By Ben H. Rome
G20 summit in Washington, DC, courtesy of Downing Street
Despite the gray skies, tornado warnings, cold rain and a Redskins letdown, this was still an eventful weekend in the greater Washington DC area. Highlights after the jump.
By Jenn Larsen
Enjoying a dozen oysters at Clyde's
In our ongoing quest to conquer the Omnivore 100 list, we come to #28, Oysters. It’s hardly a chore for me to kick back several dozen oysters. My love affair with the bivalves began as a child watching my grandfather stir up some homemade oyster stew, mesmerized by the delicate edges curling up in the cream. At some point as a teenager I dared my first raw bar, and the salty brine was instantly addicting. I’ve never strayed, even after a disastrous food poisoning incident in New Orleans (on my birthday, no less). No, there really is nothing like the luscious oyster, and we’re lucky in DC to have plenty of places to enjoy them.
They say eating an oyster is like kissing the sea, or a mermaid. I don’t know about that, but I do know that slurping back a mineraly oyster freshly shucked off the shell is one of those things that divides people – either you can’t stand the thought or the taste of them raw, or you love them passionately. While perfectly fried oysters battered in cornmeal certainly ranks high on my list, it’s the ritual of the dozen (or three!) that I really enjoy. So here are my top DC raw bar experiences…
By Jenn Larsen
Sculpture by Mark Eisendrath, image courtesy of the artist
I find writing about art difficult. Music as well. Both disciplines hit me on a profoundly visceral level, a wild and wordless place that for a writer is disconcerting.
So to encourage you to attend a local artist’s opening (and full disclosure, he’s a friend as well), I think it best to stay clear of attempts to put into words what should be experienced on a tactile emotional plain.
I’ll just say – Mark Eisendrath’s sculptures are fascinating forms, riffs on glyphs, and well worth a drive out to Towson this Saturday.
(More images and gallery info after the break)
By Tom Bridge
Casimir Pulaski in the Snow by tbridge
On the Eastern side of Freedom Plaza stands a horse-mounted General, with one hoof raised. It’s Casimir Pulaski, the Polish-born Father of the American Cavalry, a Revolutionary War Hero. I only mention the one hoof in the air because of the old “How many raised hoofs determines how the historical figure died,” trope. It’s totally not an accurate rule. Sure it works some of the time, but it’s a bad guide more than it is a good one. Sure, it works better at Gettysburg, just up the road, but not in DC.
Casimir Pulaski, a native of Poland, came to the Colonies after his own failed revolution against the Russians failed. His land seized, his army gone, he left in disgrace, but with a brilliant military mind. Pulaski’s arrogance, and lack of command of the English that was common on the battlefield made him a difficult fit in the Continental Army. Through the intervention of General Washington, Pulaski was made Commander of the Horse, and eventually General of an independent horse corps that fought in the Siege of Charleston and the Battle of Savannah.
Pulaski was fatally wounded in an attempt to retake Savannah from British forces, shot in the groin by grapeshot. Thus, his statue, according to the horse code, should have both front hooves raised.
By bstanfield
Nittany Lion, courtesy of Ben Stanfield
Nestled in the hills and valleys of the Allegheney Mountains, just 3 1/2 hours from the hustle and bustle of power brokers, power breakfasts, and newly powerful administrations, lies the scenic centre of Pennsylvania, perfect for a weekend getaway.
State College, home of Penn State University, along with Nittany Lions with their legendary coach Joe Paterno, isn’t always so quiet, though. On a football Saturday, over 200,000 fans from around the region stream into town, filling hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, and RV Parking Lots with boisterous fans. Its possible this could be JoePa’s last season at Penn State, so now is the time to visit Happy Valley.
By Katie
Equinox Cider Happy Hour by RSchley
The Oct. 22nd edition of the Dining Out email from Washingtonian had a tip about a happy hour that sounded like a November dream – Fall Cider Happy Hour at Equinox. Yum! I do love me some cider. And my partner in crime for happy hour, Rebecca, loves herself some fall. Fall is well known as her favorite season. So we decided this would be the perfect treat and headed over last Friday for “hard cider cocktails and complimentary snacks”.
Now, the first thing to note is that these Fall Cider Hours only happen on Fridays. And only between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., and only until December 19th. (Then, rumor has it, the theme changes to chocolate! YES! Jenn, wanna set a date?) So if you’re looking to get yourself some “fall in a glass” (as Rebecca says), then scoot on over!
