All Aboard: Let's Eat

I abhore eating or drinking in bus stations, train stations, rest stops, and airports. I feel like a mass transport culinary hostage, with options that are usually overpriced and greasy, with surly workers, stressful atmospheres, and dirty tables. And since I rarely remember to add a healthy, delicious meal to my packing list, I find myself standing in line for something I don't want to eat, or filling my body with vending machine carbohydrates to avoid hunger pains. But I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised by my happy hour at Union Station's Center Cafe. Let's be clear: this is not a destination. But presumably you're at the train station because you already have one, and the drinks and food are fairly priced and reasonably fresh. The draw, though, is the location. The restaurant is smack dab in the middle of the station, so when you sit on the second "floor," you're vaulted up into the Beaux-Arts interior, complete with stone inscriptions and sculptures. Instead of being elbowed by MARC train commuters, you can gaze upwards at the ceiling details of gold leaf, granite, and marble. And it’s quite nice to hear the hubbub below while calming sipping your beer from above--and in the company of allegorical sculptures. It's just Union Station, but relatively speaking (to McDonald's), it's all very grand!

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Restaurants • Chinatown / Union Station

No Jerking Around

Although it's been years since I worked on K Street, I still lament its many lunch options. Gone are the days when I could chose between Ollie’s Trolley, Juice Joint, the Burrito Man, and Julia’s Empanadas--all within minutes of my cubicle. But now my neck of the work woods has something new, delicious, and cheap: the Jerk Chicken Wrap Cart. A lovely lady with an amazing tolerance for heat is serving up $5 jerk chicken wraps, dressed with with citrus black beans, coconut rice, mango salsa, and hot sauce. Her cart is indistinguishable from the others surrounding the Judiciary Square Metro station (4th St & Indiana Ave NW exit), but follow your nose...

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Restaurants • Chinatown / Union Station

Sweet Tooth Time

Let's assume you have a sweet tooth. You're all about the cupcake craze. And now you can't get enough of the fro-yo trend either. So how does the idea of one spot serving boutique cupcakes and frozen yogurt strike you? Did you go into sugar shock? Well that's what the sibling owners of the Red Velvet Cupcakery and TangySweet have achieved in DC's Penn Quarter. Walk in one door and indulge in small-batches cupcakes, from the Morning Call (chocolate espresso cake with mocha buttercream) to the Southern Belle (red velvet cake with whipped cream cheese frosting). Or walk in Door #2 and treat yourself to pomegranate and green tea frozen yogurt adorned with fresh fruits and cereals. Or open up both doors. Or go back and forth between the two. I don't judge.

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Restaurants , Shopping • Chinatown / Union Station

Mini Monuments

Unless you're a horticultural nut, the best part of the US Botanic Garden isn't the exotic trees and plants from around the world. Oh no. The most unique and interesting part of the Botanic Garden--by far---is the new seasonal display of DC's famous landmarks--all constructed down to the smallest detail with natural elements, such as twigs, leaves, acorns, and bark. Apparently, the "models" are the brainchild of a contracted landscape architect from somewhere like Kentucky, who has made a business of miniature, natural reconstruction. And from the Washington Monument to the Jefferson Memorial, they are unbelievably and elaborately true-to-form, and all lit up! Of course, the trees and plants from around the world are nice, too. Oh, and the US Botanic Garden is one of the few "museums" in DC that won't search you and your bags upon entry, which is another reason to go check the Garden out.

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Landmarks • Chinatown / Union Station

Hip Hop, or Gastronomy

Wolfgang Puck has finally entered the Penn Quarter. Recently, his restaurant has won the coveted 'New Restaurant of the Year' at the 2008 RAMMY Awards. The space is an architectural gem with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, a 2,000 bottle wine cellar, impeccable wood floors and table-upon-table of DC's most well-connected crowd devouring executive chef Scott Drewno's incredible treats. Word on the street is The Source will commemorate the summer Olympics with Beijing-inspired dishes that will be offered throughout the duration of the games from August 8 through August 24, 2008. This three-course menu will have favorites like Roasted Duck with scallion wraps and Mandarin Orange reduction; Hot and Sour Soup with jumbo lump crab and pork tenderloin; Kung Pao prawns with a spicy garlic-chili sauce and toasted peanuts; and Steamed Grouper with a seven-vegetable stir fry and lotus root. Priced at $35 a person this is a true steal so make haste as tables book fast and this is DC's ultimate spot to see and be seen.

