 There are five crucial questions a journalist must ask (and answer) when researching and developing a story: Who, What, Where, When, and Why. These Five W's, along with a bonus "How" for further clarity, will preclude each blog post to provide proper insight into this weird, wild nomadic journey. The Five W's + H:Who: My fiancé, Sophie the cat and yours truly What: Top 5 places to drink up Where: Arlington, Virginia When: March 2018 - June 2018 Why: Apparently we just couldn't get enough of the state of Virginia, driving all the way back from which we had come just a few months earlier. This time, however, we would not be staying in the sticks but in an actual city—just a few miles from our nation's capital. + How: From the spring sunshine through north Texas and Arkansas, through the rain and snow of the Tennessee mountainside, we trudged unfazed in our journey back to Virginia. This time the trek totaled approximately 1300 miles and consisted of driving through a virtual blizzard (video above). Luckily, we avoided the numerous car crashes taking place around us and made it in one piece. We accomplished this in two days, driving straight to Nashville day one and then on to our temporary home in Arlington, VA. Arlington, Virginia: Five Places to Drink UpDon Tito (3165 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201)Finding good Mexican food outside of Texas is no easy feat (I know I'm biased, don't @ me), but Don Tito has the game on lock in Arlington, Virginia. This south of the border-inspired eatery features three floors of spicy, savory goodness. The first two are your usual fare—trendy booths, tables, horseshoe bars—while the third is more of a lounge area with limited tables, full bar and an excellent panoramic view of the city. If you're aiming for rooftop happy hour, come early as this place gets packed fast. While not a particularly deep drink menu, Don Tito does include the ability to add flavor (strawberry, peach, mango, or passion fruit) to any house margarita. The peach addition isn't too sweet, and gives a refreshing twist to the classic margarita formula. What's better with an ice cold margarita than some cheesy, crunchy nachos or deep-fried-to-perfection jalapeño poppers? Nothing, that's what! The Jalapeño Rellenos are stuffed with cheesy goodness, while the House Nachos come loaded with black beans, blended Mexican cheeses, and a spicy sidekick of pickled jalapeños. These nachos hit the spot as is, but you can add chicken or beef to the equation for a few extra bucks. For the main course (if you think you can handle it after two appetizers and I'm guessing at least two margaritas by this point) tacos are the main attraction at Don Tito. The Gyro Taco, with beef and lamb gyro meat, Tzatziki sauce and your standard lettuce, tomato and onion collaboration is one of the most unique and delicious tacos I've tried during our travels. On the vegetarian side, the Fried Avocado Taco does not disappoint. It's Dos Equis-beer battered, fried, and topped with cilantro slaw, chipotle aioli and roasted corn. At $10 for two, you'll need a wheelbarrow to roll your ass out of there after downing all of this delectable goodness. Wilson Hardware Kitchen & Bar (2915 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 2220)Located in Clarendon, one of the trendier areas near DC, Wilson Hardware Kitchen & Bar packs a brunch punch with a splash of nightlife. While this restaurant does offer dinner service and happy hour as well, this review only pertains to their weekend brunch offerings—and they do not disappoint. Most importantly, Wilson features a bottomless mimosa option for those of you who want to start the weekend off right. It's $20 per person, so bring your friends and make sure they're all throwing down on the tab. Or don't, and just get cheap champagne wasted all by yourself for 20 bucks. On the food side, the Chicken and Waffle is my go-to at Wilson. The dish is an elevated take on the classic brunch fair with crispy boneless chicken strips and a savory Belgium waffle combining to melt-in-your mouth and tag team your taste buds. Another great option is the Roasted Cauliflower topped with a fried egg and drizzled with lemon aioli and a zesty lemon vinaigrette. The cauliflower is roasted to perfection, while the fried egg emerges as the perfect breakfast sidekick as the dynamic duo forms to create the perfect vegetarian brunch plate. Last, but certainly not least, is the Salmon Benedict. A perfectly poached egg nestled against fresh smoked salmon and hollandaise sauce on a flakey, freshly baked croissant is guaranteed to induce mouth-watering upon arrival. Add home fries to any plate for a crunchy, salty and savory side. Galaxy Hut (2711 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201)Galaxy Hut is one of the more unique finds around the country. This equation of vegan bites + karaoke + an old school VHS twist = this converted arcade and one of my favorite spots to grab some food and hang in Arlington. Every item on the menu is vegan (unless you choose dairy cheese) and made ready to order. Deciding what to order first can be quite a feat, but I have one simple word to guide you on your first journey through the Galaxy (Hut): Totchos. A clash of titans amongst the stars resulted this alpha appetizer that features vegan queso and your choice of either tempeh bacon, vegan chili or Beyond Meat sausage on a giant pile of tasty tater tots. The Buffalo Things are another unique and tasty appetizer on the Galaxy Hut menu. Crispy, deep fried cauliflower comes blasted with vegan wing sauce, hot sauce and docked with a side of vegan ranch. Ready to reach entree nirvana? Try the Beyond Patty Melt. Two slices of sourdough bread, vegan cheddar and two thin patties combine to create an alluring alternative to its meaty predecessor. Luke's Lobster Farragut (800 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20006)Luke's Lobster Farragut, with multiple locations across the country, is a great lunch spot for fresh seafood and lobster in the Washington, DC area. This particular location is just a few blocks from the aforementioned White House/white supremacist that currently resides there. Crab is what Maryland, specifically the Chesapeake Bay, is known for, but the lobster here is some of the best around. Luke's prides itself on the fact that the restaurant works directly with fisherman to sustainably harvest fresh seafood. If your goal is to experience all of the above, your first order should be the Luke's Trio, which features a half serving of the Crab, Lobster, and Shrimp roll. Each fish is wild caught, served with house made seasoning, lemon butter and mayo on a buttered (heavily) half roll. Be sure to add the tasty and tangy Poppyseed Slaw to complete the experience. Old Dominion Pizza Company (4514 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207)Walking distance from our humble abode, the pizza joint formerly known as The Upper Crust, Old Dominion Pizza is home to some of the best cauliflower pizza crust you can find. Any of this restaurant's five signature pies can be made to order with a cauliflower crust—baked in its own oven for good measure. Regular pizza lovers shouldn't fret, however, as the original pizzas have a unique taste and style all their own. Take the Grandma Style Pie, for instance. Create your own crispy, thin cut square pizza with all of the fresh toppings you can conjure. My personal favorite is the white pie (you can customize any pizza with white or red sauce) cheesed up with ricotta and scorched with fresh jalapeños. Bonus: Baba (2901 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201)In the basement of the Eastern European, Balkan cuisine restaurant Ambar lies a crafty cocktail bar that demands your attention. Baba is a dimly lit, throwback lounge that would've been right at home doubling as a speakeasy during Prohibition.
The drink menu is varied and vast, with sections like Strong and Boozy, Spicy Smoky and Sour, or Light and Refreshing. Strong and Boozy features an Old Fashioned-modeled Baba Sazarec, made with rye whiskey in a witch's brew of Pernod (anise-flavored liqueur), Peychauds and Angostura aromatic bitters, cane sugar and a splash of lemon essence. Old Fashioneds are my drink, and if you're a fan as well, this is a delicious take on the tried and true method. The ambiance at Baba is worth a trip alone, but the delicious and diverse drinks will keep you coming back.
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