Author Archives: Reed Sandridge

Day 34: Anonymous (Teaism Dupont)

Day34I thought I would do something different today – leave a letter anonymously somewhere around town. It’s an idea that I got from a project called Letters Left in London.

So I stopped in for lunch at Teaism in Dupont and left my letter on the window sill. I tried to be rather discreet and leave it there with nobody seeing me. I think it worked, but then I wanted a photograph of it and that certainly drew some attention, but apparently not that much because after taking the picture I took my food upstairs and enjoyed my lunch.

I sat there and peacefully enjoyed my asian barbecue chicken kebab while wondering if anyone had picked up my letter. Perhaps someone would come upstairs with it in hand. That might be interesting. I didn’t leave my name on it or even my return address…perhaps I should have, but I can do that next time. Today I was nervous leaving it there, it was like I was doing something wrong. My heart skipped a bit faster.

The letter was still comfortably leaning against the sugar canister when I left some thirty minutes later.

Day34-3

“Sending a handwritten letter is becoming such an anomaly. It’s disappearing. My mom is the only one who still writes me letters. And there’s something visceral about opening a letter – I see her on the page. I see her in her handwriting.” – Steve Carell

Take time this week to write someone you care about a handwritten letter.

Not sure what brand of cards these are, but I've had them for a long time.

Not sure what brand of cards these are, but I’ve had them for a long time.

Day 33: Chef Janny, Bistro Blanc

Wow…what a crazy end to the Super Bowl last night – I still can’t believe it.

Photo: Newsweek.com

Photo: Newsweek.com

Photo: Jen Rynda

Photo: Jen Rynda

Today’s handwritten letter recipient and Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady have something in common. They’re all about texture. When questioned about Deflategate, Brady said that it was all about the texture of the footballs.

Chef Janny Kim of Bistro Blanc in Glenelg, MD agrees, “I’m all about texture.” He was referring to food though, not footballs. The 28-year-old self-taught chef is delighting customers at this Howard County hidden gem. I was with a group of friends at the Chef’s Table that featured a 10 course mouth-watering menu.

Pillows of RIce: fermented sesame leaf, roasted peanut curry, toasted peanut and micro shiso

Pillows of Rice: fermented sesame leaf, roasted peanut curry, toasted peanut and micro shiso

The aerated celery soup, the grouper, suckling pig, the 29 day dry-aged ribeye and spicy dark chocolate ganache were my favorites, but they were all very good. I’ve never written a chef to tell them that I enjoyed there food – but why not?

I even found a postage stamp that featured Edna Lewis – famed James Beard awarded chef known for her southern style culinary creations.

BistroBlanc-2

Chef Janny,

Suckling Pig with nuoc mam pickled vegetables and leek emulsion

Suckling Pig with nuoc mam pickled vegetables and leek emulsion

I had the distinct pleasure of dining at your Chef’s Table Saturday evening. I live in downtown Washington, DC and have dined in wonderful restaurants here as well as in New York, Chicago, Lima, Sao Paulo, Paris, Madrid, Florence, London, etc. The food that you created for us was worthy of the coveted Michelin stars. Your intense flavors, complimenting textures and stunning presentation are a clear result of your passion and commitment to culinary excellence.

Thank you, it was outstanding!
Reed Sandridge

BistroBlanc

Sunday Notes: An update on the project and a story about lost love letters

My PO Box is empty

My PO Box is empty

It’s Sunday….I got behind on posting this weekend. Let me tell you, this project takes a LOT more time than I thought. Writing the letters, photographing them, uploading them, posting on social media, responding to all the response letters that are filling up my mailbox, etc.

Ok, the last part isn’t really true. In fact, I haven’t received one response letter yet. I know it’s only been a month, but I have exchanged a few emails and tweets with recipients of my letters in January and several indicated they would be writing me back. Oh well. So not much to report on today on that front.

I’ll leave you with this touching story from CBS Sunday Morning about a woman suffering with memory loss who finds a stack of 45 year-old love letters which help put the pieces of her life back together. Steve Hartman brings the story to us as only he can. He’s one of the best. Enjoy!

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/love-letters-discovered-at-goodwill/

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/love-letters-discovered-at-goodwill/

 

Now off to watch the Super Bowl!

Day 31: Dan Bane, Trader Joe’s

The staff at Trader Joe’s is so cheerful and friendly a trip to TJ’s is like free therapy! Well, not free if you buy some of their delicious food. Every business could learn something from how they engage their customers.

Trader Joes

Dear Mr. Bane,

I wanted to send you a letter to tell you that I think Trader Joe’s creates one of the most enjoyable employee-customer experiences of any large-scale retailer. I frequent my local TJ’s – 1101 25th Street in Northwest Washington, DC – often and everyone there is exceptionally pleasant. And while I know your stores are known for this, my local TJ’s does an outstanding job and I wanted you to know.

Crew members are delighted to help find items or make a product suggestion. I once bought the Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches because an employee told me that they saved her marriage – three times! She might need a little time off by the way. I’m not married, but if I were I would add them to my regular shopping list to keep the relationship strong!

 Keep up the good work. If you ever come to DC – stop in my neighborhood TJ’s and congratulate your team here.

Best regards,
Reed Sandridge

 

Day 30: Rebecca

Photo: tickledred.wordpress.com

Photo: tickledred.wordpress.com

Everyone knows a handful of people who are extraordinarily talented, people who create a sense of energy when you are around them. Rebecca exemplifies this. She is one of the most talented professionals working in media anywhere and I am fortunate enough to know her through my Year of Giving project.

I met up with her this afternoon over a cup of hot tea at Port City Java – a relaxing coffee house steps away from DC’s iconic Eastern Market. Time slipped by, mostly because I was dominating the conversation. In my defense she asks questions and listens for a living!

Check out the extra soft handmade lotka stationery.

Rebecca-2

Rebecca,

It was such a pleasure to spend time with you today. So many exciting events in your life since we’ve seen each other last!

Rebecca-3I’d say we had a wonderful conversation – but I did most of the talking. In hindsight it reminds me of a quote by Jean de La Bruyère, ‘The great gift of conversation lies less in displaying it ourselves than in drawing it out of others.” I could learn a lot from how you listen.

I appreciate your helping to brainstorm on how Street Sense transitions to where it wants to be. Also, your comments on the story of entrepreneurism that develops in the vendors were sagacious and worthy of exploring much further.

You also inspired me to make time for pursuing the food stories we discussed – and you’re right, video is the way to go. It’s a project that is important to me for many reasons and I believe it will resonate with others.

Thank you for sharing your time today with me – it means a lot and I enjoyed it very much.

Stay in touch,
Reed

Rebecca