But my favorite place in the old neighborhood was Meyer Delicatessen. It was an old world German deli filled with countless types of German sausages, cold cuts and food products. After I moved from Chicago, every trip back would require a stop at Meyer’s to fill a cooler to bring home.  Just walking in the door and smelling the rich flavors that permeated the walls over the years, reminded me of my regular visits as a young child and walking in while holding my grandfather’s hand.  Sadly, it closed a couple years a go.

But recently, I may have found a replacement. It’s the German Gourmet, in suburban Falls Church, Virginia.

Walking in is like taking a quick trip to Germany. Not only is it a German gourmet and food store, but it sells a variety of German products that you don’t normally see outside of Germany. 

The deli counter offers a nice variety of meats, cheese, wieners, brats, and sausages.  So you can pick up some pickled herring salad, beet salad, double-smoked speck (ham), a few knackwursts, a pound of veal and pork Gelbwurst, and don’t forget a bit Head Cheese (which is not actually cheese, but made from pork snouts – yum!!).  Grab a loaf of old world brot (bread) and you’re ready for a German feast.

A hearty selection of German beers and wines are also available to complement your meal.

And to end things off, try something from their bakery counter, such as an elegant German cake (anything with chocolate should work) or one of the daily made fresh strudel. The poppy seed is my personal favorite.

Have a sweet tooth?  Bags of German candies, marzipan or liquor-filled chocolates can’t miss.

They even offer the traditional Christmas wine, Gluehwein, a spiced mulled wine.

German language music CDs and magazines, as well as many German gift items line the shelves as well.  So if you need a German doll, a unique toy, or even a small cuckoo clock, German Gourmet is the place to go. 

Want to host your own authentic Octoberfest? Check out their wide selection of German beer steins, mugs and glasses.

The family-run original store, located in suburban Falls Church for over 45 years, is a small but friendly place.  The new larger store, about 5 miles away, which opened last August, is considerably larger, has a wider range (1,500+) of products and offers much more free parking.

Add they have hot brats to go available, all the time, so when you have a hankering for Bratwurst sandwich with German potato salad, and a slice of strudel, the German Gourmet should be at the top of your list.

Click here for a slide show of some of the store’s products.

German Gourmet (original location)
7185 Lee Highway
Falls Church, VA 22046
703-534-1908   (map it)

5838 Columbia Pike (new larger location, near Baileys Crossroads)
Falls Church, VA 22041
703-379-8080   (map it)

Dates and Times – Monday & Saturday 9-6, Tuesday – Friday  9-7, closed on Sunday

Nearest Metro Subway Station – line, then a  block walk or use the

Parking – free parking

Images – Original location exterior, from personal collection © 2008 – Jon Rochetti, bread rack, cheese counter, sweets,     ___________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

But even if you don’t own your own vineyard or winery in the South of France, Tuscany or the Napa Valley, you can still serve friends a personally created wine from the micro-winery, Carafe Wine Makers in suburban Alexandria, VA.

The concept of a boutique micro-winery or “brew on premise” winery is big in Canada, where over 600 micro-wineries are operating. Carafe Wine Makers, a franchise company with 16 locations in the U.S. and Canada (4 in Virginia), lets customers create their own wines at their micro-winery and store on S. Alfred Street.  Open since late 2007, Carafe shows people how to make wine as well as sells wines it makes and blends.

Juice from grapes grown in California and Washington state as well as places such as Chile, Australia and Italy, make up the 28 varieties of wine you can create.

Store manager Rhett Orem explained the simple process to me. After selecting your style of wine, grape juice and skins, water, yeast and other chemicals used in the fermentation process is added to the on-site mini-fermenter. Oak shavings or flavorings may be added to replace the flavoring traditionally absorbed during the fermenting and aging process. The initial wine making process takes only a half an hour.

Around 4-6 weeks later, the fermenting process is completed, your wine is filtered and it’s time for you to return to the store to bottle, cork and label your wine.

