Monthly Archives: December 2009

The Daily Feed
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Room 11 Uncorks Their Nocino

Photo courtesy of
‘Lamont and 11th Street NW’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

Yesterday, I mentioned in passing that Room 11 was uncorking their nocino last night. On a lark, we headed over after beers at Church Key and tried a glass of the wonderful house-made liqueur. You might be more familiar with the Italian digestif limoncello, which is made in a similar process, the rich lemon flavor is a smooth after-dinner drink.

Nocino is like limoncello’s older, stronger, angrier brother, in the best possible description. The nose is like a floral old-style root beer, heady with herbs that tantalize and inspire. The taste, though, is like nothing I’ve ever had. It comes in three waves, first strong cinnamon and clove, next ginger and nuts, and finally the slow and pleasant burn of a good strong spirit, mixed with the walnut and herbs. Can’t miss this one. Go now.

Room 11
3234 11th Street NW
Washington DC 20010

Adams Morgan, Alexandria, Arlington, Dupont Circle, Essential DC, Life in the Capital, Penn Quarter, Petworth, The Features, WTF?!
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Surviving the Next Snowpocalypse

Photo courtesy of
‘South Smithsonian Escalators’
courtesy of ‘william couch’

The DC area, this weekend, was something of a post-apocalyptic landscape. Driving down 395 on Saturday, one would have seen abandoned cars spun out at odd angles and their stranded drivers trudging towards some nameless help. Most residents stayed holed up in their homes, living off of the provisions they had dutifully stocked the day before. Basic commodities were impossible to come by and the majority of services simply shut down. As the snow storm abated, DC residents peered from their homes at the changed landscape, and painstakingly began the cleanup, trying to return to normality.

Ok, sure, that is a bit of an over-dramatization, but seriously, 395 did look like something out of 28 Days Later.  This snow, like any snow, threw into sharp relief how woefully unprepared DC area citizens are for wintry weather. So, as a northerner, I take it upon myself to save you all from yourselves before the next snowpocalypse.

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Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
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Bistrot Lepic’s Tuesday Happy Hour

Mural, Bistrot Lepic

"Mural, Bistrot Lepic" by Jenn Larsen on Flickr

Snowpocalypse hangover gotcha down? Feeling a bit battered by slush and shoveling? Bistrot Lepic has launched its new Tuesday Happy Hour program in the upstairs wine bar, and from 6pm to 8pm tonight you can try complimentary pours from its extensive wine list. Co-Owner and Managing Partner Cyrille Brenac will choose some of the more unique wines off the 160 bottle collection for you to try, and will switch it up weekly. Tonight features a 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Quincy, Domaine de Chevilly.

I love this wine bar’s quiet and intimate setting (but especially the mural of the helpful pigs) and its cosy, terribly sexy ambience is just the thing to stave off any holiday blues.

Mythbusting DC, The Features
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DC Mythbusting: Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

Photo courtesy of
‘Christmas in Washington – 090’
courtesy of ‘giantminispacegoat’

Welcome to a holiday edition of Mythbusting! This week we’ll be figuring out exactly what is going on with the Christmas trees in DC. How many National Christmas Trees are there? There’s the one outside the Capitol and the one outside the White House, but are there more “official” Christmas trees in our federal city?

Yes, there are! There are three official national trees in our fair city: the Capitol Christmas Tree in front of the Capitol. the National Christmas Tree near the ellipse at the White House, and the White House Christmas Tree inside the Blue Room of the White House. Read on to find out the difference between these trees, where they came from this year, and which one is a DC native!

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Adventures, History, The Daily Feed
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Snowpocalypsi of Yore

Photo courtesy of
‘Ice mask, C.T. Madigan, between 1911-1914 / photograph by Frank Hurley’
courtesy of ‘State Library of New South Wales collection’

During this past weekend’s Snowpocalypse, when I was hunkering down in my blazing warm apartment, watching Mean Girls, eating curried pumpkin soup from Whole Foods and sipping on Macallan, I couldn’t help but wonder what a Snowpocalypse would have been like 100 years ago sans Goretex, Under Armour, Smartwools, central heating, snowplows/snowblowers, TV, etc. and without a widespread use of electricity. In a word, I surmised people were cold.

Fortunately, DC blog Shorpy features an particularly awesome photo post a 1918 Snowpocalypse that reminds me just how great this city and residents are. These DCers don’t look cold at all.  They’re trudging through the snow, hats on, wool coats buttoned, on their way snow be damned. Of course, the photo doesn’t convey the intensity of the  storm or the level of hardship endured, but it does show the resilience of our ancestors. DCites do their best when faced with heavy snow fall.  We will not be cold. We will not let the snow win. Both the 1918 and 2009 Snowpocalypsi were storms well weathered by our nation’s capital.

History, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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The History of Bullets and Snow Balls

Photo courtesy of
‘IMG_2384’
courtesy of ‘AJ Ashton’

By now, pretty much everyone in DC knows about the cop that brought a gun to a snow ball fight. Before casting aspersions, it should be noted that there is historical precedence for gun fire being exchanged during snowball fights.  In 1770, the famous Boston Massacre was sparked, in part, by snowballs thrown at the British by angry Bostonians.  Fortunately, this weekend didn’t bear the same political tension as late 18th century Massachusetts, but it’s still an interesting coincidence.  Police forces don’t take kindly to snow balls.

The Daily Feed
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Haynesworth After The Loss

Photo courtesy of
‘00207256’
courtesy of ‘Keith Allison’

Yesterday, I quoted in my Sports Fix that, “When the fall’s all that’s left, it matters a great deal,” going into the Redskins game. The Giants didn’t just beat the Redskins last night, they heard the lamentations of their women. It was a seal-clubbing. Trick plays gone awry, no points in the first half, this was the team that started out the season, not the team that almost beat New Orleans. After the 45-12 loss, the Post caught Albert Haynesworth:

“It just feels like we’re all going in different directions,” Haynesworth said. “We need someone to lead us in the right direction.”

Oh sweet baby Jesus, where to begin.

Here’s a hint, Albert, if you can spot the problem (direction) and you only ask for a leader, you will never get one. In that situation, your job is to rally as many of your teammates as possible, and lead them in the right direction. You just signed the biggest NFL contract ever for a defense player. Perhaps it’s time to demonstrate some leadership, instead of throwing punches. Maybe, just maybe, then you can bitch about leadership.

The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Bad Driver – No Dessert for You

bad driver

I saw this truck parked in the garage at Ballston last night. Yes, you caught me – I was buying last-minute gifts for my loved ones and for my We Love DC secret Santa person. (Katie, you are totes going to love what I got you!) Actually, it was the beginning of my shopping spree, but that’s beside the point.

Can you imagine being enough of a dick as to drive like this, with half the windshield obstructed? Well, I am here to tell you that some people really are that stupid. I know there’s got to be at least one of our readers that does this sort of thing – clearing a small space at the front of the windshield and hoping nobody else is coming down the road. Probably the same people who do not stop at stop signs. So can someone shed light into this type of laziness? Why not clear the whole car of snow?

Featured Photo
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Feature Photo


‘Boulder Bridge’
courtesy of ‘architeuthis dux’

If you guessed that our photo pool would be filled with snow pictures this week, you were right and deserve a prize. Almost as many pictures as millimeters of snow, and we rounded up some of the best yesterday. That’s not going to stop me choosing another snow picture as our feature photo for the week.

When the first failed attempt to purchase the land that would become Rock Creek Park was introduced in the Senate in 1867, Sen. B. Gratz Brown of Missouri, chairman of the Public Buildings and Grounds committee, said of the proposed park, “it has running water; it has rugged hills; it has picturesque scenery; it has abundance of varied forest timber; it has a native undergrowth blushing with beauty.”

It is this “picturesque scenery” that photographer architeuthis dux found when he wandered past the historic Boulder Bridge. Built in 1902 to carry Beach Drive over the creek, the bridge seems to have been waiting for this snowfall and photo opportunity. The snow, the creek, the quiet serenity, even the slight sepia coloring all combine to create a stunning picture that many won’t believe is inside the heart of our city.
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The Daily Feed
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Snowbank Blocking Pedestrian Crossing

Plowed snowbank blocking pedestrian crossing in Clarendon

Some snow plow operation in Arlington has seen fit to pile this massive snowbank right on top of a pedestrian crossing outside Clarendon Metro, forcing walkers to walk around it, on the road, dodging ice and skidding cars to get across Wilson Blvd. Hey, Arlington, I know it’s hard to figure out where to put all this snow, but if you’re trying to encourage walkability in the county, you’re doing it wrong.

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The Daily Feed
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Society Still Intact; Mass Repopulation Not Necessary


eggnog almost gone, fraternizing with cream. film at 11.
Originally uploaded by carlweaver

My Lovely Wife and I decided to venture out today, since the Arlington County snow plows decided to go down our street. Normally after a snow storm they don’t, so this was quite an exciting afternoon. I thought it would be prudent for me to be sure the rest of society was still intact or if the missus and I needed to get busy repopulating the planet. Sure enough, society was still around, but just barely.

When we got to Harris Teeter, I found that the eggnog case was almost completely empty. This is all that was left. I decided to do some self-imposed rationing and only took one carton, leaving the rest for other weary travelers.

I guess it’s okay. Soon they will get a delivery, I am sure, and this situation will likely not seem so dire. I guess it’s good that society is holding up under the strain, because repopulating with just my Lovely Wife could take a while, seeing as how we humans are normally limited to one offspring per nine-month session (very inefficient, if you ask me), and she doesn’t like the idea of me repopulating the planet with anyone else.

