#18: 2 Amys

More or less once a week when I was growing up - generally after 4:30 church on Saturday - my family would order pizzas for dinner.  I loved the pizza at home: doughy, sweet sauce, not greasy.  One of my favorite weekends each year occurred when my mom went out of town and we'd get to order whatever we wanted.  How do you keep 4 kids in line while your wife is out of town?  Promise them unlimited toppings.

Matt, being from Manhattan, also has strong pizza feelings, and who can blame him?  Unfortunately, DC has been quite a disappointment for us.  I had never ordered Dominos before moving down here but alas, I've found myself in that lobby one too many times. We've been pretty vocal about our pizza discontent.  Pizzeria Paradiso is okay, but overpriced.  Piola was pretty good and slightly less expensive, but nothing tremendous.  Next on our list: 2 Amys.

Lifted from http://www.keepitsimplefoods.com/restaurant-reviews/2-amys-pizza/

 
We barely got past the hostess stand because of a daunting projected wait time (WHY can't these places take reservations?!), but decided to wait it out at the bar.  There weren't many seats but people seemed to be moving in and out fairly quickly, which was encouraging.  Matt and I have never had trouble filling wait time with whatever nonsense is on our minds, and it wasn't long before we were summoned from our seats at the bar toward our table.

My first mistake was suggesting we go on a Friday night during Lent, especially given the dominance of prosciutto, sausage and pancetta on the menu.  My second one was honoring this.  Matt's meat-heavy pizza looked and smelled fantastic, which was only further complicated by my having given up swearing for Lent.  After learning what cockles were, I opted for a meatless pizza with olives, onions and garlic.  The crust was super light and there were plenty of air bubbles to pop.  I'm generally not a big fan of lightweight, airy crusts that are cooked dark with tons of flour on the bottom, but I did enjoy what was on top.  My pizza was tasty, but the damn pizza across from me was certainly what I'd go back for.

All in all, it was much more affordable than I expected and pretty good.  It's not enough to save the DC pizza scene, especially with a 45 minute wait, but maybe we'll call ahead next time.

Location: 3715 Macomb St., NW (near Wisconsin)
Closest Metro Stop: Cleveland Park (red)
Cost: ~$40 for two pizzas, soft drinks

#17: George Mason Memorial - West Potomac Park

The George Mason Memorial is located near the Tidal Basin and so we wandered over there after our journey through the FDR presidency.  The memorial itself is fairly basic: a bronze statue of George Mason sitting on a bench.  Yet the layout is particularly interesting, as you're able to see the entire memorial from a distance since it's set so far back.

On our walk from the FDR Memorial to the George Mason Memorial, we lucked out and had a gorgeous sunset and one of the best moonlit views of the Tidal Basin that I've seen (aside from during Cherry Blossom season).  So while the memorial itself may not be thrilling, the view was certainly worth it.

My own!

Location: 900 Ohio Drive Southeast (just walk closer to the Potomac once you're leaving the Jefferson Memorial)
Closest Metro Stop: Smithsonian (blue/orange) or Pentagon (blue/yellow)
Cost: Free

#16: The Awakening at the National Harbor

One of the many times Matt was caught shaking his head at my lack of preparation occurred during my initial search for The Awakening.  During this ordeal, an old website directed us to The Awakening's former location near Hains Point, when we should have been at the National Harbor.  Did I want to tell Matt what we were looking for?  No.  Had he had enough of my hijinks for one year at that point, though?  Yes.  And so I explained that we were looking for a statue of a man coming out of the ground.  It was at this point I think he contemplated running the other way forever.  But he stuck with me and months later, we saw The Awakening in its new location at the National Harbor. 

I'm not sure about the foot traffic near its old location, but at the harbor, The Awakening was covered with kids crawling all over it, sliding down its limbs and screaming.  As far as I could tell, it was the centerpiece of the Harbor.

My Samsung feature phone's camera at its finest.

Matt and I took a seat on the steps as we watched families chase after kids and kids chase after each other.  The breeze was perfect and we had nowhere else to be.  After some people-watching, we walked along the pier and discussed renting boats on a spring day. 