What’s great about the process, is that you won’t have to spend hours cutting and pressing grapes, or fermenting your wine in century old wood casks or expensive charred French white oak barrels, as everything is handled on the premises.  

Of the 28 wines you can create, red wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz and a couple Italian favorites, Amarone and the “wine of kings” Borolo. Whites include Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurtztraminer, among others.

If you are not sure which a style of wine you want to make, start off with a visit to Carafe’s wine bar, to sample a flight of your personal favorites. 

Top it off with a personalized label, and you’ve got your own personal wine ready to impress your friends.

Wines should be allowed to rest for a minimum of two to four months before drinking, to help mature the flavors. And while the wines you create may never rival a Château Rothschild, you will have the satisfaction of having created a special wine with your personalized label to share with friends.

Here’s a video of the process from the Hampton Roads, Virginia store.

The cost for creating 30 bottles is surprisingly inexpensive, coming in at under $10.00 per bottle (includes wine, bottles, corks). 

If you want to design your own label, just create it using your favorite software program and send it to the shop a couple weeks before bottling.

Don’t want the time and bother of making your own wine, Carafe can custom design a label and private label a wine just for you.

Carafe Wine Makers
111 S. Alfred Street
Alexandria, VA (map it)
703-739-5850

Dates and Times – Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

Cost – Starting at $255, plus tax for 30 bottles.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – King Street – Blue and Yellow lines, then take the FREE King Street Trolley or walk the 8 blocks.

Parking – Free and metered street parking is available. 

Images – from personal collection   © 2008 – Jon Rochetti 

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Post from: The DC Traveler

Using technology first developed by Charles F. Richter, a professor at the California Institute of Technology in 1935, scientists track and record every earthquake and seismic event that occurs around  the world.

And volcanic eruptions, major earthquakes and deadly tsunamis have dominated the recent news.

While they can’t predict earthquakes, they do build models that estimate the probability of an earthquake occurring in specific regions of the world. 

Besides measuring earthquakes, the U.S. Geological Survey is the governmental science organization responsible for providing reliable scientific information to help the government, businesses and the public understand the earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage natural resources water such as biological, energy and mineral resources; as well as enhance and protect our quality of life. 

This type of research and study requires scientists that specialize in biology, geography, geology, and geospatial sciences, as well as other earth, life and water sciences.

Daily self-guided and guided tours of the USGS headquarters in suburban Reston, Virginia are offered to the public and school groups.

Guided tours, available by appointment only during non-summer months, begin with a brief slide or video presentation on subjects such as disaster preparedness, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, or water issues (floods or pollution) are also available. Then the tour moves to the hands-on room with computers, microscopes and other hands-on activities.  Your tour may visit the map printing plant or perhaps an active laboratory (upon advanced request).

The self-guided tour (available year-round) of this small visitor’s area (plan on no more than 15-30 minutes in total) allows visitors to tour the first floor of the USGS National Center which has several showcases, including: 

• Dinosaur footprints and biology exhibits
• Earth science in the news and a seismograph
• Weather station
• Water monitoring resources
• Land measurement
• Emerging biology issues, as well as others.

Additionally, you can take a self-guided rock garden walk (about 30-45 minutes), which includes samples of over a dozen types of rocks and minerals.

U.S. Geological Survey
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 20192 (map it)
703-648-4000 – ext. 4748 (visitor’s center)

Dates and Times – Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Guided Tour Times – Non-summer months only, and by appointment only. Mondays – 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. To schedule a guided tour, call 703-64-VISIT.

Admission – Admission and tours are free.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Vienna/Fairfax-GMU – Orange Line, then a 20-minute cab ride.

Parking – Free parking is available.

Images – Paso Robles,

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Post from: The DC Traveler

The Eden Center is DC’s Vietnamese-centric shopping mall and community gathering place.  Located in suburban Falls Church, Virginia, about 20 minutes from downtown Washington, DC, it seems to caters almost exclusively to the Vietnamese community.

