“You can never go home again, but the truth is you can never leave home, so it’s all right.” ~Maya Angelou
Last week I went for drinks with a friend who had recently moved from DC back to Upstate, NY. Stop right there because I know what you’re thinking. Don’t give me that look. I get The Look all the time when I tell people who were blissfully unaware that I’d moved from DC to Albany. It’s the ‘What the hell were you thinking?!” look And then they start speaking to me very slowly as if not to make any sudden movements that might promote more poor decision-making.
The truth is that for some the decision to move from down there to up here is the right decision even if it seems that said decision might have been made after a crack pipe and three shots of whiskey. But I’m here for…well…let’s not discuss time frames and the subject of Real Life and pay grades and silly things like ‘reality’. Let’s just say that I’m here and not going anywhere else anytime soon. The end.
When I first moved though, it was awful. Unbearable. I was homesick for a place that was never my home but I had made it such. I had put together a support system with the right people and places that made me feel as if DC was where I was supposed to be. And moving was like throwing a wrench into my plans; into the newer, more improved version of myself and a life I had made thus throwing me back to a place I had sprinted from six years prior as a child. I still do the what if thing. What if x, y, and z hadn’t occurred? What if I had made different decisions? What if I had moved to Denver instead of staying in DC? But that game can wear you out and catapult you into the agony of wondering and questioning motives and reasons for why. Instead I’m going to focus on the good! Because there is good! Due to awesome scheduling I’m in DC for several of the next few weeks. Recently there has been an influx of emails asking me what to do when in DC. Because I’m an expert who knows where to find beer and a JCrew on the same block.
Here is my list of places I plan to hit up while I’m in town. That is if I have time (HA!) and funds HA HA!) and some sort of mechanism to get me from Capitol Hill to Georgetown without it taking 45 minutes in rush hour (HA HA HA!):
Proof: A newish wine bar in the NW neighborhood of Gallery Place/Chinatown. Everyone knows the sommelier there and they have several delicious Malbecs to choose from and the cheese is so good that this one time Emily ate it off the floor.
Vapiano: Brings a little bit of Europe to DC. The perfect meeting place for a group of friends. It’s like sitting in your living room. When you leave there’s a bowl of gummy bears at the door.
Chef Geoff’s: The first ‘fancy’ restaurant I went to when I moved to DC. It really isn’t all that fancy but it has great happy hour specials that involve beers the size of your head. The downtown location has awful service but the upper NW location is pretty out of the way for tourists. And yet I keep going.
Good Stuff Eatery: Spike from Top Chef owns this joint. Apparently the burgers are the bomb. It’s near the Hill which means I can stop there on my down time. Haven’t been yet but have heard from a foodie’s wife that it’s pretty darn good
Café Bonaparte: Crepes! Crepes! And more crepes! Both dessert and like real food. Where there’s nutella, there’s a way. They also have seasonal drink recipes and I’m a sucker for anything that comes in a champagne flute.
Lauriol Plaza: Someone once said that this is the best Mexican food ever(!!!!!) but I beg to differ. Lauriol Plaza is great for the atmosphere. It has a huge outdoor eating area that is crowded during the summer so get there early and stay late. I love a boisterous crowd and swirly margaritas. Doesn’t everyone?
Georgetown Cupcake: Cupcakes are in and from what I’ve heard, these cupcakes are the best. I haven’t been but I’m now looking for a new place to get my fix since Cake Love went down hill. From what I understand the line is around the block on weekends so I might have to sneak there tomorrow. Don’t worry, I’ll report back.
Georgetown in General: Great shopping. Good restaurants. Don’t forget your pearls and your best Ralph Lauren. Everyone looks exactly alike but there’s an Anthropologie, it’s hard not to go back.
The Hill: My favorite place to just go and walk around. The east side of the Capitol just got a facelift so I suggest checking it out. Go to your member’s office to get a tour. Or call me up, I’m well versed on the frieze in the rotunda.
Downtown Bethesda: Just meander, people watch with your buds and check out the cute shops. It’s come a LOOOONG way in the past five years and Maryland doesn’t get enough love.
The Portrait Gallery: It took me about five years of living in DC before I stepped foot into a museum and that was the National Gallery. Since then I’ve attended an evening fête at the American History Museum which is the best way to enjoy a museum; at night with no crowds. I’m hoping to go to the Portrait Gallery in the next few weeks because I miss museum hopping. But there are dozens in DC and all free. So pick one and explore.
