Gridskipper: Washington DC

Men's Guide: Getting Groomed in DC

crichert — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:25:01 EDT

I still can't figure out why my boyfriend doesn't desire a day at the spa like I do. It's especially odd, because there are all kinds of barbershops, boutique salons and spas that cater to the manly men of this city. Maybe he thinks that a $100 treatment called "The Commander in Chief" that includes a manicure is both emasculating and expensive? It sounds good to me. Anyway, here are a few spots in Washington where you can clean up your filthy boyfriend.

Grooming Lounge
1745 L Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
Guys can pick up shaving lotions, shampoo, and other prissy products like "Replenishing Face Serum" while treating themselves to a hot lather shave or a glycolic peel.

Diego's Hair Salon
1901 Q St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Now this is a place where a man can come and feel like a man. It's a no-frills spot in Dupont Circle that seems to be open when it feels like it. Makes sense: Diego is European. He apparently came to DC from Italy to keep up the ambassador's good looks and never left.

The Watergate Salon
2532 Virginia Ave, Washington DC, 20037
The Watergate Salon is largely cut out for women, but they have a special men's menu that includes facials and back waxing (yum).

Louis' Barber Shop
1120 20th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
Louis' caters to the working men who need a quick cut during their lunch hour. Apparently, those working men include Bill Clinton, Charlie Gibson, and Christopher Walken.

Knockouts Haircuts for Men It seems as if Knockouts is hiring for a soon-to-open Arlington location near the Clarendon Metro Stop. This franchise may be on to something big. From their website, it looks like they hire really hot girls who may have a stint at Hooters listed on their resume to cut hair, massage feet and trim nails. Sounds almost illegal.

Lee's Barber Shop
1500 E Capitol St NE, Washington, DC 20003
From the reviews I've read about Lee's online, I get the impression it's a pretty laid-back place where people come first to chat and second to get a cut. Almost like the good old days.

DC's Best Macaroni & Cheese

zeverson — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:51:45 EDT

A few weeks ago I was raving to my father-in-law about Rustico, a neighborhood restaurant in Alexandria, VA, just outside of DC. Between its 331 types of beer and new American cuisine, I figured it'd be a great place to take him on his next visit. But when I said that my favorite meal there was macaroni and cheese, he laughed. "You go to a restaurant for macaroni and cheese? How much is it?" "$16," I whimpered and his laughter intensified. You know, maybe I am a fool. But damn it, ex-editor Chris's write up of New York's best restaurants for mac and cheese was one of the most read posts of 2007 on Gridskipper. So I can't be the only idiot. Maybe as current editor John said, "All these urban sophisticates are just softies once you crack the surface." Regardless, whether you're a fool, urban softy, or yuppie who can't fathom paying $0.50 for something when you could pay $16 for it, here's are DC's best restaurants for mac and cheese. (photo )

Rustico
827 Slaters Lane, Alexandria, VA 22314
Rustico recently switched its recipe for macaroni and cheese, going from three small different flavored servings to one larger bowl. The presentation that chef Frank Morales settled on is the best mac and cheese in the area; it includes mushrooms, pancetta, English peas and asiago ($16). Wash it down with one of Rustico's 331 beers. For dessert, try a Young's Double Chocolate Stout. (selsheikh/flickr)

Zola
800 F St. NW, Washington, DC 20004
Don't write off the Zola Lobster Mac & Cheese ($21 as an entree at lunch, $10 as a side at dinner) as just part of the trend of sprucing up standard fare by adding in a touch of a delicacy. It's delicious, and the piece of lobster is substantial. I've often made a meal out of the mac and cheese and Zola's excellent tuna tartare. Both pair well with a martini, but what doesn't?

Equinox Restaurant
818 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20006
When I mentioned to friends that I was writing a post about DC's best restaurants for macaroni and cheese, Todd Gray's Equiniox was almost universally recommended. Its baked mac and cheese, served with gruyere, black truffles, and panko crumbs, is served as a side in a small cast-iron pot ($9 at lunch, $10 at dinner).

Hank's Oyster Bar
1624 Q St. NW, Washington, DC 20009
The menu at Hank's Oyster Bar has been overhauled of late, but thankfully its Mac and Cheesy was preserved intact. Served as a side dish for $5, it's macaroni and cheese as it should be: a crunchy outside with a gooey interior. And it goes surprisingly well with oysters.

Vidalia Restaurant
1990 M St. NW, Washington, DC 20036
Despite Vidalia's high prices and stuffiness, its baked macaroni with cave-aged cheddar and smoked shoat ham ($8.50) is worth checking out. Many customers, however, preferred it in its previous incarnation, with goat cheese and truffles. (photo)

Les Halles De Paris
1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20004
Les Halles lays on les pretenses. And its location on Pennsylvania Avenue ("Main Street, USA," as Les Halles's website declares) means it caters mostly to tourists. (Sorry Anthony Bourdain, I want to like this branch of your restaurant, but it's hard to eat there without thinking about what snide comments you'd be making.) Regardless, Les Halles's macaroni and cheese with penne pasta and gruyere with serrano ham ($10.50 at lunch, $12.50 at dinner) makes it worth a visit.