Close to 30 Vietnamese restaurants and phở soup shops, along with another 17 bakeries, delis and cafes, with not a Burger Kings or Subway in site, draw many people to come Eden Center for authentic Vietnamese food.  I like the bánh mì sandwiches at Song Que. But don’t be afraid if all of the menu boards are in Vietnamese; most servers will be more than happy to help you find what you want.

Another 90 shops draw heavy crowds 7 days-a-week.  The 20+ jewelry stores are the main draw for shoppers, especially for gold and jade items.  Other speciality stores include Vietnam music and video stores, a couple food markets, a few clothing stores and more.

I also found an interesting herb shop, where I couldn’t identify a single item in any of the large glass jars.

At one restaurant, there was a whole roasted lamb in hanging in the window.

Some of the “lounges” seemed to be the exclusive haven of exclusive men and over loud Vietnamese music.

The mall’s clock tower is a replica of a famous French-era Binh Tay market in downtown Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City).

The Eden Center makes for a great cultural tour and the perfect place to discover a new place to enjoy the fabulous fusion cuisine of Vietnam.

If you visit New Your City and are looking for a great bánh mì sandwich check out Heather’s recommendation at The New York City Traveler.

Eden Center
7663 Wilson Blvd. just off Seven Corners
Falls Church, VA 22044 (map it)

Hours – Stores hours vary, but most open by 11:00 a.m. and close no earlier than 7:00 p.m.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – West Falls Church – Orange line, then a 1 mile walk.

Parking – Free parking is available.

Images – from personal collection   © 2008 – Jon Rochetti 

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Post from: The DC Traveler

For two evenings in September, the NSO will perform music from some of the greatest films of all time. 

The first evening, Classical Hollywood, includes selections from movies that use classical music as parts of their score, including Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Alien, The Godfather, and Raging Bull.

The second evening, entitled The Golden Age of Film Music, features musical scores written specifically for movies, including Lawrence of Arabia, Gone with the Wind, Spartacus, the Wizard of Oz, and The Magnificent Seven.

Here are two of my favorite soundtracks, the overture and now synonymous theme music from Lawrence of Arabia, and Richard Strauss’s Also sprach Zarathustra from Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey.

The National Symphony Orchestra
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Concert Hall
700 F Street, NW
Washington DC. 20566 (map it)

Date and Time – Thursday and Friday, September 11-12, 2008, 8:00 p.m. 

Tickets - $20.00 – $65.00 and are available online. 

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Foggy Bottom/George Washington University station (23rd and I St.) – Blue and Orange lines, then a 3-block walk.

The free Kennedy Center shuttle also runs every 15 minutes form the Metro (Mon.-Fri., 9:45 a.m.- Midnight, Sat. 10:00 a.m.-Midnight, and Sun. Noon-Midnight.

Parking - Limited parking is available at the Kennedy Center for $16.00.

Image – NSO and Oz

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Post from: The DC Traveler

My father would start his day picking up fresh donuts just about every morning. If for some reason the shop was closed, or had run out of his favorites, his day was pretty much ruined.

Unlike most donut shops, the Fractured Prune Donut Shoppe lets you create your own.

You can select from 14 donut glazes including classics such as chocolate and maple, but some unique ones as well – banana, orange, raspberry, peanut butter, blueberry, mocha, and even mint (mint? a mint donut? That might be sacrilege).

There’s also 7 toppings to add on top of your glaze, making your donut even more calorie laden and satisfying, such as Oreo cookie and chocolate chips.  And if that’s not enough, try adding one of the classic donuts sugars – powdered, granulated or cinnamon.  

After watching the donuts cook in the fryer, select your glaze and toppings and eat.  

They also serve bagels and sandwiches, but go for the donuts.

 Fractured Prune Donut Shoppe 

Area Locations

• Maryland – Halethorpe, south of Baltimore, Cloverly, College Park, Columbia, Ellicott City, Frederick, Rockville and Towson.
• Virginia – Fairfax, with new shops in Dulles and Leesburg coming soon.

Dates and Times – Hours vary, but most are open 7 days-a-week, by 7:00 a.m. and remain open until at least 7:00 p.m.

Cost – Single donuts cost under $2.00, and a dozen runs around $10.50.

