Pork, Princeton, Volt

We recently took a road trip up to Princeton, New Jersey to escape D.C.’s heat and hustle. 


We took in the university’s gorgeous gothic campus, had some nice meals around the pretty historic town, and caught up with old friends from Washington and their two amazing kids (go Clabby family!).  General Motors also graciously treated us to the use of a Chevy Volt so we could cruise up and down America’s most beloved freeway (Hwy 95) (ok that was tongue-in-cheek) in an American-made hybrid that is giving the Toyota Prius a run for its money.   

The Volt is a good story (we have an interest in electric vehicles here, having previously driven a Tesla and making plans to try out other EV options in the future). It is a plug-in that can go about 50 miles on pure electric without using gas or needing to be recharged, making it the most fuel-efficient car with a gasoline engine sold in the United States. Thus, its many “green car of the year” awards. It is roomier inside than a Prius and looks better too.  It drives smooth and the electric motor helped us average about 60 miles to the gallon during the trip. All in all, a good experience.

555 Photos by Kristen Finn

When we returned from our brief ex-DC respite, we pulled straight into the annual celebration de pork that is Cochon 555. 

This year’s festivities were extra special, as they were held on the top level of the Newseum, providing an extraordinary roof deck view of the Capital and downtown D.C. 

The all-star lineup of chefs hit the ball out of the park once again.   

Cochon 555’s delicacies not only fill the belly but also fill the mind with imagination and admiration for the creativity and commitment of Brady, the founder of Cochon 555, and all of the chefs and staff.  

Cochon 555 is one of the most unique and fitting demonstrations of the exploding talent in the D.C. restaurant scene and I have already marked the calendar for next year’s competition.  

Congrats to Mike Isabella!