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Monday, May 31, 2010

berry bento and route 29 diner visit

 The heat was rising this morning when we arrived at the 29 Diner in Fairfax for a late breakfast; green and orange tendriled trumpet vines behind the diner had the humid, lush look of a Virginia summer:
 
 
The 29 Diner has been in Fairfax since 1947, a charming place with a wonderfully "old school" menu. Today they served up perfect Western omelets and crisp-tender home fries:
 
 
 
 
 
Tuesday's bento:
The top layer features a brown and wild rice pilaf with almonds and pistachios, lamb with artichoke and tomato and accents of mint and fresh oregano. The sweets sidecar holds a vanilla coconut cupcake (garnished with a wild strawberry-like fruit that appeared in the garden this year), lots of blueberries and a thick slice of kiwi.

Looking forward to your new creations this week, bento pals!

20 comments:

  1. Mmm, that coconut cupcake looks great! Love the photos, as usual--that place is obviously a REAL old school diner! I actually packed a non-Mr.-Bento bento for tomorrow, will take pic in the morning :)

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  2. Hi Carol :)Yep, this place is the real thing...I hope it stays as it is forever. Love your new bento and quinoa recipe!

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  3. Oh my! I adore these kind of diners! The "real McCoy" for sure! Lovely bento as always Jenn!

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  4. Hi Debra! Oh, I'm so glad! This was such a fun place to visit, its every detail spoke of the past and also a very lively, practical present. Thanks so much for your visit and comments :)

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  5. Oh, your cupcake is adorable! Lovely bento as always!

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  6. Hi Lexi, many thanks for such nice comments! Please save me a slice of yummy key lime pie ;)

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  7. Gorgeous bento! I love that teeny tiny strawberry!!!

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  8. Hi fellow coconut lover! Thanks for your comment on my coconut pancakes...I'm super interested in your vanilla coconut cupcake!! Is there coconut flavoring in the batter? Anyways, lovely bento. : )

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  9. Love how beautiful your bento always looks without being cutesy.Very sophisticated and elegant!
    I also love the paper and cool kiwi pick!

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  10. Your bento always look so fresh and tempting, especially the vanilla coconut cupcake in this bento!!

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  11. Lovely bento! I really love the coconut cupcake; the strawberry looks like nestled on soft snow :D

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  12. awesome looking bento, the herbal flavors in the lamb sound perfect, and the pistachio-pilaf divine. that tiny cupcake is making me squeal, and everything is joyously presented!

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  13. Hi there Rachel! Thanks so much :)
    Yes, an addition to this lovely (decadent!)recipe to up the "coconut factor!":
    http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Vanilla-Bean-Coconut-Cupcakes-with-Coconut-Frosting-352095

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  14. *smiles!* thank you Sheri! I love how your always cute bentos are full of natural beauty and fresh style!

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  15. Hi KidsDreamWork! Many thanks and I hope your week is going well :)

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  16. Hi Tata, I love your description--very cool!

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  17. Aw, so kind of you megan! I'm so glad we get to share in the joy of bentos together :)

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  18. Oh I really love 50s American style! Old diners in the US are my yearning. I'm so happy I can see that.

    This bento is also sophisticated as always. How refreshing and pretty!!

    Have a wonderful weekend Jenn! :D

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  19. Hi Izumi! Great to hear this--now I have a perfect excuse to go back and order more food (and dessert) to photograph and share with you my dear! Thanks as always for your encouragement and I hope your weekend is off to a great start!

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