The Weekly: Banned (again) + 4 DC Restaurants I Tried Recently
Sorry, we're late! I ain't been home frfr to draft this!
Happy Monday!
Hope your week is off to a great start. Sorry the weekly newsletter is late. I’ve been doing stuff.
Friday night was chill. I went to irregardless on H Street for the first time. The “not so fancy” wine bistro is cute, quaint and does Modern American cuisine. The cocktails were great. Get the Brussels sprouts. My burger was good. Steak was good. The pappardelle needed some seasoning. And the music was GOODT (if goodt to you is 90s hip-hop). I heard all my jams from Camp Lo, LL Cool J and The Pharcyde.
Saturday was fun. My dear friend turned the big 3-5, and we celebrated with bottomless brunch at Gatsby in Navy Yard. It was bustling, as restaurant serving bottomless cocktails AND mimosas for $33 should be. I had more than one Greta’s Punch. We ate family style, which is ideal for party of 10 like ours. My favorite dishes were the deviled eggs, mumbo Old Bay wings and King’s Hawaiian French Toast. The desserts were good too, but I couldn’t enjoy it being stuffed two courses ago.
Spent all Sunday in Fros & Prose world. My book club met to discuss This Could Be Us by New York Times bestselling author Kennedy Ryan (who loves a list just in case you missed it). It’s the follow up to Before I Let Go. As you can see in the vlog, we had a Puerto Rican feast mostly catered by Qui Qui DC in Shaw and plenty of coquito in honor of the book’s Afro-Latina heroine. Please make some Strawberry Lemon Prosecco Sangria for your next function. My friend (and DMV-area mixologist) Nique made a batch as a nod to the book. Watch the recipe here.
Speaking of all this food! I tried Pastis for the first time two weeks ago. The popular NYC restaurant opened its first D.C. location in Union Market. I went on a late Thursday night…packed. Oui oui to the cocktails and food!
We’re in the house this week. You don’t have to be, since the April DMV Event Guide is on point and has you covered.
This weekend, I’m doing something cool with Blue Fern Travel. I went on its then new U Street cocktail and food tour a few months ago.
-T
Talia Talk Tuesdays is on Instagram Tomorrow
I’ve made men and the Barbz real upset on TikTok, so I’m currently banned from going live on the platform for few more days.
The April 9 Talia Talk Tuesdays will be on my Instagram (@taliacadet) at 8 pm ET as I await liberation.
We have so much to discuss! The rap girlies (gender neutral) are FIGHTING, a 21 year old is kissing a 65 year old in the mouth in St. Bart’s, South Carolina Women’s did what needed to be done, Bronny’s options, Ready to Love, Drag Race and RHOP are wrapping up its current seasons, the soft life for men, and the evergreen hate for single mothers.
We also have to update the “Most important men in Beyonce’s life” list on live. Spoiler: Julius is still number one. He will never not be number one.
Don’t be late!
What I Read in March
Top reads
Release Me (The New Haven series book 3) - J.L. Seegars. Sebastian Adler has been inducted Talia’s Book Boyfriend Hall of Fame.
At The End of It All - Rae Lyse. This is one of my favorite romance novels of all time! Get into it. The audiobook especially!
Captivated by Danger (The Danger Family series book 2) - Endiya Carter. My pearls have been clutched since.
Yours (King’s Town Novella series book 3) - Shon. Another Sebastian inducted into TBBHOF!
Cravings (King’s Town Novella series book 4) - Shon. Another book boyfriend hall of famer!
Other reads
Connected to You - Endiya Carter
Inevitable series - Christina C. Jones
King’s Town Novella series - Shon
Equilibrium series (books 1 and 2) - Christina C. Jones
What I’m Reading in April
Already read
Luster - Raven Leilani. What did I just read?
Jaxson, The King Who Got Me (The Evans Family series book 2) - Miss Jenesequa. It’s my favorite in the series.
Currently reading
Jump Ball (Las Vegas Ramblers series book 1) - Kasha Thompson
The Kiss Countdown - Etta Easton
Currently listening
Can’t Catch Me (Houston Skyhawks series book 1) - Alexandra Warren
Ours - Phillip B. Williams
Other reads
When I Think of You - Myah Ariel
The Good Ones are Taken - Taj McCoy
Pardon My Frenchie - Farrah Rochon
Assist (St. Louis Sires series book 3) - Alexandria House (Exclusively from the author’s website)
Sinful Vow (Mafia Misfits series book 1) - Asia Monique
The Gardins of Edin - Rosey Lee
Weird Black Girls: Stories - Elwin Cotman