After contemplating a visit to the Mike & Ike store, we went to nearby The Tasting Room, Boxwood Winery's...tasting room.  There we did a self-serve wine tour: we put value on a card and walked around the store sampling wines.  You pay per sample and have the option of a very small sample, a half glass or a full glass of wine.  Small plates were also available and with the purchase of some samples, you receive a coupon for $10 off a bottle of wine.  Not a bad deal!  Looking out on the walkway next to the water, sitting next to Matt and laughing, this was one of the first times in awhile that I had where I felt like there was no place to go and nothing to do that could be more important.  We weren't that far from DC, but we were far enough to "get away," and that felt pretty darn good.

Location: The National Harbor (walk to the water. It's almost impossible to miss.)
Closest Metro Stop: This was a car activity for us, but the NH1 bus reportedly runs out there (Schedule here.)
Cost: The Awakening is free; The Tasting Room's samples ranged but we spent close to $15.

#15: Medaterra Happy Hour

When things look too good to be true, they usually are.  But somehow I got Matt, so there's proof that sometimes they're not... (too corny? Or just right?) It is with this "we'll see!" mentality that Matt and I hopped on the metro after work and got off at his stop, Woodley Park.  It's likely he thought I was taking him to Umi, MY JAM, but instead we took even fewer steps from the escalators and went to Medaterra.

Medaterra has a chalkboard near its patio seating that advertises $3 margaritas, $5 martinis and various cheap sangria options during happy hour.  Almost every time we walk past, one of us casually mentions how cheap that is and how we should try it.  Ta-da, here we go.  Not simply content with our beer and wine selections, Matt and I also ordered homemade hummus and pita, which did not disappoint either.  While this probably would have turned into a much longer happy hour with far more variety, our time was cut short by the rain.  We went inside for a moment but decided to cut our losses and head across the street for some sushi at Umi.  It wasn't the original plan, I swear, but I took it after only one, "Are you sure?"

While the review can't be too thorough, I can confirm that the prices are real.  They may not be the $1 margaritas that they used to be, but for DC, $3 still feels too good to be true.

From Medaterra's website: http://527728.sites.myregisteredsite.com/

Location: 2614 Connecticut Ave. NW
Closest Metro Stop: Woodley Park/Zoo (red)
Cost: ~$5 for two drinks, $4 for hummus

#14: The Mall (west side)

It wasn't long after I started working in DC that I began hearing gripes about "the tourists."  If it wasn't complaints over them standing on the left side of the escalators, it was them taking photos "in the middle of the sidewalk!" in front of nondescript government buildings while wearing matching t-shirts from the tie-dye vendor on the corner.  

Here's the thing: I am a tourist.  I've never lived anywhere that people came from afar to visit.  While Niagara Falls is close enough to my home to call it mine, I can't visit there without being completely captivated, so I consider myself a visitor each time too.  I almost never lose my patience with people who are pumped to see something they've waited awhile for, because it's so easy for me to channel my own excitement over seeing that same thing for the first time.  I think Matt would also agree that part of what has made our travels so satisfying (to Charleston, Nashville, Charles Town, etc.) has been how welcoming people have been to us.  So coming to DC, I'm not sure I've lost that tourist mentality, nor have I become a grouchy "host."  Yes, I've complained when I've nearly missed trains because of huge groups of out-of-towners (the best is when they yell "NOT OUR TRAIN. NOT OUR TRAIN" over and over to warn the group).  And it's "the worst" (as Matt would say) when 2/3 of a metro car is full of a group of loud, lost individuals making their way to the White House during rush hour.  But put me on the National Mall at any point in time of any day, and I am instantly feeling better.  

A habit that I started very early on in my tenure with the government was walking past the White House whenever I had a bad day.  It's a quick 15 minute walk from work, but I cannot help but slow down and take a deep breath when I'm nearby.  90% of the time, I take a photo and send it to my mom or dad.  DC's monuments and parks were built for "tourists," I suppose; more importantly, they were built for citizens, regardless of where they're from.  So with this long preamble (in keeping with our government theme), I bring you: The Mall - Adventure Edition.

Two separate adventures make up our mall visit, so I will separate them by date.  The first visit occurred in our big mix-up that was the Einstein Memorial adventure.  Poor Matthew was so patient while I carted us around the mall, full of tourists (my Manhattan man doesn't necessarily identify with them the way that I do), searching for Einstein.  In a desperate attempt to make lemonade out of lemons, I decided to show Matt the Vietnam, Korean and Lincoln Memorials, an experience he had yet to have.

