Category Archives: The Features

These are our features. They come back either weekly, bi-weekly or monthly.

Featured Photo
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Featured Photo

Photo courtesy of Mondmann
Attack From Above
courtesy of Mondmann

And now for something completely different. Forced Perspective is a technique which can create some fun shots. By manipulating our perception of scale and perspective, it creates an optical allusion that objects are larger or smaller than they actually are, are at least in comparison to other objects. You’ve probably seen pictures of your friends pushing over the Leaning Tower of Pisa, or yourself laid a big kiss on the Sphinx, or seen a tourist touch the point of the Washington Monument. There are many ways of pulling it off. Mondmann goes an interesting route with his forced perspective shot: catching some tourists at the Marine Corp Museum in the line of fire of a WWI tail gunner…or so it seems, from a certain point of view.

Weekend Flashback
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Weekend Flashback: 1/13-1/16

015 - Happy Birthday, Dr. King
015 – Happy Birthday, Dr. King
courtesy of knascar

When I said last week that we would be paying for those Spring-like temperatures later in the Winter, I wasn’t expecting it to be the next weekend. Man it was cold. I’d do some comparisons but I’ll just leave it at the scientific cold. As such, it looks like most people stayed in doors for the long weekend, only venturing out here and there.

I know how tough the Tuesday morning can be after a long weekend, so kick back and enjoy your morning beverage with some pics from the site’s Flickr pool. Oh, and I hope you’re staying warm! Continue reading →

Entertainment, Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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Wall Puts Up Career High 38 Points, McGee Showboats In Loss To Rockets

In between the 3rd and 4th quarter of today’s Washington Wizards match against the Houston Rockets, Steve Miller Band’s “Fly Like An Eagle” filled the Verizon Center. I thought it was fitting since it is the first track on the Space Jam soundtrack and coach Flip Saunders recently commented that the team, “looked like ‘Space Jam’ where everyone lost all their talents and couldn’t do anything there for a while.”

Listening to those lyrics it was very clear that for the Wizards time was indeed slipping as the Wizards lost the game 106-114.

John Wall reached a career high 38 points including 18 in the final quarter but the Wizards couldn’t catch back up after keeping it competitive in the first half. Wall looked aggressive, attacked the hoop, and landed a spectacular dunk in the third quarter.

Wall wasn’t the only Wizards slamming the boards today, JaVale McGee had several highlight worthy finishes including a second half dunk that caught Flip’s eye- not for good reason however.

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Sports Fix
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Nats Extend Freshly Acquired Gio

Photo courtesy of Keith Allison
Mike Rizzo – Washington Nationals General Manager
courtesy of Keith Allison

Time moves much slower in the off-season. It hasn’t even been a month since the Nats traded Brad Peacock, Derek Norris, Tom Milone, and  AJ Cole for Gio Gonzalez and not Gonzalez has a fresh five year extension worth $42 million that includes two option years that could push the value to $65 million.

Since the trade went down Gio Gonzalez has expressed his happiness and desire to win with his new team. This is a deal that give Gonzalez long term security and the Nats a team friendly deal if Gonzalez pitches to expectations. If Gonzalez improves on his walk rate like many young strikeout lefties have in the past then his average value of $8.4 million a year will look like a bargain.

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capitals hockey, Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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Caps Outlast Lightning, Win 4-3

Photo courtesy of clydeorama
Brouwer Skates Over Blue Line
courtesy of clydeorama

The Caps rode two early power play goals and a hat trick by Troy Brouwer to a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning last night at Verizon Center. Tampa Bay stormed back in the third period to draw within a goal twice. With the goalie on the bench for an extra forward, the Lightening pressed to the very end, scoring with 10 second remaining in the game, and nearly tieing the game as the final buzzer sounded. Continue reading →

People, The Features, They Make DC
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They Make DC: Popularise

1351 H Street NE
Courtesy of Popularise

If you haven’t heard, there’s a revolution under way and you my e-friends, can all be a part of it. It’s called Popularise, and it will change the way we interact with our community.

