Have It Her Way: Ris

D.C.'S WEST END — defined by P Street to the north, Pennsylvania Avenue to the south, 22nd Street to the east and Rock Creek Park to the west — occupies very little land in the city. But with the addition of the new restaurant Ris, and already delicious meal-producing neighbors Westend Bistro by Eric Ripert and Blue Duck Tavern, this tiny area demands attention.

After four years, chef and owner Ris Lacoste is back in the kitchen. For a decade, Lacoste cooked at 1789, a proper Georgetown establishment known for equal parts rack of lamb and engagement proposals. Fortunately, Lacoste's rack of lamb can now be found on Thursday, a night she deems "sophisticated diner night." The proposals, however, will probably cease in this windowed, light and gracefully cozy restaurant.

The rest of the days also feature specials: part ode to Americana blue plates (Monday is meatloaf and Friday is Lent-approved fish), and part personal affection (Tuesday is Parisian-themed, honoring Lacoste's classical French training, and Wednesday is "Little Italy" in tribute to her Boston hometown's red-sauced nights.)

Weekends are also in on the fun with a Saturday steak-and-potatoes "Date Night." Lacoste wanted to give patrons a meal "worthy of a date, but not too complex." Sunday rounds out the week with a family-style meal. While the theme remains the same each week, the dishes will change with seasonality and availability.

Continue Reading "Have It Her Way: Ris" »

Lobbying for Attention: Luxurious Condo Lobbies

INSIDE THE BELTWAY, lobbying can be an art form.

Inside District condominiums, the lobbies can be artwork.

Without a front yard to make a first impression, condo lobbies become the landscaping and signal the value of what's inside to potential buyers.

A swanky lobby can be a status symbol and a selling point. It can add to a pad's property value — and its price tag. In the same way your wardrobe can reflect your personality, a grand entrance can make a fashion statement for your home.

"When you put on a nice suit versus a pair of jeans, does it change the way you feel?" asks Eric Inman of Hickok Cole Architects (1023 31st St. NW; Hickokcole.com), which has designed dozens of housing developments in the District, including the Kenyon Square condos in Columbia Heights. "Design is the same way."

We scoped out four winning entries in Washington condos.

Continue Reading "Lobbying for Attention: Luxurious Condo Lobbies" »

Road, Parking Restrictions Set for Pope's Visit

THE TRAVELS of Pope Benedict XIV will be exciting for local Catholics and celebrity-watchers, but not necessarily so swell for local traffic.

According to a news release from the D.C. Department of Transportation, changes put in place for the pope's travels will include the closure of the Frederick Douglass Bridge on Thursday and parking restrictions on parts of Massachusetts Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue in Northwest.

DDOT's full list of closures follows below.

Continue Reading "Road, Parking Restrictions Set for Pope's Visit" »

Popewatch: Where to Catch a Glimpse of Benedict XVI

SO YOU WANT to see the pope. Maybe you're a lapsed Catholic with a childhood attachment to the concept of papal authority. Maybe he reminds you of your granddad. Maybe you're a celebrity chaser. Maybe you think he's man's earthly connection to God. Whatever the reason, you're excited for a chance to gawk at Benedict XVI.

Well, you're in luck. Take a look at the schedule below and you'll learn not only where to see the pontiff on his way to and from various important places, but also where to get a bite to eat afterwards.

Continue Reading "Popewatch: Where to Catch a Glimpse of Benedict XVI" »

Food, Fuel at Easy Reach at New West End Eatery

ERIC RIPERT'S WESTEND BISTRO, located inside the Ritz-Carlton hotel at M and 22nd streets NW, has had all the makings of a D.C. hot spot since opening last November. There's a celebrity chef, trendy $13 cocktails, locally sourced dishes — and views of an Exxon gas station?

To date, reviews of the restaurant have generally been positive. But there was some initial online buzz about the Exxon gas station across the street — its glaring billboard was shining directly into the bistro's dining room annoying some diners.

Then, magically, a couple of weeks ago, blinds were installed that blocked the view. Gonzague Muchery, the restaurant's general manager, said the decision was made after Exxon rebuffed his request to dim the nighttime lights. "But now, we don't see it anymore," he said, allowing diners to enjoy their tuna carpaccio appetizer ($14), roasted chicken with cornbread stuffing entree ($23) and perhaps most importantly, the bistro's ambient lighting.

Shades are not the only quirk being worked out at the busy intersection, where urban luxury meets suburban blandness. The area is abuzz with activity as construction crews are completing some projects as others are awaiting approval.

Continue Reading "Food, Fuel at Easy Reach at New West End Eatery" »