You can read a lot about each of these memorials, and I'll spare you the summaries.  But each time I'm there, I experience them in a different way.  Company makes such a difference, and being there with Matt was such a treat.  He notices the smallest details and makes the most routine experiences feel new again.  We walked up the Lincoln Memorial, quoting Wedding Crashers, laughing as usual, and standing where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood for his "I Have a Dream" speech.  We walked down the small hill where the Vietnam War memorial stands, silently taking in the impact of a controversial and often under-appreciated war, while reflecting on how difficult that must be for the veterans.  We made our way to the Korean War Memorial, one of my favorites for its ability to really bring it all home and remind us that the names of the veterans could be yours or mine.  Between the reflection on the wall that allows you to see yourself and the life-size statues of soldiers, we can easily place ourselves in that situation.  Our journey thus went from commercial mall feeling (the Lincoln Memorial is always a bit of a zoo - kids slide up and down the marble railings) (holy smokes I just sounded like my parents), to silent appreciation and somber reflection.  The best part of ending the journey with the Korean War Memorial is how beautiful the surrounding area is.  The monument itself is very green, with water and fantastic placement next to the reflecting pool.  It was a good way to ease out of memorial mentality and sneak in a quick nuzzle on our way to find the Einstein Memorial.

It'd be difficult to find a first-time visitor to Washington, DC who avoided the mall for no good reason, so I won't be the billionth person to recommend a visit for a visitor.  But as a resident of CLASS TRIP CENTRAL, it's easy to neglect the area that's built not just for visitors, but for us, as well.  So even if you've experienced the mall with every second cousin that's come in to town, take time to go and re-appreciate it, knowing that the people around you often have first-time excitement on their side.  Hopefully it'll open you back up to the 8th grader inside of you, and you can feel especially thankful for the control of your hormones and acne that you have today.

Location: The National Mall, between 23rd Ave. NW and 17th Ave. NW on Constitution Ave.
Closest Metro Stops: Foggy Bottom (orange/blue) or Farragut West (orange/blue) for the west side of the mall. (For the middle - Smithsonian; the east side - the Capitol - Federal Center or Capitol South, orange/blue)
Cost: Your tax dollars (yeah, I went there)

#13: FDR Memorial

Outdated websites forced us into a situation where I was aimlessly searching for "The Awakening" at its former location, near Hains Point (I'd like to point out: that's a SENATE website).  After I broke down and told Matt what we were looking for and we determined that it didn't exist (at least where we were), we decided to walk through the FDR Memorial, also on the adventures list.  Based on convenience, we made our way to the George Mason Memorial directly after.

The FDR Memorial is a lived-in memorial.  Bronze statues are life-sized and almost encourage you to take photos next to them.  As we walked through, we saw at least 4 visitors standing in the "bread line" for a photo, and even more people petting the status of the Roosevelt's dog.  The memorial tells a story, breaking FDR's presidency into phases and taking you on a physical trip as you pass through time.  It's also in the shade, which I can't help but think is intentional, as most of these decisions are.  

Water is a big part of the memorial.  During my 8th grade class trip (throwback!) I remember the guide explaining the symbolism behind the water, and a quick trip to Wikipedia broke it down:

"Each of the four 'rooms' representing Roosevelt's respective terms in office contains a waterfall. As one moves from room to room, the waterfalls become larger and more complex, reflecting the increasing complexity of a presidency marked by the vast upheavals of economic depression and world war. Tour guides describe the symbolism of the five main water areas as: 

• A single large drop - The crash of the economy that led to the Great Depression 
• Multiple stairstep drops - The Tennessee Valley Authority dam-building project 
• Chaotic falls at varying angles - World War II 
• A still pool - Roosevelt's death 
• A wide array combining the earlier waterfalls - A retrospective of Roosevelt's presidency"  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_Delano_Roosevelt_Memorial)

Matt and I went right at sunset, so we were spoiled by few visitors and perfect weather.  It also allowed for some great photos as we walked around the Tidal Basin to the George Mason Memorial, in addition to a visit by a fox.  

