Iran Protest in Washington, DC

So I inadvertently missed the big Iran protest this past weekend. But I did catch this smaller protest the weekend before on my way to the museum.

Not exactly bowling you over with numbers eh. You want to know the funniest thing about it? There were like four or five cop cars keeping an eye on them.

I mean really. It was totally family - all ages, lots of kids running around. What the hell did they think was going to happen. Why do police have to be everywhere all the time.

India Arie at the Merryweather

That little white spec down there is India Arie. She opened for John Legend a couple weeks ago at the Merryweather Post Pavilion out in Maryland.

I knew she was going to be good, but...she is a goddess.

She gave Chris chills. She almost made me cry. (And you all know I don't cry in public.) She played all the songs I wanted to hear.

And she put on a good show. I particularly liked the part where she ripped off her dreads to reveal her gorgeous bald self.

If you ever get the chance to see her, go.

Review of Thomas Sweet

So Thomas Sweet is not my favorite ice cream place in DC. In fact, I almost always head across the street to Dolcezza.

However, if I were a kid, I would probably like Thomas Sweet better than anyplace. They have all the ice cream flavors kids like and a zillion toppings. They have fudge and birthday cakes and plenty of places to sit and gorge on them.

So, if you are looking for incredible flavors, go to Dolcezza. If you want great ice cream and gruff service, go to Larry's. But if you have a troop of little ones you need to distract with vanilla wafer and m&m topped cookie dough ice cream, Thomas Sweet it is.

Thomas Sweet, 3214 P Street, Washington, DC

Review of El Chalan

El Chalan is a little Peruvian place near Foggy Bottom. It is an aged looking place - the kind of place where middle-aged male waiters wear white shirts and dark pants.

The restaurant was nearly empty the day we were there, nothing to distract from the wood chairs and slightly worse for wear walls.

The food was good, not greats, but good. The pisco sours were good. The lomo saltado - good. You get the picture.

I get the impression that this place is more happening at lunch. I can picture some dudes in business suits from the World Bank or IMF coming into this basement restaurant to discuss policy over some meat and potatoes. For the rest of us, I would recommend Las Canteras instead.

El Chalan, 1924 I Street NW, Washington, DC

Review of Max's Best Ice Cream

I've only eaten at Max's best once, but I'm going to review it anyways. Truth be told, there are so many amazing ice cream and gelato places in DC, there isn't much chance of my getting out to Max's much.

The place is tiny. The wall is covered with pictures of delighted children and DC celebrities (ie. dorky politicians). It is conveniently located right next to Rocklands BBQ and makes a handy dessert stop.

They have a great assortment of homemade flavors - from Mexican chocolate to cookie dough. If you are in the neighborhood, check it out.

Max's Best, 2416 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC

Hana Japanese Market in DC

There is a new Japanese convenience store down the road from our house (on Florida). It is a snackers paradise.

It is also filled with cool looking Japanese packages - so colorful, like someplace you'd want to go on an acid trip.

They have real food too. You can get sushi grade fish, seaweed, all different kinds of noodles, and mochi. (O.k., some of you may not think mochi is real food, but I could totally eat those little dough covered ice creams for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I really hope this place manages to survive. It's not in the most trafficked area of the city. Get the word out.

Hana, 2004 17th St NW, Washington, DC

Review of Martin's Tavern

This is going to be a quick and dirty review, because I won't be recommending Martin's Tavern to anyone.

Martin's has been around for 75 years, opened by Irish immigrants when Georgetown was still a working class port. It's an icon. JFK even proposed to Jackie here.

Too bad the food doesn't live up to the historic reputation - Think velveeta and white toast for a cheese dip.

Many of the Georgetown restaurants are sub par, but I found Martin's particularly disappointing.

United States Botanic Garden

This is the U.S. Botanic Garden, just next to the capital. This picture is actually a bit old. It seems they have put up some covering since then, which is nice, cause it gets hot.

Inside, the conservatory is divided into sections - desert, jungle... Personally, I find most of the conservatory a bit claustrophobic. The paths are narrow and crowded with slow walkers.

The exhibit rooms are more spacious and more interesting than you might think. Christmas time they decorate the hell out of the place. They also have an annual orchid show.

At the moment, they have an exhibit called plants in culture that focuses on how people use herbs and flowers. You can walk around sniffing vanilla and patchouli and whatnot.

The garden also has a significant educational center where you can take classes on gardening and food. They even provide a certification class in botanic illustration (who knew).

Globes in Washington DC

These crazy globes are all over the place near the Botanic Gardens on the mall.

They are part of the Cool Globes exhibit, meant to bring attention to sustainability.

I have to say, they are all pretty cool. I wish they weren't slated to come down in October. Personally, I think we should have art like this all over the city.

