Vapiano and Backsplash

Hey everyone! I just got home last night from Washington DC. I was there on a hockey tournament (we got third place), but now I'm back and ready to talk about the food and the remodel.

The kitchen remodel is finally winding down. This past week they put up the tile backsplash, but as far as major changes go, that's just about the last one! 

On to pictures:

Tile backsplash

Tile backsplash with the socket protectors put back on

Backsplash contrast nicely with the cabinets. The white spot is where the microwave is going to go.

The kitchen remodel is just about finished, and should be completely down in about a week. They just have to finish electrical, plumbing, putting in all the appliances, and then final touches.

I can't wait!

So like I said before, I just got back from a five day tournament in Washington DC. One of my favorite things about traveling is finding good restaurants, little hidden gems. Vapiano's in Arlington, Virginia was no different!

This was not your typical italian place. It was not red brick with huge wooden tables and italian music in the background. Instead, it was a nice modern take on "Italian" with decor and the way you got your food.

You walk in, and they hand you a card. There are three stations you can walk to: Pasta, Salad, and Pizza. I chose Pasta. The card is used to pay for whatever you get from any of the stations. For example, if you wanted a salad and pasta, you would use your card at both stations.

You pick up a little menu for ideas, but basically, you could get anything you want added or taken out of your pasta. 

Then, you pick what kind of pasta you want. They had eleven pastas, including two whole wheat choices. I personally chose Conchiglie. It was not a pasta I was very familiar with, but the chef recommended it, and I thought it looked interesting. 

Picture of the different kinds of pastas you can choose from. 

My pasta being cooked.

I chose a dish off the menu called "Granchi De Fiume". It's pasta, crayfish, lobster sauce, and fresh vegetables. Once you choose what you want, they begin to cook it right in front of you. The cool thing about this is you can watch exactly what they are putting into it, and how much. Then, if necessary, you can tell them to change things, like for example, how much chili peppers, or vegetables, or meat, etc you want.

A picture of my dish being cooked. Carrots, zucchini, crayfish, oh my.

The lobster sauce being added.

A picture of my dish all done and ready to enjoy! After the pasta is cooked, they hand it to you, and you go pick a table to sit at.

They also give you bread, and at each table there is olive oil and balsamic vinegar, as well as a little pot of fresh basil to pick and put on your food as you desire.

I really loved this place. My dish was good, though admittedly it was a bit too creamy for my taste. The real thing I loved about this place was the concept of it. The fact that you get to walk up, watch the chef cook your meal, tell them exactly what you want, and then get it. I hope that more of these types of dining experiences start to pop up, and I sure hope Vapiano makes a restaurant in southern California soon!

Peace, Love, and Creative Eating,

- Kayla