Plight of the Pumpernickel

Washingtonian.com: Tabard Inn's Crab Tart

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:31:00 +0000

In this week's installment of Recipe Sleuth, I profile the Tabard Inn's famously delicious crab tart. Here's a preview:

Tabard Inn’s crab tart has an impressive record: In a restaurant with a rotating menu, the dish has never come off in more than 25 years. Its lengthy stay is thanks to a generation of indecisive diners; the dish was chosen, says restaurant manager Neidra Holmstrom, to “cater to those that wanted a little breakfast or brunch during our lunch hours.” Here’s how to make it at home.

Read the recipe here.

(Image via NYTimes.com)

Washingtonian.com: What to Do This Weekend

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:04:00 +0000

Looking for something to do this weekend? Look no further. Sarah Z. and I at Washingtonian have the down-low. Here's a sample:

Thursday, July 29

Get your fall jewelry fix tonight at Georgetown’s Puro Cafe. The Wisconsin Avenue coffee shop is hosting Stella & Dot, an online-only brand of adorably versatile jewelry, for a special trunk show. 5:30 to 8:30, with 20 percent of proceeds benefit Fashion Fights Poverty.

Film buffs get a history lesson at Tudor Place on Thursday. In honor of 100 years of film in Georgetown, the neighborhood estate hosts a special exhibition of early-1900s movie scores and antique film equipment. Admission ($15) includes a free movie ticket to any AMC theater. 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Drinks and light refreshments will be served.

Author and Washington Post journalist Dave Kindred discusses his book, Morning Miracle: Inside the Washington Post, at Politics and Prose Thursday. The book details the struggle of the Post—and other newspapers—to survive in the digital age. Free; 7:30.

Read on here for more events.

Washingtonian.com: Her Own Voice

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:16:00 +0000

Yesterday, I sat down with Jane Carrey, daughter of Jim Carrey, to talk about her music career and making her own way. Here's a snippet:

Jane Carrey, who opened last night for acoustic star Mat Kearney at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, has a story that isn’t exactly standard for an up-and-coming singer-songwriter. Sure, it has elements you’ve heard before: She just got her first big break (last night’s performance was part of her first national tour), and she’s getting a taste of life on the road. So far, Carrey has fanned herself in fetid, un-airconditioned dressing rooms, endured 12-hour bus rides, and boozed in grimy dive bars. Pretty normal for someone at the start of a musical career—except that Jane happens to be the daughter of Hollywood megastar Jim Carrey.

Click here to read more.

(Image courtesy of Jane Carrey)

115 Pounds of Marijuana Seized in Fairfax County

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:42:00 +0000

Think you're having a bad day? Think again. During a highway interdiction operation on July 21, police seized about 115 pounds of pot.

For those of you with poor quantity perception, that is a lot of weed. Just take a look at the below image:

That's not going to look good in court.

Of course, the men caught with the marijuana, Alexis Javier Paz, 38 and Felix V. Rodriguez, 45, both of Miami, Fl., were each charged with transporting controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute. Paz was also charged with possession of cocaine.

Were these men supplying all of suburban Virginia, or something? Also, why is the pot piled atop a pool table, in what I'm assuming must be police station. So many questions . . .

Not My Car

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:18:00 +0000

And thank goodness for that. This Nissan on Connecticut Avenue was a misfortunate casualty of yesterday's freak ~~monsoon~~ storm.

What should this owner file on his insurance claim? Global warming?

Washingtonian.com: What to Do This Weekend

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:57:00 +0000

Looking for something fun this weekend? Washingtonian has the answers. Here's a sample:

Friday, July 23

The District of Columbia Arts Center is holding an opening reception tonight in honor of its annual open exhibition, “1460 Wall Mountables.” The exhibit, which opened July 21 and runs through August 29, features two-foot-square spaces rented out by local artists. The event has taken place every summer since 1990. Free. 7 to 9.

Busboys and Poets at Fifth and K streets, Northwest and Split This Rock get into the beat spirit with Howl in the City, an evening of music and poetry in honor of the National Gallery of Art’s current exhibition, “Beat Memories: The Photographs of Allen Ginsberg.” Enjoy performances by poet Anne Waldman and musician Kyp Malone of the rock band TV on the Radio, both accompanied by a quartet led by the classically trained indie-violinist Matthew Hemerlein. Tickets ($10) are available here.

The Pink Line Project opens the pop-up boutique Temporium, which features the modern creations of local designers. In place through August 15, the transformed lounge highlights local entertainment, has refreshments, and includes free wifi internet. Tonight, take in tunes provided by DJ Obeyah from 6 to 10. The site is located at the former R.L. Christian Library at 1300 H Street, Northeast. Free.

