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Brightest Young Things

I Heart DC

101 Reasons To Love DC-Part 1

By Svetlana February 13, 2012 | 9:00 am
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HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY WEEK! To top off our week of Valentine's day mood setting we decided to round-things up with the ultimate love letter: the one to Washington DC. And since the city has been so good to us, not just any letter would do. So-we asked for some pro-DC-lovin' help:

  • We rounded up: artists, bloggers, innovators, theatre folk, DC united players, festival runners, chefs, brewers and drink makers, all of whom make DC, in their own way, a city we're pretty jazzed about right now.
  • We asked them to submit a list of 5 things/people/places/food plates/drinks/anything really that they LOVE (all caps) about Washington
  • and hey-they kindly obliged

TODAY, we have our first 55 reasons, courtesy of 11 very hard working men and women. Read, feel the butterflies in your stomach and don't forget to  comment with your lists/check back in tomorrow for the 2nd half.

Michael Kahn-artistic director, Shakespeare Theatre Company

Michael Kahn is the artistic director of the Shakespeare Theatre Company and has held the position since 1986.

  2. Foreign and Indie Films at E Street Cinema
  3. Coffee and Breakfast at Java House with the “Java House Gang”
  4. Second Hand bookstores around Dupont Circle
  5. Farmer’s Markets (Penn Quarter Market on Thursdays behind the Lansburgh Theatre, Sundays in Dupont Circle)
  6. Cocktails at the Jefferson Hotel Bar, when the piano player is present

Tom Bridge -editor in chief, WE LOVE DC

Tom is the editor-at-large of WeLoveDC.com, an online periodical that showcases the best of what D.C. has to offer.

  2. Mo at Ben's Chili Bowl. If you come into Ben's during the week for lunch, you know Mo. Mo's the beating heart of Ben's, and he knows each and every regular that comes in those doors. Better than that - he always, always remembers my order. I'll take a half smoke all the way and some cheese fries to share, with a Diet Coke. Better lunch in DC? Not sure it's out there. Mo makes DC a better place, one half-smoke at a time.
  3. Michael Lubecki at Grooming Lounge. A good barber in this town is something akin to a good politician. You hear they exist, people swear by them, but then you can't find one when you need it. Mike's the real deal. I struggled for years to find another good barber in DC after my old favorite razor-wielding Marine retired to the islands and left no forwarding address. Mike is deft with the shears, and I always walk out of the Grooming Lounge looking like a grown-up, which is something early 20s me is probably embarrassed about.
  4. Ryan Jensen at Peregrine Espresso. As someone without an office, I have come to know just about every coffeeshop in the District, and my absolute favorite is Peregrine. Owner Ryan Jensen's spartan aesthetic and tremendous tongue for the perfect cup of coffee. Jensen's two shops in DC make consistently the best vanilla latte (and cup of coffee) in the metro area, and when I find myself drinking coffee elsewhere, a part of me always wishes I was there.
  5. The Bar at The Passenger. Part of being a grown up is moving away from those trashy vodka drinks of your college days and moving to an appropriately contemplative  cocktail, and The Passenger is my favorite place to sidle up to the bar, and put my sobriety and my taste buds in the hands of a master. "I like bourbon, and I like gin. Be creative!" is often the game I play at Passenger. It lets the amazing mixologists there experiment with what they're working on, and express a degree of creativity I think more places in DC should be looking for. I wanted to pick just one person here, but they're all so good, I'd feel I left someone out if I didn't just say "All Of Them. Really. All of Them."
  6. Billy at Boulevard Woodgrill. I know, I know, this is in Arlington, but Billy has been my lunchtime server at Boulevard Woodgrill since as long as I can remember. He can talk intelligently about every sport, and just about any other subject, and he's as honest as the day is long. He's always hustling, and my glass never empties. He's someone I think makes this city a better place, and seeing him always makes me smile.

Chris Pontius - player, DC United

Chris is a forward on the D.C. United soccer team. He's been with the team for over three years!

  2. Circa at both Dupont and Foggy Bottom: Good atmosphere and good food.
  3. Rosa Mexicana in Chinatown: I live in Chinatown so it's a short walk for me with unbelievable food.
  4. W Hotel rooftop: One of the best views of the city and good people around.
  5. Open City in Adams Morgan: My favorite breakfast spot in the city.
  6. Redline Bar: I go there to watch any big sporting events, always has a good crowd.

Julianne Brienza-founder, Capitol Fringe

Julianne is the founder of Capital Fringe. It is a nonprofit organization that hosts a festival each year in July to provide artists with a venue to express themselves.

  2. I love that DC is situated geographically that I can get to the beach quickly. Coming from Montana this was a not possible...at all. I love the beach!

BEACH!!

  2. I love that DC is a place where I can have a job that I can raise funds to buy a tent & then be able to raise it each year and have beer tent for a little over a month.

BEER TENT

  2. I love Cherry Blossom time in DC. From the parade and street fair to the actual blossoms.

CHEERY BLOSSOM

  2. When I first moved to DC I kept asking people – what is DC’s food. Coming from Philly where we had Cheese Steaks and Hoagies – I was curious. After years of asking.. I have deducted it truly is Ethiopian food. Umm... So, good!!