Popularise is a bottom-up approach to real estate that is challenging the norm and breaking barriers, creating an authentic conversation about how a neighborhood is built and who is given an opportunity to participate in the discussion. By going online, users can submit ideas for what is built in a space–a real-life Sim City of sorts (go on 90’s babies, you know you love it already). Simply said, you decide what goes into your community. Yet this has never been done in this way, until now.

The responsible trailblazers are brothers Ben and Daniel Miller and associates Brandon Jenkins and Kenny Shin of WestMill Capital. But these DC natives are not your usual old school real estate developers. For starters, they wear high tops, listen to Daft Punk, ride their bikes to work and are as good at cooking as they are at eating. But don’t take their young swag as a sign of inexperience. Though they sleep little, they dream big. Continue reading →

Entertainment, The Features, We Love Arts
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We Love Arts: Time Stands Still

Holly Twyford in Time Stands Still. Photo: Scott Suchman

Watching Time Stands Still is to witness a relationship cracking apart, as two people whose entire shared experience has consisted of an adrenaline rush that can’t be sustained, irrevocably come off the high. Its success then rests on strong performances rooted in naturalism, and luckily that’s a strength Studio Theatre has perfected. Otherwise, you might be asking yourself why you are watching yet another slice-of-life about relationship woes.

Time Stands Still begins in the aftermath of war zone trauma for Sarah, a photojournalist physically battered by an explosion, and James, a reporter psychically wounded. Sarah can’t wait for her body to heal so she can jump back in, photographing atrocity after atrocity despite the nagging moral conflict of non-engagement. James has had enough, and wants a normal life (albeit a “normal” live lived in a nice loft in Brooklyn deconstructing horror movies instead of real-life horrors). This framework might be enough for an exploration of what happens when you repeatedly put yourself in harm’s way for the sake of bringing people news they don’t want to see, but playwright Donald Margulies raises the stakes in pretty pedestrian ways. Relationship woes like infidelity, mid-life crisis and delayed parenting are highlighted. How different the play might be had the core plot revolved around Sarah’s battle to keep her shattered limbs intact, a very relevant and brutal struggle many who’ve been in war zones have faced.

Here, you’ll get a rather safe depiction of facial scars that will slowly fade, like the relationship questions we all face and ultimately survive through. No one loses an eye or a leg here in their quest for that beautiful photograph of a baby’s burns after a market bombing. Margulies and director Susan Fenichell are lucky to have four talented actors making the psychic wounds interesting to the audience.

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Sports Fix
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Khan/Peterson Ongoing Controversy and Drama

Photo courtesy of katieharbath
US Supreme Court
courtesy of katieharbath

Lamont Peterson winning the WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles in DC was big news when it happened, but not the ongoing controversy threatens to overshadow what was a great fight. Yesterday there was a press release from the Peterson camp responding to the accusations of Amir Khan that the fight should be overturned and was not a fair fight. The way Khan tells it it should have been clear to anyone in attendance that he not only won the fight but that he dominated. That was not the fight I saw.

The fight I saw could have gone either way and was extremely closely contested. Both fighters fought a great fight and it is a shame that this controversy has drug on. If Khan had filed the protest and kept his mouth shut then he could still come out of this looking good, but at this point he is starting to look like a sore loser who might not want to get back in the ring with Peterson. If Khan feels he is such a superior fighter to Peterson he will work to smooth things over and get a rematch as soon as possible and prove his ability in the ring.

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We Love Weekends
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We Love Weekends – Jan 13 – 16

Photo courtesy of tzk333
Eastern Market
courtesy of tzk333

Natalia: 3 day weekends are good things. They are even better when you completely forgot they were happening, as was the case with me. So I’m having a stay-cation, full of cooking and exploring. Saturday I’ll head to Eastern Market and then the nearby Maine Avenue Fish Market to pick up fresh ingredients for a night of cooking. Sunday I’ll make my way, finally, to Old Town Alexandria. I am thinking Virtue Feed & Grain for brunch, then a little shopping, and I wouldn’t be opposed to a stop into Grape and Bean for a nice glass of wine.  And because it is Martin Luther King Day after all, and I have yet to visit the monument that was erected in his honor, a bike ride to the mall sounds appropriate for his remembrance day.

Photo courtesy of vpickering
Birthday cake
courtesy of vpickering

Marissa: Oh that every weekend was three days. Saturday I’m heading to Ris to chat with executive chef, Ris Lacoste, and learn a thing or two in the kitchen (stay tuned for that Capital Chefs feature next week!). Saturday night I’m dying to check out Toki Underground once and for all. Then I’m thinking of popping over to HR-57 for some jazz since the last time I was there was way back in the day before they relocated. Come Sunday I’ll be detoxing from all the eating I’ve done this week with a little yoga and shopping at Current Boutique over on 14th street. Monday is mine, all mine, to be completely unplanned and see where the holiday takes me.

Continue reading →

capitals hockey, Sports Fix
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Caps Edge Penguins, 1-0

Photo courtesy of clydeorama
Vokoun Moving in Crease
courtesy of clydeorama

A breakaway goal and solid goaltending was enough to beat the conference rival Pittsburgh Penguins, 1-0, last night at Verizon Center. Jason Chimera scored on a first period breakaway for the winning goal and Tomas Vokoun made 30 saves to earn the shutout. The game had consequences in the race for the playoffs for both teams as the Caps passed the Penguins in the standings to move into 8th place in the Eastern Conference.

The Penguins dominated the early going in puck possession and offensive zone time. The Caps came out looking flat, chasing pucks, passing into each others’ skates and shooting from long range. Only Brooks Laich and Troy Brouwer were able to take the puck and body to the net. A couple of rocking checks by Alex Ovechkin and Brouwer seemed to wake Washington out of their west coast fog and generate some energy from their Eco Watch health products.

The Caps got on the score sheet 15 minutes into the game when Joel Ward knocked the puck away from Evgeni Malkin to spring Jeff Halpern for a 3-on-1 break. Halpern saucered a perfect pass to a streaking Chimera who beat Marc-Andre Fleury high on the blocker side. Continue reading →

Food and Drink, Penn Quarter, The Features, We Love Food
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We Love Food: Poste Moderne Brasserie

Photo courtesy of bonappetitfoodie
Pork Rillettes at Poste Moderne Brasserie
courtesy of bonappetitfoodie

Back in September, there was a changing of posts at Poste when Dennis Marron became the new executive chef. It’s always interesting to see how a chef changes up a menu and makes it their own, so when I received a recent dinner invitation to check out Marron’s new menu, I jumped at the chance.

Poste is one of those rare gems–a restaurant located in a hotel that actually serves delicious dishes that keep you coming back for more. Marron’s menu is expansive and covers all the brasserie fare such as mussels and frites, as well as burgers and traditional French dishes such as beef bourguignon and coq au vin. For the person in your life that bemoans small menus, take them to Poste. From the taste of it, Marron’s switch to a classic French menu with some modern twists here and there (ie: the onion soup burger or the banh mi sandwich) was the right call.
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Food and Drink, The Features, We Love Food
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We Love Food: Toki Underground


Toki Underground, Washington DC courtesy of Plantains & Kimchi

Culinary Ninja. That is the only way to describe Erik Bruner-Yang, the man behind Toki Underground, a tiny ramen sanctuary on H Street. Recognized only by the small blue emblem on the door, this Taiwanese restaurant is serving the best ramen I’ve ever tasted, and in the coolest, freshest environment I’ve been to in a while.

It’s not as if Toki hasn’t received a share amount of praise and hype and I found me a secret. Au contraire, it’s been one of the most buzzed restaurants in town, and given their no reservations policy, a one to two hour wait is to be expected. What the kimchi is right–but seriously–it is worth it.

When you walk up the stairs you enter Erik’s world. A world filled with the most wonderful smells–of fried dumplings, hearty ramens, and tempura vegetables–sights and sounds that transport you. Every inch of the place screams rockstar genius. The walls are filled with graffiti art, skateboards form a faux roof above the kitchen, plastic toys battle each other on the edges. It’s a man’s world, and one which I never wanted to leave. The music blares and track after track the beats just get better.

Hello ninja house party, where have you been all my life?

