Travel – Page 5 – C'est le Brie

A Weekend of the Best DC Restaurants

Published on August 4, 2024March 31, 2025 by C'est le BrieLeave a comment

My sister and I don’t get to see each other often, but when we do we always make it a point to try out some new restaurants together. In March, I flew to DC to photograph a Saturday wedding in Charlottesville. I stayed with Natalie in Arlington while I was there and we went to some of the tastiest restaurants I’ve ever been to. Literally everywhere we went was amazing.

Best Beer Garden | Courthaus Social in Arlington, Va

After a long plane flight into DC, I was ready for a drink. My sister suggested this place since it was within walking distance of her apartment. After dealing with endless rain in Portland, I just needed a restaurant with an outside patio and alcohol. This was the perfect place. We ordered a giant pretzel and a few different happy hour items. We people-watched and took way too many photos of our food and ourselves. If you’re looking for beer, a fun atmosphere and delicious happy hour plates, go here.

Best Thai Food | Sawatdee in Arlington, Va

Also within walking distance of my sister’s apartment, we weren’t sure what to expect. However, this thai food was delicious. Perfectly fresh vegetable rolls and a tasty pad thai. Also with an outdoor patio and refreshing drinks. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for Thai Food in Arlington.

Best Happy Hour | Thunder Burger Bar in Georgetown, Va

We kind of accidentally stumbled upon Thunder Burger Bar. I had read an article online that it has amazing burgers, but we were just on the look out for some appetizers and a happy hour drink (yet again). We both ordered margaritas and an assortment of items off of the happy hour menu. Everything was delicious, the only problem was that we had tons of leftover food to eat for later! And that’s not really a problem. 🙂 Next time I’ll have to try a burger!

Best Cupcakes | Georgetown Cupcakes in Georgetown, Va

We always make it a point to get cupcakes when my sister and I are together. Georgetown is our go-to. They have festive flavors and amazing icing. While I wouldn’t say these are the best cupcakes I’ve ever had, it’s always an experience going there. The line is usually pretty long so it’s a nice time to just enjoy the hustle and bustle of Georgetown.

Best Brunch | Bearnaise in Washington, DC

SO GOOD. It’s a little off the beaten path, but totally worth it. We were worried that it would be packed with people on a Saturday but we didn’t even have to wait in line! It has a lovely French vibe and the food is incredible. The Eggs Benedict was perfect, and the Croque Monsieur was one of the best I’ve had in the US. I thoroughly enjoyed this brunch spot. It was quiet and bright, the perfect brunch vibe.

Best Coffee | Le Pain Quotidien in Arlington, Va

We ended up going here twice because we loved it so much. While it is a chain restaurant, it’s one of the best chain restaurants I’ve ever experienced. Everything was impeccable, from the coffee to the Belgian Waffles. A bit on the pricey side, so I’m glad I don’t have one of these in my neighborhood, I’d go there all the time! I ended up going home with some of their Speculoos spread, yum!

Best Italian | Il Porto Ristorante in Alexandria, Va

I love Italian food. I was looking forward to this meal from the second I arrived in DC. Sometimes you just need a good glass of red wine and a pasta dish. Il Porto Ristorante did not disappoint. Incredible service, food and dessert. The atmosphere was perfect with the stone walls and dim lighting. Definitely on the fancy side, but I would go here again in a heartbeat. Everything was incredibly fresh and full of flavor. My sister said it was the best lasagna she’s ever had!

Best Ramen | Momofuku in Washington, DC

Hands down my new favorite restaurant in DC. I love ramen and any kind of asian-fusion food, so this place was a dream. My dad had never tried ramen or pork buns or any sort of dish like these (crazy, I know), but he loved it! The pork buns melt in your mouth, the ramen is about as tasty as ramen can get and I love that it’s encouraged to share food here. Plus, the simple fact that Milk Bar is attached makes it the ideal restaurant. We got here right before the crowd so we didn’t have to wait in line, but I’d definitely recommend getting here early.

Best Dessert | Milk Bar in Washington, DC

OMG. If I could go here every day I would. Cereal & milk flavored ice cream, confetti cake truffles (my all time favorite dessert now) and crack pie. TRY ALL OF IT. My only regret is that I couldn’t stuff more in my face.

Let us know if you’ve tried any of these restaurants and what you thought of them!

❤ Myles Katherine

Foodie Delights in Ireland – Top 9 Favorite Restaurants from our Trip

Published on June 30, 2018March 31, 2025 by C'est le Brie7 Comments

I just recently got back from a trip to Ireland with one of my best friends and knew I had to do a post about the delicious food we ate. Traveling there was probably one of the most comical experiences of my life since we are just two American girls who decided to rent a car and explore as much of the country as possible. We battled many spiders along the way and made many many Irish friends who would let us pet their dogs and reverse our car when we were stuck and lost.