Logan Tavern
1423 P St. NW, Washington, DC 20001
Logan Tavern's Crab & Shrimp Mac n' Cheese comes as a side ($5.95) or a meal ($15.95). But the side portion is so large it'll probably suffice — unless you're expecting other people at your table to partake, which is likely once they see how much you're enjoying it. And, unlike most restaurants where large servings means bad food (talking 'bout you, Bucca di Beppo and Maggiano's Little Italy), Logan Tavern's macaroni and cheese is delicious.

The Best Eggs Benedict in DC

kboyle — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:02:23 EDT

To say I love Eggs Benedict would be a bit of an understatement. One of the greatest challenges I face at brunch is wrenching myself away from my beloved Eggs Benny and trying other options on the menu. This post is a roundup of my favorite restaurants for Eggs Benedict in the District. It is also purely selfish, as I'm hoping to get suggestions on some fantastic new Eggs Benedict spots to satisfy my craving. Comments welcome! ()

Martin's Tavern
1264 Wisconsin Avenue NW
You're in good company when you eat Eggs Benedict at Martin's. The restaurant has served every president from Harry Truman to George W. Bush. It's also the spot where JFK asked Jackie to marry him. All this and a great Eggs Benedict too? What more could a Washingtonian want?

The Reef
2446 18th St. NW
Eggs Benedict on Reef's roof is the perfect way to start a lazy Sunday. The restaurant uses many all-natural and organic ingredients.

Circa
1601 Connecticut Avenue, NW
I've heard Circa is lackluster in some areas, but their Eggs Benedict leaves nothing to be desired. The restaurant gets bonus points for being endlessly patient when one of my brunch companions was nearly an hour late. (photo)

Tabard Inn
1739 N St. NW
Dupont Circle's genteel Tabard Inn offers some of the best Eggs Benedict in DC in a beautiful, homey setting. But beware the wait. Tables here fill up fast on the weekend, so you may want to make a reservation. (photo)

Bistro Francais
3128 M Street NW Washington, DC 20007-3704
The French do food well, and the Oeufs Bénédictine at Bistro Francaise are no exception. Francophiles and Eggs Benedict fans alike should check out this charming Georgetown spot. (photo)

Luna Grill
1301 Connecticut Ave. N.W.
I can only vouch for the Dupont location (there's another in Arlington), but bustling Luna Grill offers up excellent Eggs Benedict every weekend. Wait time here is often at least an hour.

Washington's Wilderness

Andrew Evans — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:39:27 EDT

Spring has sprung and along with the cherry blossoms and cute baby animals is a raging army of workaholics just dying to break out of the office and go totally wild. Not some bikini blitz or a round of jello shots — we're talking into the wild, you know . . nature.

But is it possible, you ask, to experience real nature in the metropolitan madness that is Washington, D.C.? Sure it is. Whether you're looking for a coyote pack, a hooting owl, or just a quiet spot under a tree (sans dog poo), the Capital is like a big old national park, except with interns instead of moose (though we do have black squirrels). To guide us through our backyard jungle, we turn to our good friends at DCNature.com, a bunch of local shutterbugs who showcase their candid photography of local wildlife in and around the beltway. (photo)

DC Taxis Getting New Pricing Scheme

John Rambow — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:10:00 EDT

Washington, D.C., is moving forward with its plan to require meters in all taxicabs by June 1, with the month of May given over to warnings for those who haven't yet installed them. From June, cab pricing will no longer be determined by the current system, made up of 22 concentric zones, but instead with a more straightforward distance method. The initial cost will be $3, plus $0.25 for each sixth of a mile driven; each additional rider will cost $1.50. What will May be like, with the potential for two systems to be operating at the same time? Confusing. [WaPo; non-DC meter: aleksejs.busarovs/flickr]

Best of DC 2008

John Rambow — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:40:00 EDT

Last week the Washington City Paper came out with its annual Best of, with a multitude of categories both essential (Best Burger, Best Bikini Wax, Best Place to Have Your Mom Buy You Slacks) and arbitrary (Best Front Desk Operators, Best Remnant of the Liberal Media, Best Wonk). Some highlights after the jump. (Holzer sculpture: afagen/flickr)

Best Strip Clubs: "The question of D.C.'s best strip club can be summarized thusly: Ass? Perhaps M Street's Camelot shoots too high with its storied kingdom namesake; with both joints offering no cover charge, attractive strippers, and a friendly staff, Camelot could well be called the white House. . . . If you like big butts, head to the House; if you're interested in more subtle assets (subtle for strip clubs, anyway), ride on to Camelot."
Best Hamburger: "From any angle you look at it, Quarry House offers the ultimate burger experience."
Best Panhandler: Blelvis — a black man famous for appropriating the music of a white man famous for appropriating the music of black men—claims to know every song Elvis Presley ever sang."
Best Intersection of New and Old D.C.: Florida Avenue Market. Back in the mid-'90s, this hive of groceries and wholesalers between New York and Florida Avenues NE was a dump. . . These days, there's renewal in the form of fresh development, and yet some of the standbys and old-school charm remain.
Best Museum Acquisition: Jenny Holzer's pillar-shaped installation of LEDs, For SAAM, installed last November at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

