Brightest Young Things

Thank the Lord it's fall. I've had enough white wine to last me for a long time. Bring on the Cahors! This week we have pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere, Cleveland Park ain't dead, du hast Biergarten Haus, and drinks to comfort your soul once The Twilight Zone numbs you from the inside out.

• In case you didn't believe the hype the first time, 14th Street is no longer the arts corridor but the $9-a-glass wine corridor. Don't believe me? Proof will be opening up a Spanish-themed restaurant appropriately named Prado in the new/old Garden District, which I'm sure will feature only the best tempranillos, riojas, and priorats they can buy. I echo 14th and You...this sounds great and all, but haven't we had enough small plates and wine on 14th Street? Haven't these folks heard of the law of diminishing returns? Can we get a Kosher deli down there please?

• So, if you've been under a blogging rock, Birch & Barley and ChurchKey are supposed to open this week. There. Now go back under your rock until Room 11 expands.

• Weygandt Wines is opening this week in the old Blockbuster Video in Cleveland Park. Don't they know Cleveland Park is the new (old) Bed-Stuy? Regardless, they'll be tasting this Saturday!

• Veritas will be hosting a Reds of Italy wine class on Saturday, November 14 from 5:00pm-7:00pm for $40. Sounds pricey but good Italian reds are definitely worth that (and more).

• Argentina is serious about its wine. As serious as your face.

• The Intoxicologist has some amazing Twilight Zone-inspired cocktails. My favorite (so far) is the Red Death  though the "Death Wish" references one of the best episodes of all time. Examiner also has the "top 10 Twilight Zone cocktail pairings".

• From Y&H: The Black Squirrel is hosting the Great Pumpkin Beer and Food Tasting, co-sponsored with DCBeer.com, featuring an array of pumpkin beers and pumpkin food on Wednesday, October 28th, 7:30pm-10:30pm. Tickets are $45. If you dress for Halloween you’ll have the chance to win a $125 door prize for best costume. Hopefully my bitchin' Lady Gaga costume will be ready by then.

• Speaking of Y&H, they share some tidbits about the expected Biergarten Haus which is slated to open on H Street sometime in the not very near future. In the meantime they count down their favorite outdoor watering holes that are as close to a real biergarten as Velveeta is to brie.

• Can you ever have too much vermouth?