Images – box, variety – once again, from Scott Ableman (dude, you have so many great DC photos – thanks again!)  __________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

It’s a Mecca for hungry lunchtime diners who flock to this Italian sandwich deli landmark, that’s been serving lovers of authentic Italian sandwiches since 1980.

The small Italian market and sandwich shop does a booming lunchtime business, thanks to its dozen-plus Philly-style sub sandwiches ($ 6.19-$ 7.69).  The sandwiches come in two sizes and are served on soft or hard Italian style rolls, along with sweet or hot peppers, lettuce, onions, oregano, and their own special dressing.

Grab a number at the door as you review the list of sandwiches, which is a virtual tour through Italy, with each sandwich representing a major Italian city.  The Capri sandwich combines Prosciutto, genoa salami, provolone cheese and capacola. The shop’s most popular sandwich, the Roma, comes with prosciutto ham, mortadella, genoa salami and provolone cheese.   My favorite is the spicy Napoli sandwich, a combination of  spicy pepperoni and  capacola, topped with a creamy mozzarella cheese.

A New Orleans classic Muffuletta sandwich is also on the menu, served on round Sicilian bread with piles of prosciutto, genoa salami, mortadella, provolone, and the classic pickled olive spread.

For something different, try the pate and brie sandwich on a crusty roll.  As one person mentioned, “it makes my eyes roll into the back of my head”. 

READ MORE  –>

Don’t feel like cooking dinner? Take home one of their 20 Italian dinners which only take 20 minutes to heat in your home oven. Dinners-to-go cost $6.99 – $8.99 per pound. Try their veggie or meat lasagna, chicken parmigiana or roasted rosemary chicken with pasta.

Want some fresh pasta? Add one of their dozen home-made sauces on hand to take home to complete your easy to make meal.  From the classic meat, tomato, Alfredo, and red or white clam sauces, to a few less traditional sauces, such as wild mushroom, pink vodka, arrabbiata, veal bolognese, gorgonzola and a unique eggplant sauce, there’s something for any pasta lover. Sauces are also sold by the pound, from $5.49 to $7.49, except pesto at $14.99 per lb.

The Italian Store also bakes rustic thin-crusted or Siciliana (thicker crust) pizzas, by the slice or the whole pie.  If you are a bit adventurous, pick up a bag of their pre-made pizza dough and toss your own pizza at home.  Or do as I often do, use the dough to make a homemade focaccia bread any night of the week. 

Here’s a pic of one of my home tossed pizzas. This one I combined caramelized onion, goat cheese, plum tomatoes, roasted garlic, hot peppers and fresh peaches (yes, peaches). It was delicious and looks pretty close to one of The Italian Store’s pizzas.

If the line is long (after grabbing a number), spend some time checking out The Italian Store’s selection of Italian foods, Italian wines and other yummy delicacies.  Or call ahead to have your to-go order ready when you arrive. 

The staff at times may seem a bit disorganized or slow in preparing your sandwich, but most customers feel it’s worth the wait.

And don’t forget to grab an extra cannolli, chocolaty famous Berger’s cookie or other sweet treat for the ride.

The Italian Store
3123 Lee Highway, in the Lyon Village Shopping Center, just a couple blocks off I-66 at Route 29
Arlington, Virginia 22201 (map it)
703-528-6266

Hours – Monday – Friday 10- 9, Saturday 10-8, Sunday 11-6.  The weekend lunch hour can be mobbed, with standing room only. There is no indoor seating, only outdoor seats.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Clarendon – Orange line, then a ¾-mile walk or Rosslyn – Orange line then take the 3A Metrobus towards Annandale.

Parking – Free parking is available in the shopping mall.

Images – Flickr – pizza with olives, truck, storefront, pizza from Jon’s kitchen – personal collection- © 2008 – Jon Rochetti 

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Post from: The DC Traveler

Besides a jousting tournament on a large, indoor field where the regally attired knights compete for the hand of the beautiful princess, watch and cheer for your favorite knight as they test their skills in swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and displays of horsemanship.