In anticipation of going to Ireland, I did not give food much of a thought and prepared myself thinking that it would be bland and monotonous. But I was completely wrong about my assumptions! While there are some platters you would expect to see consistently (Beef Stew, Chicken Curry, etc.), there was a wide variety of restaurants and options. Not to mention all of the food was tasty fresh and lovingly prepared. Ireland presented us with the perfect dose of comfort food and farm-to-table indulgence!

I have compiled a list below of my favorite Irish culinary experiences while visiting earlier this month. Keep in mind we did do a lot of traveling around the country so these places are scattered location-wise but all were incredible. Did I forget to mention the hospitality in Ireland was out of this world. Every person we met was so genuine and kind!

The King’s Head Pub in Galway, Ireland – We had gotten off the plane, picked up our rental car, visited Clonmacnoise (so beautiful!) and headed to Galway for site-seeing and fooood! The King’s Head is one of the more famous pubs in Galway and rightly so. It had a peaceful back patio where we were seated and enjoyed a lovely meal of Fish & Chips and Roasted Chicken & Veggies (an appropriate first meal in Ireland). We also had the bread and cheese platter for an appetizer and split a nice cold beer.
Hazel Mountain Chocolate Factory (Instagram) in County Clare, Ireland – Our first full day in Ireland was crammed with castles, caves, and cliffs. We had a midday pit-stop at Hazel Mountain which we had heard fabulous things about. We tasted different dark chocolates and then had a lovely tea break outside on their front porch. The desserts were delicate and rich with incredibly deep flavors. We tried the Rose & Raspberry Fika and White Chocolate Fruit Tart with Hot Chocolates on the side!
Keanes Garden Center Cafe in Kilcolgan, Ireland – While en route to the stunning Killarney National Park, we randomly pulled off to grab breakfast and what a delight! Keanes Garden Center Cafe was surrounded by beautiful flowers and served up delicious Coffee and Quiche Lorraine.
Salvador’s in Killarney, Ireland – We were hangry and tried to go to Bricin but did not have the patience for the long wait. Salvador’s gave us a delicious and traditional Irish meal of Guinness Stew and Roasted Chicken not to mention a tasty Bruschetta for appetizer.
Cafe Hans in Cashel, Ireland – While en route to Kilkenny, we stopped by the Rock of Cashel and figured we would pick a quick lunch spot. What was originally going to be a quick sandwich turned into a three course meal from one of my (now) favorite restaurants in the world. Cafe Hans delivered the most thoughtful meals with intense and complimentary flavoring. Not one ingredient was overlooked and every component to the dishes was essential to creating this perfect meal. I had the Mozzarella, Roasted Tomato, and Beet Salad, Pork & Mushroom Risotto with Crispy Sage and Fried Butternut Squash (currently drooling thinking about it), and White Chocolate Mousse with Pomegranate Seeds for dessert. Needless to say, it is a meal I will never forget.
Ristorante Rinuccini in Kilkenny, Ireland – If you are ever in Ireland, or anywhere else in the world, and are craving a perfect Italian meal, then stop everything you’re doing and head straight to Rinuccini’s right away. Located adjacent to Kilkenny castle, this beautiful restaurant features traditional Italian dishes made so perfectly, you would think you were in Italy, and they had displayed the countless awards to show for it. I indulged in their Polpettine con Spaghettini and Cheesecake Al Caramello for dessert.
Cakeface in Kilkenny, Ireland – On our way out of town after mailing some post cards and finishing up last minute shopping in Kilkenny, we headed to Cakeface to try out yet more dessert. I got the Rastachio Sambo and it was so tart and sweet and indulgent. ❤
Queen of Tarts in Dublin, Ireland – If you like brunch, then you can’t go to Dublin without going to Queen of Tarts. They have quiches and scones and cookies galore. The restaurant was quaint and the food hearty. I had the chicken and bacon sandwich, and it was perfect before a full day walking around the city. Even if you’re super full, do not skip dessert. In my opinion the Victorian Sponge Cake should not be missed! Also they have the cutest coffee mugs if you need a fun souvenir!
Guinness Factory in Dublin, Ireland – Get beer, get drunk and have fun. It’s like a giant party for tourists, plus the city view at the top bar is stunning. Be sure to book your tickets in advance and keep in mind a free beer is included in admission. ‘Nuff said.

I hope you enjoy and let me know your thoughts on Irish cuisine!

Avocado and Buffalo Chicken Salad

Published on August 8, 2017April 1, 2025 by C'est le Brie2 Comments

I’ve recently been craving Buffalo Chicken and summertime means salads right? So i found the best of both worlds and it was as delicious as I’d hoped. The recipe was adapted from this recipe I found on Pinterest. I decided not to add quinoa (though it would have been good with it too!) and I didn’t use quite as much hot sauce, probably 1/2 cup instead of 3/4. And to top it all off I used Organic Ranch from Trader Joe’s!

