As you may remember, a few weeks ago, I returned to running races with D.C.'s Cherry Blossom 10-Miler. Perhaps almost exceptional as the cherry blossoms themselves were the two giant meals I had there, starting with...
FARE WELL
My friends Stephanie and Subway, who are big-time racers, are the ones who roped me into running the 10-Miler. Since they are actual competitive athletes, they've done a lot of work into figuring out what foods work best for them. After cutting sugar, Subway reintroduced it and found that his running is better than ever (#eatsugarrunfaster)! He also realized after some BBQ meat sweats, that meat wasn't working so well, and now he is semi-vegan, so Steph made a reservation at vegan bar/diner/bakery Fare Well for our pre-race dinner.
I will not lie. I was extremely skeptical at first. I can find something to eat anywhere, so that's not an issue, but my experience of vegan/vegetarian food up until Fare Well, was that everything felt like a side dish to me. I also know that my body does well with most animal proteins, but aside from that, I also avoid soy for my individual health concerns.
I have to admit thought, Fare Well converted me! I will not tell you that my Impossible Burger actually tasted like red meat ("plant blood" notwithstanding), but it tasted GOOD -- not like the veggie burgers I've had in the past that taste like, well, veggies. The milkshakes had a coconut-y flavor, but I enjoyed them, and the cake and pierogis were as good as any cake and pierogis I've ever had.
FOUNDING FARMERS
If you're anywhere close to the D.C. area, I'm sure you don't need me to tell you about Founding Farmers. This farm-to-table spot is super popular...so popular, we waited a while for post-race brunch. But it was SO worth it.
First of all, it's adorable on the inside -- rustic and cozy, not unlike Bmore's Woodberry Kitchen, which is one of my favorite brunch places of all time. Guys, their coffee gave me life. I felt like it would be a good place for chicken and waffles, and I was not disappointed. And the food was so good and the atmosphere so happy, that the girls at the next table over, who couldn't finish their stuffed french toast and bacon, gave us theirs.
I really don't know how someone can NOT finish their bacon. Especially when it's magically smoked the way FF's is.
Yes, that is a picture of me eating a stranger's leftover bacon.
#noregrets
-Staci