The Textile Museum hosts the first of two evenings in performance for “Interwoven,” a look at textile-focused film screenings and performance art. Sponsored in part by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, tonight features a performance by the fashion collective ThreesAsFour, which spotlights its delicate and sculptural approach to textiles. Afterward, KnitKnit magazine founder Sabrina Gschwandtner moderates a discussion with the artists. Tickets ($20) are available here.

Click here for more fun things to keep you entertained this weekend.

Washingtonian.com: MTV's Capital Tweets

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:52:00 +0000

I profile LiLu from LivitLuvit, who is currently in the running to become a TJ, or Twitter Jockey, for MTV. Here's a snippet:

Leading the pack of 25 hopefuls is Rachael King, better known as @LivitLuvit, a 26-year-old Washingtonian who runs the popular and notoriously unapologetic comedy blog—Livit, Luvit—for the past three years. After a series of Twitter-based challenges—including getting celebrity followers and publicizing an unknown band—contestants are judged by their TweetLevel, a specially designed system measuring one’s influence on Twitter. Four Tweeters are selected by an MTV panel to go to New York City for the finale, and the fifth spot is given to the person with the best TweetLevel. So far, King has the highest score.

Baltimore's Artscape

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:33:00 +0000

Baltimore, Washington's wacky neighbor to the north, this past weekend hosted Artscape, a three-day extravaganza of art, music, and the some of the city's quirkiest residents. Despite the heat, people came out in droves to celebrate—myself included. Here are a few snapshots from my time there:

It wouldn't be Baltimore without crabs. The feast before heading over.

The decorated cars are a time-honored tradition at Artscape. The owner of this vehicle decided to adorn it with dental molds and false teeth. One can only hope they were sanitized. I still didn't touch it, though.

Did someone find this stuff in a dumpster behind a dentist's office?

Not exactly sure what this car is supposed to be, but it has wings and that's cool in my book.

In the middle of the street, there was a box set up that shot out a steady stream of bubbles. Some people got really into it—literally.

Including Jon. I unsuspectingly draw close to take a picture, and . . .

Bubbles in my face!

Afterwards, we took in a free concert by DC rapper Wale. Who, as we learned, is all about Wale and Wale's plight to become the best rapper of all time.

Abridged version of Wale quote: "I see you, guy in the white T-shirt! I see you, girl with the bandana! I see you, person starting a brawl in the front row! Love me! Love me!"

It was a fun time. A hot, sweaty, fun time. Baltimore, we're cool.

Washingtonian.com: What to Do This Week

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:20:00 +0000

An artistic romance, musical power-houses, and African film keep you entertained this week. Here's a snippet:

Monday, July 19
The Arlington Arts Center and the Pink Line Project team up for Artist Speed Dating, which gives attendees three minutes each with a panel of six local modern artists at Poste Moderne Brasserie. You might not get anyone’s phone number, but you’ll have the opportunity to learn about different disciplines, including drawing, sculpture, video, and more. 6.

Urbana celebrates its fourth birthday with a weeklong celebration through July 25. Enjoy $4 bar specials including crab beignets, duck meatballs, and falafel. Beer, wine, and cocktails are also be available for $4.

Click here to find out about other events going on this week.

Facebook Movie Trailer Hits the Web

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 23:26:00 +0000

The Social Network, the story behind the social networking site that effectively changed college experiences around the world—including my own—was released on Thursday.

The film, which stars Jesse Eisenberg as a slightly sexed-up version of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, chronicles the social network's origins, pitfalls, and ultimate ascent to digital ubiquity.

I joined Facebook in 2004, a year after it's founding in Zuckerberg's Harvard dorm room. As with most of my peers, Facebook became an essential party-finding tool, a way to keep in touch with friends from home, and the source of perhaps too much information. Facebook continues to be the target of privacy violation allegations, and, on a personal level, has led me to question how much of my own life should be lived online.

The debate continues. I'm intrigued, and plan on shelling out $11 for a screening. Who else plans on seeing The Social Network?

Washingtonian.com: Quakin' Good Deals

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:17:00 +0000

Read the original post here.

Still shaky from this morning’s earthquake? Calm your nerves with a couple earthquake-themed specials at bars and restaurants around town.

Westend Bistro is serving up shaken (get it?) cocktails for $3.60, priced in honor of the quake’s 3.6 magnitude. The concoction is a mixture of tequila, pineapple juice, simple syrup, orange juice, and a muddled jalapeño for an extra kick.

BGR’s four area locations (Dupont, Bethesda, Alexandria, and Arlington) are also running a special: half-price milkshakes from 3 to 4.

Capital City Diner (1050 Bladensburg Rd., NE; 202-396-3467) is offering an earthquake-day special that includes a mint-chocolate-brownie sundae for $3.50 and a fish fry for $5.