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked & shredded
1/2 cup franks red hot sauce
2 oz. cream cheese, softened
4 cups of chopped green leaf lettuce
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
2 avocados, sliced
1/3 cup sliced red onion
1/2 cup cooked corn
Drizzle ranch dressing
1/4 cup diced fresh cilantro (optional)

Review: An Evening at Fleurie, a Romantic French Restaurant in Charlottesville, Virginia

Published on August 4, 2016April 1, 2025 by C'est le BrieLeave a comment

As I have mentioned already in a previous post, Charlottesville, Virginia has some of the best food in the world. It is less than two hours from Washington, DC and offers a break from the hustle of the capital city. And last night, my friend, Carrie, and her boyfriend, John, spent their two-year anniversary sharing fine wine and delicious food at a downtown French restaurant, Fleurie.

Since it was their anniversary, Fleurie made special menus recognizing their special occasion and even had a bottle of sparking wine from the Loire Valley in France waiting for them on their candlelit table.

At the beginning of our friendship, Carrie and I majorly bonded over our deep affection for anything related to France, and this restaurant seems to epitomize everything about Paris given its romantic tone and thoughtful ingredients and menu. This restaurant seems like the perfect pick for a special celebration.

Carrie said the ambiance were positively enchanting. The restaurant has exposed brick walls and was playing classical Parisian music softly in the background (think “La Vie en Rose”). Although I haven’t been there myself, Carrie said the food was mouthwatering and delightful. She sent me the following pictures with descriptions and it all sounds so incredible!

They were given a beet amuse-bouche and for appetizer they had soft-shell crab which was on special for the evening.

For the main entree Carrie had butter poached lobster, coral spätzle, and fava beans served with a ginger Sauternes sauce.

John ordered the meadows pride lamb and braised lamb ravioli with fond de braisage. (This one looks soooo delicious!)

And of course no celebration goes without dessert. Carrie and John split the chocolate souffle with vanilla bean ice cream and dark chocolate cream sauce…Yum!

And lastly, Carrie and John were given complimentary petit fours after the meal!

Fleurie is now at the top of my must-try restaurant list! Also, you can follow Carrie on her travel blog – https://musichanainkibera.wordpress.com/

Best Affordable Hotel and Tours for Your Spring Break Getaway to Cancun, Mexico

Published on March 30, 2016April 1, 2025 by C'est le Brie1 Comment

By Natalie Anne ❤

My close friends and I have decided to indulge in a yearly adult Spring Break excursion to celebrate the coming of Spring. Last year was LA and this year was Cancun, Mexico- a destination I put on the table since I have been dying to travel to Mexico and see the Mayan ruins.

We are all young working professionals who are on tightish budgets and wanted to get the most bang for our buck. We ended up booking a great deal for a resort through a Cyber Monday deal back in November. We got a food & drink all-inclusive, three night/four day stay at the Flamingo Cancun Resort. The resort was right on the beach and in the heart of the hotel zone. The Expedia deal also included airfare to and from Dulles in DC plus the 3-night stay for around $700 a person (there were six of us in two double bedrooms). The reviews of the hotel seemed mediocre at best, but I was just so excited to go, I didn’t really care about the hotel that much.

When we got there however, the Flamingo exceeded my expectations, especially for our cheap deal. It had multiple pools, bars, and lounging areas, plus the staff was incredibly attentive and sweet. The hotel had spa music lightly playing in the background at the pool in the center of the hotel courtyard and the entire area was kept spotless and smelled tropical and clean. The breakfast had a nice spread with an omelette bar and Mexican-inspired cuisine, but did get a bit redundant by the fourth morning we were there. The bartenders were more than happy to give you any kind of drink you wanted and were very generous on the tequila shots, which we definitely were not complaining about!

The beach that the hotel sat on was also quiet and serene and shaded lightly by palm trees closer to the hotel. The resort had chairs and umbrellas set up on the beach for us to use, free of charge. One outside pool even offered a picturesque view of the ocean with a bar right beside it.

We knew we wanted to do excursions, and we booked them directly through the hotel once we arrived. We arranged both of them through our hotel for $135 per person after a bit of haggling. I recommend taking a tour that includes Chichén Itzá and a cenote swim. GetYourGuide has this tour that includes multiple stops and a stop in Valladolid like we had done. Our similar tour included a stop at the magical Cenote Hubiku for a quick swim, buffet lunch, and a small tequila museum/tasting, along with a brief pause in Valladolid, a historical city in Yucatan with a beautiful cathedral. Our informative tour guide was bilingual in both English and Spanish and gave a great overview of Mayan history and culture. Although the 2.5 hour bus ride was a bit daunting, it was fun traveling outside of the tourist Cancun bubble and getting into Mexico to see the ruins and explore the area a bit more.

Our second excursion to Isla Mujeres was canceled due to the windy weather but instead we booked one at the last minute to go to a beautiful private beach in Playa del Carmen where we went snorkeling and were served chips and beans and salsa while being serenaded by two Mexican musicians beside the stunning Maroma beach. See here for a similar tour with snorkeling and lunch!

Overall, our trip was relaxing and Cancun was even more beautiful than I imagined. I only wish we had stayed longer to spend even more time lounging on the beach and enjoying the free drinks!

(This post contains affiliate links and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through our links.)