DC's Top Ice Cream and Gelato Shops

kboyle — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:11:00 EDT

Without ice cream, there would be darkness and chaos, Olympic marathoner Don Kardong once said. He was right. There is simply no way to survive a sweltering DC summer without that frozen goodness, calories and all. So, why would you even try? Without further ado, your ice cream/gelato survival guide. Suggestions welcome via the comments. (foot-slogger/flickr)

DC: The Best Tuna Tartare in Town

zeverson — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:40:21 EDT

It's bizarre. Washington, D.C., is not on the coast, doesn't have an abundance of top-tier seafood restaurants, and the Asians have been shunted to the suburbs. But a lot of DC restaurants serve excellent tuna tartare, the most delicious pink, moist, fishy-smelling appetizer that doesn't leave you picking hair out of your teeth afterwards. (photo)

DC's Best Wine Stores

zeverson — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:45:40 EDT

Back in college I thought I was allergic to wine; a few glasses and I'd have a two-day hangover. But then I graduated, got a job, and was able to afford wine out of a bottle. Good bye Franzia, hello muse! But as much as I enjoy wine now, I hate the pretense that goes with it at some stores and restaurants. It's been a while since I gnawed on bark, so saying a wine has a "slightly oaky tint" doesn't tell me whether or not I'll like it. And the prices can be even more off putting. When I'm in your store at noon on a Tuesday reeking of last night, wearing a t-shirt that says "Dykes against Bush," with a cigarette butt in my hair, do I look like I'm in the market for a $30 "special occasion" wine? Here are some DC area wine stores that offer good selections at reasonable prices with minimal affectation. (photo)

DC's Independent Music Stores

crichert — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:50:00 EDT

If video killed the radio, then the iTunes and other downloadable music options have effectively killed the music store. OK, not entirely. While a few of the independent music stores that I had planned to include on this list — Kemp Hill Music and Orpheus Records — have closed or will soon, a handful of DC's independent music stores have survived the war. Here's a few of my favorites — add yours in the comments.

Find DC Farmers Markets Fast

John Rambow — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:00:47 EDT

The Washington Post has a great map compiling the hundreds of farmers markets in the metro area. What makes it most useful is the ability to filter by day as well as by area. Trending up at most of these markets are outlets selling meat and dairy — "People are treating their trip to the farmers market as one-stop shopping," says one of the co-directors for a group of the markets. (Carly & Art/flickr)

Confederate Washington

Andrew Evans — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Yankee liberal John F. Kennedy referred to Washington as a city of Southern efficiency and Northern charm, but that ain't so funny if you know your history. The Union came mighty close to losing its capital to the Confederacy, and if it wasn't for Grant pulling his troops out of Richmond, Washingtonians would all be speaking Southern. But the War of Northern Aggression is finally, officially, actually over and time heals all wounds, right? Exceptin' the ones that don't heal — that's what rememberin' is for! Not racism or bigotry folks, but a simple celebration of the South and the fine American tradition of insurrection. Seein' as half the tourists who visit the Union come from Dixieland and the rest of 'em is good ol' boys, Washington, D.C., demands its very own list of confederate highlights. Alas, none of the following venues take Confederate dollars, yet. (spike 55151/flickr)

DC's Most Overrated Restaurants

crichert — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:20:00 EDT

When I told my friend that I wanted to do a post on DC's most overrated restaurants, he sagely said that there is not enough room on the Internet to list them all. It's a phenomenon I don't understand. Unrelenting praise and enormous crowds in this city are always elevating mediocre, overpriced restaurants. Could it be that Washington as a whole lacks taste? Put down your theories in the comments; in the meantime, here's a list of the worst of the worst.

Stoner D.C.

rarmendariz — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:50:00 EDT

Weed lovers in D.C. find themselves wading through a pool of over-accomplished and pompous d-bags. So chill, brah, and partake in many of the fine red-eye friendly eating establishments and thought-provoking outdoor activities. It's hard to brave the tourist haunts and general public when you're sober, so numb the pain a little and blow your mind at some of D.C.'s more stimulating attractions. (photo)

DC's Newseum Launches

kboyle — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:45:07 EDT

Meet the Newseum, the latest Arlington resident to flee the 'burbs for D.C. The museum, which opens to the public today, is at Pennsylvania Ave. and 6th St., NW., giving it a stunning view of the Capitol and proximity to thousands of fanny-packing (and ticket-buying) tourists. Artifacts range from pieces of the Berlin Wall to a bullet-ridden truck Time reporters drove through the Balkans in the 1990s. (No word on whether Hillary accompanied them.) In a town of free museums, the $20 price tag for the Newseum seems steep, but it's worth it. Totally broke? Check it out on your lunch break. Admission is free today only. Inside, some of the exhibits and items that make it worth a stop.

The First Amendment Tablet: Stroll down Pennsylvania Avenue toward the Newseum, and it's the first thing you'll notice. It took 50 tons of Tennessee marble to create this mammoth testament to the freedom of the press. Nearby, newspaper front pages from all 50 states and countries across the world decorate the building — these are changed by museum staff each morning. Best of all, you can see this part of the Newseum for free.

