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.