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Restaurants • Chinatown / Union Station

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

Your goal in life is to win a Pulitzer. "Good Night, and Good Luck" is your favorite movie. When Deep Throat's identity was revealed, your life was complete... I mean, the previous generation's collective life was, because you live vicariously through them. On any account, clearly the Newseum is your version of heaven on earth. But how does the Newseum fare for those not as interested, ok, passionate about the media? Don’t let the name throw you. At its core, the Newseum is a history museum, using front pages of old newspapers, poignant photographs, and significant television broadcasts to tell the stories of major historical events from our country and world. The 9/11 Gallery is incredibly moving, so much so that the museum staff was smart enough to place a box of tissues in the room. Other must-see exhibits include the News History, Pulitzer Prize Photographs, and Comics galleries. But for most people, the question won't be, "Will I like the museum?" but rather, "Will it be worth the exorbitant price?" At $20 a ticket, admission is steep, especially considering it's next to the free Smithsonian museums. But with plenty of artifacts and interactive features, the Newseum proves the importance of the media and shines a whole new light on the way we interpret history.

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Museums • Chinatown / Union Station

The Cinema Effect: Through May 11

Sometimes the amount of time you devote to an art exhibition is equal to the time it takes you to walk through the space. You might face paintings or sculptures, but not really look at any of them. You might read all the wall text, but not really look at the object. And then "mall legs" kick in, and suddenly you wander through rooms looking not for a stunning work of art--but rather for a bench to sit on. Or maybe "you" is really just "me." Part I (Dreams) of The Cinema Effect--on view at the Hirshhorn through May 11, 2008--features moving-image artworks, all of which are shown on loops. And by taking up a certain amount of time, the viewer is forced to engage with them...and very often while sitting on a bench! The art installations "use film language and technology to explore the ever-increasing impact of the cinematic on our perceptions." Translation: It's an afternoon at the wacko movies, and it's fantastic. (Tip: Don't make the mistake I did and try to walk around before your eyes adjust. The combination of darkness and films that explore "the darker recesses of the imagination" results in a contemporary art haunted house.")

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Museums • Chinatown / Union Station

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus

This past Monday, Republicans unleashed a herd of their favorite animal (elephant) on Capitol Hill to take back Congress and trample the opposition! Just kidding. The circus has come to town! In what has become an annual event, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus paraded their elephants (and assorted horses, clowns, and glitzy trapeze girls) through the Hill to their final destination at the Verizon Center. This year the trek began right around 1 p.m. at Garfield Park, came down 3rd street past the Folger Theater, wound by Union station, and landed at the Verizon Center. The star-stamped pachyderms and their entourage left behind them a trail of giddy children, amused Hill workers, and impressively large piles of crap. The circus moves on to the Patriot Center for shows April 2-13.

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Events • Chinatown / Union Station

But Seriously. Highly Recommended.

A lot of people in the DC area can get "museumed out." There are so many museums boasting so many collections. I decided to visit one of the lesser known ones, the National Museum of the American Indian, and am now adding it to my "must see in DC" list. It's only 3 years old, highlights Native Americans not just from the lower 48 states, but from places like Alaska and Mexico. Being so new, the museum has a lot of technology the older ones lack...like interactive flat screen monitors to help you get a closer look at the artifacts behind glass. Through August there's an exhibition on women's dresses, many dating back to the 1800s. Most are made of animal hide and you pick up the faint scent of leather upon entering the room. A whole floor is dedicated to Native Americans in the modern world, and the struggles many tribes face today...from retaining heritage to gaming. The exhibits are fascinating, but another reason to go is the architecture. The building itself, inside and out, is a beautifully constructed piece of art.

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Museums • Chinatown / Union Station

Chinatown Bus

OK, let’s be honest: Maybe the drivers don’t entirely know where the bus stops along the way and when they do stop they do so at strange I-95 offshoots to pick up and drop off family members, and there’s no dining car. In the end though, there is no quicker and cheaper way to get up and down the east coast than The Chinatown Bus. There are myriad options to choose from once you hit H or I Street downtown, but I’ve found New Century to be a fairly reliable choice. Even if the driver can’t, there’s someone who can tell you if the bus is going to stop in Baltimore and I’m usually able to escape the smelly-man-or-crying-baby entrapment. So maybe you don’t live paycheck to paycheck or consider anywhere south of Cleveland Park to be the “hood,” and you want to throw down a hundred bones for the train. So be it. For the rest of us, a 35 dollar roundtrip to NYC sounds pretty sweet. Just keep to yourself, and don’t ask questions. Eventually you’ll get there.