You dine on long tables while the Medieval Times knights joust and pummel each other with swords, maces, lances and the alabardas. But be prepared to eat with your hands, as no silverware is provided. 

The meal, served out of iron kettles, is basic fare — tomato bisque soup, roasted chicken and ribs, with potatoes, bread, pastry, and beverage. A full-service cash bar is also available.

You may also tour the Hall of Arms with its collection of Medieval artifacts, and a Medieval torture museum ($2.00), and is probably not for little children.

Don’t expect fine dining, but then, did they have fine dining in the 11th century?  But do expect the typical themed gift shop and fee-based photo ops with the cast of characters.

Medieval Times is probably more appropriate for families with kids under 15, but even adults should be able to get into cheering for their favorite Medieval competitor.

Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament
7000 Arundel Mills Circle
Hanover, Maryland 21076  (map it)

Dates and Times – Daily, one show weekdays, multiple shows on weekends.

Tickets – Basic dinner and joust show – Adult – $50.95, Children – $37.95, additional higher cost tickets (better seats, program, DVD) are available. Tickets available online or by calling 1-888-WE-JOUST. Check the venue’s web site for additional discounts and promotions.

Parking – FREE parking is included.

Images – junior knights, falcon, knight, ___________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

Colvin Run Mill

Colvin Run Mill 
10017 Colvin Run Rd.
Great Falls, VA 22066  (map it)

Dates and Times – Daily 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. except Tuesdays. Gristmill and miller’s house tours are offered on the hour, until 4:00. On most Sundays, from noon until 3:00 p.m., the miller can be watched grinding wheat into flour and corn into cornmeal.

Admission - Admission to the park is free.  Gristmill tour tickets – Adults – $6.00, Students 16 yrs. and up with ID – $5.00, Children and Seniors – $4.00

Nearest Metro Subway Station – West Falls Church – Orange line, then a 20 minute cab ride.

Parking – Free parking is available. 

Images – waterwheel, stone, scale  _______________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

Then head on over to Jimmy T’s Place, just five blocks from The Capitol Building, for a classic diner,  no-frills breakfast. It’s been called the last of a dying breed- the classic greasy spoon and is a weekend ritual for people who live on The Hill.

Down home breakfasts ($5.00 – $8.00) consist of traditional eggs, bacon and grits, waffles, omelettes, French toast, blueberry pancakes and hash browns and yes, scrapple!   If you’re feeling high brow, order the surprisingly good Eggs Benedict.

In the mood for lunch? Then try a non-gourmet burger or sandwich with fries.

The atmosphere is friendly and communal.  Lots of the patrons seem to be regulars, many reading their Sunday Washington Post over coffee or breakfast.  Service can be either great or downright crappy, so avoid the place if you’re looking for a fast in-and-out breakfast or your coffee within 5 second of ordering.  And you won’t find a gourmet vanilla café latte with low-fat foam, just regular coffee.

The place is usually pretty crowded for breakfast on weekends, but tables turn over quickly.  If there’s a wait, try for a counter seat. The few window seats are good for people watching outside.

On Sundays, to avoid a wait, try to arrive before 10:00 a.m. to beat the the church crowd and 20-somethings who are just starting their day.

The coffee mugs and silverware don’t match, the cramped Formica tables haven’t been updated in decades, but the breakfasts might remind you of what your Mom or Grandmother used to serve you as a kid. And of all else fails, try a homemade milkshakes (very good) with breakfast.  And no one will tell your Mom.

The accept cash only. There’s a cash station across the street and another at 4th and E. Capitol St.

Jimmy T’s Place
501 E Capitol Street, SE, at 5th Street
Washington, DC  (map it)

Dates and Times – Wednesday-Friday,  6:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Weekends, 8:00 -3:00, closed Monday and Tuesday.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Eastern Market – Blue and Yellow lines, then a 4-block walk.

Parking – Metered and free street parking is available.

Images – Exterior personal collection – © 2008 – Jon Rochetti, menu board,   

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Post from: The DC Traveler