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.
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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.
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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.
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Addison Road