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Services • Chinatown / Union Station

20/10 at the Shakespeare Theatre Company

Normally I’m always looking for ways to cut financial corners. Coupons, people who like to treat, happy hours, dumpster-diving, etc. But there are some things that become creepy when they’re too cheap. Sushi and hotel rooms spring to mind. Also when it comes to Shakespeare, if tickets are too affordable, I assume it’s a community production with uncomfortably fake British accents and lines delivered by actors who don’t understand them. So without the income to match my snobbery, I am usually left with my own voice reading the library copy of Hamlet aloud… in a horrendous accent, and totally confused by what a “kind, life-rendering pelican” is and why it might repast anyone with its blood. But now that the Shakespeare Theatre Company has launched its 20/10 program, Bard-lovers 35 and under can get tickets for only $10 each. Every Tuesday from 10am, the theatre will give out 20 pairs of $10 tickets for performances taking place through the following Sunday. If you work by the fabulous new Sidney Harman Hall, you can pick them up in person (limit of two per person, and ID required), or if you’re not so close by, just ring the box office. Now you don’t have to forage for ticket stubs in the Jaleo dumpster anymore.

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Theaters-Performing Arts Centers • Chinatown / Union Station

Jaleo: A Trip to Spain

A dinner of tiny tapas can often leave you feeling unfulfilled. But at Jaleo, the portions are substantial, the quality is top-notch and the food selection is so plentiful it might leave your head spinning a bit. But don’t worry, you’re expected to pick several of them. Or you can do what I do, and only order one small dish, then mooch off—I mean “sample”—what all your friends ordered. Some of the items, like the shark, may seem questionable, but will end up surprising you in positive ways. And any trip to Jaleo is incomplete without the signature sangria. Don’t kid yourself. You’ll want more than one glass, so just go with the carafe. Want to explore more of the food and wine from Spain? Head to the Crystal City location on the last Thursday of the month. The restaurant features a different region of Spain each time. There are also wine tastings on Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 5-7pm.

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Restaurants • Chinatown / Union Station

Rosa Mexicano

When it comes to fancy-smancy Mexican food, most of us settle for super sizing our Gordita combo meal at Taco Bell. And while I wouldn’t want to discount that kind of cheap thrill, I would like to point out that we, as Washingtonians, have other spicy, cheesy options. For instance, if you are trying to holler at some guacamole prepared table-side and a (tad too) sweet pomegranate margarita like I was last weekend, make a reservation (I repeat, make a reservation) at Rosa Mexicano in Chinatown. While I’ve heard that some of their entrees are less than thrilling, I was quite content with my guac, tortilla soup, and crabmeat quesadillas from the appetizer menu. It was refreshing to see that the menu actually consisted of real Spanish words that corresponded to real Mexican food (not that a 1/2 pound of big, beefy, cheesy melt isn’t Spanish…or Mexican…).

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Restaurants • Chinatown / Union Station

Poste Moderne Brasserie

I had to write about this place while it was fresh in my mind and fresh on my palette. Enter Poste Moderne Brasserie, Chinatown’s signature “green” restaurant. My man and I sampled just a few of the incredible organic treats offered by Chef Robert Welend , but trust me, they all looked delicious. We started with steak frites (pineland farms hanger steak, bordelaise sauce, caramelized shallots) and moved onto the zucchini blossom, a yummy cheese filled creation, and finished the meal with the pan roasted organic chicken served with a buckwheat crepe. Housed in what looks like a modern greenhouse, Poste is home to one of the cities largest organic restaurant gardens where a variety of seasonal veggies are grown. Every Thursday, for a mere $60, you can accompany the chef to the local Fresh Farm Farmers’ market where you shop for all of your ingredients and return to the restaurant to make your own meal. The place also infuses its own vodka and the bar menu features the tasty Herbal Martini. Should you not want to drop the cash on dinner, I suggest stopping in from 4 to 7 pm for their $4 happy hour that features a great selection of beers, wines and their signature truffle frites at a bargain. Nonetheless, look the part because this place is full of fresh food, fresh faces and fresh bank accounts.

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Nightlife , Restaurants • Chinatown / Union Station

National Postal Museum

Yeah, so it’s nerdy. Not like “I do cosplay at Anime conventions” nerdy, but pretty close. But admission to the National Postal Museum is free and a good way to spend an afternoon if you have no idea what else to do, and feel like learning a little history about the U.S. postal system, which is about as fascinating as it sounds. But it’s certainly got its “can you believe this exists” fun factor, and the gift shop is a good stop for stockpiling ironic Christmas gifts. There are worse ways to fill up a poorly planned Saturday, and the Philatelic Gallery teeming with asthmatic home-schooled twelve year olds is really something to behold. Go on, revel in your nerdom.

