Nomming Across the Nation

At the urging of my friend Elliot, who was consistently amazed by my nomming abilities throughout the month of my unemployment, following my move from Austin, TX to Washington, DC, I've started the food blog.

Moving away from the city where I've lived (off and on) for the past four-and-a-half years, I wasn't afraid of being uprooted from friends and family as much as I was afraid I'd miss all of Austin's great nomming parlors (aka: restaurants). However, I've been enchanted by all of the amazing places to nom, right within my own little corner of the city. I realized just how important a part of my life nomming had become when I sent an e-mail to a friend in Austin describing the house I found in DC, which happened to be right around the corner from the house where my BFFs live. "I'm going to be working like 60 hour weeks, so being close enough to hang out for an hour or so after work is a huge priority for me," I told her. "Plus, it's just so easy to stay in this neighborhood, it's close-ish to work, and I know where everything is...there's this great buffet and salad bar right when you get off the Metro, a Whole Foods, a Thai place, an awesome Indian place, and this fantastic sandwich place right in my area. And yesterday I found this GREAT falafel place that's only one Metro stop up!"

When I realized that six out of the eight reasons I provided were food related, I knew I had become quite the nommer.

So, today, I'd like to consider falafel, a word which isn't nearly as much fun to write in English as it is in Arabic. Anyone who hasn't tried Amsterdam Falafel in Adams Morgan...go there, do this, NOW. It's completely worth the crowds--not only because they let you load up your own falafel sandwich, but also because they serve truly authentic frites with Dutch mayonaise. Heart-stopping fries dipped in mayonaise is a Dutch tradition I partook in everyday for the month I spent in Holland with my grandmother as a kid, and again last summer. I didn't think I'd ever be able to find such authenticity on this side of the pond, especially in Texas, so thankgod for Amsterdam Falafel!