News History Gallery: Visit the News History Gallery to see the evolution of journalism. Interactive kiosks allow you to browse historic newspaper front pages and magazine covers. Interested in seeing how journalism went digital? Don't miss the Internet, TV and Radio Gallery.

Pulitzer Prize Photographs Gallery: Check out more than 1,000 Pulitzer-prize-winning photographs at this exhibit. Can't make it to the museum? You can also look at some of these arresting images online. For the exhibit, the Newseum interviewed sixty-eight photographers who had won the prize.

Interactive Newsroom: This part of the museum is sure to be one of the biggest draws and the longest waits. Visitors pose in front a DC scene such as the National Mall and then read a news report off a teleprompter. You'll be able to view your on-air antics in a video posted online the next day. The teleprompter runs a little slowly, so your news report may be stilted, but hopefully that's a kink they'll work out soon.

9/11 Gallery: This gallery shows how the news media covered one of the greatest tragedies in American history. The twisted steel of an antenna from one of the towers is surrounded by news coverage of the terrorist attacks. The exhibit also pays homage to photojournalist William Biggart, who died covering the story.

Berlin Wall Gallery: After Mikhail Gorbachev allowed Berliners to "tear down that wall," eight pieces of it ended up in the Newseum. This exhibit chronicles journalism's role in that collapse.

Great Books Gallery: As every grade school kid who has read Fahrenheit 451 knows, books are one of the keys to a free society. Visit the Great Books Gallery to see copies of documents that changed the world, including the from Magna Carta and the Constitution.

World News Gallery: This exhibit showcases journalism around the world, examining the varying degrees of freedom of the press in different countries. The bullet-ridden jeep Time reporters drove through the Balkans in the 1990s is here, as is a large map highlighting press freedoms (or the lack thereof) around the globe.

First Amendment Gallery: The First Amendment Gallery looks at the court cases, legislation and movements that affect Americans' First Amendment rights. From the Patriot Act to Tinker v. Des Moines, it's all here.

Journalists' Memorial: This exhibit honors reporters, photographers, editors and broadcasters who died while pursuing a story. Their names are etched on a two-story glass structure, and information on their lives is available in interactive kiosks. Photographs of the journalists also decorate the gallery. Check out the Committee to Protect Journalists to learn more about promoting freedom of the press.

The Sex and Swingers Clubs of the DC Area

zeverson — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:56:28 EDT

Whether you are a bi-curious woman who's part of a couple, a hardcore swinger without time for idle chitchat, a bear into the leather scene, someone who thinks fat-bottomed girls make the rockin' world go 'round, a confused man willing to put part of yourself into a hole in a wall and hope for the best, an elderly homosexual into autoeroticism, or a dedicated practitioner of doggystyle, Washington, DC, has a club for you. Although these sex and swingers clubs cater to a wide range of interests, most them have another thing in common: they bill themselves as "classy." (For the record, and to protect my wife's integrity, all research for this piece was conducted online or through interviews. And what's below the jump is NSFW, unless of course you work for Gridskipper.) (photo)

DC's Gayest Gay Bars

Andrew Evans — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:10:17 EDT

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, which bar's the queerest of them all? Well, do you mean "gay" or do you mean, like gay? Because Washington's gayer than sushi and scented candles on Sunday, but the district also boasts one of the highest concentrations of homos in America. If it's "gay" you're looking for then skip to the mall and all around the RNC. If you simply want gay, then you must go into a local bar that has men inside it. Sadly, some of the best bars closed down and other bars just suck.

Fashions are flighty, and haircuts change, but the things that really matter always stay the same. For example, Wednesday is still the cheapest night for gays to get drunk in DC . . . if you're not wearing a shirt. And because you should never judge a bar by its cover, I've gone to the trouble of taking off everybody's shirts for you.

Washington's Citypaper has a cool photo-essay ...

John Rambow — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:47:06 EDT

Washington's Citypaper has a cool photo-essay with a slideshow of some well framed store windows, bus shelters, and other glass structures throughout the city.

Surviving the National Cherry Blossom Festival

Andrew Evans — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:16:59 EDT

Ninety-six years ago, the Japanese first lady gave her American counterpart some pretty cherry trees, and the two countries have been trading flowers and bombs of friendship ever since. Washington now welcomes more than one million visitors in a beautiful but crazy two-week period. Tourists come from all over to enjoy the lovely cherry blossoms and celebrate the best of Japanese culture (like pixelated porn and whale in a can). This truly is the best time to visit the capital: spring is in the air, the city looks nice, and grumpy Washingtonians exude about as much cheer as they can muster. The problem is that visitors outnumber the cherry trees 267 to one, so any delicate Shintoist attempts to connect with nature quickly turns into an Osaka traffic jam. Crowds and commercialization suck bad, but don't lose hope. Here's a few inside tips to keep you in the know and above the fray, so that every Cherry Blossom Festival feels like your first. (photo: Brian Gratwicke)

How to Hanami: I love how Japanese has its own unique verb for every gracious action. See the characters? The first one depicts little four-petal flowers floating on the twisted branches of a tree, and the second one is a giant eyeball on two-legs. Hanami is the art of "looking at cherry blossoms" and involves a whole ritual of long thoughtful gazes up through the pink-filtered sunlight, sipping sake on picnic blankets. and probably inventing reflective haiku. In Washington, DC, groups of 25 or more who wish to sit beneath the trees must apply for a special permit, and if you get caught drinking on the mall, you'll get handcuffed and stuffed into the back of a car. Otherwise, feel free to practice hanami the Japanese way: find a tree that's not on the tidal basin (Virginia?), set up camp, and get sloshed.

