch!
Destination: Commonwealth.
I had bites of Eggs Benedict with asparagus in between sessions taking Mazen to walk outside. It was not his day to sit in a high chair.
The 2014 Great Harvest family! Such a great team.
Sunday afternoon was spent almost entirely outside. I think the temps hit 68 degrees!!!
One…
Two…
Wheeee!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
What a fun weekend!
Jess @ The Baguette Diet says
So jealous of all those delicious meals! I’m really curious about the roasted chile and parmesan biscuits on the brunch menu, I can’t even imagine how delicious that must be.
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
Looks like a great weekend! Here in Chicago we like to say what a big difference being in the 20s makes! Haha – I went to the park with my brother’s golden retriever this weekend because it was 30 out – aka heaven!
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
You’re lucky to have grandparents that are up for giving you guys a date night once in a while! That last pic is hilarious. I love his wind blown hair as he slides! 🙂
Elizabeth says
Love the pictures of Mazen! Such a cutie!!!!
Looks like a super fun weekend, with lots of yummy food!
Christine (The Raw Project) says
Such a great weekend, gorgeous pics!
Stephanie @cookinfanatic says
The warmer weather was much welcomed this past weekend, agreed! Pippen Hill is still on my list of C-Ville wineries to visit, haven’t made it there yet but have heard great things.
Ali says
I love your green polka dot oxford shirt! It’s adorable.
Amy www.funfoodiefamily.com says
Looks like you had a great family and foodie weekend! What a little cutie!
Laura@SneakersandSpatulas says
Gravity was such a good movie! Although we watched it in 3D and it was so realistic (the part where she is spinning through space), I got motion sickness and felt nauseous the rest of the movie. Ugh.
Is that a boo-boo I spot on Mazen’s eyebrow? Did he have a tumble being too adventurous?
Ashley @ Hudson on the Potomac says
Looks like a fabulous weekend!! The temps were warm in DC this weekend too!! Now if we can just get the warmer air to stick around!!
Marieke says
I love Mazen’s hair in the last pic!
Jennifer says
Sounds like the perfect weekend! I love the photos of Mazen’s funny face and his hair in the last slide picture. Adorable!!
Caitlin says
Mazen’s little red cheeks in the last pic are just too much, as is his fancy white sweater! Looks like some AMAZING eats for you this weekend. Love love loving that salmon and salad from the first restaurant! And the CHEESE!
Abbie says
Just a quick heads up (you don’t need to leave this comment up) but tapenade (yummy!) is a bit different than tampenade (an acute type of pericardial effusion in which fluid accumulates in the pericardium). I thought it was a kind of food I hadn’t heard of and Googled it. It was a bit gross, this early in the morning!
KathEats says
Typo – got it!
Livi says
Sparkling Rose and cheese– sounds so good!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
How fun!! 68 degrees sounds so foreign! We hit 30 degrees last Thursday and it felt like the best thing EVER! 😉
Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog says
Sounds like a fun weekend! I love trying new tapas-style restaurants so Parallel 38 seems right up my alley. It’s always great to be able to try a variety of different tastes in one meal.
Julie says
Wow, what a wonderful weekend filled with so many activities. You always seem to be going to a new restaurant – there just must be at on in Charlottesville!
Jackie says
Now I want some sparkling wine!!!
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves says
It looks like you all had a wonderful weekend filled with delicious food and fun outside! Although I’m pretty happy we have a snow day today, I’m jealous of your warm temps!
Tracy says
I’m jealous of those warm temps!! It’s so cold here in Kansas City 🙁
Shel@PeachyPalate says
What a delicious weekend!!! Super jealous of that breakfast, I’m still on such an egg kick and those look liked poached egg perfection! Mazen seriously looks so big, especially coming down the slide all on his tod!
LOVE the green shirt!!!
Ashley @ Saving Money in your Twenties says
WHOAAA 68?! That’s amazing- I would have spent all day outside, too! 🙂 Mazen’s hair in that last picture is so great 🙂
simple green moms says
So jealous of your nice weather! I think it hit 38 in Ohio =/ blahhhhhhh!!! love the pic of Mazen’s hair on the slide!!!
Katherine says
your son is so adorable!
http://therealfoodrunner.blogspot.com
char eats greens says
A lot of great eats!! I can’t wait for it to heat up north here. I’m so tired of snow 🙁
Susan says
Always enjoy your posts and info – been a fan for many years now. I am a pre diabetic and need to loose some lbs – was advised to go on a plant based diet. While I know what that means, it seems so drastic. Does one need to cut out all meat/dairy etc. or can some of these foods be eaten sporatically (sorry about the misspell)… How realistic is a plant based diet and can one truly do this all the time? I am not a fan of tofu and fake meat either… Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and I don’t want to take up much of your time. I also, realize you can only give “generic info”… Thank you!
KathEats says
Susan, I’d talk to your doctor or dietitian about the specifics. Or if you’re not in touch with anyone professional, I can recommend a few online RDs if you’d like to email me.
Susan says
Yes, that would be great. Thank you!
Nicole says
Hi Susan,
I’ve been vegetarian and now vegan for a couple years now. Check plantpoweredkitchen.com the author Dreena Burton has several books out and many free recipes on her blog that are all delicious!! If you buy her book I recommend let them eat vegan.
Lowering and eventually eliminating your meat and dairy consumption can lower your cholesterol and weight. Being vegan or vegetarian is very simple as long as you learn what to always have on hand in the pantry. Your taste buds will become accustomed to the new way of eating!
Also, check out Ohsheglows.com – the author, Angela has many recipes that are all amazing!!
Susan says
Nicole,
Thank you so very much for taking the time to respond to my email. Much appreciated and now I’m going to check out those websites! Yes, I need to learn how to cook/eat differently and it’ll just take some good planning! Thanks again!
Susan
sarah @ hairwaytovegan says
Lovely pictures of the kiddo, and its so nice that you show appreciation to your staff by taking them out! As someone who works in the service industry, I can tell you they will appreciate it!
-Sarah
Donna says
Mazen is getting so tall! Who does he get those long legs from?
KathEats says
Not me! The Monsons are over 6 feet : )
Alex @ Kenzie Life says
All the food looks awesome, especially the Great Harvest menu! Mazen is so cute with his sweater on! I love baby sweaters, they are so adorable! Have a great week, Kath!
jessica says
Where is your green shirt from? I love the fit and color!
KathEats says
Thanks it’s GAP