Will work for risotto!

Found a great place for my sister to live in Glover Park, just past Pearson's on Wisconsin Ave in DC. There are great restaturants, shopping, bars and metro access. But that got T and I thinking, where are good places to eat around G-Town that aren't super expensive (not that it has ever stopped us) or overblown (i.e. J. Pauls, Paulo's, Cafe Milano). A new place we found is called Cilantro, serves up great risotto and tapas to share amongst friends.

When Niko is working, the risotto at Extra Virgin in Shirlington. When he is not, skip it and go to Carlyle and sit at the bar (when it's not too crowded, the new condo's opening will not be pretty on the waiting list). Yes, it is part of a larger restaurant company, but it is worth every penny!

Great risotto is at David Paul's in Lahaina, Maui, HI. That may be a little far for some, so the Washington Post's City Guide is the best for the DC metro area.

We go where our stomach's lead...

and they lead T and I on one of the best damn trips ever! Our honeymoon took us to the rolling hills of Napa and Sonoma Valley, to the clear and sunny shores of Maui and finally to the lush, raw nature of Kauai.

Here is a list (did you know I love lists?) of the places we loved (in order of discovery):

• Muir Woods - a giant redwood forest, protected and thousands of years old. Made us melancholy to imagine how few of these places are left in the world.
• Fairmont Mission Inn and Spa - hands down, the best hotel and spa we have ever been to!
• John Burdick Wine Tours - you will have a blast, John is the best.
• The Wine Room - great cooperative tasting room on the way to Heidelburg. Usually a winemaker is there to say hi!
• Loxton Vineyard - Chris brough t his love of Syrah and Shiraz to Sonoma from Napa.
  
• Stratta - Merlot, 2004 can't wait!
  

Ok, so the two best places we have ever eaten:
1. Penisula Grill - Charleston, SC
2. David Paul's Lahaina Grill - Maui, HI
If you have never been to these places and happen to "pass by" GO!