Clarendon Culture

A farewell of sorts..

When I decided to start blogging about Clarendon, I knew that my time here would likely end up being just one chapter of my life’s story.

When hubby and I first moved here, we had purchased a great little 1 bedroom condo in Clarendon 1021.  It was there that we watched Clarendon grow as if it were our own child.   Then, we actually had our own child.  A beautiful baby girl who quickly made us realize that staying in a one bedroom just wasn’t feasible.  Hubby came home one day with a perfect idea: we’ll sell our condo and rent a two- bedroom in the same building, which would buy us more time to save money for our dream Lyon Village house, while also staying in the neighborhood we love so much.  After a move up to the 9th floor, and a view of the entire city from our terrace, we happily settled in to the second phase of our Clarendon life.  

With the realization that we wouldn’t quite be able to afford the Lyon Village home of our dreams, the understanding that living closer to family would help give us the balanced life we desire, and the historically low interest rates, we recently made the decision to purchase a home in my hubby’s home town of Bethesda.  We just closed on the house two days ago, and we couldn’t be more excited.  The house is nestled in a neighborhood of windy roads, beautifully mature trees, plenty of wildlife (not the Clarendon kind!), and it’s less than six miles to the DC line.  

Along with our move, I’ll also be retiring Clarendon Culture.  This blog not only helped me get to know my neighborhood, but it helped me get to know all of you.  Going into it, I never realized that a little blog could lead to so many wonderful things.  I’ll be leaving Clarendon Culture online as an archive that I hope future Arlington residents will stumble upon and find enjoyable.  As Clarendon grows, I realize this blog will get old and dusty and become less relevant, but I’m hoping that it will always serve as a resource to show how great this neighborhood is.  

We have a dinner reservation this evening at Lyon Hall, one of our absolute favorites, then movers come tomorrow morning.  I’ll probably put one last Lyon Hall review up in the next few days, and then it will be goodbye Clarendon and hello Bethesda.  If you’re interested in seeing where I go from here, you can follow me at my new home: www.Bethesdan.com (or follow my new Twitter account.)  You will all be missed, and I hope to see you on my next journey.  

  - Amy

(image via)

Loved @LimeFreshMex!

Upon my return from the warm and sandy beaches of Mexico, the first place I went in Clarendon was the newly opened Lime Fresh Mexican Grill.  A couple of my girlfriends and I took our babies there (three strollers, three high chairs, 3 loud baby voices, and 6 food-throwing arms) right before the lunch rush.  In addition to all of us loving our meals, the staff was INCREDIBLE!  I have to specifically call out Jasmine as one of the best customer service experiences I’ve had in Clarendon to date!  She was so accommodating, so efficient, and so sweet.  From opening the doors for us to taking our orders at our table (instead of making us stand in line) to bringing our food quickly to her gracious demeanor - from start to finish, she was wonderful.

The food totally hit the spot!  For me personally, it’s the best Mexican in Clarendon.  It totally beat out Baja Fresh and Mexicali Blues, in my humble opinion. The guacamole had nice, bug chunks of avocado in it.  The steak fajitas (recommended by Jasmine) were juicy and tender, my tacos (one crispy beef and one soft fish) were delicious.  This post is not my “official” LimeFresh review, but I promise do do a full review in the next few weeks.  This is more of a “welcome to the neighborhood, I think I love you” post.  Here are some photos from our lunch….

(P.S. LimeFresh: Does this post count as an entry to your Superbole Superfan contest??)

(P.S. I have a big backlog of emails, but promise to respond to each one!)

Mexico!

Sorry I’ve been MIA, but I just got back from a relaxing week in Mexico doing nothing but eating tacos, swimming up to bars, and enjoying funny-faced drinks out of coconuts.  I’ll be back to blogging as soon as I adjust back to reality.  Hope you’re all well!

RIP Eleventh Street Lounge and Crossfit

It was recently reported by ArlNow.com that Crossfit would be closing its doors at the end of the month.  Sadly, the time has come for Eleventh Street Lounge, too. I’m Facebook friends with one of the Eleventh waitresses, who posted this last night:

FYI: Eleventh St Lounge will be closing on Jan 29. Stayed tuned for all the closing specials, parties, and events. This will include, but not be limited to, a party next Thursday night that I will be working. I can ensure ridic specials and a memorable, or not so memorable, evening. Hopefully all of the folks who have enjoyed the drinks, staff (in a platonic manner), and menu will be able to attend. That is all.

My husband and I have quite an intimate relationship with Eleventh.  For hubby’s 30th birthday, I rented out the basement and threw a big bash.  When we found out we were pregnant, we announced the news to my in-laws at Eleventh.  Hubby’s boys nights took place at Eleventh more times than he could count.  Our dog loved Eleventh.  Who didn’t love Eleventh?  I’m sure many will be sad to see it go.  Read my last review of Eleventh here.

RIP Eleventh and Crossfit.  Hope you make your way back to Clarendon very soon. 

(image via)

Opening date for @LimeFreshMex is January 16!

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill, which is opening their first DC location here in Clarendon, has just announced the restaurant’s opening date: January 16!  Sadly, I’ll be on vacation in Mexico January 14 - 21 (ok, not sad), so I’ll miss the big grand opening, but hey - at least I’ll be united in Mexican food with all of my Clarendon neighbors!  

In case you aren’t familiar with Lime Fresh’s menu, here are just a few of the things that have me excited….

• Homemade queso with bottomless chips and an optional ground beef or bacon topping;
• Eight types of burritos, seven types of salsas, six types of tacos, five types of salads, four types of guacamole, three types of quesadillas, two types of soup, and a partridge in a pear tree.
• Frozen margarita, frozen sangria, wine, and ice cold beer!

Welcome to the neighborhood, LimeFresh  No pressure, but Clarendon lacks good Mexican food, so I hope you understand the amount of pressure riding on you. ;)