Eating Around: D.C. Reaffirms That P St. Is Open

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POOR P STREET. The restaurant row west of Dupont Circle has been suffering ever since the District undertook a major reconstruction project to improve the streetscape. Earlier today, D.C. officials gathered the media to remind restaurant goers that the street is indeed open. Perhaps the reminder would have been more timely before business started losing their shirts. Construction is scheduled for completion in early 2008. Will enough restaurants survive to warrant the name "Restaurant Row"?

» DOG GONE IT: The City Paper's Tim Carman gets all French on us (second item) and brings his dog to dine al fresco at Cafe du Parc. The result? Although the host initially balked, Carman's calling ahead opened doors for his dog, with service that included treats and water. Anywhere else under the radar where doglovers can dine (or drink) in the District with their beloved? We know of Kramerbooks, Adams Mill and Red Rocks through the fall. And just last week we saw a big pooch inside Wonderland Ballroom, off leash. Next thing you know, he'll have a seat at the bar. If other cities do it, why can't we?

» FRENCH GALORE IN GEORGETOWN: Going Out Guru Erin Hartigan featured a roundup of fantasy French vacation spots in Georgetown yesterday, with mention of the newly opened Le Pain Quotidien and stand-bys Patisserie Poupon and La Madeleline.

» DEEP-FRIED GOODNESS: In Washingtonian's weekly dining chat, Todd Kliman points to Doc's Grille in Laurel as the spot where we can find a deep fried hot dog, just in case we wanted to pack on some pounds to keep us warm in the upcoming colder months. What's with the frying trend? Though we're sure it's all very tasty, if items like fried hot dogs, frickles, and fried Mars Bars continue to gain popularity, the D.C. area will soon beat Mississippi for the most-obese state title. (The District is currently ranked 39th, while Virginia is 23rd and Maryland is 24th. But D.C.'s children are the fattest around, according to statistics.) Kliman also reminds readers that the area is in need of fresh soba and, will "some young, hotshot chef take the plunge and open a fresh soba shop in the city"? That would be terrific.

» TO DO: Check out Hank's Oyster Bar for lunch or dinner in its new second location in Old Town Alexandria. Opening day for lunch and dinner is Thursday.

Reserve your space at Colorado Kitchen chef Gillian Clark's Adventures at the Stove weekend in West Virginia, Sept. 28-30, where participants can work with chefs Sudhir Seth of Passage to India, Michael Landrum of Ray's the Steaks and Jeff Heinemann of Grapeseed, among others.

And, if you're sticking around that weekend, pencil in A Taste of Friendship Heights on the Sept. 29 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Village Center in Chevy Chase. Participants include Lia's, Clyde's, Indique Heights, M Cafe, Gifford's and others.

Looking for an area farmers' market or a place to pick your own apples? Check out this recently updated list.

Photos by Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post and Susan Biddle/The Washington Post