Washingtonian.com: Political Plate

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:24:00 +0000

Read the original post here.

A report from the FEC reveals where—and how much—politicians spend their money

In Washington, everything is political—even where you eat. At least it is for politicians, and now we have proof: A list made public this month by the Federal Election Commission and analyzed by US News & World Report reveals where and how much money Capitol Hill bigwigs spend in area restaurants.

The data, which compiles receipts going back to January 2009, suggests that lawmakers’ favorite restaurants are: Charlie Palmer Steak ($392,602), Johnny’s Half Shell ($361,392), Bistro Bis ($340,884), Sonoma ($184,399), Bobby Van’s on 15th Street ($176,529), the Monocle ($135,363), the Capital Grille ($124,692), and the Caucus Room ($98,766).

Of course, like everything in this town, restaurants swing left or right. Democrats like Bistro Bis and Sonoma, while Republicans prefer the Capital Grille and the Caucus Room. Not to say there isn’t any overlap; Bistro Bis counts both Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Republican Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina as regulars. They probably don’t sit at the same table, though.

The Earth Quakes in DC

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:28:00 +0000

No, it wasn't an explosion or a low-flying plane—that shaking you felt at 5 AM was a 3.6 magnitude earthquake. The epicenter was in Germantown, MD, but shocks were felt across the area.

Says the Washington Post:

"Amy Vaughan, a geophysicist with the USGS, said the quake was the largest recorded within about 45 miles of Germantown since a database was created to track such activity in 1974. The largest earthquake before Friday morning's was a 2.7 tremor in 1993, Vaughan said. There was a 2.6 magnitude tremor in 1990 and quakes measuring 2.5 in 1997, 1993 and 1974."

I had awoken just 15 minutes earlier and was trying to fall back asleep when everything started shaking. And I was . . . confused. The thought crossed my mind that perhaps it was an earthquake, but I quickly put the kibosh on that idea. Earthquakes? In DC? Get real.

Who else felt the earthquake last night?

Washingtonian.com: Where & When Bridal

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:41:00 +0000

Read the original post here.

Free Makeovers, giveaways, and complimentary cake tastings keep your wallet full this weekend

Thursday, July 15
Find your look for the big day at Girls Night Out!, hosted by Tica Cosmetics at Skintelligence Partners (115 Beulah Rd., NE, Vienna). The event showcases makeup, jewelry, stationery, and other items on the bridal checklist. Laura Goyer of Unique Life Photography will also be on hand to display her work, which emphasizes candids. Enjoy door prizes, light refreshments, and 20 percent of all skin-care products. E-mail info@skintelligencepartners.com or call 703-255-7237 to RSVP. Free. 6 to 9.

Friday, July 16
Feeling lucky? Local wedding blog Bridal Bubbly is promoting two Etsy giveaways. Readers have the chance to win decorative paper creations from Gilded Bee and a bridal bolero from Bonzie. E-mail weddings@engagingaffairs.com with the name of the Etsy store in the subject line to throw your hat in the ring. The Gilded Bee winner will be picked today, and Bonzie early next week.

Saturdays, July 17
In the market for a new wedding-day look? Through October 1, master hair colorist Melissa Murphy is offering 15 percent off color services for first-time clients—including brides. Book your appointment with the Vidal Sassoon-educated colorist at One80 Salon (1275 K St., NW, Suite 101; 202-842-9113).

Sunday, July 18
Come hungry to Cakes by Design (416 Mill St., Occoquan; 703-721-9626), which is holding a cake tasting open house today. The shop’s many flavors include orange raspberry swirl, spice, and red velvet. E-mail cakesbydesign@yahoo.com to register. Free. 10 to 2.

The cake parade continues with another tasting, courtesy of Creative Cakes in Silver Spring. Peruse the cake gallery, browse through photo albums, and sample flavors. Register online here. Free. Noon to 3.

Looking for a deal? Carine’s Bridal Atelier (1726 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-965-4696) hosts a summer sample sale featuring 40 to 90 percent off bridal gowns. Sort through frocks by Monique Lhuillier, Kenneth Pool, Rivini, Jenny Lee, Carolina Herrera, and more. No appointments necessary. 10 to 2.

Washingtonian.com: Beat the Scalpers

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:11:00 +0000

Read the original post here.

Every Thursday, we find out about the hottest concerts and when they’re going on sale so you don’t have to do the work. Read on for this week’s lineup.

Japanese metal band Dir en Grey comes to Rams Head Live on August 27 as part of its tour, ominously titled The Unwavering Facts of Tomorrow Tour 2010. Catering to fans of Slipknot and Korn, Dir En Grey maintains its gothic-rock and death-metal sensibilities with its seventh album, 7th Symphony. Tickets ($25) are available July 16 at noon.

