DC has erected an endless amount of chic boutiques, high-end stores, and outdoor markets to cure your shopping addiction (if by cure, you mean yield). What used to be solely a city of stiff suits, pearls and loafers has transformed into high-end Italian footwear with Louis Vuitton bags to match, or peculiar work-fashion choices that would land a candidate on What Not To Wear or a visit to the HR. Not that a trip on the Metro at rush hour won't reveal the traditional Brooks Brothers signature look of khakis with a blue blazer. DC is a big city with big wallets and there's no shortage of wealthy folks and new stores. But you don't have to have a fat bank account to look good in this city; there are diamonds in the rough, if you know where to look.
Clothing/Beauty
Georgetown is DC’s best-known shopping destination. There's something for everyone, from designer stores like Kate Spade (Map 8) to mainstream mainstay Banana Republic (Map 8) to trendy boutiques like Sherman Pickey (Map 8) and Commander Salamander (Map 8)--if you can handle pushing your way through the mobs of flip-flop-wearing college students and Europeans preying on the weak dollar. For the best of the chains, try the palatial three-story Anthropologie (Map 8). For boutiques, try Sassanova (Map 8) for shoes and the ultra-feminine Sugar (Map 8) for your next party dress.
If you prefer to avoid the crowds of Georgetown but want a similar mix of chains and boutiques, you can make a day of shopping in the Dupont Circle area. Proper Topper (Maps 8, 9) is the place to go when you need a Kentucky Derby (or Preakness) hat, but they also offer gifts and trendy clothing. Despite the fact that you have to be buzzed in, Betsy Fisher (Map 9) is a surprisingly friendly boutique geared toward (expensive) unique shoes and fashions from labels you maybe never heard of. If you’ve had a rough week, slip into Blue Mercury (Maps 8, 9) and treat yourself to one of their luxurious beauty products.
For those in search of the fresh and funky, the U Street Corridor is a great place to shop and is refreshingly chain-free. Nana (Map 9) is a sweet little clothing boutique that's not too hard on the wallet. For truly sophisticated fashionistas, Muleh (Map 10) offers men's and women's über-hip designer clothing (by the likes of Rozae Nichols, Nicole Farhi, and 3.1 by Phillip Lim) as well as fabulously modern furniture, all in a NY-loft-style space. And if youre looking for something "different" (i.e. used), Treasury Vintage Boutique (Map 10) offers some nifty vintage picks for the hopelessly trendy.
Rivaling Georgetown in volume, space and parking is the continuously-developing Friendship Heights, or the East's response to Rodeo Drive. There's a selection of favorite department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue (Map 29) and a smattering of other high-end and luxury designer shops lining Wisconsin Avenue and the corner of Wisconsin and Western, like Barney's Co-Op (Map 29) and Cartier (Map 29) that will set you back $1,000 by the bracelet. Friendship Heights keeps unveiling construction sites that then burst with new, expensive and fancy shops every month to keep your mouth watering and your paycheck in, well, check. If you've got label-whore tendencies, but no money to spare, there are plenty of consignment shops like Secondi (Map 9) to get your fix. Though not for the faint of heart, Filene’s Basement (Maps 1, 9) is hands-down the best spot for designer bar-gains--amidst the disorganized racks, deodorant stains, and the occasional broken zipper, there are treasures to be plundered.
Housewares and Furniture
Like most major cities, DC has all the major furniture and houseware chains: Target (Maps 15, 38, 43), Crate & Barrel (Map 30), Pottery Barn (Maps 8, 19, 35), etc. DC boasts three locations of Design Within Reach (Maps 8, 16, 22) (or more appropriately, “Design Just Out Of Reach”). For those don't think anything should cost that much, there's the Crate & Barrel Outlet (Map 44) in Alexandria.
