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.