NOBODY'S JUDGING YOU. Maybe you just didn't want to travel. Maybe you can't stand your extended family. Maybe your demonic boss is making you work the day after Thanksgiving.
For whatever reason, you're stuck in D.C. by yourself on Thanksgiving, but roasting a turkey for one is out of the question. They don't even make turkeys that small. You'd have to roast a quail or a sparrow or something. But tradition is important, even if you can't be with your family on Thanksgiving.
Never fear. D.C.'s restaurants, perhaps taking advantage of the massive number of people here who are married to their jobs, are serving up Thanksgiving meals at all price points. Here are a few of your options — but make reservations, or you could be waiting till December for your food.
Continue Reading "Not Home for the Holidays: Thanksgiving in D.C." »
AMERICA IS the great melting pot, but what happens when people don't disappear into the soup? "Hijos del Limbo" explores the nostalgia and connections that haunt those who live between nations and tongues. This Fringe Fest fave features a combination of dance, song and poetry.
» GALA Hispanic Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW; through Sat., Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m. & 9 p.m., $12; 800-494-8947. (Columbia Heights)
Written by Express' Nathan Martin
THE ECONOMY IS NOT WORKING OUT so well these days, but you might be, considering the number of gyms sprouting up (two — a new Vida and Results — opened just last week). Top-of-the-line equipment should help take your mind off financial crises. And if you invest your membership money wisely, you're sure to get a solid return no matter what happens on Wall Street.
» Vida Fitness Metropole
"It's not just a gym," clarifies David von Storch, owner of Vida, indicating Bang Salon and Aura Spa. Located on the entrance level of the 28,000-square-foot space in Logan Circle, that's where folks can get blown out and body-wrapped before descending into the three floors of fitness downstairs. Sound cavernous? An open design means huge windows on the street level are visible from two floors (and 50 feet) below. "It feels urban and sexy without feeling sexual," von Storch says.
It starts with a cardio area, featuring a D.C. exclusive: Real Ryder stationary bikes that shift from side to side to create more of a core workout. TVs are mounted on virtually every piece of equipment, but the real show may be downstairs, where the weights and machines are; they're divided by body part rather than grouped into circuits. Locker rooms lead to the Zen Spa, with two endless pools and a steam room.
1515 15th St. NW, 202-588-5559, Vidafitness.com.
» Results Gym Mount Vernon
There isn't a pool here, but there is pool. It's just the kind with an eight ball. A pingpong table completes the quirky game room that greets all visitors to Results' digs at City Vista, which were designed to maximize natural light. Think wraparound, floor-to-ceiling, southern exposure windows -- providing quite a view of the developing neighborhood.
But there's plenty to see inside, too. The abs area has TVs loaded with class content, so you can be guided through a core workout. Peek through an aquarium to spy on the co-ed Jacuzzi. A disco ball winks from the ceiling of the cycling studio. And there's a low-tech but clever innovation: "express" lockers on the fitness floor for people who want to lock something up quickly but have no need to change or shower. Owner Doug Jeffries seems almost giddy about the new Hoist line of weight equipment, which makes you move your own body in addition to the traditional weights. "It's more fun because the body rocks. Anyone who does this has a smile on their face," he says.
445 K St. NW, 202-234-5678, Resultsthegym.com.
Continue Reading "You Can Find Me in the Club: D.C.'s Newest Gyms" »
MY DEFINITION OF a good happy hour has as much to do with the food and the atmosphere as it does the drinks. So my advice is as follows: if you have a case of the Mondays (or Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays or the TGIFS), head slightly off the beaten bath to the Mt. Pleasant bar they call Tonic.
In this relatively chill space, you can satiate yourself with cheap rail drinks, cheap pints (of good stuff, like Magic Hat and Red Hook, cheap, juicy burgers served with every big kid's favorite tater: the Tot. Crispy on the outside, pillowy on the inside — the perfect after-work snack.
»Tonic, 3155 Mt. Pleasant St. NW; weeknights from 5-7 p.m.; 202-986-7661. (Columbia Heights)
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS used to conjure up images of Salvadorian restaurants, but now it's home to a vastly different type of eatery: a British-inspired gastropub. Can one neighborhood handle this much change?
CommonWealth, one of the new restaurants to open in this rapidly gentrifying area, is aptly named — it emphasizes the interests of the masses over those of the privileged. Jamie Leeds (of Hank's Oyster Bar) serves up modern spins on pub fare. But you may want to do some Googling before heading over, unless you're already familiar wit: bubble and squeak, welsh rarebit, and frog in a puff — not frog at all; whew! But the menu won't tell you that.
Of course, there's the more familiar fish and chips — three good-sized strips of fried fish with large wedge fries, so creamy that the insides feel like mashed potatoes. The chicken pot pie has a flaky crust and stewy center. The freshness of the food is part of CommonWealth's commitment to local, seasonal and humanely raised ingredients. But can $17 entrees compete in the land of grab-and-go pupuserias?
Continue Reading "British Invasion: Columbia Heights Welcomes CommonWealth" »
IN ITS OWN GALLERY and at the gorgeous Mexican Cultural Institute building, Transformer presents "ID-entity," a group show grappling with selfhood and anxiety. Some of the Mexico City-based artists in the show — which includes photography, video, painting, drawing and mixed-media work — are showing in the U.S. for the first time.
THE ROLE OF GENDER in our society is always a relevant topic, but it's gained even more topical heft lately with all of the talk about Hillary Clinton, GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and the curious question of whether moms can serve in high elective office. Curious, really, only in its throwback-ness.
What better time to take in "La Edad de la Ciruel (The Aging of the Plum)," a play that itself throws back several generations to examine the evolving role of women in the world — and how those roles affected the women who assumed them.
The play, written by Aristedes Vargas — founder of Ecuador's leading theater company — is performed in Spanish with English subtitles.
» The Gala Hispanic Theater, 333 14th St. NW; Thu. through Oct. 12, various times; $32, $20 for seniors, students, military; 202-234-7174. (Columbia Heights)
Photo by Maxwell MacKenzie
THE GENTRIFICATION OF Columbia Heights is complete — a gastropub has moved in. CommonWealth, located steps away from the Metro stop at 14th and Irving streets, is the latest rocking addition to this rapidly growing 'hood.
The brainchild of Hank's Oyster Bar owner Jamie Leeds, CommonWealth is the British pub on a pedestal. If this conceptually turns you off, don't fret: As far as the food is concerned, Leeds has struck a beautiful balance of simple comfort foods and more adventurous offerings.
Of the former, you have your traditional fish and chips (crispy yet flaky fish served with jumbo potato wedges), a classic cheeseburger, a mug of soup with crusty bread and the butcher plate, which allows you to mix and match cold and hot delights. Traditional Scotch eggs (hardboiled eggs covered in sausage and then deep-fried) are dressed up with a fancy-schmancy serving rack and three dipping sauces.
Continue Reading "Comfort Food, Side of Surprise: CommonWealth" »
IF YOU'RE A D.C.-based reggae or dancehall fan, chances are you've already heard about Soundclash, every fourth Friday at Marx Cafe in Mt. Pleasant. But if not, I am here to enlighten.
The evening starts at 10 p.m., and for the next 4 1/2 hours you can expect to hear everything from The Wailers to Delroy Wilson to Gregory Isaacs. Plus, Mt. Pleasant is still far enough away from 18th Street that few stragglers from the, um, "happening" Adams Morgan bar scene are likely to stumble in.
» Marx Cafe, 3203 Mt. Pleasant St. NW; Friday, July 25 and every fourth Friday, 10 p.m., free; 202-518-7600. (Columbia Heights)
Photo courtesy of DeClan McCullagh Photography
TRIVIA HAS SPREAD like a very chic plague across Washington. It's like a California wildfire, appealing to the geek in every one of us.
Go forth, children, and show off your ridiculous knowledge about Broadway musicals and the Titanic! Go forth and be counted among the winners at useless trivia!
The Wonderland Ballroom has one of the best trivia nights around, where D.C.'s wonkiest gather every Monday in hope of winning prizes (bar-tab discounts) and eternal glory.
» Wonderland Ballroom, 1101 Kenyon St, NW; Mon., July 21, 7:30 p.m., free; 202.232.5263. (Columbia Heights)
Photo by The Washington Post
Addison Road