Writes of Passage

National Zoological Park
3001 Connecticut Ave NW,
Washington, DC 20008

Many animals are either hiding or being tucked away for the winter but we weren’t the only visitors. It’s warm for February so sizable crowds was at the park.

• 2018, San Diego Zoo
• 2014, Hohhot Zoo
• 2012, DC Zoo

There is indeed a bird named Baltimore Oriole.

This colorful bird, Micronesian Kingfisher is extinct in the wild. They’re originally from Guam, Palau Islands, Micronesia, and died from tree snakes. There are about 150 (?) in captivity and (yes someone is keeping a tap on them) Saint Louis Zoo  (58 in 2002) called them the Stradivarius of birds.

7900 Tysons One Place
McLean, VA 22102

This is a chain restaurant in a mall, specializing in seafood, aged steaks and live music. We made a last second reservation at 2pm, could only have a booth at the bar area at 5pm, by the door. The dining area to the other side was empty but the restaurant explain that by 7pm it would be full, and they prefer to have 30 min turn around time window. Good policy and understandable.

Surprisingly, I find Chilean Sea Bass steamed Hong Kong Style with Light Soy Broth on the menu, as well as fried rice as a side. The market price was $43. Ha, wondering what make they using “Hong Kong” instead “Chinese”? Hong Kong cuisine really is Cantonese. The bathroom water is very weak. Thanks lord the water is hard, so the soap is quickly rinsed away.

• Maine lobster tacos
• Shrimp and crab chopped salad – could use less mayo
• Halibut filet
• Jumbo gulf shrimp – a little sweet for my taste
• grilled cod with asparagus
• fried rice – too greasy and the rice is under-cooked

1661 Pennsylvania Ave NW,
Washington, DC 20006

The small building, built in 1859 by architect James Renwick, Jr. is across the street from the Old Executive Office Building. At the time, it’s knows as “the American Louvre”. Now it houses American craft and decorative arts, reopened last November after a renovation. During our visit, Feb 2016 it’s the inaugural exhibition Wonder with nine exhibits:

1. House of cards – Untitled by Tara Donovan
2. Rainbow –  Plexus A1 by Gabriel Dawe
3. Nest or incubators – Shindig by Patrick Dougherty
4. Janet Echelman
5. tree of life – Middle Fork, by John Grade
6.  – Chesapeaker by Maya Lin
7. Michelin tires
8. bugs life – In the Midnight Garden by Jennifer Angus
9. codes are beautiful – Volume by Leo Villareal (Renwick’s)