Gallery Place/Chinatown: Restaurants. Good restaurants. Proof is there as well as PS7, Zatinya and shopping. I like the Urban Outfitters there way better than the one in Georgetown.
A Nats game: We don’t have professional sports in Albany. It makes me weep to have to go to the Bronx for a game. In DC it’s just around the corner and tickets are always available. Wear your brightest red.
A friend’s house in Dupont: Find a friend and stake out their patio. Head to the Whole Foods on P Street for organic everything and have a barbecue. All of my favorite outdoor summer picnics involve beer and a townhouse.
I know that I’m missing a whole bunch of places but I will add and amend as soon as possible. Swearsies.
20 Comments
some of my favorites. Love, love, love georgetown cupcake. And if you hit it on a cold day they give you hot chocolate.
And I was with that foodies wife at Good Stuff, and the veggie burger is damn good!
Yeah, now my tummy is grumbling. If you venture out to VA, you need to visit
Don’t forget the milkshakes at Good Stuff… YUM!!! (Have yet to try the veggie burger.)
I’m personally not a fan of Georgetown Cupcake, but I am apparently the only one. Frankly, I think I make better cupcakes myself.
Now that you are a carnivore, you should check out (or revisit) Ray’s the Steaks and Ray’s Hellburger. I don’t eat meat and even I love those places. (Macaroni & cheese and a root beer float for me at Hellburger.)
Also, Matchbox has added a brunch since you left… you should try it if you haven’t on any of your visits. So, so good… especially the donuts.
Lord, I am hungry.
G’town cupcake is amazing and I don’t even like cake. Smacks the crap out of Cake Love. You know how I feel about Bonaparte. And you know what I would miss so so terribly if I ever grew balls and moved away? A run on the Mall.
I think you are still a reluctant carnivore, but during my visit last Memorial Day, the burger at Palena became a must do. Go grab a table outside and hold on to your hat. It was life changing.
Check out Ginger Boutique in Bethesda Row. It’s owned by my best friend from law school and her sister in law.
Also a big fan of the DuPont Circle idea. I highly recommend grabbing a couple of cheeses from Cowgirl Creamery, some home made sorbet at the DuPont Farmer’s market and your favorite wine. It made for one of my favorite nights ever.
Have a great time!
I lived in DC for three years — moved to Annapolis in 2001. I’m not familiar with the places on your list … but we mostly stuck to Dupont / Adams Morgan. I kinda miss living there sometimes, but at least it’s not too far away!
I’m a jaded Hill veteran, but the new CVC makes me feel . . . inspired.
Yeah, now my tummy is grumbling. If you venture out to VA, you need to visit
My husband works in DC and he is always raving about Good Stuff Eatery. I really have to try it, as well as every other restaurant on the list. Done the Nat’s game and the Portrait Gallery. What about the Spy Museum? Not free and super touristy, but it is really cool.
Thanks for the round-up, your timing couldn’t be better. I’m in DC as I type!
How is it that I am 27 and have lived in DC/MD all my life and have NEVER been to any of those places. Georgetown Cupcake however is on my list….maybe I’ll see you there!
You lost me after “I’m here and not going anywhere else anytime soon.”
I’ve only been to D.C. once and instantly fell into deep smit with it. The metro! And the museums! And the walking past buildings as old as our country! I was blissfully over-stimulated the entire week. (Have a great! trip.)
Wow, you are even making ME homesick. That takes A LOT, yo.
We made a mid-afternoon stop at Georgetown Cupcake yesterday. The cupcakes were delicious- a perfect hit of sugar. Yum!
I’d like to add Cafe St. Ex. A place so fine and filled with awesome that they make their own muffins from scratch on the weekends and they are always something delicious, like oatmeal with orange zest and pecans. And did I mention they are from scratch? Sometimes, when they bring the muffins to you (because you ALWAYS order them) they are still warm from the oven. Go early because they fill up quickly for brunch, and the place is so small that those waiting in line are so close they can feel the heat coming off your muffin.
I finally gave in and went to Lauriol Plaza after living within walking distance for five years. It was some of the most bland food I’ve ever had in my life – dry, too. The margarita was pretty to look at but lacking in flavor and tequila. I plan on living here the rest of my life – never again will I go there.
You had me at “beer the size of your head”.
While you are on the Hill, don’t forget to stop for beers and burgers at The Hawk ‘n Dove.
I still miss that neighborhood… even after 15 years in the Virginia suburbs.
Love the Portrait Gallery. Also a fan of the National Building Museum. Is Chef Geoff’s Norah O’Donnell’s husband’s restaurant? Have major girl crush on Norah.