So we arrived around 6 p.m.-ish and the place was packed. So packed that we almost turned around again and headed for the door. But we were stopped by a bartender who practically forced us to stay, and took our coats and bags and put them in the check room. Which was fabulous, really, for those of us who hate to tote around all our gear while we drink. He gave us a menu and promised us he’d be back. And then the free food started coming around – we were handed some sort of glorious crispy spring roll type thing. My apologies for not knowing exactly what it was. But it was seriously good food. I was hoping the drinks would live up. Continue reading
By Jonathan
Mind the Gap, courtesy of Jonathtan
If you want perspective on the DC Metro system, sometimes it’s valuable to look at another light rail system somewhere else. And nothing signifies subways more than the London Tube. (All New York City fans can feel free to argue this in the comments section.)
The first thing to realize is that DC and the Tube are, in many ways, very much alike. If you have ever used the Metro, you will be right at home with the Tube ticket vending machines and the entry gates. And there are just as many escalators in a Tube station as there are in most Metro stations. Even the platforms look a lot alike, with the textured area right next to the trains to warn the blind of the dangerous area ahead.
There are some great comparisons, and lessons that I think both sides could learn…
By Katie
Nestled along Clarendon Boulevard in the Court House area, Yaku looks to be the perfect neighborhood hot spot. Two levels of glass and glowing lights, it always looks warm and inviting from the street. I live in Arlington, and have walked past Yaku almost daily since it’s conception as just an empty office space below my dream real-estate local, The Odyssey condominiums.
When it finally looked as if something was actually going to go in the space (that had stood empty since before I moved here in fall 2007), I got pretty excited. On my walk home, I ran up to check the posted licences to see what it would be. It’s the perfect location to be our new favorite go-to spot. Yaku, the signs said. Hmm… I said. That’s an odd name. A little googling, and I find that Yaku will be another restaurant from Latin Concepts, the same people who brought us places like Chi-Cha Lounge, Mate, Ceviche, and Guarapo (which is only around the corner from Yaku).
According to the Web site, “YAKU, is a “Chifa” restaurant lounge brought to you by Fraga-Rosenfeld. Chifa is the fusion of Chinese and Peruvian cuisine developed by Chinese immigrants to Peru in the late 19th and early 20th centuries… The name YAKU means “water” in Quechua (Incan Language) and is intended to capture Asian-influenced Andean culinary styles unique to the region.” Yaku is also, says our friend wikipedia, a town located on Yaku Island, Japan. So let’s just go with Asian-Peruvian fusion, and call it interesting… Continue reading
By Ben H. Rome
together, courtesy of jaime_montemayor
You guys certainly took advantage of this fabulous past weekend! I had a hard time deciding on the multitude of photos people took across our area; many were monument-centered, as the sky and lighting was near-perfect for photography.
After the jump, a cross-cut of what area folks enjoyed during this glorious weather weekend. Sadly, it’s not sticking around, as we’ve got colder temps coming. Hey, at least it’s not snowing…
By Tom Bridge
Nice save on the Post by pimguy
Before there was West Wing, there was Sports Night. One of my favorite piece of comedic/dramatic television ever is the Pilot of that show is the Pilot, wherein we get to meet the cast. The first introduction of Jeremy, the stats guy and sports nut, is hysterical, and it sums up my general problem with today’s column. See, I’m a baseball/football kind of guy. The winter sports are hard for me. But, because I’m a trooper, let’s take a look at how the local teams fared this week.
The Caps
Record: 7-5
Past Two Weeks: 3-2
Place: 2nd in the Southeast.
The story of the season so far has to be Alexander Semin. While he’s fallen from the top of the points chart, he’s still got 21 points in just 12 games, and his +/- of +11 is first in the NHL. The Caps’ front line of Semin, Ovechkin & Federov sounds an awful like a Russian Mob Law firm, and their effects on the Caps’ opponents might be equivalent. They ended up +7 on Saturday, though Federov left in the 3rd period with an unknown injury.
I keep waiting for Ovechkin to show off the superstar quality that he shined to a high gloss last season, but it just doesn’t seem to be coming. He’s stuck with just 8 points, and only two goals. If the Caps want to be a 1st place team, and I think Ted Leonsis wants them to be, then Alex is going to need to find where he left his accuracy. 4% accuracy just isn’t going to cut it in the NHL. Caps play the Lightning at the Phone Booth tonight, then head out to Carolina for the Hurricanes on Wednesday. Let’s see if you can’t get a few points, eh, Alex?
By Katie
So the doldrums have hit. It’s cold. You’ve got on your scarf, your hat, your gloves, and soon we’ll upgrade and add in some ear muffs and your heaviest coat. It’s the perfect time to plan your winter escape to the United States Botanic Gardens. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (including holidays and weekends!) the conservatory is a large glassed-in garden-topia. You can get there a number of ways, but my lovely roommate and I took the metro to Federal Center and walked a quick few blocks to the West side front lawn of the Capitol.
The conservatory is split into different plant-type sections, for example, one for orchids and one for the desert, etc. (Wow, am I a botinast or what?) And then there’s a big huge rainforest in the middle stretching two or three stories high. It’s humid and somewhere around 78 degrees, kind of like a mild DC summer day. It’ll bring nostalgic flashbacks of those wonderful, warm days of yore. Short on cash? The US Botanic Gardens admission is free, like all the best things in DC.
So aside from the rainforest, and the desert, there is plenty more to see at the Botanic Gardens…
By Jenn Larsen
When did it suddenly become autumn? Leaves need raking, boots need polishing, and I’m craving hot chocolate. Granted, our recent cold snap has given way to positively spring-like temperatures, but that’s typical DC fall for you… it isn’t going to stop me indulging in my favorite seasonal drink.
ACKC is a dangerous little shop and cafe at 14th & Q NW that could cause chocoholics to go into palpitations. Lacking a serious sweet tooth (more like a deer with a salt lick), I can enter without too much concern about breaking the bank on artisan chocolates, though bars with almonds and sea salt sure are tempting. And then again, now through February’s end, I do go crazy for hot chocolate. I don’t know why, maybe it’s when the weather turns dreary, the melancholy of the impending chill, but there’s something innately comforting about the magical liquid.
My favorite at ACKC is their European-style “Audrey Hepburn” – utterly decadent, thick and rich, meant to be sipped and savored over an hour – solo or easily coating a buttery croissant, if you want to go crazy dunking a pastry (and you know you do). Continue reading
Stephen Colbert at the National Portrait Gallery, by Mr. T in DC
It’s not just the We Love DC bloggers who are nursing their election hangovers, it’s local comics, too. The calendar is a little thin here in early November for booked shows. Nonetheless, there are several ways to get your local comedy on at the DC Improv Lounge this week:
On Thursday, the Improv’s regular Improvisational Open Mic night starts “promptly at 8:05,” and is free to attend. It’s open to groups AND solo performers, who must be there to sign up between 7 and 7:30. The show will be a mix of group improv performances and solo performers randomly organized into improv games. Sounds like a good way to sharpen your improv skills.
On Friday, there’s another installment of Homegrown Comedy. This one will feature Kojo Mante, Mike Eltringham, Matt Sapsford, Keith Irvin, Lisa Fine, Tim Miller, and Brian Parise and be hosted by Mike Way, all very funny people. Tickets are $10.
On Saturday, there’s a show called “Law(yers) Can Be Funny, Too!” It features a bunch of lawyers I’ve never heard of doing comedy, so I have no idea if they’ll be any good. But if legal humor is your thing, $10 is a cheap way to find out.
And of course, now that we know who the next president is going to be, comics all over the city are going to be writing new political material, now that the gift from the comedy gods known as Sarah Palin will be heading back to Alaska. So don’t forget to check out your local open mics.
By Jenn Larsen
The stretch of 9th from U Street to the Convention Center makes for an interesting walk. It’s a very exciting time to live close by, with development evolving in a truly organic way. From the Little Ethiopia of Etete, Chez Hareg, Habesha Market and Queen of Sheba, to glorious grimy dive DC9, past the beautiful boys at BeBar, vegetarian haven Vegetate, on down to the weirdness of the Convention Center’s cold empty glass. All along are pockets of blight, boarded up houses mostly owned by Shiloh Baptist Church.
On this fascinating street has dropped 1905, a small second floor bistro. The vibe is rather like visiting a quirky friend’s dinner party, whose decorating style is rustic opulence on a budget. On weekdays it’s a relaxing spot for a quiet candlelit meal or drinks at the cosy bar. On weekends the communal table ramps up and it’s far livelier, with live jazz on Thursdays at 10pm. Whichever you prefer, the staff is committed to making sure everyone has a good experience and keeps a friendly atmosphere.
The menu features kicked-up bistro and comfort food with a French twist. Like the space, it’s small, and I wonder if it will change seasonally. The standout for me is the “Grilled Merquez with Polenta and Piquillo Peppers.” I’ve had it twice and it will be hard not to have every time. Having comforting polenta and spicy lamb sausage together – well, it’s like kissing a shy boy and finding out he is a bad boy. Seriously, that’s my metaphor and I’m sticking to it. Continue reading
By Max
Georgetown Bricks by Justin Mathews
Fortunately there is no formula for capturing a great photograph, however it’s almost always a safe bet to keep things simple. Today’s featured photo is by local photographer, Justin Mathews, a student at The Center for Digital Imaging Arts (CDIA) in Georgetown. In looking at Justin’s portfolio, it appears that he has a great feel for shapes, lines, contrast, and color, capturing them all with elegant simplicity. It’s hard to tell if the photo above was taken during the day or night, although the ghostly clouds may give you a clue.
