I love this place. We haven’t been here since Trevor moved home more than a year ago. He and I have made plans to go for a few months, but life (and sickness!) have gotten in the way. Finally—yesterday!! He’s not a fan of the 3 hour drive (ride, as I was the driver), but it was easy, lovely, foggy for the first hour, beautiful blue sky and mid 80s the rest of the day. We’d wavered on where to eat lunch—and made a last hour decision to return to Chutzpah Deli. I think we both knew what we were having before we walked in the door: Corned beef hash benedict, served on potato latkes, and we were in heaven!
From there, we drove just down the road to check out 99 Ranch (strange name for a large Asian grocery store), which took the space our old H-Mart moved from. The new store was a great surprise, lots of renovation, los of fun things to see. In addition to several Asian condiments and some produce, Trevor scored a (cooked, meaning not alive) lobster and half a freshly cooked Peking duck! We’d wisely planned ahead and brought a cooler for the car.
A short drive up to Chantilly brought us up to Chateau de Chantilly Cafe, another favorite place we’d been to once a few years ago. There are pastries galore everywhere, the picture below shows only one of several cases—the store is stunning! Trevor found the croll pastries he’d been hoping for and got several to bring home. We also got drinks and a chocolate Nutella chateau cake—and even found a seat inside.
That wrapped up our day, and we headed for home—which included a stop in Harrisonburg to bring Q-Doba home for Robert and Holly.
It was a wonderful and special, perfect day. Trev doesn’t look forward to the long drive, but I see it as a sweet opportunity to connect that we just don’t have with the busyness and distractions of home life.
Trevor also suggested I pick up my blog. While I lamented the years and events that I haven’t blogged, the need to catch up, he encouraged me to start from now, jump in. So here we are.
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The next morning with breakfast bagels from the Jewish deli and latte, courtesy of Trevor.