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Museums • Chinatown / Union Station

US Navy Memorial

You’ve seen it dozens of times. The last time you exited the Archives Metro station, you probably walked by without giving it a thought. Next time, take a few minutes to linger and explore the United States Navy Memorial. The plaza looks simple at first glance, but closer inspection will reveal a highly symbolic space dedicated to the memories of all who have served in the US Navy. Two flagpoles, flying signal flags, stand near the plaza. A low, curved wall surrounds the granite world map at the plaza’s center. Here you can see bronze reliefs depicting scenes from the Navy and Marine Corps’ distinguished history. The Naval Heritage Center offers exhibits and a film if you’d like to learn more about the Navy or find a family member’s service information. Across the plaza, the famous Lone Sailor statue represents those who serve at sea—the dedicated men and women who serve alone, away from family and friends for months at a time, even when our nation is at peace.

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Landmarks • Chinatown / Union Station

Chinatown Express

Let’s not beat around the bush—at Chinatown Express it’s all about the noodles that they make in-house. As you enter the restaurant, there’s someone at the window, kneading and stretching dough. When you order the noodles, you can order them friend or in soup. They’re chewing, but not too chewy. And the dishes are cheap too—which is nice for ex-students like me who have little savings whatsoever and get their lunch by trying out all the various samples at Costco and Whole Foods. But I digress. As for ambiance, the restaurant is very much a hole-in-the-wall. I had no idea that there was a second floor until a group of six of us went up to it one evening. The dining area isn’t too big, and you shouldn’t go if you feel squeamish about seeing roasted ducks hanging near the front. If you want Chinese food in Chinatown (or whatever is left of Chinatown), then Chinatown Express is a good bet.

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Restaurants • Chinatown / Union Station

Summer Camp Presents BarBarella-Q

This summer, the Hirshhorn—the Smithsonian’s museum for international modern and contemporary art—invites you to dinner and a movie: a BBBQ + a B-movie. (The extra B is for BYOBB. That extra B is a typo.) Every Thursday, Washingtonians are invited to have themselves a picnic by the Plaza Fountain, a patch of green by the museum surrounded by modern sculptures. Then at 8 pm, film scholar David Witt will present an example of what it means to be a sci-fi femme fatale…which in real terms translates into a free kitschy movie with adult content. Begin with a flight to Venus in Queen of Outer Space, and discover that “women are from Venus” actually means babes in heels and mini-skirts, armed with ray guns. Then in Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, watch a wealthy drunk (played by Miss District of Columbia 1949) transform into “a female colossus…her mountainous torso, skyscraper limbs, giant desires!” following radiation exposure from an alien. And finally, who could top off the series but Jane Fonda as Barbarella, the 41stcentury intergalactic sexpot who shares a story of ancient universal peace through cosmic sexcapades and a continuous, zero gravity striptease. Summer Camp is gonna be out of this world. *ahem*

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Museums • Chinatown / Union Station

NGA (East Building)

I, along with 99% of the entire world population, like to look at things that are pretty. I find that the art hanging on the walls of the National Gallery of Art (NGA) is very pretty, and by the constant crowds within the halls, so does 99% of the world population. As a non-tourist, however, it’s fun to take the NGA on in parts; spending one day in the Italian Renaissance rooms and then leaving for dinner in Adams Morgan. Recently, on one such excursion, I wandered into the Alexander Calder room in the East Building. The Calder room is perhaps the coolest room in the whole dang place. With over a dozen mobiles hanging in the dimly lit room, the shadows cast on the walls from those mobiles become separate works of art themselves. Also, it’s often times quiet and not crowded in the room, so it’s a great place to sit, gaze and admire for a few minutes. If you’re like me and you can’t yoga your stress away, the Calder room is a great alternative. You can even go to the gift shop when you’re done, snatch up a couple imitation Calder mobiles for yourself, and re-create the whimsy in your own home.

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Museums • Chinatown / Union Station

National Gallery of Art Gift Shops

It’s that gift-giving time of year. Not Christmas, the other one. The graduation/wedding/First Communion time of year, when ties and wallets and place settings are on prominent display around the District’s malls and boutiques. Where can you go to find a unique but tasteful gift alternative? I suggest the National Gallery of Art? The museum has two gift shops. One is in the underground concourse between the museum’s two buildings; the other is in one end of the rotunda-topped West Building. Of course, coffee table books are everywhere, but you can also find colorful journals, framed prints, art-themed stationery, and home décor items. If you’re shopping for children, check out the Children’s Shop (part of the concourse shopping area), which boasts an excellent collection of artists’ biographies—my kids like Mike Venezia’s series—as well as art supplies, captivating puzzles, and educational games. Who knows? You might even get some Christmas shopping done early this year!

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Art Galleries , Bookstores • Chinatown / Union Station