The Airborne Toxic Event plays an acoustic set at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue on September 7. Don’t worry about contamination: The band is named for a chapter in the 1985 Don DeLillo novel White Noise.Advance tickets ($25) go on sale July 16 at 10 AM.

R&B artist Trey Songz teams up with ’90s songstress Monica for a joint tour, which stops at DAR Constitution Hall on September 4. Tickets ($45 to $60) are available July 16 at 10 AM.

The now middle-aged members of ’90s hip-hop group Kottonmouth Kingdom come to Rams Head Live on September 11 with new songs from their latest album, Long Live the Kings. Tickets ($20) go on sale July 17 at noon.

Country fans, rejoice: Toby Keith comes to Jiffy Lube Live on September 11. He’s joined by fellow country star Trace Adkins. Tickets ($54.25 to $69.25) are available July 16 at 10 AM.

Politically conscious punk-rock group Anti-Flag comes to Baltimore’s Ottobar (2549 North Howard St.; 410-662-0069) on September 21. Expect left-leaning criticism commentary along with hardcore punk tunes.Tickets go on sale July 16.

Comedian Elon Gold takes the stage at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue on October 7 with his standup show, “Half Jewish, Half Very Jewish,” which offers barbs about Jewish and secular life. Advance tickets ($21) go on sale July 16 at 10 AM.

Louis C.K., star and creator of the new FX comedy Louie, heads to the Warner Theatre on October 22.Tickets ($35) go on sale July 16 at 10 AM.

The surviving members of Peter, Paul, and Mary—Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey—visit theMeyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore on November 20. The pair are likely to pay homage to former bandmate Mary Travers, who passed away last year from leukemia. Tickets ($45 to $85) go on sale July 15 at 10 AM.

Washingtonian.com: What to Do This Weekend

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:07:00 +0000

Read the original post here.

Thursday, July 15
Belt out ABBA with the best of them at Pix on the Plaza, the Ronald Reagan Building’s free outdoor movie fest. Mamma Mia!, the 2008 musical staring Meryl Streep and a somewhat tone-deaf Pierce Brosnan, starts at 9, but pre-film karaoke kicks off at 6. Click here for more information.

Washington museum parties have gotten increasingly cool, as the Smithsonian institutions light up the Mall. Bhangra tracks spun by DJ Rehka will pulse through the Freer Gallery tonight during Asia After Dark, an after-hours opportunity to take in art, sip speciality cocktails, and watch the Lalkaare Sheran De dance troupe’s awesome Bhangra routines. 6:30 to 10:30; $18 online, $20 at the door. Details are here.

The Capital Club’s annual Sinatra Soiree takes over the National Building Museum tonight. Don your classiest cocktail dress and swing the night away. 8:30 PM to 1 AM; $75 to $85. Click here for tickets.

Free drinks for your e-mail address? Yes, please! Sign up for the What’s the Deal listserv and you’ll receive two free Svedka clementine vodka drinks at the Mighty Pint (1831 M St., NW; 202-466-3010), a new Dupont Circle bar that has taken over the old Madhatter space. 6 to 8 PM; click here for more information.

Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar hosts its monthly Bandanas Video Dance Party this week. The event features classic rock and soul music combined with a VeeJay’s “way wack video presentation.” 9 PM. Free.

Local band Little Bigheart & the Wilderbeast, who we profiled this week in our Local Listens column, will play with groove-rock band Midnight Wine at the Rock & Roll Hotel tonight. Doors open 8 PM, show is at 9; $10. Click here for tickets.

Friday, July 16
Fatback returns to the 9:30 Club with a supersized version of its monthly funk-and-soul dance party. Friday night’s installment, Very Big Fatback, will feature the usual suspects plus go-go band Art of Funk and funk-and-disco artist George Smallwood. Fatback DJs will keep you moving between performances. 9 PM; $10.

Georgetown Gallery gaze may be the newest addition to the Washington arts-walk scene, but it’s quickly become one of our favorites. As you stroll up and down Wisconsin Avenue, be sure to hit Poppy for the latest in modern-minimalist jewelry, and the Claude Taylor Gallery for bright—and affordable—travel photos. Go here to find more participating venues, and check out the event’s Facebook page for last minute updates. 5 to 8 PM.

Not sure what to make of a “comic hypnotist”? Neither are we—which is precisely why we hope to snag tickets to Flip Orley’s performance at DC Improv tonight. 8 PM; $15. Click here for tickets.

Fringe out on Friday! If you haven’t checked out a Capital Fringe Festival play yet, we strongly urge you to do so—the independent production company sponsors all sorts of quirky shows you won’t regularly see on the DC theater circuit. Get your improvised a cappella fix with iSchool Musical, or for something a bit more risqué, check out Chlamydia dell’Arte: A Sex-Ed Burlesque, in which two Philly natives and self-proclaimed “bawdy broads” teach sex-ed through burlesque. Showtimes and prices vary; click here for a complete rundown of tonight’s lineup.

If you’re channel surfing tonight, click over to TLC for the premiere of the latest Washington-based reality show, DC Cupcakes. The six-episode program follows the adventures of sisters Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Kallinis, the owners of Georgetown Cupcake. Tonight’s show airs at 10. Check out our previewhere.

With a danceable beat and words every college kid can relate to, “After Hours” might be the best homage to late nights out recorded in the last five years. Hear We Are Scientists perform the hit—originally featured on the Nick and Nora’s Ultimate Playlist soundtrack—tonight at the Black Cat. 9 PM; $18.

Saturday, July 17
Searching for a creative outlet? Sketch Crawl DC is calling on artists to sketch sites across the Washington area. Hosted by disgruntled-employee-themed blog I Hate My 9 to 5 and Bored of Trade illustrator Elizabeth Graeber, the crawl includes spots along the Washington Monument, Dupont Circle, and the Sculpture Garden. Participants are asked to bring their own drawing supplies and tweet about their journey. Click hereto register and find out the full schedule. 11 AM to 8 PM. Free.

Local hip-hop troupe DCypher Dance holds court at the Atlas Performing Arts Center on H Street, Northeast, with the last concert of its 2009/2010 season. The group, whose innovative hip-hop and fusion moves earned it a Metro DC Dance Award nomination in 2008, will be joined onstage by Grammy nominee Christyles Bacon. Tickets ($25) are available here. 8 PM.

Bring the kids to the Reston Community Center for a concert by Rocknoceros. In both 2008 and 2009, the trio won the Washington Area Music Association’s Children’s Artist of the Year award. 11 AM. Free.

Sunday, July 18
Blues legend B.B. King, known for his grueling devotion to touring, comes to Wolf Trap tonight. King is joined by the progeny of another iconic musician: Lukas Nelson, son of Willie. Tickets ($25 to 75) are available here. 8 PM.

Today’s your last chance to enjoy Makiykumanta, the free National Museum of the American Indian festival showcasing Peruvian culture. Today’s events include an Andean music performance, a textile workshop, and a master class on carved gourds. Check out the full schedule here. 10 AM to 5:30 PM.

Washingtonian.com: What to Do Tonight

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:18:00 +0000

Read the original post here.

A modern Broadway hit, a Peruvian festival, and ’80s rockers keep things colorful

Opening at the Studio Theatre in DC’s Logan Circle is Passing Strange, last year’s Broadway hit chock-full of sex, drugs, and rock and roll—but also thoughtful ruminations on gospel, punk, and African-American identity. The musical, which takes its name from a passage in Shakespeare’s Othello, was nominated for seven Tony Awards and was the subject of the 2009 Spike Lee documentary Passing Strange: The Movie. Tickets ($33) are available here. 8:30.

Transport yourself to South America with Makiykumanta, a showcase of Peruvian culture at the National Museum of the American Indian. Learn about native music, dance, food, architecture, art, and more at the interactive festival. Its many workshops, performances, and exhibitions kick off today and run through July 18. Click here for the full schedule. Free.

What’s a rock lobster? Find out tonight at Wolf Trap when the B-52s take the stage with their unique brand of new-wave rock. Get down to such hits as “Love Shack,” “Roam,” and of course, “Rock Lobster.” Tickets ($25 to $75) are available here. 8 PM.

Restaurant Review: Acacia Bistro

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:38:00 +0000

With its tall, transparent walls, one might worry that a meal at Acacia Bistro could feel like dining inside a glass box. But, fortunately, this wine bar and bistro makes up for what it lacks in drywall with warmth, intimacy, and most importantly, hearty offerings with Italian and Mediterranean accents.

A combination of entrées, small plates, and daily specials keeps the menu lively and varied. Of the small plates, the roasted golden beets – quartered, served cold alongside spicy shallot ribbons in champagne dressing and topped with finely shredded Garrotxa goat’s milk cheese – are sweet, crisp and refreshingly earthy. The light and tangy Basque cheese makes for an enjoyable contrast and completes a dish refined in its simplicity. A spongy eggplant small plate swathed in a flat tomato sauce is less successful. The homemade buffalo milk mozzarella melted atop it is creamy and smooth, but in the end can’t save this soggy dish.