If you want your living space to have a bit more character, don't lose hope, there are more options out there. Tabletop (Map 9) in Dupont Circle is packed with cool home décor and modern housewares. Millennium Decorative Arts (Map 9) will more than satisfy Danish Modern aesthetes and furnishers. Turn to Home Rule (Map 10) for kitschy kitchen fun. If you like a little adventure when you shop, don't miss Ruff & Ready (Map 10). From the outside it looks like a decrepit old house in a horror movie. Inside it's crammed with so much used furniture, junk, and antiques that you can barely squeeze through the aisles. Perhaps the most unique furniture store in the district is Reincarnations Furnishings (Map 10) where you can get couches and chairs in more than 600 fabrics that no one else in DC will have in their digs. If vintage floats your boat, check out the Hunted House (Map 10), which features more than a few quirky mid-century modern and art deco pieces. And for the eco-minded among us, Greater Goods (Map 9), can provide a wide range of things to help you live green. And by everything, we mean everying, from herbal bug spray to eco-friendly razor blades to your own personal compost bin.
Electronics
Superstores like Best Buy (Map 43) and the requisite picked-on little sibling Radio Shack (Map 9, 16) can be found across the region. Die hard Mac-heads will love the gorgeous, high-tech Apple Store (Map 40) in the Pentagon City mall in Arlington. If you’re desperate and car-less, Staples (Map 43) offers a small collection of computers and software.
Food
Some will quibble, but many DC residents just love Trader Joe's (Map 29) and will voluntarily wait on the very long check-out line that wraps around the store, twice, on weekends. The location in DC sells wine and beer, too. The food stores your parents would like are also plentiful. You can’t swing an empty shopping basket without hitting a Safeway (Map 6), Giant (Maps 10, 11), or Harris Teeter (Map 40).
If you live in Dupont or Logan Circle, likely you visit overpriced Whole Foods (Maps 10, 44) for free-ranging, organic and expensive apples and eggs. There's also Dean & DeLuca (Map 8) for gourmet prepared foods and coffee. If you love cheese, and who doesn't, check out Cheesetique (Map 43) in Del Ray or Cowgirl Creamery (Map 1) in Chinatown. And if you're looking to impress your date, take him or her to Sabores (Map 17), an eclectic eatery with Latin vibes that serves a mean sangria. Just make sure you bring your own bags to store selling food in DC, or you will be charged 5 cents a bag for trying to pollute the Anacostia River.
Last but certainly not least, the DC area is ripe with wonderful farmer’s markets--almost every neighborhood has one. The most famous can be found at Eastern Market (Map 5). Although the historic main building was gutted by fire a few years back, it has since been rebuilt, reopened, and is open for business.
Bookstores and Music Stores
There are plenty of Borders (Maps 1, 9, 19, 25) and Barnes & Noble (Maps 1, 8, 29, 35, 43) stores in the area, but smaller independent bookstores also abound. Kramerbooks & Afterwords (Map 9) is the local favorite, where only in DC, people hang out checking out latest reads like a nearby watering hole. There is a bar with a wine list where you can hang out 7:30 am until well past midnight (all night Fridays and Saturday). Music nerds have a good chance of finding that hard-to-find album at Crooked Beat Records (Map 16), a small shop that specializes in rare and independent label music. For more specialized finds, drop into DC's oldest independent bookstore, Reiter's Books (Map 9). It's known for scientific, medical, and technical books, but also carries a host of games and puzzles for the less serious-minded.
Wine, Beer, Liquor
Laws regarding alcohol vary throughout the region, but as a general rule, only Virginia supermarkets and drug stores sell wine. Also, Maryland has a few grocery stores and a ton of liquor stores, especially in Silver Spring, that sell wine. In DC, your best bet is to check out Georgetown Wine and Spirits (Map 8), as well as Best Cellars (Map 9) in Dupont. Both stores stock a wide variety of wine and employ knowledgeable staff. The bourgie demographic of the District ensures for plenty of gourmet alcoholic shops in most affluent neighborhoods. In Virginia, wine lovers frequent The Curious Grape (Map 39). Not only is the selection great, but the staff often hosts informative--and free--classes with wine experts from France, Chile, and beyond! There’s also a tasting bar, open daily. For those who like their alcohol hoppy, here's a tip: Rustico (Map 45), an Alexandria restaurant with beer list of heavenly proportion (nearly 300), has a note on their menu encouraging patrons to ask about purchasing a six-pack to take home of any beer they happen to like.
