The Upshur Street commercial strip in Petworth just got its newest resident: Beveragemania And to celebrate the proprietor of Beveragemania is giving out free Hazelnut coffee and $1 Hershey’s Ice Cream through Monday.

When I was there this afternoon, a line had already formed. And as I was eating my amazing Moose Tracks double scoop ($1!), I could feel the fat forming around my insides.

No matter, I’m just glad he has formed a new snack spot in my fair hood. Oh and he’s brave in the hood too. Beveragemania is going to be open 24/7 – that’s right all night long!

So the next time you’re wandering back well past the bewitching hour, slow down, stop in, and get a ice cream to cut that morning hangover. You’ll be glad you did.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

In case you haven’t noticed, the anti-meter taxi strike started at 6AM this morning and will go till 6AM tomorrow. D.C. Yellow Cab general manager says they’re operating with just a quarter of the fleet today, word from Union Station is that the taxi queue gets pretty long as more trains arrive, and hotels are getting limo services to fill the gap.

Halloween revelers tonight, remember that SoberRide will still be running, providing free cab rides for up to a $50 fare. Nonetheless, it’ll be a good idea not to get too wasted if you can help it, and make contingency plans to get home or crash with a fellow demon/goblin/witch/wizard/Jedi.

RumorsDaily is seeing DC taxi scabs at work, The DC Traveler cries “Shame!”, ansaphone4 found her drive far more pleasant without taxis to deal with, and GoneOutDC had a conversation with a taxi driver about why he’s striking — and he says it’s not necessarily about the meters.

How about the rest of our dear readers? How is the Halloween taxi strike treating you?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Yes, I know, it’s the Halloween before the presidential primaries, but this is freaking ridiculous. Folks, if you’re looking for a last minute costume of something scary to dress up as for Halloween, dress up as Ron Paul, okay? The only thing that’s scary about Chris Dodd are his complete and utter lack of prospects for the 2008 Primaries.

Also, when trying to describe the attributes of your candidate, can’t you avoid sounding like a complete and utter shlockfest? “The white hair represents the seven years and two presidential vetoes that Chris Dodd had to work through to pass the Family and Medical Leave Act.” I totally just threw up in my mouth just now. This is freaking ridiculous.

And politicizing a holiday as absolutely meaningless as Halloween? For shame.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

I was at the bar the other day when I heard some guy say exactly that. Well, soon, it’ll be true.

The new Zipcar (they’re taking Zipcar’s name in this marriage, no hyphenation or brand new name) will serve serve 50 cities including the District. With 180,000 customers and 5,000 vehicles between the two companies, the new Zipcar will be a big deal, but I wonder if they’ll still need every one of those parking spots near the Metro?

Both companies are yet to showing a profit, and are hoping that an economy of scale will be available to them once they’re merged.

Here’s hoping.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Ladies, meet Ian. He’s a barista at the famous Murky Coffee in Clarendon, and as of today, he’s God’s Gift To Women. That’s right, for Halloween, he’s got the very best costume I’ve seen for Halloween.

Though my friend Lisa saw a guy in a Viking Helmet on her way to work, I think Ian’s costume is best. He’ll be at Murky all day ladies, so feel free to stop by to sample his wares.

What’s the best costume you’ve seen so far?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

In a sad note on how much my DC experience has changed in the past few years, I missed tonights High Hell Race in Dupont Circle.

Instead of cheering for the Bubble Wrap Queen or even Princess Diana, I was off at work, then working on my house, even sober at that.

I have to say, I don’t miss the High Heel crowds, the pressing masses that in past years were also the soaking wet hordes who pushed and shoved for a glimpse of glitter. Worse, when I worked at Trios Restaurant, I hated High Heel night.

The place would be packed, with everybody antsy to get their food and drinks, all to be tossed when the race started. Much work, little tips. The only highlight came later, when racers would stop by and tell great tales.

I’ve never run in stilettos and yet I’ve learned from great men that you never walk on metal grates and always make a turn on the toe. Also, Nordstrom has extra wide shoes and Zappos has free shipping, perfect when you’re off the shoe charts.

Hopefully tonight a new generation learned something from men in lace hauling ass.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Say what you will about Bethesda being a mostly over-built commercialized area with little soul, but you can’t fault them on this one. If I had a van like this, I think I wouldn’t be able to keep the ladies at bay. Bethesda knows how to do things in style, obviously. This was parked by the Tuesday market downtown, adding to the festivity I try to enjoy once per week, as I look at all the veggies and baked goods. What a great way to take a break in the afternoon!

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

SCOTUSBlog reports that the two gun ban cases will be considered by the Supremes in just a few weeks.

The earliest that an order on the fate of the two cases would emerge is probably Tuesday, Nov. 13. The case, if granted, would probably be heard in February or March.

One of our actual lawyer readers can proof me on this, but they could well decide not to get involved in the matter and – as I understand it – that would end the matter, leaving things how the DC circuit decided – striking the ban. How soon after would the temporary stay expire, anyone know?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Do you enjoy the fancy Red Rocks Pizza? I know I love its bar and outdoor patio. But like their all Flash website, they’re more style than substance. Yes, they have good beers, but the food… I’ve had better. Specifically, I’ve had Moroni & Brother’s pizza.

Now starting off, the restaurant on Georgia Avenue at Delafeild, isn’t much to look at. It doesn’t have outdoor seating. Its not packed with the young and hip Columbia Heights crowd. It doesn’t even have a bar.

You could best describe it as a humble first business by Denis and Reyna Velasquez, who have been managing Pizzeria Paradiso in Dupont Circle and Georgetown for the past 15 years.

But that would be an understatement.

Oh.My.God! The food is gooood! First off, the pizza, thin crust with multiple vegetarian options, is stunning. Better yet, they have a full menu that spans form Salvadorian tamales for breakfast to Mexican enchiladas for lunch to mariscos specialties for dinner.

My favorite: the whole marinated fish.

See, I am particular about my tilapia. First I want it whole. No wasteful and tasteless fillet that insults the life taken for my meal. I wanna see the head, look my meal in the eye, and fight over the cheek meat – the best always. When I am done, even the cats go hungry.

And I’m not the only one that ♥ Moroni & Borthers. Just check out Prince of Petworth’s love, the review on Yep, and even Sveilks on DCist agree that Moroni rocks over the Red.

Better yet, Moroni delivers! Yes, you read that right. You don’t even need to visit the restaurant to enjoy their stunningly good food. Just pick up the phone and call 202.829.2090 for the best meal you’ll have all week.

But what I think is best of all is the owners attitude. From the very onset, they’ve been open to suggestions both online and in person. They are also quick to customize and overall, the nicest folk. Last but not least, unlike Red Rocks, you can always get a seat.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Ah, Georgetown! Once I thought of it as “that snooty place I never go to because the rich preppy folk didn’t want a Metro stop*,” but having recently taken a job there, I’ve discovered — and maybe even grown to love — that historic part of DC.

This part of Georgetown wasn’t always so swanky — an old friend from church who grew up in 1950s DC regaled me with stories about how none of the kids ever went to Georgetown back in his youth because it was a slum, and the canal stunk up everything below M Street. Georgetown was just recovering from its days as an early 20th Century industrial center at the time, with factories, mills, rendering plants and a streetcar power station dotting the slope down to the waterfront. But then came the Kennedies, and the Watergate went from literal canal “gate to the water” to swanky hotel-condo-office development, and the mills and stacks and rowhouses were closed down and demolished or repurposed into shops and malls and restaurants and bars, and soon the gentrification migrated down, till the Georgetown we know today — stilleto heels and popped collars and all — filled the space from Glover Park and Social Safeway to the theaters and harbor under the Whitehurst.

Walking Washingtonians, don’t let the distance from a Metro stop deter you from paying Georgetown a visit once in a while; it’s actually a lot closer than you think. There’s three ways to get to Georgetown on foot from Foggy Bottom /GWU Metro if you don’t want to wait for the shuttle bus:

1. The Pennsylania Avenue Way: If you’ve ever walked over to Trader Joe’s from Foggy Bottom/GWU Metro, you’ve already made it more than halfway. Just keep going up Penn Ave till you pass the Salvation Army building, cross the bridge over Rock Creek, pass two or three panhandlers, and when you see Four Seasons Hotel and a Lukoil gas station, you’ve made it.
2. The K Street Way: Alternatively, you can go west along K Street to where it meets the Whitehurst off-ramp, where after two or three pedestrian crossings and a down-ramp you emerge near the theaters, but I hate walking there. The interchange makes for a vulnerable crossing and the waterfront under the Whitehurst is anything but picturesque outside of the harbor. It is, however, the shortest walk, but my least favorite.
3. The Watergate Way: This is the longest, most roundabout stroll, but it’s nice and scenic. From the metro, cross the GWU plaza and go down New Hampshire Ave to Virginia Ave and the Watergate, then just keep walking down Virginia Ave till you get to Rock Creek Parkway, where you’ll have to push a walk button. The timing of the pedestrian crosswalk light is surprisingly nice to bikers and walkers (probably to the detriment of motor traffic), and you won’t have to wait long for the walk sign. Cross the little bridge over to Thompson Boat House, turn right, and you’ll find yourself walking along the Potomac with a nice view of Roosevelt Island and the Key Bridge. The route to K Street is just a short step up through Washington Harbour.