But alas, you have only another few months to check them out, so go to it.

Hotel Rouge in Washington DC

The Rouge is a Kimpton Hotel and the only hotel in DC I have actually stayed in. As you can see, it is kinda funky, modern, hipster.

We got a great summer deal when we stayed there, but normally the place costs 2 - 300 per night.

The room was a decent size. They have a cool little, moody bar downstairs where you can get lovely cocktails and snacks.

On Saturday mornings, they serve cold pizza for breakfast. They also have a daily wine and beer happy hour for guests. Of course, they serve only red wine and Red Stripe. It is the rouge after all.

Like all Kimpton hotels, it has personality and the service is friendly. The fact that Kimpton is consistently voted as one of the best hotels to work for really shows.

If you have the cash or can get a good deal, you should definitely put this place on the top of your list.

The National Holocaust Museum

This is the National Holocaust Museum. It is enormous and anyone visiting should set aside several hours.

You'll need tickets to see the main exhibit. You can get them online (with an appointment time). Alternatively, you can show up early and get them first come first serve at the museum, but you may have to wait a while to get in.

Our appointment wasn't for a while, so we wandered around the other exhibits first. They have a multimedia genocide exhibit that covers current crisis, like Darfur and the DRC. Unfortunately, the exhibit is in a tucked away corner of the museum that wasn't heavily trafficked. It would be better if they focused more on getting people involved.

Another exhibit was the diary of a young boy who survived the concentration camps. They recreated the home he lived in before and the ghetto they had to move to afterwards. At the end of the exhibit, there was an activity center for people to write down their feelings about the exhibit.

There was also an exhibit about the Protocols of Zion, something I had never even heard of until recently. This book is, apparently, the go to text for all people who think the Jews are trying to take over the world. Though it was proven a fraud, it has been translated into multiple languages and can be found within all sorts of antisemitic communities.

The main exhibit, which starts with an elevator ride to the top floor, works its way down through the history of the holocaust. It covers historic antisemitism, Hitler's life, the Nazi rise to power, the ghettos, the camps, and the world's reaction.

One of the most remarkable things to me was not the stories of those people who closed their eyes to what was going on, but the ones who didn't. The entire country of Denmark banned together to save their Jews, while all those other countries did not. One entire town in France hid Jews, despite great danger to themselves, while other nearby towns did not.

I've stopped being surprised about people being caught up in a wave of evil or acting out of pure selfishness. But I am in awe of those people who fight the wave, while everyone around them succumbs. Makes me want to go to Denmark.

Review of the Tabard

The Tabard is an inn and restaurant. The eclectic inn has been in operation since 1917. I've never stayed there, but it is the place I usually put up guests when they come to town.

The restaurant; however, I have been to on several occasions. Tucked into the back of the house, it feels like a hidden bistro. The small, brick enclosed and covered courtyard is one of the best places for a weekend brunch (assuming you can get a reservation) or a quiet weekday breakfast.

The dining room is the scene of power lunches during the day and romantic dinners at night. The highlight of all meals are the sweets. They have an incredible desert menu, currently highlighting Turkish Creme Brulee and chocolate truffle torte.

My least favorite meal at the Tabard was the salmon I had the one time I ate there for dinner. It was, sadly, a bit mush. The other diners were much happier with their meals, but I still prefer to stick with breakfast, lunch, and desert. If you are going to drop $25 or $30 for an entree, there are better places in DC to do it (food wise).

Brunch and lunch, on the other hand, are hard to beat. And, in a city with a serious shortage of hotels, the Tabard is one of the best (and most economical) choices.

I was remiss on Friday and didn't post upcoming events. Bad!

• Both the Source Festival and Capital Fringe continue to entertain, although Source wraps up on the 12th.
  

• Also on the 12th, Busboys and Poets is screening the movie Medicine for Melancholy. The filmmakers will be around for a post film discussion.
  

• The 14th is Bastille Day and French restaurants around town are celebrating. The most raucous crowd promises to be at Bistrot du Coin.
  

• The 15th, there is a revolutionary puppet show and food drive at La Casa Community Center (3166 Mt. Pleasant Rd. NW, Washington DC 20010)
  

• The 15th is also a Wednesday, which means free concerts at the Strathmore.
  

• Thursdays free concert is jazz at the American Art Museum.
  

Fourth of July Parade 2009

This is definitely my picture of the month. It was taken at the tail end of the yearly Fourth of July parade.

Chris and I didn't go to the parade, but we caught the last float on our way to the Folklife Festival. Thankfully, the last float just happened to be the Hare Krishnas.

It was quite festive. This long haired, bearded hippy was truly loving life. I'm not sure all that jubilation was just from singing, but whatever.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2009

Every year the Smithsonian puts on a Folklife Festival on the National Mall. This year's themes were African American storytelling, Wales, and Latin American music.

The Latin American Music section had three stages with musicians from all over. They played everything from merengue to conjunto.

The African American storytelling section had different stages set up, including a kitchen, a barbershop, and a stoop. Performers told stories, recited poetry, and sang.

Craftspeople from Wales also set up demonstrations. Pictured is the spinner. There was also a bookbinder, an animator, basket weavers, wood carvers, boat builders, and a baker. It made me want to learn something useful.

Each section had food as well. We ate in Central America (platanos and chicken with rice). Nothing to write home about.

Review of 2 Amys

Ask most people what the best pizza place in DC is and they will send you to 2 Amys. There you will get authentic Neapolitan pizza, as certified by the Italian Verace Pizza Napoletana Association. Very official.

The restaurant is a bit off the beaten track, several blocks from the Tenleytown metro. Not to worry. I guarantee you will need to walk off the extra food you stuffed in while you were there.

They use the best ingredients. I was blown away by the my stuffed pizza. The Ripieno Extra was filled with salami, prosciutto, pancetta, tomato, grana and the freshest ricotta I have ever tasted.

The pizza was preceded by a simple and flavorful mixed green salad with a lemon, red wine vinegar and olive oil dressing. It was followed by creamy, homemade ice cream.

Service was perfect. Prices are reasonable. You really can't go wrong. (Unless you don't like pizza. And that's just weird.)

Review of Matchbox

Matchbox has found some sort of magic formula, thus ensuring that there is almost always a long wait for a table (at least in the Chinatown location).

The restaurant takes advantage of its row house location. Exposed brick and wood dominate the decor. Aside from the cramped bar, the narrow dining areas are cozy.

Service is generally good. Although, like all crowded places, your server can disappear for a while. If you can manage to get there at an off hour when it isn't jammed, eating at the bar is a treat. The bartenders are on it.

The beer, wine and mixed drink menus are extensive. I'm a particular fan of the Watermelon Tease (house-infused watermelon vodka, rum, gin, tequila triple sec, splash sour mix, Coke & Sprite). Although you can't go wrong with a glass of the Brooklyn Weisse wheat beer.

Their specialty at Matchbox are sliders, tasty mini burgers covered in thin, crispy onion rings. You can get them with gouda, mozzarella or gorgonzola cheese. Also incredibly good are the pepperoni and meatball rolls - perfect crusty dough stuffed with spiced meat, cheese and sauce and then baked in the wood-fired oven.

Prices are very reasonable, especially by DC standards, and it's a great place to go with guests or friends. It is not; however, a great place to go to actually hear what people are saying. As it gets loud as hell in there.

What better place to be on Fourth of July weekend than Washington, DC. Get into your zen state so the crowds won't get to you and:

• Hit the National Mall for the yearly parade, concert and fireworks display on Saturday.
  

• Do not miss the Folklife Festival, especially not the Latin American music section. Sunday is the last day.
  

• Sunday also closes out this year's Artomatic.
  

• Not to worry, the Source Festival continues.
  

• And Capital Fringe kicks off on Thursday.
  

• Also next week is the DC Hip Hop Theater Festival.
  

• Oh, and for all you skate rats, there are skateboarding demonstrations at the NMAI all weekend

Happy Fourth.

Review of Lauriol Plaza

The search for a good Mexican restaurant has continued. Pictured here is Lauriol Plaza.

Lauriol Plaza has a few things going for it. They have a large outdoor eating area and a huge dining room. They make some great drinks. And they have an ideal location (between Dupont and Adams Morgan).

The first time I went there (for breakfast) I ordered the chilaquiles. They were awful. I didn't go back for a long time. The next time I was dragged there by my work and ordered a carne asada. It was flavorful and perfectly cooked.

I went back again with Chris. This time I ordered a salad and a tamale. He ordered an enchilada. The salad was passable. The tamale was good. The enchilada was delicious. All in all, Lauriol Plaza is a hit or miss experience. Stop by for a few drinks with friends. And stick to the few things on the menu they seem to do well.

Ruff & Ready

Ruff and Ready is on 14th street, not too far south of U. It's located in an old house that is quite literally falling apart.

The place is packed to the gills with antiques and junk. This is the patio area where they keep outdoor furniture, some dishes, pots, birdhouses, iron, and who knows what else.

Beyond the patio is a huge warehouse type room with furniture in a variety of conditions. Prior to the patio was the main house which is so packed that two people cannot get through any hall at any time.

Any kind of knickknack or whatnot you can think of can be found at this place. I could wander its dusty corridors for hours. Last trip, I discovered that they have a basement as well. Turns out it was just as packed as the rest of the place. It's nuts.

If you are a treasure hunter, this place is not to be missed.