The fragrant grilled leg of lamb entrée is more satisfying. Hints of yogurt, garlic, rosemary, thyme, mint and oregano complement the locally raised and tender cut, though lackluster sides of mashed potatoes and cabbage seem like afterthoughts. The ciuppin, a fish and seafood stew traditional to the Italian Riviera, is more well-rounded. Large chunks of Venezuelan red snapper, gargantuan Canadian mussels, juicy Veraci clams and prehistoric-looking head-on shrimp make for an eye-poppingly marvelous presentation. The rich broth is delectable enough to be enjoyed solo, long after the last shell has been cleaned and the remaining complimentary focaccia bread – perfect for sopping up the savory juice – is gobbled down.

Dessert brings “Montelimousse,” a delightfully light but nonetheless sinful pistachio and nougat mousse cake. Crushed green pistachios coating the cake’s sides and a splash of brilliantly red raspberry reduction make this treat as colorful as a carnival.

For those more interested in fruit of the vine, Acacia Bistro’s wine list is impressive—and affordable. Few bottles exceed $50 and most wines are also available in half, full, and quarter liter servings. The variety is remarkable, as is the knowledge spouted by server and bartender alike.

Acacia Bistro
4340 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 537-1040

Washingtonian.com: What to Do Tonight

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:32:00 +0000

Read the original post here.

A free (indoor) film, voice lessons, and an interior-design talk keep you out of the rain tonight

Adding the city’s lengthy list of free film series, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities kicks off Summer Screenings this evening, which showcases independent films at the Renaissance Dupont Circle Hotel. Tonight, catch 12 shorts chosen from past selections at the DC Shorts Film Festival, which celebrates its seventh season September 9 to 16. Speciality cocktails and snacks are available for purchase. Seats are on a first come, first serve basis. 7 to 10.

Looking to hone your vocal chops? The Vienna Choral Society offers Voice 101 as part of its Summer Singing Workshop. Topics covered include breathing and support, range and transition areas, natural vowel production, and more. All vocal types are welcome, and you don’t have to read music to participate. Classes ($30) are held in the Fellowship Hall of Vienna Baptist Church (541 Marshall Rd., Vienna). Call 703-255-5508 to register.

Head to the Corcoran Gallery of Art for a talk with author and design expert Stephen Salny about Frances Elkins’s groundbreaking interior-design work. Elkins, well-known in the first half of the 20th century for combining design elements from different eras and styles with a focus on the avant-garde, is the subject of Salny’s latest book, Frances Elkins: Interior Design. Following his talk, Salny will sign copies, which are available for purchase. Tickets ($15) are available here. 7 PM.

Hamburger Cupcakes!

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:28:00 +0000

Do not adjust your computer screen. Those are cupcakes. That look like hamburgers. In times such as these, words other than 'om nom nom' are simply insufficient.

A lovely member of my office dreamed these babies up last week. The awesome ante has officially been raised.

Washingtonian.com: Bastille Day Revelry!

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 21:03:00 +0000

Read the original post here.

Commemorate the French Revolution by donning a lacy maid’s dress, sipping wine, and noshing on crêpes.

Saturday, July 10

The Embassy of France hosts its annual Bastille Day event, which includes a cocktail reception, silent auction (proceeds go to a nonprofit that helps Washington-based French-Americans in need), buffet dinner, beer, wine, and jazz and swing-dance performances. The food comes from such restaurants as 2941, Bastille, Café du Parc, Et Voilà!, Ici Urban Bistro, and Ris. For more information, click here. Tickets ($85 online or $100 at the door) are available here. 7 to 10.

Saturday, July 10, through Sunday, July 11

Hankering for taste of 18th century French culture? Head to the French Festival at the Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens for traditional dances, music, and craft workshops. Tickets, which are available at the door, are $18 for general admission, $12 for Hillwood and Alliance Française members, $7 for college students, and $5 for kids ages six to 18. Children under six are free. Saturday 10 to 7, Sunday 1 to 5.

Over the weekend, Fontaine Caffe & Creperie is parking a crêpe cart outside its Alexandria storefront. Fontaine serves its French pancakes with both familiar (Nutella) and nontraditional fillings (lentils, spinach, and tomatoes).

Wednesday, July 14

Keeping up with what’s become an Adams Morgan tradition—it’s so popular that the restaurant closes down an entire street—L’Enfant Café & Bar hosts its sixth annual French-maid relay race. Festivities begin at 4, the race starts at 8, and a masquerade party gets going at 9. Everyone wears the stereotypical lacy outfit—including men. Free.

Bistrot du Coin honors the storming of the Bastille with a special menu, music, and dancing. The place is completely booked for dinner, but you can get your groove on when the tables and chairs are cleared at 11:30. There’s no cover, but expect to wait on line.