The drink menu includes imported beers, an extensive list of premium sake, and some Thai drinks I had never heard of. I opted for the Toki Monster- a perfectly stirred Bourbon with honey liqueur, served on the rocks, with a pork belly skewer accompanying it. I’ll repeat–a pork belly skewer, as a garnish. One bite and sip of this monster and I knew this place meant business. I also knew that pork belly skewer was singlehandedly responsible for my increased BAC as one is never enough. But on to the food…
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Featured Photo
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Featured Photo

Photo courtesy of Glyn Lowe Photos
Whole Foods Market.. – (Explored)
courtesy of Glyn Lowe Photos

Yeah, it’s a picture of a supermarket. But take a moment and look at the shot. It’s hard to realize but a lot of time, thought, and money went into designing this facade (and similar corporate architecture). We’re just bombarded by so much of it, that it’s hard to notice when the simple beauty of the view. Glyn Lowe gives us a view where we see all of the lines, from the window panes to the sign to the U-shaped cart barriers, moving in the same direction. And then there is the mix of colors. Reds, yellows, oranges, and then the green of the Whole Foods sign. A simple, yet satisfying, urban shot; gotta love it!

Weekend Flashback
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Weekend Flashback: 1/6-1/8

Photo courtesy of ep_jhu
Fresh Noodle
courtesy of ep_jhu

How did everyone enjoy their Spring weekend in the middle of Winter? Personally, I was both shocked and pleased to be walking around without a jacket on. However, as a friend of mine said this weekend, you just know we’re going to be paying for this weather later in the year. But let’s worry about those 30 degree days in May when they come. Check out what our photogs saw during the good weather and relive 60ish weather in January. Continue reading →

Entertainment, Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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Wizards Come Up Short Against New York, Fall to 0-7

Photo courtesy of MattBritt00
Melo Takes Toney Under His Wing
courtesy of MattBritt00

With the acquisition of center Tyson Chandler, the New York Knicks hoped to enter the season with their own “Big Three”: Chandler, Amar’e Stoudemire, and Carmelo Anthony. Like many other recent “dream teams” in sports, the Knicks have started off slow winning only two of their first six. Tonight the story was different as Anthony, Stoudemire, and Chandler combined for 72 points in a 99-96 win over the Washington Wizards.

Unlike the Wizards’ previous game- where the team was doomed after starting the game 0-12 in the field, the Wiz played competitive all four quarters. The Wizards outscored the Knicks 32-18 in the opening quarter but cooled off towards halftime. The Knicks regained the lead early the third quarter but Washington kept it close. Nick Young missed a three-pointer at the buzzer that could of sent the game into overtime.

“They played hard- one thing they didn’t do was hang their head,” Coach Flip Saunders said after the game. Before the game he described it as a “must play hard” situation- and it looks like the Wizards did that at least.

Continue reading →

Food and Drink, The Features, We Love Food
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Winter Restaurant Week 2012

Photo courtesy of Daquella manera
Cena courtesy of Daquella manera

So you are one week into your New Years resolutions of getting fit, eating healthy and exercising more… Good for you! Now get over it, because starting January 9th restaurants across the District will be offering killer deals for Winter Restaurant Week. From January 9-15, select restaurants across the city will offer a three-course lunch for $20.12  and three-course dinners for $35.12. Best part is, no mass daily-deal purchase necessary, all you need is a reservation. Now, who doesn’t love a delicious bargain?

Restaurant Week is a week to go big rather than stay home, as some of the pricier dining options in DC become immediately accessible. It is a chance for you to cross out some of those places you’ve had on your list for a while, instead of waiting for the next birthday/anniversary/you-name-it special occasion, you’re excused to dine with the big boys and save a pretty penny too. While some haters (I was indeed one of them) worry that the lower price point comes at the expense of quality, the restaurants below are quality-driven and promise a memorable dining experience regardless of the end bill. And let’s remember, it is their reputation on the line after all and consistency is key. So stop drinking the hate-orade and embrace the feast week.

Here are some suggestions:

Art and Soul– Art Smith will offer an extensive menu that includes some of his signature dishes, as well as a specially priced wine list for the week. Now that’s being a Southern Gentleman.  Menu highlights include shrimp and grits, charcuterie of the day, Yorkshire pig and cabbage, pan fried flounder, and sweet offerings like chocolate bread pudding and apple tart. Update: Art and Soul will be extending their restaurant week menu through January 22nd.

701 – Chef Ed Witt has developed an extensive and exciting menu, mouth-watering options include lemongrass lobster bisque, bourbon caramel apple salad with mustard greens, veal sweetbreads, red wine beef short-ribs, cider braised rabbit leg and desserts including an upscale s’more- chocolate bar with vanilla bean gelato, marshmallow and graham crackers. Need I say more?

Rasika– Reservations at Chef Vikram Sunderam’s Indian mecca are near impossible to snag, so book now if you want to dine here during Restaurant Week. The Penn Quarter powerhouse is consistently delicious and will undoubtedly be offering some of its best dishes.

Photo courtesy of angela n.
Art & Soul courtesy of angela n.

Fiola– Everything here from the classic antipastis to the homemade pastas and innovative fish and meat offerings is spot on delicious. As Fiola’s first Winter Restaurant Week, chef Fabio Trabocchi is sure to deliver. I also recommend you spend the money you would have on the meal and try many a drinks by Fiola’s resident mixologist, Jeff Faile. These men know what they are doing. Continue reading →

Entertainment, Music, We Love Music
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The Ten Best Concerts In And Around DC For 2011


“The Foo Fighters” by Andrew Markowitz

Time once again to calculate and list the ten best musical performances I saw in the past year in and around Washington DC.* This ‘best of’ article is one of my favorite activities as a music writer because it embodies the very essence of why I take the time out of my increasingly busy schedule to attend so many concerts and write about them. Simply put, I am a fan of great live music and when someone or a group of someones delivers a really special performance I want to tell as many people as I can about it. There is real magic happening during a great musical performance that is unlike anything else I have ever experienced; if I manage to share just a fraction of that magic with my readers by exposing them to a band they might not otherwise have heard then my job as a music writer is done.

In the last six months, positive events in my personal life have greatly affected my ability to cover as many concerts as I’d like too with the quality of writing that I feel they deserve. Because of this I have been writing much less than usual and I predict that this trend will continue for most of 2012. I know from reader feedback and from conversations with some of the great people I’ve met at shows over the years that my writing about music has had an impact on their musical world. Knowing this enables me to walk away from music writing fulfilled.

2011 was kind of a weird year for live music. The entire year felt like an odd hang-over from 2010 (one of the greatest years of live music ever). In recent conversations I think I have been undervaluing 2011’s shows, because now as I revisit all of the sets I saw, I realize that there were plenty of great performances, they were just obscured by a lot more mediocre ones than I have seen in recent years. Once I dusted away the humdrum and the disappointing, I was left with about 35 really great sets to choose from for my top ten list this year.
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We Love Weekends
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We Love Weekends: Jan 6-8

Photo courtesy of stevendepolo
Thrown Out Christmas Tree Curb January 13, 20115
courtesy of stevendepolo

Well, you made it through the holidays. Congratulations. From the looks of it, every single one of you made a new year’s resolution to get into better shape and are now working out at my gym. I’ll enjoy having you around for the next few weeks and hope you keep in touch come February. Now get off the damned stationary bike.

Marissa: Between the holidays and hibernating like a bear for winter, it’s been a while since I’ve really been out and about. I’m kicking off my Saturday with dim sum brunch at The Source by Wolfgang Puck. Definitely looking forward to a breakfast of champions with the dumplings I made with chef Scott Drewno ages ago. Then it’s off to see Billy Elliot at the Kennedy Center before their final performances next weekend. Keeping Sunday low-key, I plan to check out the places that sadly announced they’re shutting their doors soon–Melody Records in Dupont Circle and Penn Camera. Then end on a positive note by grabbing a bite at the newly opened Taylor Gourmet on 14th Street. Continue reading →

Food and Drink, Foodie Roundup, The Features
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Predictions for Food Trends in 2012

Photo courtesy of philliefan99
opening wide
courtesy of philliefan99

With 2011 and the year of the burger now behind us, the food team’s mouths are already watering and we’re looking ahead at what 2012 will bring to our plates. Our team, comprised of myself, Tricia and Natalia (our newest addition to the team!) all brainstormed about what we think will be all the rage in the new year when it comes to food.

Find our full list of predictions after the jump.
Continue reading →