The Daily Feed
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Live ATC from IAD and DCA

Planespotting at Gravelly Point

Local pilots and planespotters will be happy to know that LiveATC has live streaming tower communications from National Airport (DCA) and Dulles (IAD). Few things are more soothing and fascinating for the aviation geek than listening to the smooth, seductive tower-and-aircraft dance of ATC broadcasts from your local airport.

You can also search for the pertinent airports from LiveATC search; National is KDCA and Dulles is KIAD. Found via DCTower.net.

Fashionable DC, The District, The Features
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Fashionable DC: Stylish and Warm

IMG_0894
Photo courtesy of Kelly Collis Fredrick

Winter has arrived in D.C. and if you have lived in Washington for a while you know we are not real pros at surviving the cold and not to mention dealing with snow! I find it is more of challenge to stay stylish during the winter months.

Here are a few items that will keep you warm and looking stylish this winter.  So ditch those Uggs!

Hats and Scarfs

Anthropologie in Georgetown has a great selection of knit hats in a variety of colors and styles that range from $38-$42, they are loose fitting so it will not mess up your hair completely.  And on the flip side if you are having a bad hair day, they are super cute and you can wear them all day.

Another great item is a spin on a classic  – a ruffled scarf.  Anthropologie sells them a bunch of different colors for $98 and I have also spotted some at Bloomingdale’s in Chevy Chase for a lot less at around $40. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Georgetown Snow Delivery

Photo courtesy of
‘Random Snow Picture’
courtesy of ‘Grace Fell’

So with two feet of snow on the ground (and now melting into slush and freezing back to ice) venturing out into the wilds of Georgetown to get to Chipotle or Dean & Deluca might seem akin to scaling Mt. Everest. Fret not, dear Georgetown resident, for the Georgetown Voice has found a few restaurants and pizza joints who will brave the summit to deliver for you. Check out their list and stop gnawing on that piece of shoe leather.

Sports Fix
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Sports Fix: Snow Edition

Photo courtesy of
‘Ovechkin about to score’
courtesy of ‘afagen’

Capitals
Record: 22-8-6
Last Two Weeks: 4-3
Place: First in the Southeast

The Caps hit a bit of a skid this week. Sure, it’s hard to say that 4-3 is a skid, but when you’re as dominant as the Caps have been this season, it’s tough to watch losses at all. Especially when they’re shutouts like the game against the Sabres last week. Sure, Ovechkin is lighting it up like crazy, with 23 goals and 41 points, and Nicholas Backstrom is proving to be the assist machine with 28.

Injuries continue to be a bit of a plague, as they’ve sidelined important parts of the Caps lines, and now include Semyon Varlamov with a groin-strain. Perhaps the team is just road-weary? Long road-trips have taken their toll on teams past, so that’s entirely possible

One important piece of info, though, for Virginia-based Caps fans, the drive for a Capitals Vanity Plate for your car continues, and they need your help. On Frozen Blog has the details and applications close on the 31st.

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Best. Snowpeople. Ever.

Cheers to Snowpocalypse!

Cheers to Snowpocalypse!

The population in DC has grown substantially in the past few days, as scores of snowpeople have taken up residence. I met a new “neighbor” this morning, sporting lei and Santa hat, real metal buttons, candy blue eyes and, best of all, a drink complete with orange snow.

Here are a few more creative snow folks from the We Love DC Flickr pool. Got more? Add ’em to the pool!

The Daily Feed
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Happy Solstice, DC!

Photo courtesy of
‘shields up’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

I don’t much care for winter. It’s not the cold (though that’s no fun), and it’s not the snow, it’s the lack of daylight. The days that don’t get bright until 7:30 and get dim again at 4:30. I just can’t handle that little light. So, celebrate, my fellow seasonally-affected folks, for today is the shortest day of the year. At just 9.4 hours of daylight, we’re won’t see a day this short for another year. It’s a long way back to 12 hours, yes, but each day gives us valuable seconds and minutes of daylight that will brighten our souls and lives.

Until then, perhaps warm your soul with a little Nocino, house-made at Room 11? They’ll start pouring tonight at 5pm. It’s supposed to be a real treat. See you there?

Entertainment, History, The Daily Feed, The Mall
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2010 Cherry Blossom Festival. Will the snow be gone by then?

Photo courtesy of
‘Cherry Blossoms look like snow’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’

Covered in 20″ of snow, it’s hard to imagine the beautiful spring weather common during the Cherry Blossom Festival, but let’s try anyways.

The 2010 festival will run from March 27 to April 11, and marks the 98th anniversary of Japan’s cherry tree gifting. Activity planning is underway with the opening night to take place at the National Building Museum, fireworks at the southwest waterfront on April 3, the parade on April 11 and many more events in the works.