October 2009

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Whew, People Are Eating at Bistro Bistro

October 7, 2009 in DC Dining | No comments

About two months ago, I had brunch at Bistro Bistro. It’s at 1727 Connecticut Ave, a few blocks north of the Circle. When I ate there it was relatively new. The seafood crepe was delicious, the server was attentive, and my coffee cup was always full. The whole experience was lovely except . . . there were no other customers in the entire place. (And it’s big!) The manager peered out the door hoping to attract undecided diners. The wait staff anxiously straightened napkins and salt shakers. Everyone looked hopeful and nervous at the same time. And I thought, oh god, I really hope people start eating here, because this is tough to watch.

But people did start eating there! I’ve walked by a few times recently and it has been full. Full! Way to go, Bistro Bistro. If you haven’t been there yet, try it. It’s a solid option and the prices are good. Also, I remember seeing the happy hour specials and they were super cheap. So go already.

Tags: Bistro Bistro

Flowers in Sheridan Circle Commemorate Anniversary of Attack on Letelier, Moffitt

October 5, 2009 in Spotted around the Circle | No comments

I saw dozens of flowers piled around this memorial over the weekend, located on the outside of Sheridan Circle (between Mass Ave and 23rd St.) near the Irish Embassy. I’ve walked by the spot many times before but somehow never noticed the monument. It is dedicated to Orlando Letelier, a Chilean politician who was a leader of the resistance against Augusto Pinochet (Letelier moved to D.C. after being tortured by Pinochet), and his American assistant, Ronni Moffitt. On September 21, 1976, Letelier and Moffitt were driving together when a bomb exploded under the car, killing them both. The explosion happened on the spot of the memorial. Among other people, a member of the Chilean secret police was convicted in the attack.

My google search about the incident revealed multiple conspiracy theories, but, surprisingly, it also uncovered the original 1976 Washington Post article. The most recent article I found is here, from the Washington Examiner. The Wikipedia entries on Letelier and Moffitt are also illuminating. September 21 would have been the 33rd anniversary of the attack, which I assume is the occasion for the flowers.

Tags: Orlando Letelier, Ronni Moffitt, Sheridan Circle

Dupont Circle Tree Box Project

October 4, 2009 in Spotted around the Circle | 2 comments

Earlier this summer, the Dupont Circle ANC and Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets encouraged more local businesses to adopt the tree boxes outside their establishments and plant gardens. (HDCMS gives grants for this purpose.) I’ve been meaning to do a post on the tree boxes for a while now, but as I was walking around this weekend I realized that the flowers are starting to wither so now’s the time. I think the results have been good overall, and I especially like the variety that comes with each business picking what it will plant. Here are my favorites.

This tree box is outside Sette on R and Connecticut. What are those plants that look like cabbage? Not cabbage, I would guess.

These wildflowers are by the Church of Scientology, and have been tended by the Church for years now:

This may be my favorite; what the heck is it? It looks wild. Outside of Firehook on 19th and Q:

These flowers looked a lot better a few weeks ago; I’m sorry I missed them in their prime. They look like some sort of mini sunflowers. Outside the Argentinean Embassy on Q St. and New Hampshire: