You are currently browsing the monthly archive for November 2009.
I’m swamped at work this week so won’t be posting. But, much like Sue Ellen Crandell, I will somehow manage to juggle it all and look great doing it. However, unlike Sue Ellen Crandell, my job does not involve designing sexy referee outfits.
See you Monday!
Tags: Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead, Sue Ellen Crandell
Thanksgiving is only two weeks from today! It has been my experience that a fair number of District residents (who aren’t actually from the District) opt to stay here instead of traveling long distances for Thanksgiving only to repeat the ordeal again in a month for Christmas. I’ve been to a number of orphan Thanksgivings over the years, and my family has even come to D.C. to celebrate in my tiny apartments. If you’ll be staying in D.C. over the holiday, another option is to consider some of the great Thanksgiving dinners offered by area restaurants. Here are the best:
Traditional
701 Restaurant: Three-course Thanksgiving menu and live jazz for $45/adult
Art and Soul: Set menu featuring traditional dishes, $55/adult
High End
Adour at the St. Regis: Set four-course menu for $90/adult
Bourbon Steak at the Four Seasons: A la carte Thanksgiving menu
Good Deals
Chef Geoff’s: Three-course dinner for $39/adult
M Street Bar and Grille: Three courses for $29.95
Brunch!
Blue Duck Tavern: Thanksgiving brunch from 10:30-3:30, $85/adult
See the full list of D.C. restaurants with Thanksgiving options on Open Table.
Tags: 701 Restaurant, Adour, Art and Soul, Blue Duck Tavern, Bourbon Steak, Chef Geoff's, M St. Bar and Grille, Thanksgiving
Front yard on S St. between 15th and 16th.
Tags: Ducks
Claude Taylor Photography, on Connecticut just north of Dupont Circle, recently opened a Georgetown location. Here’s the new store, on Wisconsin just south of P:
Dupont, on the other hand, is home to a second location for Georgetown antiques store Marston Luce. I don’t think this is new, but I have to admit I’ve never seen it before. It is located at 21st and Newport; open Monday through Friday by appointment only and Saturday 11-5. The two or three blocks surrounding the store are all residences, so I was surprised to find it there:
Here is the Georgetown location, on Wisconsin between Q and Reservoir:
Tags: Claude Taylor, Georgetown, Marston Luce
Even the “wet floor” signs. This picture is from Sunday, when it rained all afternoon. The front patio, which faces P St. and is down a few stairs, looked like it had accumulated nearly an inch of water. But what is that guy supposed to be squeezing? A water bottle? A sponge? At first I wondered why more places don’t have fun “wet floor” signs, but I’m pretty sure that the more you deviate from the standard sign the more likely it is that someone can sue you if they fall. Urbana, throwing caution to the wind.
Update: Wow, I was way off on this one. As a commenter notes, it’s a ballet dancer stretching and holding her pointe shoe! It definitely looked to me like someone squirting something. Still a fun sign, probably more so than I originally thought.
Tags: Urbana
By now everyone knows that Mad Men actress January Jones was spotted at Hank’s Oyster Bar on Friday night rendezvousing with Senate staffer Ben Dunham. I know, I know, there’s no confirmation that it was a date, blah blah. It’s more fun to assume it was a date so that’s what we’ll be doing in this post. Moving on, was Hank’s a good choice for a dinner date with Mrs. Betty Draper? I think it’s perfect. Here’s why:
1. Let’s face it, there probably aren’t many restaurants in D.C. that would knock January Jones out. This is not a slam on D.C. I just mean that the hottest ingenue from the hottest show, who goes back and forth between LA and New York and wherever else, probably isn’t going to do backflips over Komi. That’s why Hank’s was an ingenious choice. While it’s not super upscale, Hank’s has charm for days. The space is lovely. Hank’s pays attention to details, e.g. goldfish crackers before the meal and dark chocolate after. The wait staff is friendly and the cocktails are good. Going with the neighborhood gem instead of bribing the maitre d’ at Citronelle for a last minute reservation was the right move.
2. Right now, Ben Dunham is working the environmentally-conscious politico angle. No need to take things a step too far by heading to a place like Tosca, which is more lobbiest/power broker. Hank’s is for fun District locals, not wealthy middle-aged men from McLean.
3. January Jones clearly watches her figure. Besides oysters and fish, Hank’s has a number of small plates. There are a lot of dishes from which January could cobble together a good low-cal meal. Hank’s does not offer desserts.
4. Hank’s is warm and cozy. The lighting is exactly right, the space is small but not claustrophobic, and the menu includes modern takes on old favorites like mac and cheese and lobster rolls. Cozy is the perfect mood for a second date.
5. I don’t know anything about Ben Dunham but my guess is he may have been a little out of his comfort zone on this date. If he lives anywhere near Dupont, he was smart to pick a spot close to his neighborhood. Home court advantage.
So, cheers to you, Ben! Great choice. Where to next?
Tags: Ben Dunham, Hank's Oyster Bar, January Jones
October was a pretty good month for celebrity spotting in the Dupont area. I don’t often bump into celebs in this neighborhood, or anywhere in D.C. Except George Stephanopoulos, whom I see all the time. (George, if you’re reading this, stop following me.) I’ve also separately run into Condi Rice and Jesse Jackson. But this post is not about D.C. “celebrities,” it’s about real, live famous people Here’s a rundown (collected from WaPo’s Reliable Source):
January Jones, Hank’s Oyster Bar, October 30th
Stevie Wonder, Whole Foods, October 13
Mark Cuban, the Palm, October 9
Richard Gere, Obelisk, October 8
Gabriel Byrne, Bar Dupont, October 7
Tags: Bar Dupont, Gabriel Byrne, Hank's Oyster Bar, January Jones, Mark Cuban, Obelisk, Richard Gere, Stevie Wonder, The Palm, Whole Foods
The October installment of Maira Kalman’s charming blog for the New York Times, “In the Pursuit of Happiness,” is set in Washington. Lucky us! The post, entitled “E Pluribus Unum,” depicts the Capitol Building, the Hart Senate Office Building, and a cast of Hill characters including Senate pages, elevator operators, and tram drivers. Kalman even illustrates members of congress, including Rosa DeLauro, Jack Reed, and Howard Coble.
I love visiting the Capitol Building, and there are many words I would use to describe it, but normally “whimsical” would not be on the list. Kalman, however, focuses on quirky details to convey a mood of lighthearted optimism. She writes that “the floors are polished to the point of ecstasy” and “fresh-faced, super-polite” pages rush around helping out. In addition to Kalman’s illustrations, there are some fantastic photos:
In addition to political pups, lofty quotes above restroom doors, and cafeteria diners in porkpie hats, Kalman’s illustration of a bathtub in the Capitol basement is icing on the quirky cake:
Kalman’s work is refreshing given that the usual tone accompanying the Capitol Building is one of historic gravitas. And, considering the acrimony surrounding the health care debate, among other things, it is a well-timed reminder that “e pluribus unum.”
Earlier: New Installment of Maira Kalman’s “And the Pursuit of Happiness”
Tags: Capitol Building, Maira Kalman