Fontaine Caffe & Creperie is offering a two-course prix-fixe menu that includes a glass of wine and savory and sweet crêpes. Lunch is $19.95 per person, and dinner is $24.95. Hours are 11:30 to 2:30 and 5:30 to 10.

At Grand Cru Wine Bar & Euro Café in Ballston (4401 Wilson Blvd.; 703-243-7900), all house wines are $4, and mussels are $8. Other entrées are discounted.

Café La Ruche celebrates with live accordion music—what could be more French? Hours are 11:30 to 10.

French Restaurant Week kicked off on July 9 and goes through July 15. Participating restaurants include Lavandou in Cleveland Park, which is serving a special three-course menu. The menu is $29 for lunch, $39 for dinner, and includes dishes such as steak tartare and sautéed sea scallops. On July 14, live music is provided by Raycurt Johnson and the Duff Davis Duo. Restaurant hours are 11:30 to 10. For the full list of participating restaurants, click here.

Central is hosting a party, called Let Them Eat Gougeres!, from 5:30 to 10:30. Special menu items include escargot pot pie, blue-crab brandade, rockfish amandine, and apple tart tatin.

Washingtonian.com: Growing Community

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:53:00 +0000

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The Virginia Avenue Community Garden, once a dangerous drug haven, is now threatened by the construction of new Marine barracks

At the corner of Virginia Avenue and Ninth Street, Southeast, and just below the Southeast Freeway, there’s a modest patch of green space bursting with fruits and vegetables. Five years ago, the Virginia Avenue Park was a dodgy eyesore. Now, thanks to the efforts of a dedicated group of urban farmers, the four-acre space has been transformed into a community garden teeming with organic produce. But despite the garden’s success, it’s now in danger of another kind of redevelopment: The Marines are considering razing it to make way for new barracks.

In response, residents and local farmers formed the Save Virginia Avenue Park campaign. Demolishing or taking away ownership of the park, they say, not only means less green space in an un-green city, but it’ll break apart the community that’s formed around the garden. The group’s spokesman is garden member Samuel Fromartz, author of the blog Chews Wise and the book Organic, Inc., about the growth of the organic-food movement.

“I don’t see how it’d be in the community’s interest to lose open space,” says Fromartz. “You can go back to Pierre L’Enfant’s plans [for the city] from 1791. It was envisioned as an open space, and that’s what it’s been.”

The loss of the park, he believes, will disrupt life in the neighborhood. The garden has 60 plots, each owned by a family who paid 50 cents per square foot of land. Anyone could have put in for a spot, though gardeners mostly live nearby. Knowing where the food is coming from and how it was grown—pesticides and chemical fertilizers are forbidden—is part of what has attracted people to the garden, for which there currently is a lengthy waitlist.. “It’s part of a larger movement to rework our relationship with food,” explains Fromartz.

One community farmer and campaign supporter is Nick Wiseman, a local organic-food activist and chef. With his organization, Roadside Organics, Wiseman recently produced a short video for the campaign, commenting on the importance of urban agriculture and green space.

While a student at Woodrow Wilson High School in Northwest DC, Wiseman volunteered at Equinox and Marcel’s, then became a line cook in New York City at Fiamma and Alto. In those kitchens and through travels in Latin America, Asia, and Jamaica, Wiseman became a devotee of organic and sustainable food. Now back in Washington, Wiseman is at work on a Washington street-food Web series, his first cookbook—tentatively titled Roadside Organics: Irie Eats With Ras Rody—and lending his voice to the garden’s cause.

Save Virginia Avenue Park from Roadside Organics on Vimeo.

Wiseman sees the garden as an essential component to the local food chain on both a nutritional and human level. “When you engage with someone who’s growing your food, you value that person,” he says. Knowing exactly what’s going into your body is essential, too. “Having a transparent food chain is important. Without it, we’re left to understand our food through labeling, and we don’t really know what we’re eating.”

For now, the garden’s future is still very much up in the air. “A lot of assumptions have been made,” says Captain Lisa Lawrence, public-affairs officer for the Washington Marine Barracks. Community members, she says, are “jumping the gun.”

“One of the planning scenarios being considered involves some overlap that could require the vegetable gardens to be relocated to another part of the Virginia Avenue Park or nearby at a suitable location,” explains Lawrence. “The National Park Service owns the park and will require any park loss to be replaced—no less than one-for-one replacement—in the same neighborhood.” The process is ongoing, she says, and no one proposal is currently favored over another.

The several plans under consideration are available online here. Fromartz says two final options will be presented to the community in September and then the decision will come in November. While the Marines are listening to feedback, he says, they have the final say.