DUDE_ETHIOPIAN FOOD

  2. Room 11 is my favorite bar in all of DC. I love wine.. All kinds and yummy sides and desserts... Also, patio seating!!

ROOM 11

Chris Richards-music writer, Washington Post

Chris specializes in writing about music and has been critiquing pop music for the Washington Post since 2009.

  2. The fact that Washington night skies look purple and orange at the same time.
  3. The sound of go-go seeping out of open car windows in the spring time.
  4. Ma la cold noodles at Great Wall Szechuan House.
  5. All the wonderful things Bluebrain are doing.
  6. The neon tooth on U Street.

Dan Silverman-editor, Prince of Petworth

Dan created Prince of Petworth in 2006 and still updates it daily with information about communities and life in the District.

  2. I love DC's Murals

  2. I love DC's Transoms

  2. I love DC's Row House Sculptures

  2. I love DC's development and revitalization

  2. I love DC's parks and less known green spaces like the Franciscan monastery

Chad America-man behind the bar, Black Cat

Chad is the man behind the bar at the Black Cat. You may recognize him from his long beard of awesomeness.

This Valentine's Day I'll be hosting the 13th Annual Valentine's Day Rock and Roll Dance Party at the Black Cat. My friend Glenn and I started this as an excuse for our friends to get together and listen to our favorite rock and roll records. We weren't DJs and we didn't really know what we were doing. We still aren't and we still don't. Over the years some events and DJs have come on the scene to give you regular chances to get down to good music on the dance floor. Glenn and I were clever enough to recruit a few of these folks to join us on Valentine's Day to bring some actual talent and skill to the party. So, If you're a fan of rock and roll at all or you're looking for a break from the disco dance parties I urge you to check these out.

Presented in no particular order.

  2. KICKS! at Black Cat featuring DJs Kim and Sara: These ladies play an amazing array of garage, punk, powerpop, glam and whatever else they feel like (including Freedom 90 by George Michael.) Always a drunken good time.
  3. Big Bad City at Velvet Lounge featuring DJ Soul Call Paul: An old-school all vinyl night of 60's soul, funk, and R&B. Paul travels the country looking for the rare and raw records to keep this party going. His collection is so great he made the list twice.
  4. All sorts of things at all sorts of locations featuring Baby Alcatraz: Baby Alcatraz can frequently be found spinning in the Basement of Saint Ex on Wednesday nights and often times at places like Dodge City or Velvet Lounge. No matter where she spins she'll have her collection of 50's and 60's R&B, Soul, and Rock & Roll 45's. Check out her calendar at http://babyalcatraz.blogspot.com/ (Baby Alcatraz will also be DJing the Valentine's Day party)
  5. The Stumble at Dodge City featuring DJs Tariq and Soul Call Paul This party also features Soul Call Paul. This time he teams up with DJ Tariq to play, in their own words, "RYTHM 'N' BLUES, BOOGIE-WOOGIE, ROCK 'N' ROLL, BLUES, & SUCH!" (Tariq will also be DJing the Valentine's Day party)
  6. Party Lights at Black Cat featuring DJs Mad Squirrel and Rob J I believe that this is honestly one of the best regular parties in DC. The focus is on 60's girl groups, garage, and soul but these guys are also likely to bust out the occasional doo wop or jump blues track. Definitely worth checking out. (Mad Squirrel will also be DJing the Valentine's Day party)

Mike Isabella-chef, owner of Graffiato and upcoming Bandolero

  2. Going to Caps Games

  3. Dumpling Platter at The Source, "Mike Isabella Style"

  4. Drinking Coronas at Cantina Marina in the summer

  5. Susan Doyle (my tattoo artist) at Jinx Proof in Georgetown

  6. Love the view of DC & The Capitol Building when I'm in the pool on the roof of my Penn Quarter apartment building

Derek Brown-mixologist, co-owner of Passenger/Columbia Room

Derek is not only an all star mixologist and co-owner of both the Passenger and Columbia Room, he is also now a team member of the Laughing Cocktail, a "cocktail-centric consulting and events" agency!