I hope this helps any fresh carless DC newbies who might feel intimidated by the prospect of trekking to Georgetown, like I did until this year. It turned out to be not so hard; now I do it all week.

See it on Google Maps.

* The truth of the matter, according to The Great Society Subway, is that a Georgetown Metro station would have been prohibitively difficult and expensive from an engineering and legal standpoint, requiring a deep dig under private buildings.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Our friends in Boston who purchased some furniture during the pre-season are going to get their purchase prices refunded because the Sox won the series.

We can get a free taco if we go to Taco Bell between 2pm and 5pm tomorrow. Beef variety, by the way, though perhaps they’ll give you one with just veggies, Carl.

As if having the Nationals rather than the Sox wasn’t punishment enough. This is just MEAN.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

If you like your theatrical experiences a little more highfalutin than spoken word poets, how about a little Marlowe? Christopher, not Philip. The Shakespeare Theater is kicking off a new program designed to put more youthful butts in seats and it’s pretty cool. If you happen to be a year or two *cough* younger than me you can take advantage of their new 20/10 program. 20 seats in every single production that week (minus Friday and Saturday) will be set aside to be sold for $10 to anyone 35 or younger. Considering the seats normally run up to $55, that’s a pretty nice deal.

The seats are released every week starting at 10am on Tuesday for the shows through that Sunday. You just need to show up at the Sidney Harman Hall Box Office at 610 F St. NW with ID in hand, otherwise they’ll have to saw you in half and count the rings.

If you’re a little more on the decrepit side you can still enjoy the kickoff for this new program. According to the press release, all the seats for the November 6th opener of Tamburlaine will be sold for $10 when the program’s first week starts tomorrow morning at 10am.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Well, the DC Cabbies are about to have their revenge on the city for the declaration of meters. Wednesday, coincidentally that’s Halloween, there will be a taxi-cab strike.

Except that there are multiple taxi-cab groups, not all of whom will be striking. So, there will just be fewer taxis on the street, not that you could get one to actually stop for you, ever. So, if you’re headed out in the District for a halloween event, take public transit, or plan on having a Designated Driver instead of planning to hail a cab.

Don’t give into these crazies advocating the return of the craptacular zone system which benefit only the cabbies.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Sure, they call it the Rumbler, but it’s the same concept that sent a woman over the edge on the Howard Stern Show. The idea being, the car puts out some subsonic rumble for 10 seconds or so, causing everyone within 200 feet to turn and wonder if there’s been a localized earthquake, or if perhaps a building had come down, but I guess it’s more effective in our solitude-obsessed iPod society. It’ll certainly make you take notice.

Personally, this quote from the article made me laugh aloud and wonder if the city’s on a bender: “Lanier added an aside about the Rumbler: ‘Cops love new toys.'”

Yes. They love new toys. I know this is off the cuff, I know it’s meant in good humor, but I get the impression that these days, humor might not be in the department’s best interests, given that their officers have been arrested (and convicted!) for stealing from victims, as well as the ongoing investigation regarding the shooting death of Deonte Rawlings in Southeast, maybe now’s not the best time for humor from the chief?

Regardless, make sure to get out of the way if you suddenly feel the ground shaking, it’s probably just the Police asking to get by, as we live in a fairly stable geological region.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

It’s hard for me to believe it’s only been a year since I went to the ACLU’s 2006 member conference kickoff, but sure enough, Oct 16 2006 says my byline. At the time I said that the highlight of the evening was Steve Connell and Sekou (tha misfit), much to my surprise. I put up some clips that failed to meet WebJedi’s standards and I’m happy to say there’s several better ones to eyeball and a number of audio clips too.

If you’d rather enjoy the energy they bring to a live performance, you could hie yourself over to Signature Theater and see the production of The Word Begins. $40 might be a little more than you’re used to paying for spoken word, but maybe there’s a discount code out there somewhere, hmm?

Or, for the low price of free (well, not free but paid for indirectly) you could go see them at the Arlington Central library during the monthly FROM PAGE TO STAGE event done in partnership with Signature. It’s from 7 to 8pm tonight and no reservations are required. Just show up, and say hi if you spot me – I’m not going to miss a chance to see them again.

