1069 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest
Washington D.C., DC 20007-3635
(202) 337-4141
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The last time I was at Blues Alley Club, I saw
Michel Legrand. Michel Legrand is a famous French Pianist/Composer who wrote very popular music from my generation including The Summers of ’42, The Windmills Of Your Mind- Thomas Crown Affair, Never Say Never- James Bond 007, Yentl,
Umbrellas of Cherbourg and many others. I had never seen people cry at a jazz concert before his performance of Umbrellas of Cherbourg. I looked around the room and saw husbands and wives embracing one another, young men and women with tears in their eyes, and I felt chills down my core. If you have the chance to see Michel Legrand perform, GO! He is 79 and plays like he’s 30. His fingers move around the keyboard faster than you can move your eyes.
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Ruth’s Chris Steak House
1801 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, DC 20009
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I have been to several Ruth’s Chris Steak Houses around the country. Some of the Ruth’s Chris Steak Houses are franchised and seem to not be as good. Although every restaurant has a bad day, Ruth’s Chris Steak House on Connecticut Ave, in Washington, DC has never had a bad day. If you’re lucky enough to get Barbara as your waitperson, she’ll take good care of you. She not tall, has dark hair and has a funny but tough sense of humor. She makes you feel right at home.
The bargain is the set menu where I had a steak salad which is all greens, tenderloin beef- perfectly cooked, mashed potatoes, creamed spinach and for dessert we shared a small chocolate cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, which was wonderful, and we had bourbon bread pudding, which was the size of a saucer for a large coffee cup. I could have eaten the whole thing myself, but I had to share.
When you’re in Washington, DC and want a great steak and service from Barbara, head to the Ruth’s Chris Steak House on Connecticut Avenue.
Baked & Wired
1052 Thomas Jefferson Street Northwest
Washington D.C., DC 20007-3813
(202) 333-2500
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Bigger, better, cupcakes
Baked and Wired is a wonderful cafe with terrific baked goods. The cupcakes are bigger and better than Georgetown Cupcakes. My favorite cupcakes are the coconut, red velvet, Chai Tea Latte and German Chocolate. They are SO good. I also enjoy the coffee. Its at a beautiful location right next to the C&O canal. Sometimes when there’s water in the canal there are barges drawn by mules.
Teak Wood
1323 14th Street Northwest
Washington D.C., DC 20005
(202) 290-1856
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Teak Wood is a brand new (2011) restaurant in Logan Circle. Now, Logan Circle
has three Thai restaurants within two blocks of each other Rice and Titanic as well
as Teak Wood. All three are very good. I find the only difference to be in price and
atmosphere. At Teak Wood you’ll pay a little bit more but the food is well prepared and
beautifully presented. My favorite dish is the Pad Thai Shrimp.
If you like Thai food, you should try all three of these restaurants in Logan Circle.
2007 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC
202.797.7171
Inspired by the story of Marvin Gaye’s infamous two years in self-imposed exile in the small Belgian town of Ostend, the creators of Marvin; including Chef James Claudio have combined the cafe society of Belgium, with the proud soul of the American south. I love the belgium waffel with fried chicken, or try the classic moulles-frites. This Belgium/Southern restaurant honoring Marvin features a soundtrack of rare funk, soul, ska, and jazz. The roof deck, is heated, partially covered, and open year round.
1433 P Street Northwest
Washington D.C., DC 20005
(202) 234-1818
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I use to live 2 blocks away from Stoney’s and it was my favorite hangout. It’s in the Logan Circle Neighborhood where I lived for 30 years. They serve fantastic sandwiches, hamburgers and pizza. View full article »
Ben’s Chili Bowl
1213 U Street Northwest
Washington D.C., DC 20009
(202) 667-0909
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During the riots of ’68 Ben’s Chili Bowl was open for business. I was in the Army at the time, and I walked down 14th & U while the neighborhood was being set on fire. I remember walking past Ben’s Chili Bowl. I wanted to get a hot dog but we couldn’t because we were there to protect it. Now, the 14th St. corridor is one of the trendest neighborhoods in the city. Ben’s Chili Bowl survived the riots of ’68 and the flight of Washington.
I would recommend getting there early because there’s always a line. Celebrities like President Barack Obama, and Bill Cosby along with other politicians find Ben’s the place to be. Kudos to Ben’s Chili Bowl, forever!
Bar Pilar
1833 14th Street Northwest
Washington D.C., DC 20009
(202) 265-1751
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Every time I have been to Bar Pilar, I have enjoyed the food, company and atmosphere. Ernest Hemingway’s fishing boat inspired the name and the decor including the mounted Marlin, a painting of Papa himself, viking beer from Iceland and the tapas styled menu. It’s hard to believe I always want to order the honey glazed carrots, but I do. Also, I love the Cheese and Charcuterie Plate. I could always make the cheese platter my main course. The steamed mussels with white wine, garlic, herbs and grilled bread served in big bowls are always a popular dish. I would recommend looking at their menu.
1100 Florida Avenue Northwest
Washington D.C., DC 20009-5210
Tel:(202) 265-1586
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Florida Avenue Grill
The Florida Avenue Grill is one of those diners that has lasted throughout time just like the famous Ben’s Chili Bowl. This restaurant is in my neighborhood and was destroyed by the riots of ’68. It has a fascinating history with civil rights up to know the trendy neighborhood it has become. The Florida Avenue Grill is open for breakfast, lunch & dinner and serves everything from catfish to hushpuppies, meatloaf and greens. It’s a southern influenced diner that has just about everything even grits and don’t forget the buttermilk biscuits. If you really want to eat with Washingtonians, this is the place to be… just like the famous Ben’s Chili Bowl.
Martin’s Tavern
1264 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest
Washington D.C.,
20007-3238
Tel: (202) 333-7370
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Martins Tavern
When I first moved to Washington, Billy Martin’s Tavern was the hangout for everyone who was anyone in DC. Surprisingly to this day it still is. It was the neighborhood restaurant long before Clyde’s and The Guard moved in. Billy Martin’s Tavern has just celebrated their 75th anniversary and has the history to prove it. They have a nice history section on their website if you want to check it out. I usually go there for the
Welsh Rarebit which is a classic cheddar sauce made with Yuengling Lager and spices served with toast points. It’s a classic dish you could find in any 19th century tavern. I also like their Oysters Rockefeller which is fresh oysters baked on the half shell with spinach, roasted red pepper, bread crumbs and applewood bacon. You don’t find this on a typical restaurant menu any more. Billy Martin’s has good basic tavern food. Thank God! If you go you may recognize some famous people who just happen to be in the neighborhood.
