By Brian Mosley
Why do we have to go back to work when it’s finally gotten so good outside? And it looks like this week only gets better. But I have a good suggestion: Lunch outside! It’s the adult equivalent of class outside.
If you can’t get outside of the soul-sucking cubical, take a few minutes to relive the weekend below. It’ll be worth it. Continue reading
By Tom Bridge
Baylor_v_TCU_2011_4311
courtesy of cmiked
As it turns out, the Redskins did want Robert Griffin III. They want him so bad they’ve traded their first and second draft picks this year, and their first pick in each 2013 and 2014, just to get into the slot that he might be in for the draft this year. Twitter erupted last night, and we saw some of the best of the sports tweets for the area, and compiled them into this Storify segment, right below the cut.
Welcome to Washington (we hope), Mr. Griffin. This is a town where you can walk on water, if you just get the wins.
By Mickey
Tennis
courtesy of musicisentropy
A very sold-out show at the Black Cat Wednesday night offered two remarkably different flavors. I went into it with expectations that one band would be mediocre and the other band would be pretty good, but my expectations were reversed!
First, Denver-based pop band Tennis charmed the audience with its sweet sunny pop songs, evoking images of a journey through Americana. The sound of Tennis, made up at its core by husband and wife Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley, completely recalls earlier times of simple lovesongs albeit set to Moore’s pleasing synths and Riley’s surf guitar.
I knew them as a band that tours a lot but I had low expectations. Boy, did they surprise me. The very look of the duo, even augmented by their band, evoked happy, retro feelings. Moore has a look about her straight out of an 80s high school yearbook and she sings with a lovely sophisti-pop air. To me, her voice contained elements of Kristy MacColl and Tracey Thorn, although she remained so chirpy that she would be completely at home on a twee pop mixtape with Heavenly.
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By Will Packard
Ovechkin Takes To The Ice
courtesy of clydeorama
For the second time in five games, Alex Ovechkin scored in overtime to cap a comeback victory as the Capitals defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 last night at Verizon Center. The win kept the Capitals’ fragile playoff hopes alive.
After a fiery speech by head coach Dale Hunter following a lackluster second period, the Capitals played the third period with urgency, grit and determination. Marcus Johansson tied the game at 2-2 with four minutes remaining in the game to force overtime. Continue reading
By Alexia
all photos by Nathan Jurgenson
Stockholm-based electronic duo Korallreven played their first DC show Monday night, headlining the Black Cat backstage. They were joined by openers Young Magic and Stout Cortez. Korallreven are currently on their first US tour, in support of An Album by Korallreven, out on Acephale Records.
Young Magic played an enthusiastic and energizing set. The trio, currently based in New York City is comprised of Australian ex-pats Isaac Emmanuel, Michael Italia, and Indonesian-born Melati Malay. They mixed dreamy vocals and ambient guitar with tribal-sounding rhythyms and hypnotic, thumping beats. Their performance and sound was fresh, intense, and engaging.
By Don
arcoiris
courtesy of 4²5²�productions
Another week of misery at work, another…. eh, pass the beer.
At least we’ve got some nice weather to salve the pain of the workin’ dude. (Dude is gender-neutral, you know) It’s the sort of weather that helps us determine which restaurants adhere to a slavish devotion to a set date for setting up outdoor chairs, despite year after year of whipsaw DC weather revealing that folly. I’m looking at you, Crystal City Jaleo location. Capital Weather Gang doesn’t think it’ll persist into the weekend, at least not this warm, but hope springs eternal…
Joanna: I need to rest this weekend, so I’m keeping it relatively low-key, starting with the Oscar-winning Iranian film A Separation in Shirlington. I’m hoping the weather will stay warm enough on Saturday for a bike ride down to Eastern Market – or more specifically, The Fridge, to see King Me. On Sunday I’m taking it easy with the hubs but heading out (way out) that evening – all the way to Tyson’s Corner for a reading of the new musical Galactic Cigarettes Presents: It’s Your World at 1st Stage.
Starve An Artist, Cover Your Trash
courtesy of andradeXcobain
Marissa: Good lord the weather looks like it’s going to be beeee-ooo-tiful this weekend. While my Saturday will be occupied with some errands and pre-birthday shopping (treat yoself!), if I were you, I’d head to Urbana to learn how to make fresh mozzarella, haloumi and fromage blanc from chef John Critchley. The $40 class is this Saturday from 3 to 5 PM, and you can reserve a spot by emailing Lindsey Walker at linsey.walker (at) urbanadc.com or calling 202-956-6650. If the weather holds up, come Sunday I’m planning on getting some fresh air and renting a kayak from Thompson Boat Center.
Potomac view
courtesy of ekelly80
By Patrick Pho
Tonight was a weird night for the Washington Wizards. With a little over 7 minutes left to play in the third quarter the Lakers held a 21-point lead over the Wiz. That was the only normal (or at least expected) thing about tonight.
Then things got interesting. By the end of the third quarter the Washington closed to within two points. At the start of the fourth quarter the a three-pointer from Roger Mason Jr. put Washington ahead and after a thrilling end the Wizards shocked the Lakers with a 106-101 victory.
But it wasn’t just the result that was strange and unexpected.
Brussels Sprouts Salad at Vermilion
courtesy of bonappetitfoodie
Move over, quinoa. Sayonara, root vegetables of winter. This bright salad recipe from chef Tony Chittum combines the sweet flavors of apples and dates, with the savory notes from blue cheese, farro, walnuts and brussels sprouts. It’s a simple and straight forward recipe, but elegant and filling. Click through for the full recipe.
Chef Tony Chittum of Vermilion
courtesy of bonappetitfoodie
Some people seek out their careers, and others have careers that seek out them. The latter was the case for executive chef of Vermilion, Tony Chittum, when he started working in a Mexican restaurant at 14 years old, just washing dishes. “It was easy to get a job in a restaurant then, and I liked it because of the energy,” he says. “Eventually I got sick of dishes and learned how to cook. I was 17 when I met the first real chef I worked for and realized that I could make a career out of this.”
It was then that Chittum “learned why and how to make things,” he says, describing the first time he learned how to make a roux. The Maryland native later moved out to San Francisco, where he worked for and learned from the “classically trained and intense” chef, Don Link. Chittum says that working for a chef of that caliber was a “big eye opener” and he began to learn what it would take to make it as a chef. Fast forward to today, and Chittum can honestly say he can’t see himself doing anything else.
By Mickey
Young Prisms
courtesy of Ethan.K
I have a friend who swears a 90s revival is around the corner. It’s going to be big and it’s going to make industrial music popular again.
But while my friend wasn’t looking, the 90s revival already has come, but not in the form he envisioned. In the past several years, there have been an explosion of dreampop and shoegaze bands leaping out of their dens and onto our stages, putting any so-called 90s revival much more in the debt of bands that followed My Bloody Valentine than those that followed Nine Inch Nails.
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By Brian Mosley
bailey’s cupcake
courtesy of ekelly80
This photo just made me smile. With Saint Paddy’s Day coming up next week, the sight of this perfectly made cupcake, and the green shoes, put me in the mood of the season. On an artistic level, this is a perspective that we all know well; who hasn’t taken a look at their yummy sweet just before devouring it? But Erin invested in some self-control and took the time to capture this perfect, Irish sight. May the luck of the Irish be with you all!
Mintwood Place in Adams Morgan
courtesy of bonappetitfoodie
I hear it all the time from chefs in the business and friends alike: “DC needs more casual, neighborhood places.” You know, the type of place that you can walk in, grab a table and get a good, decently priced meal. The kind of place where you can become a regular. Well, Mintwood Place might just fit the bill.
The newest restaurant to hit Adams Morgan comes from Saied Azali, the owner of the next-door and popular, Perry’s. The warm light from the coils of exposed bulbs, wood paneling and antique tin ceiling make for a cozy and hip atmosphere. Just walking by the place and seeing that glow pour out onto the street is enough to make you want to go inside. There’s a decent-sized stretch of bar next to the bright, open kitchen (bonus design points for the cool old sink knobs which serve as purse/coat hooks under the bar) with a few high-top tables that you can eat at if you haven’t managed to snag a reservation. By the way things look with buzz getting around town about this place, you will most definitely want a reservation.
Opened in late January, executive chef Cedric Maupillier (who previously was at Central with Michel Richard and worked with Fabio Trabocchi of Fiola back in his Maestro days) and his team serve up an eclectic menu with a noticeable French influence with dishes such as the cassoulet or the hanger steak and frites with bordelaise sauce. But then you’ll also find dishes such as the tagliatelle bolognese, a whole dorade with braised fennel or the lamb tongue moussaka. This is not to say the menu isn’t focused; rather, there’s something to please every diner in the crowd. And every dish is executed quite exceptionally.
Hanger steak and frites at Mintwood
courtesy of bonappetitfoodie
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By Brian Mosley
national gallery of art
courtesy of sciascia
Ear worm. Monday monday indeed. It was all I hoped it would be. Which isn’t much. Sometimes it just turns out that way. Well, check out what people did and saw over the weekend, and keep Monday at bay for just a little longer. Continue reading
By Jenn Larsen
ARTINI 2011, image courtesy of the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Photo credit: Ben Droz.
A gala that combines almost all of my favorite things – parties, drinks and art – into one glamorous mix? Always fantastic. Get ready for the fifth annual love affair of cocktails and art that is ARTINI.
Presented by the Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art + Design’s 1869 Society and sponsored by Washingtonian, while the actual gala is a month away on Saturday, March 31, the competition itself starts next week. Twelve (Eleven as of 3/27, see update**) of the top mixologists in the city will showcase their talent and creativity in a unique way – by crafting cocktails inspired by works of art in the Corcoran collection. Last year it was an honor to serve as a judge on the Critic’s Choice panel; this year I’m happy to just kick back as a partygoer. Tickets are now on sale and do sell out quickly, so snap yours up – $95 for 1869 Society members, $115 for non-Society members. All proceeds benefit ArtReach, the Corcoran’s educational outreach program, celebrating its twentieth year of visual arts education for local students.
Sample the entries all March long as the twelve** participants roll out their artistic cocktails at weekly Feature Nights starting next week and continuing every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday until the event. Our dedicated team of WLDC lushes – Brittany, Fedward, Moses and myself – will attempt to report on as many of these drinks as possible throughout the month. Look for our round-ups in the weekly Friday Happy Hour!
Now that we have all the details out of the way, I wonder if I have any predictions? Continue reading
Table is set! courtesy of Big Bear Cafe DC
Big Bear Cafe is everything I could ever want and more. A coffee shop that takes its coffee culture seriously in a space that is simple and inviting; a restaurant that serves breakfast until noon, uses good-for-you, farm fresh ingredients, and offers daily, seasonal items; a neighborhood gathering place that brings together musicians and comedians for weekly events. What more could you ask for? Killer craft cocktails? They’ve got them. A patio for the unexpected spring winter? Done. Supper to beat the Sunday blues? They have that too. Get over here Big Bear and give me a hug.
Big Bear’s story is as charming as the place itself. Formerly a Jewish Italian market/deli, it went through some hard times in the 80’s and 90’s. The space was boarded up with bulletproof glass inside and out, evidence of a different, more turbulent time in Bloomingdale. But in 2006, Stuart Davenport, a general contractor who lived in the area, saw a need for a decent cup of coffee and grub, so he gave up his day job and in a little over a year built a neighborhood gem. Struggling times just live in memories now, as Big Bear has become a sought-after destination, and is surrounded by equally great places and spaces.
By Alexia
photo courtesy of Korallreven
Swedish dreamy-electronic-pop duo Korallreven, aka Marcus Joons and Daniel Tjäder (of The Radio Dept) have announced their first US shows ever, with select East and West coast dates supporting their debut album, An Album By Korallreven, available now on Acéphale.
We Love DC’s Alexia Kauffman got the chance to ask singer Marcus Joons a few questions.
Alexia Kauffman: What music inspired you when you were growing up?
Marcus Joons: I remember getting touched real early by Velvet Underground, I must have been like eleven or twelve when I first came across their heroin romantic pop songs. Maybe too early. Apart from that I think that I, free from my mind, got the biggest kicks from Screamadelica, Spiritualized, everything by The Beach Boys and Daft Punk’s Homework. All of this has inspired me more to live and breathe than to make music though. Continue reading
By Addison H
winter’s a faded memory
courtesy of philliefan99
Happy March, everyone; it’s weekend time again! Unfortunately, it looks like the weekend weather is going to come a bit early this week – gorgeous today and Friday, but 100% chance of some early spring thunderstorms (lousy Smarch weather) on Saturday and back to chilly on Sunday. Back to indoor activities it is!
Brittany: This is a big launch party weekend. Thursday, I will be at the W for the opening party of the Mick Rock photo exhibit. I hope the weather looks clear for enjoying my favorite terrace in town. Depending on when my companion and I slip out of there, we might head to Jack Rose to enjoy the new Stillwater and Bols “Kopstootje.”
Local 16 is hosting the launch party of online fashion/satire publication asterisk* on Saturday, and given that there are all too few really positive, self-aware fashion publications going, you know I want to support that. On Sunday, I will be heading to Passenger to toast another new venture: The first event of DC’s chapter of LUPEC – hosted, among other fabulous ladies, by my lovely editor Jenn.
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Gotta Have it!
courtesy of Phaesia2012
Back in January, the Mayor’s office announced newly proposed food truck legislation that aims to update the more than 30-year-old laws regarding street vending. With the period for public comments ending tomorrow, I spoke with some of the food truck owners in the city about their thoughts on the legislation and what they hope will happen next. If you haven’t sent your comments to the Mayor’s Office and the DCRA yet, you can do so by sending an email to DCVendingRegs@dc.gov by March 1, 5 PM. Those of you that stand with the food trucks can show support by heading to www.passnewregs.org and submitting a letter to the Mayor from there.
After the jump you’ll find more about legislation and what I learned from the food truck owners. And if you’re really curious, you can read the full proposal here (all 67 pages).
By Will Packard
Ovechkin Fist Pump
courtesy of clydeorama
Alex Ovechkin played a terrible game last night. His passes weren’t connecting, he was often out of position, and he turned over the puck repeatedly. He shot wide to the left. He shot wide to the right. But when the game – and perhaps the season – was on the line in overtime, Ovie scored a spectacular goal to win the game and vault Washington back into a playoff spot.
Troy Brouwer set up the overtime heroics by scoring twice in the last four minutes of regulation to lead the come-from-behind victory. New York netminder Evgeni Nabokov was a brick wall through 56 minutes of the game, turning away the first 30 shots he faced. But Brouwer took an aggressive approach, taking his body to the net and scoring both goals from within a few feet of the goal line. Continue reading
They may be America’s last pioneers………..
courtesy of LaTur
When I think bars, I naturally think booze. Cocktails, beers, wine, maybe even the occasional shot. But many of the watering holes I frequent either don’t serve food or serve variations of fried things that I wind up eating out of sheer desperate hunger (read: no one wants to drink on an empty stomach). So in this feature, a few of the We Love DC writers and I bring you our picks for some of the bars with the best food. Go out there and a grab a drink, and for heaven’s sake, put down the greasy mozzarella sticks at that dive bar and head somewhere with something good to eat.
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