Arlington Central Library
1015 North Quincy Street
Arlington, VA 22201

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Wandering through Golden Gate Park in San Francisco today, BB and I came across the most interesting sight.

Our collective first thought: imagine a Wonders of Cannabis festival on the National Mall. Now wouldn’t that be groovy? And impossible.

DC is way too uptight to be San Francisco cool.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Look what all this rain has found in my roof: a brand new leak.

Thanks for the tip Mother Nature. I will be sure to fix the roof before winter snows make it worse.

For those that are counting, I am using the amazing safety pin and string in the paint bubble method to drain water before it seeps down the walls.

What is your rainy weekend find?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Hey! SciFi! What the hell is up with the neglect? Why no BSG movie preview lovin’ for DC?

As if it was not enough that I was left hanging months ago, literally jumping out of my seat and screaming at my television at the end of the season finale, now I’m going to be taunted by my twitterfolk in Chicago, Boston, LA, Seattle, and NYC that they’ve seen it a full twelve days early.

Are we not geeky enough for you? Are we not sufficiently devoted to political intrigue presented in a space milieu? If you prick us, DO WE NOT BLEED?!?

My tortured fangirl’s heart weeps.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Jens Lekman may be trying to steal my boyfriend. As we strolled down the moist, chilly blocks from Lekman’s Black Cat performance last night, all my date could talk about was how sweet and charming Jens was, his lovely voice, and general awesomeness. Not that the Swedish indie pop signer’s charms were lost on me, mind you. There is good reason that, in their review of his most recent record, Night Falls Over Kortedala, Pitchfork praised his “boyfriendable baritone” and why few writers even try to avoid mentioning his dreamy smile. At his best, Lekman leans his head back and beams like Snoopy doing his happy dance and gives off an air of clever contentment.

On his records, Lekman relies heavily on an effective and sophisticated use of samples to back his sweet and witty lyrics with layers of strings, horns, and piano, drawing heavily from disco and Motown sounds (both vintage and current). From this, I had expected a live performance more akin to Atom & His Package or any of the dude-accompanying-a-laptop shows I have seen lately. Instead, a band of seven impressive multi-instrumentalists dressed in matching white outfits plays much of it live, along with Lekman himself playing guitar and occasional keyboard. The six young women played various combinations of drums, bass, timpani, saxophone, trumpet, and triangle, among other things, over the course of the night, along with a male dj/sample triggerer/laptop guy. During a particularly cheerful moment, they all put down their gear and performed a minute-long airplane dance during a long, bouncy sample.

For all the infrastructure Lekman brought to the stage, and all the energy and enthusiasm that went into the big, danceable, production-number tracks, he is at least as compelling when things quiet down. For songs like the aching “The Cold Swedish Winter” or poignant “Shirin” (about an Iraqi refugee hairdresser), Jens was left alone on the stage, with only his guitar to accompany him. For his final song, he employed an agreeable audience for finger-snapping percussion and backing vocals, something he would sweetly call “The most beautiful version of that song I have ever heard.”

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

This was sent special to Metroblogging DC today.

It was fitting that Mahalo published “How to Make Perfect Bacon” on the same day that Hudson Restaurant officially opened, taking over the same space of the former David Greggory restaurant, because this means we’ll have to make our bacon on our own and won’t be able to rely on Chef Greggory anymore.
 
Chef Greggory loved pork – he roasted a pig on Wednesdays for a Pork and Pinot Happy Hour and made a variety of happy hour treats, including my favorite – pulled pork on a bacon-flecked buttermilk biscuit that was downright dangerous.
 
And then there were the bacon dinners.  Once a month, Chef Greggory served a six-course dinner with bacon as a featured ingredient in each course (yes, even dessert), with a matched wine accompanying.  Seated at large tables and ganged up with strangers, the bacon and wine made friends of everyone by the end.  Most were repeat attendees, so faces began to look familiar after a few months.  The best part?  Take home bacon – everyone went home with a pound of artisanal bacon and a catalog full of bacon products.
 
The day after a bacon dinner I had a client lunch scheduled, and she wanted to go to David Greggory.  I walked into the restaurant and Chef Greggory was sitting at the bar.  He turned to me in surprise and said, “What are you doing here?  You’re not out of bacon are you?”
 
I am now, Chef Greggory.  And we’ll miss you.

Lisa King is a writer and consultant in Arlington, VA

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs