Category Archives: The Features

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Entertainment, Special Events, The Features, We Love Arts
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Fringe 2011: Tactile Dinner Car

John Hibey as Chef in banished? productions Tactile Dinner Car. Photo credit: Kristian Whipple.

I’m reviewing seven plays over the course of the 2011 Capital Fringe Festival, in collaboration with DC Theatre Scene. Get your Fringe button and join me!

For a crash course on what to expect from Fringe, you can’t do better than banished? productions mad avant-garde experience, Tactile Dinner Car. It’s a crazy sociological experiment playing by its own rules, smack dab in the middle of the Baldacchino Gypsy Tent. Learning what those rules are is part of the fun, as is the surreal discovery of the “a la car(te) menu” you’ll nibble your way through.

Parts of the world have caught up with these ideas, first presented in Italian Futurist F.T. Marinetti’s 1932 book of culinary mayhem La Cucina Futurista (The Futurist Cookbook), but some have surpassed it. Minibar this isn’t. Don’t go expecting amazing displays of molecular gastronomy, but you and your fellow “diners” will definitely be challenged and delighted by becoming part of the performance. I wouldn’t want to spoil the fun of discovery by describing anything in too much detail, however, so consider this just an amuse bouche.

Served up by “chef” John Hibey and “servertron” Keira Hart, their complete zany dedication pulls you in quickly as you gather round the dinner car (and yes, it’s a car, polished gleaming white). Within minutes, though you may be doing the ordering, they are the ones in command. The initial anarchy then settles down into pop-art clockwork. Continue reading →

Sports Fix, The Features
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Rockies Hurt Lannan, Stifle Nats 3-2

Photo courtesy of
‘not too happy’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

If Thursday night’s 10-9 loss to the Chicago Cubs was a spectacular defeat for the Washington Nationals, Friday night’s 3-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies was more in keeping with past defeats this season, complete with offensive incompetence and a pinch of bad luck.

In this case, actually, the bad luck was a hammer blow in the form of a baseball off the bat of Ty Wigginton in the top of the fourth inning with Washington on top 1-0. John Lannan had started his outing crisply, and had made it through the first three innings without allowing a single baserunner. After Carlos Gonzalez struck out swinging at a two-seam fastball to lead off the fourth, however, things fell apart quickly for Lannan. Jonathan Herrera lined a four-seam fastball back up the middle for Colorado’s first hit (and base) of the night. Todd Helton pulled a two-seam fastball over the inner half of the plate into right field to put runners on first and second base. And then Wigginton lined another two-seamer straight at Lannan’s skull.

Replays were inconclusive as to whether the ball deflected off Lannan’s glove. What was more definitive was the ball striking Lannan in roughly the place where nose and left cheek come together. As the ball continued into center field and Herrera raced home to tie the game at 1-1, Lannan staggered to his knees for a few seconds before picking himself up and walking to the clubhouse under his own power, holding his cap to his face to staunch any bleeding. The official diagnosis was a nose contusion, and there remains a possibility that Lannan could make his next scheduled start after the All-Star Game.

Despite being allotted as much time as he needed to warm up, Ryan Mattheus seemed rattled by his early appearance in the game. He induced Mark Ellis to ground back to the mound, but double-clutched on the throw to second and only an apparently generous out call from Brian Knight gave the Nationals the second out of the inning. Mattheus was then called for a balk by home plate umpire Bob Davidson, which forced Helton home with the go-ahead run. That in turn was followed by an RBI single for rookie Cole Garner, which made the score 3-1 and was all the scoring Colorado would do or need.

The rest of the night was, for the most part, an exercise in futility by the Nats offense, beginning in the first inning, when they loaded the bases with nobody out against Jason Hammel on a Roger Bernadina double, a walk to Danny Espinosa and an infield single by Ryan Zimmerman. Hammel kept it together, allowing only a sacrifice fly by Michael Morse (which scored Bernadina to give Washington their early lead) before striking out Jayson Werth and inducing Rick Ankiel to pop out to second base. In the rest of his outing, Hammel faced 20 batters, and allowed just four of them to reach base (a walk to Espinosa in the third inning, a solo home run by Wilson Ramos that made the score 3-2 to Colorado, a two-out single to right by Werth in the sixth, and a single to right by Desmond in the bottom of the seventh that precipitated Hammel’s removal).

Hammel’s removal did not turn the tide in Washington’s favor. With newly-recalled Jesus Flores pinch-hitting in the seventh inning against Matt Reynolds, Desmond was picked off and caught trying to steal second. And the offensive ineptitude reached its climax in the 9th inning after a leadoff single by Morse. After Werth struck out flailing wildly at a pitch in the dirt, pinch-runner Brian Bixler, seeing the ball get away briefly from catcher Chris Iannetta decided to try to scamper over to second base. Iannetta recovered the ball in plenty of time to throw out Bixler, and Ankiel’s swinging strikeout ensured that the Nats would drop back to the .500 mark entering the final weekend of the season’s first half.

Capital Chefs, Food and Drink, The Features
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Capital Chefs: Jaime Montes de Oca of Zentan (Part 2)

Photo courtesy of
‘Watermelon and feta salad at Zentan 3’
courtesy of ‘bonappetitfoodie’

Some might say there’s nothing better than biting into a sweet, juicy wedge of watermelon in the summertime. So to take that watermelon to the next level, you’ll find chef Jaime Montes de Oca’s recipe for a watermelon salad with mint, feta and a black pepper vinaigrette after the jump. It’s incredibly easy to make, and the soy sauce and black pepper with the sweetness of the watermelon and saltiness of the feta make for a great and refreshing combination. You can make it an hour or so in advance, although this is not a salad that needs time to marinate. Enjoy it on a picnic or underneath the breeze of a fan on a hot summer’s day.

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Capital Chefs, Food and Drink, The Features
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Capital Chefs: Jaime Montes de Oca of Zentan (Part 1)

Photo courtesy of
‘Jaime Montes de Oca of Zentan 4’
courtesy of ‘bonappetitfoodie’

There are a handful of characters in one’s life that can really have a profound affect on the shape of your life and career. For Jaime Montes de Oca, the executive chef at Zentan, there are three women who drove him to cook: his grandmother, a Colombian nanny he had growing up and Nancy, a kitchen manager/chef who worked with him when he was in high school.

“I would stand and watch [our nanny] cook and I would help prepare food with her,” says Jaime. “It was a creative outlet, a creative way to fill mouths and stomachs.” When Jaime grew up and started working in the front of the house at a “turn and burn” restaurant at a Holiday Inn, Nancy was the one who advised him to go to culinary school if he was going to be serious about working in the restaurant industry.

Following years of working kitchens across New York City, Thompson Hotels (the owners of the Donovan House which is home to Zentan) sent Jaime down to DC to try to convince him to take a job in Susur Lee’s restaurant. For someone who grew up in New York and has lived in almost all five boroughs, Jaime was slightly hesitant to pick up and move. “They showed me the brand new kitchen and talked about what I could do here in DC,” he says. “Looking back on it, it was the right decision. DC is having a renaissance with restaurants and hotels. A lot more young people are coming here. If DC continues on the path it’s going, it will become a food capital. We’re getting very close.”

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Adventures, All Politics is Local, Business and Money, Education, Essential DC, Fun & Games, History, Legacy articles, Life in the Capital, People, The District, The Features
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50 And 50, And Oh Yeah, DC

Society6, an organization that connects artists with unique opportunities and empowers them to make their artwork available for sale without giving up control of their rights, recently completed an innovative project titled “50 And 50.” The idea behind this endeavor was to recruit 50 designers, one per each state, and have them illustrate their state motto using the same color-scheme. The results are modern, yet historical grounded, designs that would make any wall fit for oversized art proud.

Fortunately for us, although not part of 50 states, DC was included in the project and represented by Oliver Munday, whose  illustrations and designs have graced bookcovers, TIME, The New York Times, Wired, etc. And for those of us completely naive to DC’s “state” motto, it’s “Justice For All” or as the Romans prefer “Justia Omnibus.” Continue reading →

Entertainment, Special Events, The Features, We Love Arts
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2011 Capital Fringe Festival

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘erin m’

Last night I got tied up to two people. We were force fed food through a syringe. Several people ate bugs. A couple needed the Heimlich. It blew all our minds.

Welcome to Fringe!

Judging by the happy crowd buzzing through the heat at the Baldacchino Gypsy Tent last night, the 2011 Capital Fringe Festival is off to a great start. Now through July 24 you can enjoy (or not enjoy, that’s part of the experience too!) 18 days of over 100 risky productions by over 2,000 artists performing genres from theater, music, puppetry and dance. It’s chaotic, and it’s meant to be that way – anarchic challenging fun. Venues are spread out from the core in the Mount Vernon Square, with home base at Fort Fringe, 607 New York Avenue NW. Tickets are available in singles of $17 a show or in packs of 4 ($60), 6 ($80), 110 ($120) or all-access ($300). A Fringe Admission Button is required as well, a one-time purchase of $7 (kids 12 and under don’t need one, and yes, though Fringe can be raunchy there are shows for kids too!). There’s also plenty of free events and crazy people-watching at the Baldacchino Gypsy Tent, which serves as the hub with food and drink throughout the festival.

Last year was my first time really diving into Fringe madness, reviewing eight plays over eight days in collaboration with the fantastic folks at DC Theatre Scene. It was exhilarating, because whether I liked a production or not, every one pushed boundaries in that way only Fringe can. This year I’ve got seven plays over fourteen days to tackle. DCTS has assembled a team of 21 crack reviewers (or, we’re all on crack, depending on your view) to ambitiously cover every show, with reviews going up within 24 hours of opening. Fellow WLDC author Patrick Pho is also in on the game, and you’ll see our reviews both here and at DCTS. We’re ready for a fast and furious immersion into the world of experimental performance. So get your button and join us!

Based on what I experienced last night (the futurist food frenzy of the Tactile Dinner Car), it’s going to be one hell of a wild ride.

We Love Weekends
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We Love Weekends – July 9 & 10

Photo courtesy of
‘Army Photography Contest – 2007 – FMWRC – Arts and Crafts – The Colors Emerge’
courtesy of ‘familymwr’

In the real of complaints I have to say “jeez, the weekend again already?” might be my favorite. If you’ve only now started to recover from your own “day of food and fire,” as my friend Suzanne calls the 4th of July, maybe you don’t have plans yet. Well, steal ours. If you see us there please don’t look us in the eye – we’re shy like that.

Photo courtesy of
‘Fort Reno, July 16, 2009’
courtesy of ‘sarawithoutanh001’

Brittany: The big thing this weekend (where I think I will be seeing everybody I know) is definitely C.L.I.T.fest (that stands for Combating Latent Inequality Together, by the way – nothing else you might be thinking). The three day event – “combining music and education to both challenge patriarchal oppression and promote involvement in DIY” – kicks off on Friday at St Stephen’s church in Columbia Heights with an impressive, feministy musical line-up headlined by Lemuria and also featuring super-good DC girls Trophy Wife. Come back throughout the weekend for classes on screen printing, self-defense, and everything else a modern kid needs to know to “undermine patriarchy, homophobia, and transphobia in punk and DIY” including more music at St Stephens and the Black Cat. For just a bit more music and DC love, I will wrap up my weekend on Monday by seeing my friends Title Tracks at Fort Reno.

Mosley: It’s the second weekend of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival; I went last weekend and enjoyed myself.  I’m looking forward to seeing more of Peace Corps and Columbia cultures.  I’m particularly looking forward to going to one of the late night concerts of the Rhythm and Blues culture (here’s the schedule for the musical acts).  I don’t normally go to the night concerts, so this will be an experience.  Other than that, I’m looking forward to some relaxation.  I’m thinking either a lazy day walk to the Dumbarton Oaks Museum.  Or an even lazier walk to find a good milk shake.  I’ve tried Shake Shack and Goodstuff, so something else is in order…suggestions welcomed!

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Food and Drink, Foodie Roundup, The Features
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We Love Food: Eat Local First Week

Photo courtesy of
‘Biutiful’
courtesy of ‘LaTur’

It goes without saying that all of us on this site love DC–the people, the culture, the history, and yes, the food. Eat Local First, a local food campaign started by Think Local First, showcases local restaurants and locally grown food. From July 9 – 16, locavores can take advantage of various food events and specials at restaurants participating in farm-to-table restaurant week. After the jump, you’ll find more information about the events and restaurants.
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Weekend Flashback
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Weekend Flashback: 7/1-7/4


‘fish gone wild’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

I’ve watched the movie 1776, and I think we need to celebrate July 5th like the Founding Fathers did. That is, drink amazing amounts of fermented molasses, pat ourselves on the back for plagiarizing the ideas of John Locke the day before, and get very little done at work. While you think over the notion of celebrating this day traditionally, take a minute (or thirty) and check out the “All American,” extra large, Flashback from the three day weekend.

Something to note: You’ll notice an amazing lack of firework pictures. That’s because our group was flooded with so many awesome shots of the fireworks, we decided to do a dedicated Fireworks Flashback. It’ll run later today, so get your fireworks photos into the We Love DC Flickr group if you want them considered! Continue reading →

Entertainment, Music, Special Events, The Features
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A Capitol Fourth 2011 Rehearsal in Photos


Pictured: Kelli O’Hara and the U.S. Army Band

On Saturday July 3, some of the finest names in American entertainment assembled to rehearse for what would become PBS’ Capitol Fourth concert on the West Lawn of the Capitol building. The show’s talent included Broadway’s Kelli O’Hara, Glee‘s Matthew Morrison, American Idol’s Jordin Sparks, vocal sensation Josh Groban, comeidan/actor Steve Martin and many more.

The following photo set features O’Hara, Morrison, Groban and actor/host Jimmy Smits. All pictures were photographed on July 3, 2011.

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Fun & Games, Sports Fix, The Features
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Werth’s Hustle Starts Holiday Party as Nats Beat Cubs 5-4 in 10


‘Jayson Werth, where is you’re head at?!?’
courtesy of ‘Tony DeFilippo’

Jayson Werth, the focus of so much agonized discussion among Washington Nationals fans over the last few weeks, didn’t get the big hit in this 4th of July thriller. But he did score the winning run, drove in two more, walked twice, and helped cut down a runner at the plate as the Nationals scrambled back to the .500 mark, defeating the Chicago Cubs 5-4 in 10 innings in front of most of an announced crowd of 32,937 at Nationals Park.

Washington’s winning sequence was classic National League baseball. After Werth worked a walk off losing pitcher Marcos Mateo, he was bunted over to 2nd base by pinch-hitter Livan Hernandez. Hernandez was actually the second pitcher to pinch-hit in the game as Nationals manager Davey Johnson was forced to creatively manage his shortened bench in the absence of Michael Morse (hairline fracture of the forearm). After Mateo was forced to depart with an injury in favor of Carlos Marmol, Werth caught the Cubs infield defense napping and stole third without even drawing a throw. Finally, when Marmol’s 2-2 pitch slipped past Geovany Soto and bounced around the backstop, Werth raced home with the winning run.

It was the perfect end to an up-and-down day for the $126 million man. Werth’s broken-bat single in the bottom of the first drove home Danny Espinosa and made the score 2-0, Washington. But Werth was  also a supporting player in one of the worst defensive plays seen from the Nationals at any point in their history. Continue reading →

Fun & Games, Sports Fix
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Nats Back Below .500 as Bucs Blast Marquis


‘Clippard Pitches’
courtesy of ‘MudflapDC’

If, as the old baseball truism goes, the baseball gods have given the Washington Nationals 54 wins, 54 losses, and 54 toss-ups, than Sunday afternoon’s 10-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates unquestionably falls into the second category. Jason Marquis faced just 13 batters and recorded only four outs. Hundreds of fans were still milling around in the centerfield plaza, trying to decide whether to find their seats or find a hot dog, when Neil Walker scampered home on Lyle Overbay’s RBI double to give the Pirates an 8-0 lead and cap off a five-run top of the second inning that, for all intents and purposes, ended the competitive portion of the afternoon’s entertainment.

“I left too many balls in the zone,” a grim-faced Marquis said after the game. “There wasn’t enough late action on my balls.” To his credit, Marquis didn’t make excuses, nor did he hide behind the double play that probably should have been recorded by the very second batter of the game. After allowing Alex Presley to lead off the game with a sliced single to left field, Marquis induced Chase d’Arnaud to tap a ground ball back to the mound. Trying to start the pitcher’s best friend, Marquis rushed his throw and put it at second baseman Danny Espinosa’s feet. It was a difficult play to be sure, but one that Espinosa could have (if not should have) made. Instead, the throw skipped into center field and Presley picked himself up and went to third, later scoring on an RBI single by Nate McCutchen. Walker and Overbay followed with RBI base hits of their own, and the Pirates led 3-0 after half an inning.

“It didn’t have any effect [on me],” Marquis said when asked afterwards about the botched play. “They’ve been doing a good job defensively, they’ve spent the whole year battling, and are trying to make plays.”

“Things like that shouldn’t be able to affect you,” Nationals manager Davey Johnson said. “He just didn’t have it today.” Continue reading →

We Love Weekends
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We Love Weekends: July 2 – 4

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_03550001’
courtesy of ‘cruffo’

It’s that time again – for us to rub it in your faces what exciting lives we all live and give you the opportunity to live vicariously through us or try to grab ahold of that desperate desire to BE us & steal our weekend plans. This week with extra violence!

Tom: We’re headed out west for a couple weeks to celebrate my sister’s wedding in the bay area, but were I here, I’d be stocking up and getting ready for the Fourth!  I’d be using DCRA’s fireworks map to find some smash-boom-bang for early on in the evening, and then I’d likely be heading to Cardozo High to watch the fireworks. While it’s great to watch on the Mall, I far prefer some of the alternate vistas this city has to offer, especially from its rooftops. The Key Bridge is also a great spot to watch.  Happy Independence Day, everyone!

Marissa: Long weekend and celebrating the birth of our nation! Saturday I might just be crazy enough to try to get a table at the newly opened Graffiato since the restaurant scene has been all abuzz about it. Sunday I’ll be going all-American and spending the afternoon at the Nationals Game (hint: there’s a double-header on Saturday if you’re interested, and a home game on the 4th as well). As for the 4th of July, I might buck up, pack a picnic and head to the Mall since I’m pretty sure they don’t let GW alums onto the University’s rooftops all willy-nilly to watch fireworks. Plus the Capitol Fourth Concert sounds good. Happy fourth of July!

Photo courtesy of
‘Folk Life Festival 10 – Cups and Petals – 07-05-10’
courtesy of ‘mosley.brian’

Mosley: Quite the weekend for me!  Two of my favorite things are this weekend: Smithsonian Folklife Festival and the 4th of July Fireworks on the Mall.  I’m planning on spending most of Saturday down at the Folklife Festival, taking in culture from Columbia and digging the Rhythm and Blues.  Pictures will be forth coming (check out the past few years).  Then Saturday night, planning on seeing Tron at AFI in Silver Spring; this will be one of many of my favorite 80s movies they are showing throughout the summer.  Sunday I’m planning on kayaking on the Eastern Branch (AKA: the Anacostia).  The Anacostia is awesome to kayak on; few people, a ton of wildlife, and sights not often seen.  I launch out of Bladensburg and can get as far south as RFK and Kingman Island.  I’ll finish up the long weekend with a BBQ on the 4th, and heading over to the Mount Vernon trail to shoot pictures of the fireworks (see past years here).  I love being down around the crowd for the fireworks; it’s always so much fun!
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Sports Fix
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Homestand Preview: What a difference a week makes

Photo courtesy of
‘Presidents Race!’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye’

Some weeks, you’re George, some weeks, you’re Teddy.

The Nationals (40-41) return home on Friday night after a 2-4 road trip, and carrying a 3-game losing streak, having been swept in Los Angeles. Things have not quite gone as imagined during the aftermath of Jim Riggleman’s Sarah Palin-esque departure.  Ahead of the All-Star Break, the Nationals play 11 games in 10 days starting Friday night.

These 11 games before the All-Star Break are pretty critical to the season, but there’s many reasons for hope, Natstown. Let’s look at what we’re up against, shall we?

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We Love Music
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We Love Music: Fucked Up @ Rock and Roll Hotel, 6/27/11

P1020147
All photos by Rachel Rasby

The smell of Cocoa Puffs crushed underfoot. Silhouettes of back-hair illuminated by a spotlight. Clouds of sweat puffing around the stage. Most of my memories of Fucked Up’s performance on Monday night at the Rock and Roll Hotel aren’t particularly pleasant. But who likes their shows ‘pleasant’ anyway? Yeah, it was kind of a sweaty mess at the front of the stage – a crowd five fans deep, jumping relentlessly up and down throughout the set. But Fucked Up supplied an undeniably, infectiously energetic soundtrack for us to go wild to.

Leading by example, Fucked Up’s Damian Abraham rushed on stage and proceeded to rip open a huge bag of store-brand Cocoa Puffs all over the audience. Okay, consider my attention grabbed. Damian was one of those frontmen that’s always doing something to keep your attention, whether he’s spinning his mic around by its cord, leaning into the crowd to yell about the Crusades, or just stomping around on stage. I enjoyed the show from start to finish; I can see why their live shows have gotten them so much buzz. They made the mostly-full Rock and Roll Hotel feel like a summer festival.
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Food and Drink, Night Life, The Features
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Lost Society Opening on U Street

Photo courtesy of
‘Steak, Lost Society’
courtesy of ‘Jenn Larsen’

Last Thursday I was a guest at the media preview for “boutique steakhouse” Lost Society, occupying the top two floors of a classic corner building at 14th and U Streets. I’ve long awaited this building’s renovation, as it’s been a blight on a corner of what should be prime real estate. I’m happy to report that Lost Society will counter-balance the chains planned for the bottom floor (as a local resident, not too happy with yet another Subway!).

Opening this Friday, July 1, the space is interesting in that it’s divided into “decor vignettes” – changing the mood as you turn each corner. The second floor is dominated by a double-sided bar, which is in turn flanked by a series of booths with a view overlooking 14th Street that can be enclosed by privacy curtains, a line of pub tables with a grey velvet banquette, a lounge area with purple couches and leather chairs, and finally a whimsical alcove wallpapered with flirtatious Gibson Girls. You wouldn’t feel out of place wearing a smoking jacket. Let’s take a look.  Continue reading →

Entertainment, Fun & Games, We Love Music
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The Winning Ticket: Rx Bandits

As a way to say thanks to our loyal readers, We Love DC will be giving away a pair of tickets to a 9:30 Club concert to one lucky reader each week. Check back here every Wednesday morning at 9am to find out what tickets we’re giving away and leave a comment for your chance to be the lucky winner!

This week we are giving away a pair of tickets to see Rx Bandits perform at 9:30 Club on Saturday, July 9th. I haven’t really followed Rx Bandits since they emerged from the ska-punk scene back in the day, but from the tour preview below, it looks and sounds like they have developed into a more sonically daring group with a harder edge. What you’ll also see in the preview below is that this is actually a pretty nice triple-bill with Maps & Atlases and Zechs Marquise (a band who have a great referential name and an awesome sound that I will be tracking down more of ASAP). Also as you can read on the image above, this is Rx Bandits’ final tour, so these free tickets are probably your last chance to catch them until the inevitable reunion tour ten to fifteen years from now.

For your chance to win these tickets simply leave a comment on this post using a valid email address between 9am and 4pm today. One entry per email address, please. If today doesn’t turn out to be your lucky day, check back here each Wednesday for a chance to win tickets to other great concerts. Tickets for this concert are available on Ticketfly.

For the rules of this giveaway…
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Entertainment, The Features, We Love Arts
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We Love Arts: The Merchant of Venice

Derek Smith as Antonio, Mark Nelson as Shylock and Julia Coffey as Portia in the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of The Merchant of Venice, directed by Ethan McSweeny. Photo by Scott Suchman.

We come to a performance of The Merchant of Venice with a lot of preconceptions. One of them has to do with the title itself. It doesn’t refer to its most famous character, I remember a brilliant English professor beating into my brain. “Shylock isn’t the merchant,” he said repeatedly, “Antonio is.”

Antonio? Wait, who? That confusion wasn’t resolved by many productions I’ve seen, where either played as a straight villain or as a decent man tortured by institutional prejudice, Shylock reigned as the central focus. But as seductive as he is, especially to the modern sensibility that wants so badly to reconcile the beauty and insight of Shakespeare with the cruel racism inherent in many lines, protagonist he isn’t.

One of the chief joys of director Ethan McSweeny’s sprawling production now playing at the Shakespeare Theatre Company is the restoration of Antonio as the merchant of Venice. Derek Smith’s economical portrayal, containing the character’s melancholy and self-loathing within the cool veneer of commerce and charisma, is revelatory. And it’s made possible in large part by the risk of placing the action in a Venice that resembles 1920’s New York City, so that the merchants sip espresso after espresso like Little Italy denizens and the Rialto Bridge becomes a magnificent staircase suggesting a subway overpass.

By setting the action here, somehow it becomes more Venetian – the bustle of business, the hint of corruption, the glamorous sheen that barely hides a seedy decay. Sweeney nails the big picture, but gives equal weight to the quiet moments. There’s so much rich interplay in this production it’s hard to know where to look. Not all of it is perfectly realized, but there’s much to admire.

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Food and Drink, The Features
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The 2011 RAMMY Awards

Photo courtesy of
‘Todd Gray of Equinox, Chef of the Year’
courtesy of ‘bonappetitfoodie’

This past Sunday restauranteurs, chefs and restaurant staff filled the Marriott hotel in Woodley Park in honor of the 2011 Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMMY) Awards. The awards honored some of the best in the restaurant industry (though there were several restaurants whose praises went unsung during the night). If you missed the live tweeting, you’ll find the full list of winners after the jump.
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