Washingtonian.com: What to Do Tonight

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:21:00 +0000

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Tennessee Williams, standup comedy, and gay cinema make for a theatrical agenda

Opening tonight and running through August 8 at the Writer’s Center in Bethesda is the Quotidian Theatre Company’s production of A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur. The Tennessee Williams play, set in 1930s St. Louis, explores loneliness and independence through the experiences of four women, including one Ms. Blanche DuBois of A Streetcar Named Desire fame. Call 301-816-1023 or e-mail quotidiantheatre@comcast.net for tickets ($25 general admission, $20 seniors and students). 8 PM.

Joe Mande, author of the Web hit Look At This F*cking Hipster and contributor to VH1’s Best Week Ever, comes to the Velvet Lounge for the 3 Chord Comedy show and happy hour. Mande shares the stage with comedians from DC Improv, the Bentzen Ball, and more. Enjoy drink specials including $2 Natural Light beers and $4 rail drinks. $5 at the door. 7 PM.

Head to the Bethesda Presbyterian Church (7611 Clarendon Rd., Bethesda; 301-986-1137) for a screening ofFor the Bible Tells Me So as part of its Summer Social Justice Cinema series. The film explores the relationship between religion and sexuality through the experiences of several LGBT members of the church. A $5 donation is suggested—money goes to Bethesda Cares Outreach for the Homeless. 7:30.

Washingtonian.com: Beat the Scalpers

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:52:00 +0000

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Every Thursday, we find out the hottest concerts and when they’re going on sale in the days ahead so you don’t have to do the work. Read on for this week’s lineup.

Dance-floor glam, film-star cool, and ’90s throwbacks go on sale at area concert venues.

Lovers of ska, are you longing for the days of its dominance in ’90s? Take note: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones are coming to the 9:30 Club August 21. The band shares the stage with punk bands Teenage Bottlerocket and the Flatliners. Tickets ($25) go on sale July 9.

Glam rockers the Scissor Sisters make a stop at DAR Constitution Hall August 23. The risqué glam band will play tunes from its recently released album, Night Work. Tickets ($38.50) go on sale July 9 at 10 AM.

On August 23, the ’80s English pop-rock group Tears for Fears comes to the 9:30 Club. Opening for the duo is singer/songwriter Wainright—sadly there’s no relation to Rufus or Martha. Tickets ($45) go on sale July 9.

The Hasidic reggae singer Matisyahu plays the 9:30 Club August 25. Named Most Lovable Oddball at Esquire magazine’s Esky Music Awards in 2006, Matisyahu continues to break with convention to produce outside-the-box music. Tickets ($35) go on sale July 9.

Thirty Seconds to Mars drops in on Sonar in Baltimore on September 1. The Jared Leto-fronted band has been around since 1998 and seems to be doing better than the actor’s film career. The band continues to promote its latest studio album, This Is War, released in December. Ticket sales ($25) began Tuesday.

On September 10, comedian Demetri Martin yuks it up at the Hippodrome at France-Merrick Performing Arts Center. On his Comedy Central program, Important Things With Demetri Martin, he combines sketch, standup, and musical comedy. Tickets ($35) go on sale July 9 at 10 AM.

Also hitting Sonar is the German group Atari Teenage Riot on September 24. Known for its unique brand of digital hardcore, the band relishes the political and accordingly, the controversial. Its staunchly anti-Nazi lyrics have garnered both praise and criticism in their home country. Tickets ($15) went on sale Tuesday.

Washingtonian.com: What to Do Tonight

plightofthepumpernickel@gmail.com (The Pumpernickel) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:48:00 +0000

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Fifties flashbacks, hilarious hypnotism, and outdoor jazz

If you’re a fan of ’50s tunes, check out Forever Plaid, the new production at Olney Theatre Center that follows the tale of four squeaky-clean would-be rock-and-rollers and the accident that thwarted their careers. For tickets ($26 to $46), call 301-924-3400. 8 PM.

Starting tonight and running through July 18, you can catch Flip Orley, a comic hypnotist, at DC Improv. Orley got into the entrancement business as a sixth-grader when he read the book How to Pick Up Girls Through Hypnotism, and years later he studied psychology in college. Orley swears he won’t embarrass his audiences—although he can’t help it if you fall over laughing. Tickets ($15) are available here. 8 PM.

Kick back and enjoy music at the Village at Shirlington Plaza for its Thursday-night jazz concerts. Tonight, you’ll hear the JazzKnights. The event also features food samples and winetastings from nearby restaurants. The Village is located off I-395 at the Glebe Road/Shirlington exit in Arlington. Free. 6:30 to 8:30.

Plight of the Pumpernickel [del.icio.us]

pepper1386 — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 14:13:23 PDT

Musings on all things quirktastic in Washington, DC. A young gal out and about, making a fool of herself and sharing it with the world. Drop by for a laugh or to learn something new.