Late-night revelers should keep in mind that you can't buy anything alcoholic in DC stores after 10 pm. Most liquor stores close at 9 pm on weekdays and 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. On Sundays, it's beer and wine only, so make sure to stock up early if you're having people over for the Redskins game.
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On Our Radar:
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Monday, April 25, 2011
Posted By:
Kara Deniz
Photo:
Kara Deniz
Crumbs Bake Shop
Washington's famed cherry blossoms are so unpredictable. One downpour or gust of wind and the fragile flowers are all gone. However, in honor of the Cherry Blossom Festival, you can enjoy a cherry blossom cupcake all month long at Union Station's recently opened Crumbs Bake Shop. The oversized confection is vanilla cake filled with cherry preserves, topped with vanilla cream cheese frosting mixed with cherries and a candied cherry. Whew! That's a lot of cherry! Sweet, but not overpowering, the cupcakes cost $3.75, with 15 percent of the proceeds going to benefit earthquake relief efforts in Japan. After all, everyone knows good deed calories don't really count.
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Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Posted By:
Kara Deniz
Photo:
Kara Deniz
Second Time Around
On bustling M Street in Georgetown, not far from the long line outside a certain cupcake shop, there is absolutely no wait to get in on great fashion deals. Second Time Around, a second-hand clothing shop, features hand-me-down outfits and accessories at affordable prices. Among the more conservative Banana Republic and GAP items are sequined tops, cashmere striped blazers, and retro denim skirts that allow customers to experiment with style. While the store is in a great location, the one downside is it doesn’t fully measure up to the expectations such an address carries. Not all items look new-to-you and some clearance items have had rips or irregularities. But if you're looking for fun consignment shopping, with the hopes of a one-of-a-kind find, Second Time Around is worth a try.
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Thursday, October 21, 2010
Posted By:
Magda Nakassis
Photo:
Magda Nakassis
Dangerously Delicious Pies
An export from Baltimore's Federal Hill, Dangerously Delicious is a pie shop offering savory and sweet slices, plus quiche. A relative newcomer to the Atlas District, the shop has a few tables for dine-in, a weekday delivery service, and crucial late-night hours (midnight during the week, 3:30 am on weekends, and 10 pm on Sundays). And while it might seem like a culinary gimmick, there is nothing dishonest or ephemeral about crust this buttery, flaky, and moist--or about fillings as mouth-watering as SMOG (steak, mushroom, onion, gruyère), Baltimore Bomb (an adaptation of the Baltimore Berger cookie), or spinach and goat cheese quiche. Get yourself a slice of the pie!
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Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Posted By:
Magda Nakassis
Photo:
Magda Nakassis
The Hour Shop
Okay, so you started off with a collection of souvenir shot glasses. Then you graduated to stem glasses for wine. Maybe even a champagne flute or two. But how about martini glasses? Tumblers? A shaker? Snifter? Ice bucket? Punch bowl? Glass stirrer?! If you're sophisticated, boozy, and looking to bring some mid-century chic into your home, make a bee line for the Hour Shop. With an amazing collection of vintage barware (and helpful, good-looking staff, too!). this Old Town Alexandria shop is a cocktail lover's dream. Perfect for collectors, wedding gifts, and high-class drunks.
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Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Posted By:
Magda Nakassis
Photo:
Magda Nakassis
Dolcezza
With new locations in Bethesda Row and this one in Dupont Circle, plus appearances in area farmers markets, Dolcezza's handmade, artisanal gelato is taking DC by storm--one delicious spoonful at a time. Every morning they make small batches in their original Georgetown location, using only the freshest local ingredients. The result is much more adventurous and refreshing than your average ice cream parlor--flavors like Sumatra cinnamon, Thai coconut milk, lemon ricotta cardamom, and white peach prosecco. And for those without a sweet tooth, their ristretto shots of espresso are a rich, roasted, caffeinated treat as well.
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