Hot Air: If you haven't seen the flowers yet, hurry it up folks! Horticulturalist and man-who-speaks-with-cherry-trees Rob DeFeo predicts the blossoms will ~~pique~~ peak on April 3rd, after which they will simply begin to wilt and wither away like Britney Spears without hair extensions. Actually, nobody can predict when a flower will come out, which is why the festival lasts so long and why you shouldn't pay any mind to when the Washington Post orders you to visit the circus on the Mall. Also, nobody noticed this year how a bunch of cherry trees were in full bloom way back in February because global warming is a total myth. Insert lame joke about how eventually the festival will be held just after New Year's, LOL.

Your One Stop Cherry Blo$$om $hop: The National Park Service is totally broke, thanks to Emperor George W's samurai slashing of the Department of the Interior's budget. That was kind of a stupid move because his backyard is the National Mall, which is kind of like a National Park. In order for the NPS to pay their salaries this year, they're doing the whole public-private partnership thing, which means selling us a whole lotta cherry blossom schlock. Like never before, you'll find entire tent cities touting "official" merchandise and concessions. Normally I'd make fun of the lame pink motifs and crappy key chains, but this year there seems to have been a designer involved in the process. Check out this shirt, which is actually wearable. Also, this hand-painted bangle is cute, and Farhney's has released their exclusive cherry blossom fountain pen.

Benefiting from Government Corruption: Getting a spot in the annual 10-mile Cherry Blossom Run is harder than getting tickets to see the Spice Girls. Despite places for 12,000 runners, the race sells out/fills up in just a few hours of online registration. But does it? Rumors abound that a large chunk of spots are held expressly for Hill staffers and that legislative aides and those who love them need not sign up by name. Though transferring is strictly verboten, that rule is overlooked for anybody working on the Hill. If you were one of the thousands that got cut from the race way back in December, never fear. Just know a Hill staffer or act like one (poor but self-important) and you'll get a number pinned on your back, no prob.

Cherry Picking: The key to enjoying the festival is to make strategic choices about when and what you do on the mall, then stay the heck away. If you have to, just watch the flowers online. Unless you've got a six-year-old on stage, skip the ballet recitals and karate demonstrations and any other outdoor presentation that involves a microphone. Instead, focus on weekday events, like the Mikado, the Edo masters' collection at the Smithsonian, and any of the free anime. Say no to paddle boats, free concerts, and the Potomac fireworks cruise with dessert buffet. Say yes to the rugby tournament, oversized origami, the Japanese beer tents on Pennsylvania Avenue, and the all-u-can-eat sushi buffet at Sushi Taro (tip: take the fish, send back the rice). My only reason for going to the parade this year? Mark Indelicato (of Ugly Betty fame) dancin' and singing his queeny self down Constitution Avenue. That, and the giant Herro Kitty balloon float.

Games Nights in DC

kboyle — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:15:00 EDT

Bars across the District know everything is more fun after a few cocktails, and childhood board games are no exception. In the mood for a little Carmen Sandiego? You're in luck. A number of local watering holes give tipsy patrons the chance to indulge their inner kid with games ranging from Jenga to checkers. Finally, you'll understand how your parents made it through four consecutive games of Monopoly. Check out the following spots if you're looking for some old-school entertainment. Suggestions welcome via the comments or the tip line, and don't forget our round-up of DC pub quizzes. (photo)

Washington DC's Sexiest B and B's

Andrew Evans — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:00:00 EDT

Not long after the bed was invented, people discovered eating in bed. The custom of bed AND breakfasts (not sold separately) goes back to fair England, where B and B's still offer an affordable alternative to pretentious, overpriced, impersonal hotels. Like so many British things (e.g. the Spice Girls), Americans have turned one more working-class tradition into something deluxe and Victorian. Today, Washington, D.C, is dotted with charming B and Bs that look like a ladies' sewing circle threw up (did you want frills with that?). Better leave such haunts to the bridge clubs that inspired them — the rest of us want to sleep and eat like the gods, escaping into a refined world of top-notch design and glossy magazine values. Here's where to find just that—if you're in the capital on business and can't stand another night at the Mariott, if you're the Governor of New York but want to stay anonymous, or if you've got cousins coming to town and there just ain't no way you can squeeze them into your studio. Rates range from $160 to $300 a night. (photo: DC Guesthouse)