  2. Drink City- How can I possibly rank all the great drinking holes, cocktail bars and now breweries and distillery in the District. You can find every kind of drinking establishment in the city and just about every kind of drink. Even Cuba opened a bar in their mission for a few months. You know why? Washington, D.C. loves to drink and, as a result, out-drinks just about every other city in survey after survey. That's why I respectfully dub our beloved, besotted city, Washington, D.C... Drink City.
  3. The Tabard Inn - Hardly a week goes by without me craving one of two things: a Sazerac by Chantal Tseng (my wife but, unfortunately, I don't get these at home) and a bowl of gumbo by Paul Pelt (the Tabard's chef). The food, drinks and wine are all great and the quirky, eclectic feel of the interior make it one of the District's best kept secrets. All except for brunch. Somebody seems to have let the cat out of the bag on that one.
  4. Fresh Farm Markets - I can't go a Thursday in the Spring and Summer without a visit to the Penn Quarter farmers market. Sometimes I double it up with a visit Sunday to the Dupont Circle farmers market too. The District's thriving farmers markets are the result of some very hard work behind the scenes by the dedicated staff and volunteers at FreshFarm Markets and all of the participating farmers.
  5. The Smithsonian - We're so lucky to have a cultural vault in our backyard. Earlier this year, I went to see Julia Child's kitchen on exhibit at the National Museum of American History. Sometimes I just sit and relax in the Peacock Room at the Freer/Sackler. Last year, I loved the Elvis exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery and the Cypriot exhibit at the National Museum of Natural History. There are very few cities that boast so much culture and virtually none that do it for free.
  6. Free Concerts at Ft. Reno - I was waiting in line at the Whole Foods near Ft. Reno and ahead of me was Henry Rollins of Black Flag fame and former Washingtonian. I thought, holy shit, this is one of my heroes. But that's the thing with Washington, D.C. We get close to our heroes. Ft. Reno is a perfect example. Some of the most amazing D.C. bands have played there. I laid back on the grass and enjoyed a set by The Evens that very same night.

Peter Corbett-CEO istrategy labs, founder DC WEEK

Peter is the CEO of iStrategyLabs, a company specializing in the social enterprise that dominate both the real-life and digital world. He also founded DC WEEK, which is a week-long event that brings together designers, developers, entrepreneurs, and social innovators. Also, as of this week istrategy labs heads up the DC edition of SOCIAL MEDIA WEEK (tweet:#SMWWDC)

  2. Bikes bikes bikes bikes! This is the best city in the country if you like riding a bike. Check out the C&O Canal, Rockcreek Park or the Mt. Vernon trail. That's a few hundred miles of trails just for your riding pleasure.

  2. Fooooood! The restaurant scene is hot. There's a new tasty joint opening up every week in DC. We even have decent bagels in Dupont (Bethesda Bagel), solid sandwiches on 14th (Taylor Deli and Fast Gourmet) and a 24/7 food destination (The Hamilton). But will DC remain the fittest city in the nation?

  2. Girrrrllls! Come on - DC girls are pretty, smart and compassionately focused on important global issues. Guys: you've got it made here…you just don't have any game is all.

  2. Brains! I like smart people. I like talking about complex issues and ideas. DC has the highest concentration of advanced degrees in the country. There's no better place for intellectual stimulation than here in DC.

  2. Small Town, Big City! If you live in DC for more than an election cycle, you can't help but grow some serious roots here. The town is small enough that you can bump into acquiesces frequently - which in turn leads to lasting friendships. At the same time, DC is just big enough that you can always meet new and interesting people along the way.

Brandon Skall DC Brau-owner of DC Brau brewery

What's better than beer and love for your home-city? How about brewed beer from your home-city? Brandon made this a reality since he helped co-found D.C. Brau. Psst, did you also know that they hold free tours on Saturdays?

My favorite plates of food to go with a cold pint of beer:

  2. Boundary Stone  - Bacon Burger – Corruption IPA
  3. Meridian Pint  -Buffalo Wings – Public Pale
  4. 1905 Bistro & Bar - Venison Bourguignon – Natas Imperial Porter
  5. Birch & Barley Churchkey - Pork Belly Carbonera – Citizen
  6. Granville Moore’s - Moules Bleu – Thyme After Thyme

THAT'S ALL FOR TODAY. CHECK IN TOMORROW WHEN PEOPLE BEHIND FOTOWEEK DC, PINKLINE PROJECT, METROCUREAN, THE WASHINGTON BALLET and more share their tips too.

AND OF COURSE-LEAVE THE COMMENTS TELLING US WHAT ARE YOUR 5 REASONS TO LOVE DC.

Previously in I Heart DC:

God loves a cheerful giver.

COMMENTS (11)

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3 months ago Misnadrist Grammar czar said

"Guys: you've got it made here…you just don't any game is all" - HAVE* any game. ...

3 months ago Bradley said

OMG the most important blogger in DC!

3 months ago Mahwish said

But tell me what's out there for a new mommy and what kinda activities we can have??? All of the above sounds like singles cup of tea!

3 months ago spottieottie said

no black people?

3 months ago Peter Parker said

@spottieottie: Whitest Young Things!

3 months ago chad said

Sorry I'm not black.

3 months ago dcexpat said

wow! who knew so many hip white successful people lived in DC!

3 months ago Southpaw said

And not a single black person lived in DC that day...

3 months ago SPOTTIEOTTIE said

part two is even whiter, if that's possible.

3 months ago bud said

Ha, the Real Dc people laugh at you! I could really tell you why I love DC, maybe but then you would know all the inside deals and places!



Bud

2 months ago DcNative said

I've just about had it with you gentrifiers and white people and your unbelievably warped view of DC. You all wouldn't know the real DC if it hit you in the face. So stop it with these terrible lists please. Was it that hard to find a minority in DC to get an opinion from? Really? LOL

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God loves a cheerful giver.-- 2 Corinthians 9:7

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