Much like the clouds and shadows above drift by in silence, so has the announcement of the finalists of the FotoWeek DC Juried Photo Exhibition. You’ll notice Justin’s name, amongst many other great local photographers such as Meaghan Gay, Justin Hoffmann, Katherine Ray, and John Ulaszek. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for FotoWeek if you haven’t done so already. The week long festival of awesomeness runs from November 15th to the 22nd and is packed full of amazing events to take part in. Remember, you have to register to participate.
By Ben H. Rome
Blick vom Marriott, courtesy of marslog
I’ve had a few readers comment to me on the fly last week that they loved the “Flashback” I posted this past Monday. So I think we’ll make this a regular thing, mmkay?
You guys certainly lived it up this past weekend; beautiful weather on Saturday made it hard to choose what photos to pick. And I’m continually amazed at what you guys love to do on a fall weekend – maybe we should have the end of DST more often, yes?
After the jump, a smattering of snapshots on your DC metro weekend, all courtesy of Flickr.
By Katie
Welcome to yet another review of the 100 foods an omnivore in DC should partake of. Read the full list.
Oh #95, mole poblano, how I love you. Let me count the ways.
1. you are made of chocolate!
2. you are served with mexican food! (and boy do I love mexican food!)
3. you are savory and delicious!
4. you are to be served on top of some of my favorite foods, like enchiladas, fries and chicken!
Mole Poblano is a mexican sauce made of chocolate, typically served on chicken, enchiladas, and other various mexican delicacies. Mole itself is typically a sauce (or the root of other dips, etc, ie: guacaMOLE), but mole poblano is special. Mole poblano is made with CHOCOLATE. According to wikipedia (where else would I turn for this sort of information, really?) Mole Poblano is named after the city of Puebla, Mexico. The sauce is usually made with chocolate, nuts, different types of chilies, and with all my research it seems that you can basically throw in everything but the kitchen sink. Then you boil it. Apparently, for hours, sometimes for days. It takes a lot of love to make something this delicious.
I love Mole Poblano so much that I went to two places to try it, you know, in the name of complete research.
By Jonathan
Lost Luggage, by tymesynk (Creative Commons)
This is the second half of the two-part “Where is my luggage?” series.
So, you decided it’s time to get out the passport, dust off the large bag, and leave the country for a couple of days or weeks. And then Murphy decided to make things interesting, and now your luggage has a different itinerary than you. Even though it is enjoying itself sunning on a beach in the Bahamas right now, it would be nice if you could be reunited with your bags, right?
I can’t promise that you’re going to get reunited with your bag. What I can promise is that the phone and the internet are about to become a larger part of your trip. But here are a few tips that might help get you out of the jam.
Got your passport? Okay, let’s see what we can do…
Martin Luther, photo by Tiffany Bridge
Happy Reformation Day, all. What? You didn’t know that October 31, 1517 was the day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Wittenburg Church door? If you were paying any attention at all in your high school European History class, you know that the resulting excommunications, politically motivated breaks with the Catholic Church disguised as religious conversions, and wars broke the political power of the Vatican, and eventually gave us the Europe we see on the map today. As a result, generations of history students get to inscribe little notes in the margins of their textbooks about the axiomatic truths of European History: “Remember, France Hates Germany. And Britain Hates Everyone.” Not to mention giving rise to the theological debates I regularly had until 3 AM in college. (What? You didn’t stay up all night debating theology in college?)
There’s a statue of ol’ Marty right in downtown DC. It belongs to the Luther Place Memorial Church on Thomas Circle. It’s less fussy than most of the other outdoor statuary in town, befitting a guy of Luther’s tastes. The base of the statue is a simple, three-tiered pillar with “MARTIN LUTHER” inscribed in block lettering. No famous quotes, no ornamentation. It was dedicated in 1884, in commemoration of his 400th birthday. According to the New York Times archive from 1883, the bronze statue cost $4,500, and another $2,500 for the base, shipping, and “incidentals.”
I took several photos of the statue this week, but of course it was cloudy and my little point-and-shoot was having trouble with the light. Better photos are available from some of our Flickr pool contributors:
By Tom Bridge
When Fritz Scholder came to New Mexico in the 1960s, he sword he’d never paint the Indian. When he got there, and saw the condition of the state of Indian art, he changed his mind. A quarter Luiseño, he was invited to join the Rockefeller Southwest Indian Art Project, and would eventually join the faculty at the Institute of American Indian Arts. Scholder’s work would cross all manner of boundaries.
The exhibit at NMAI that opens on Friday is nothing short incredible. The color palette alone should get you out there. Scholder’s palette ranges from day-glo pink to earthen brown and meets in the middle with some incredible combinations. “Red No. 5” pictured above is one of his later pieces, part of his second Indian phase. His works seek to show the reality of the Indian life in the US, from alcoholism to a distorted self-image, Scholder hasn’t found a taboo that he won’t delve into.
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