When Wonks Attack: DC Pub Quizzes

kboyle — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:15:00 EDT

In Washington, nothing says you've made it like proving you can out-drink and outsmart your friends. The city is overrun with wonks, all of whom seem to be drawn to DC's favorite beer-swilling, answer-hurling ritual: the pub quiz. As bars across the city cash in on your inner (or outer) nerd, be sure to check out the list below for some prime pub quiz spots. Suggestions welcome via the comments or the tip line. (photo)

DC Movie Map: 'State of Play'

crichert — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:20:41 EDT

DC celebrity sightings usually involve James Carville, Mary Matalin, and a plate of pasta at Café Milano. But this month, Washingtonians are getting a treat straight from Hollywood: some misguided director has decided to use our fair city to film State of Play, originally a BBC series. Now everyone has their "I saw Ben Affleck drinking coffee! I drink coffee, too!" story. The movie features the archetypal cast of Washington creatures: the aforementioned Affleck plays a philandering Congressman whose mistress is found dead, Rachel McAdams is the intrepid reporter who writes about the murder, and — as far as I can tell — Russell Crowe is a homeless-looking dude who skulks around U Street and Mount Pleasant. Jason Bateman, Robin Wright and Helen Mirren also have roles. Here's your own Hollywood map to the Washington stars.

D.C. Musicians Share Their Favorite Spots, Part 1

rarmendariz — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:35:38 EDT

D.C.'s punk-rock heyday may have come and gone, but the music scene still thrives, thanks to the work of local musicians like the following. Like their music? Then you might like their choice in delectable dishes as well. Read on to see where the District's local rock celebrities like to chow down and why, and maybe stalk them there before they get too famous. (photo)

The Times weighs in with some more fun facts ...

John Rambow — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:15:56 EDT

The Times weighs in with some more fun facts about the Mayflower Hotel, forever to be known now as the place where the pretty lady did those things to the Governor of New York. Mentioned in passing in the Times: the Mayflower was where Marion Barry smoked his crack pipe in 1989. Slightly more related: Monica Lewinsky was interviewed here in preparation for the attempted impeachment of Clinton. And revealed! There may be even more hookers walking the halls of this place — and staff may have an idea of what's going on behind closed doors. [Gawker]

(Some of) the Best DC Bakeries

kboyle — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:15:36 EDT

It's easy to neglect the sweeter side of life in an era that worships the twiggy Olsen twins over voluptuous icons like Marilyn Monroe. But that would be a darn shame given DC's excellent smattering of bakeries. Visit any of these local patisseries if you're looking for a reason to indulge. Suggestions welcome via the comments or the tip line. (photo)

DC's Fake Plastic Neighborhood

Andrew Evans — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:55:10 EDT

You know your neighborhood is phony when it's perpetually followed by a definition: NoMa is a toponym that has yet to be printed or spoken without its paranthetical epithet (North of Massachusetts Avenue), nor without a false explanation that it's just like any of New York's groovy acronym'd 'hoods, e.g. SoHo, TriBeCa, and DUMBO. Actually, NoMa is Washington's latest and greatest gentrification un-success story, the unfinished fairy tale of one eager band of pocket-protected urban planners. The neighborhood was drawn up as everything north of Mass Avenue, east of 2nd Street, NW, west of 2nd Street NE, and south of New York Avenue. That's about 35 fill-in-the-blank city blocks which after more than a decade have yet to be referred to as "NoMa" by anyone who lives there. Sorry guys, but two mentions in the Washington Post does not a neighborhood make. We're still not buyin' it. (photo: Andrew Evans)

NoMan's land: The first thing you notice about NoMa is that there's absolutely nothing there. Wait, that's not true, CNN has some offices . . . and NPR is moving there; hey, GSA is already there. And then there's the new headquarters of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (who seem to be diversifying their portfolio), and a halfway house . . . and they're building a Holiday Inn, and OMG, there's gonna be a Harris Teeter grocery store. This will all follow with the boob job of the DC neighborhood makeover: exposed-concrete ceiling condos made for dual-income, childless couples as portrayed in this hilarious promotional video, which might as well star the Sims. Computer graphics and slogans aside, what does NoMa have? A wikipedia entry, a business improvement district, two godawful nightclubs, cheap all-day parking, and a whole lotta chain-link fences. What doesn't NoMa have: a soul, an identity, a tourist attraction, or an active place in DC's collective conscious.

FTG: Failure to Google: Brand "NoMa" was the bright idea of Dr. Marc A. Weiss, a Columbia University professor and Bill Clinton's adviser on urban planning in the 1990s. His Manhattanese vision for DC calls for hippifying the swath of vacant lots north of Mass Ave by use of a magic wand and a kewl name that he came to him while jogging on a treadmill. Alas, someone forgot to do their homework. Not only is NoMa already the National Organization of Minority Architects and the New Orleans Museum of Art, noma is the name of a horrific facial gangrene that most commonly affects poor, malnourished African children. Noma is preventable and treatable to a point, but poverty and lack of medical care mean it's still a big problem. A quick image search will break your heart faster than you can say due diligence.

It Takes a Coffee Shop:Artists and cool people and a sense of community all linger near coffee shops, right? Like a drop of bleach in bacteria-infested water, one brave little independent coffee shop will turn the ghetto into the Sesame Street of artists' colonies. NoMa's one and only Pound Coffee is yet to open, but when it does, I guarantee it'll be chock-a-block with undercover ATF agents on break. Silly city planners, Bohemia never blossomed from a bunch of caffeinated, gun-totin' bureaucrats! If you want a place to be artsy, make it illegal for anyone to live there and open a tattoo parlor. Give it a month and you'll have yourself a NoMa independent film festival, the annual NoMa fringe gathering and a slew of Midwestern twentysomethings all hitchhiking their way to NoMa with flowers in their longish hair. Alas, once they open an Au Bon Pain the neighborhood will surely go to hell. (photo)

Bring Back Swampoodle: While attempting to pull a hipster neighborhood out of a hat, the city is disappearing the quarter's actual history and thereby losing the one essential ingredient to "character." Before NoMa there was Swampoodle, the capital's very own shantytown populated by Irish immigrants dating back to the great potato famine of the 1850s. Swampoodle was the swampy and frequently-flooded district at the edge of Northeast, which is why waspy Northwest was always happy to let the Papists stay there. Of their many contributions is the Jesuit high school of Gonzaga and Kelly's Irish Times, one of the few authentic Irish pubs in DC. The do-gooder Catholics also helped put in place the Sursum Corda Cooperative, which has since evolved into one of the city's most violent housing projects. Even so, instead of erasing the ghetto and starting at Year Zero, why can't we resurrect Swampoodle? PR firms might be at a loss at sloganeering "Swampoodle," but at least it's real. (photo)

¡No Más NoMa! According to NoMa BID, Washingtonians should be clamoring to move to NoMa because "It's new, it's here, it's 24/7." Actually, NoMa won't get going until 2012, which gives you four years to save up for a house in another yet-to-be-renamed ghetto near you. There's already talk of SoFa (South of Florida Avenue), and you know that can't be too far away from MoFo. I'm praying this trend will end, but until it does, learn how to decipher PR-double speak: "multi-use" means soulless office/condo conglomerates like Rosslyn, "rapidly emerging" means give it ten years or so, "exciting" means not so much, and "community" means subsidized, dirty, and prone to panhandlers. Expect more rah-rah slogans and full page ads and friends telling you all about NoMa, (you know, North of Massachusetts Avenue, like SoHo, etc.). As for me, I've got my own slogan: "NoMa, it's just way too easy to mock".

The Late Night Shots Guide to DC

zeverson — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:30:37 EDT

After a brief sabbatical, the feud between preppy, invite-only social network Late Night Shots and Wonkette, Washington City Paper, and other ironic hipster media outlets has begun anew. With LNS having just been deemed reality-TV worthy (maybe) and the LNS founder entertaining a Wonkette photographer with his uproarious Sean Penn imitation, DC is witnessing a renaissance of the summer of 2007. (Can a Larry Craig relapse be far behind?) Gridskipper already covered how to avoid douchebags in Georgetown. But what if you want to find them? You know, if only to document their doings.

Washington DC Strip Clubs

hwalker — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:00:37 EDT

This week, Eliot Spitzer's Washington escort romp showed us once again why DC has a well-earned reputation as a hotbed of sex and scandal. However, despite all those horny politicians, the capital actually has a fairly weak strip club scene. The powers-that-be in DC issue very few licenses for nude dancing and Near Southeast, the traditional stronghold of Washington strip clubs, is being taken over by condo developers and the Nationals' new stadium. Recently, such venerable establishments as Heat, Club 55, and the Nexus Gold Club have all closed. DC lap-dance aficionados were dealt a further blow back in January, when JP's Nightclub burned to the ground. As a service to our readers, I've mapped some of the DC-area strip clubs that are still going strong. If we missed your favorite, please let us know via the comments or the trusty tipline.

The Smithsonian's new Butterfly Pavilion ...

John Rambow — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:02:22 EDT

The Smithsonian's new Butterfly Pavilion opens today, with about 400 butterflies at any given time living inside a 1,200 square foot tropical garden. To turn yourself into a butterfly magnet, wear bright colors and work on smelling nice for once.[AP]

Committing the Vatican's New Sins in D.C.

rarmendariz — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:00:05 EDT

In honor of Pope Benedict XVI's upcoming visit to Washington, D.C., and the Vatican's latest issuance of some new and updated seven deadly sins, I have compiled a list of places where you, in the months leading up to the Pope and his crazy eyes staring down you at Nationals Stadium on April 17, can commit acts against God. Yes please! (photo)

Washington's Best French Fries

Andrew Evans — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:10:47 EDT

Washingtonians do love us some french fries, which is why our collective waistline matches the national debt. So whose fries are actually worth the calories? After all that nonsense about freedom fries, Washington's best french fries are still found most often in (surprise!) French or Belgian restaurants. Given the variables of potato, cut, oil type and temperature, and saltiness, the ultimate fry factor in question is how dependable a plate of fries is at any particular establishment. Do repeat visits ensure french fried pleasure that is equal or greater to previous tastings? Does one relish a restaurant for its fries above all else? Only after much mouthwatering research do I dare reveal my picks, and let me assure you that there was no fry left behind. (photo)

Governor Spitzer's Big Night Out In DC

hwalker — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:25:34 EDT

The Mayflower in Washington DC is the hotel where Eliot Spitzer allegedly had the dalliance that links him to the Emperor's Club VIP prostitution ring. One of the largest, oldest, and priciest hotels in DC, the Mayflower opened in 1925 with a party for Calvin Coolidge's inauguration. Although it's not as famed as the nearby Willard InterContinental, it's still well-known as a place that's popular with politicians and those they attract. What Fodor's calls a "hallmark of luxury hotels" was once the go-to spot for another man with secrets: FBI director and cross-dresser J. Edgar Hoover kept the same table in the restaurant for over 20 years. The Times ties Governor Spitzer to Room 871 in the Mayflower, where he reportedly spent the night before Valentine's day with "an American, petite, very pretty brunette, 5 feet 5 inches, and 105 pounds" named "Kristin." He reportedly paid Kristin $4,300 for "train tickets, cab fare from the hotel and back, mini bar or room service, travel time, and hotel," and of course, for the pleasure of her company. He also put down money in advance for future visits. When it came to his choice of room, the Governor was far less extravagant— he chose what's a "standard room" at the Mayflower. Though around $400 a night, Spitzer's digs were among the cheapest the hotel has to offer. He and "Kristin" still would have enjoyed "stunning city views" and "luxurious bedding." Governor Spitzer keeps it classy!

New and Improved in DC

crichert — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:10:10 EST

I think I've been living under a rock these days. I'm so far under that rock, that I've barely noticed all the awesome new bars and restaurants that have snuck into the city. Here's a run-down of what's new — and what's been improved — in DC. And if I mention something that is so last week, my apologies. Clearly, I need to get out more, and you can tell me where through comments or the tip line.

Eritrea in DC

Andrew Evans — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:57:01 EST

Eritrea? Where's that? For the geographicallly challenged, here's a map and a recap: Red Sea coast turned unsuccessful Italian colony turned UN protectorate then ceded to Ethiopia followed by a 30 year civil war, nominal independence, undemarcated borders and a corrupt one-party government. It's your typical horn of Africa fairy tale. Fast-forward to Washington, DC, where we now have the highest concentration of Eritreans outside Eritrea (and maybe LA), a demographic that accounts for our groovy ethnic food and chillin' coffee shops. Eritreans are also pretty cool, seeing as they're always getting called Ethiopians but just shrugging it off. It's not unlike mistaking a New Zealander for an Aussie, or saying Canadians are just like Americans, or that a Belgian person is French, or that a Scottish person is English . . . whatever. Sensitive types know that Eritrea does not equal Ethiopia, and here's why:

[Photo]

Pope Benedict XVI's upcoming visit to Washington ...

Alisa Gould-Simon — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:57:13 EST

Pope Benedict XVI's upcoming visit to Washington D.C. is already provoking frenzy among Catholics near and far. "One of the hottest tickets of the year" will be to the Mass that the Pope will offer at Nationals Park (which fits 45,000) on April 17th. Requests for tickets can already be seen on Craigslist and eBay, and "Diocese officials are fielding phone calls from desperate Catholics as far away as Australia." [MSNBC]

There's a subway war brewing between Washington ...

Alisa Gould-Simon — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:34:33 EST

There's a subway war brewing between Washington D.C. and NYC, and it ain't pretty. What started with a NY Times writer spotting an anti-NYC metro poster on the subway in D.C. (essentially, it claimed NYC subways are awash with "rats the size of house cats"), has now erupted into a full-fledged trash-talking affair. The following attack on D.C. (its subway map "has all the sophistication of Fisher Price") only perpetuated more attacks; specifically: "Welcome to Dumbassville (aka Park Slope). Population: you." Oh no you didn't! [Gothamist]

Opening Day with the Washington Nationals

kboyle — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 08:40:37 EST

Die-hard Nats fans are experiencing sleepless nights as the team's March 30 opening day draws near. After only a few short years at DC's Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, this time the Nationals will play their home opener at a brand-new ballpark next to the Navy Yard.

In the midst of the tumult, one question takes precedence. Will Teddy win the Presidents' Race in 2008?

His plight inspired Let Teddy Win!, a Web site that offers merchandise dedicated to the twenty-sixth president.

It's not yet clear if the new venue will change Teddy's luck. Opening day tickets go on sale on March 4 at 9 a.m. for those who aren't fans of scrounging around on Craigslist.

It also remains to be seen if the new stadium will raise the Nats' profile among city residents. The ballpark is already drawing national attention for its efforts to become the first major stadium in the United States to receive a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Yet many Washingtonians have mixed feelings about the team formerly known as the Montreal Expos, who moved from Canada to DC in 2005. The team is still battling for support from born-and-bred Washingtonians, some of whom gave their hearts (and their checkbooks) to the nearby Baltimore Orioles during the years DC lacked a baseball team. The Nats draw the rest of their base from the hordes of eager young Hill staffers, non-profit workers, and lobbyists that flood the District from states across the country and are looking for a "second-favorite" team to cheer on.
[Photo: Presidents Race/flickr]