We photo-stalked the fox for awhile but I thought this photo was more appropriate

Location: 1850 W Basin Dr. SW (the NW side of the Tidal Basin, in between Independence and Ohio, on the Potomac)
Closet Metro Stop: Arlington Cemetery (blue/yellow) or L'Enfant Plaza (blue/yellow/green/orange) - but both are a hike
Cost: Free

#11: Kramerbooks & Afterwords

On a whim, a Saturday morning "I'm hungry" became an opportunity to knock an item off of the adventure list, so off to Kramerbooks & Afterwords we went.  After calling in advance, we were told reservations weren't taken but if we hurry over we could be seated relatively quickly.  For an 11:30 arrival at a Dupont cafe, we expected to wait (and wait...and wait...) but were pleasantly surprised when our phone call paid off.  In a rare DC weather break, Matt and I were able to sit outside in partial shade and not count down the minutes until we left, thanks in part to some good grub. 

I couldn't turn down Eggs Benedict and I'm glad I didn't.  The homemade Hollandaise was sweet and slightly smoky.  Matt is a big homefries fan and though my potatoes were a little soggy, they were still consumed thanks to his attention.  He opted for a big ol' omelet with mushrooms, cheese, peppers, bacon and other Matt-esque ingredients.  I'm fuzzy on the details but remember it being devoured.

The menu was creative but not pretentious, which was a nice plus for a brunch spot.  $12 for Eggs Benedict seems to be fairly standard around these parts, so I can't complain too much, though $40 for brunch better fill me up until dinner... and it did.

Location: 1517 Connecticut Ave., NW (you can also enter from 19th Street)
Closest Metro Stop: Dupont Circle (red)
Cost: Around $40 for brunch for two with orange juice

#10: PS 7's

Chinatown's PS 7's reeled me in with its 4pm-close Monday happy hour and kept me around with its perfectly balanced atmosphere.  Matt and I stopped in after work and were offered a pair of comfy chairs separated by a table in the front of the lounge area.  It was so refreshing to be greeted by a hostess who didn't immediately interrogate us over how much we'd be eating/drinking/spending, but instead seated us in a no-fuss, laid-back way.  The other side of the restaurant had tables for dinner, but we wanted to soak up the happy hour vibe our first time through.

Yelp reviewers warned that it would get crowded, but the Monday crowd was exactly what I would want after work.  We were in an energetic room full of people standing around tall tables and sitting at the bar - no one was pushing past anyone else and we felt no pressure to give up our prime real estate by our waiter or other patrons.  In addition to a cool vibe, it was, simply put, pretty.  PS 7's didn't seem like it was trying too hard with decor, heavy music or barely-there lighting.  It was inviting, comfortable and spacious - a rarity in the DC happy hour world.

(Lifted from http://www.nightclub.com/bar-management/alcohol-free/hold-alcohol-not-flavor)

I always love when happy hours have food discounts that are desirable, as opposed to light, unsatisfying fare.  Monday was half-price burger night, so we dove into those and some spicy salami popcorn that our waiter recommended.  Both were delicious.  I drank one of their punches while Matt got something more complicated from the menu.  We loved all of the visuals behind the bar: huge jars of pickled vegetables and house-infused liquors.  PS 7's drink menu kept Matt interested for quite some time, so I knew it was a good pick.

Overall, PS 7's had a great vibe for a happy hour - soft lighting that wasn't so dim that we couldn't see each other, an energetic crowd that wasn't overwhelming, and music that didn't overpower the room.  Factor in a happy hour that actually discounts its prices?  Sold!

Location: 777 I Street, NW
Closest Metro Stop: Gallery Pl-Chinatown (green/red/yellow), though it's a quick jump to Metro Center (blue/orange/red) also
Cost: $4 burgers, $7 punch, $10 cocktails

#9: Butterfly Habitat Garden (NMNH)

Luckily for us, there haven't been too many failures in our adventures - that is, assuming we don't get lost and abandon the trip.  One of the biggest letdowns, unfortunately, was our visit to the Butterfly Habitat Garden outside of the Natural History Museum.

The garden is located on the eastern lawn of the National Museum of Natural History, in between the museum itself and the highway that runs next to the Sculpture Garden.  It's a shady passageway between the mall and Constitution Avenue, and now that we know it exists, we wander through with some frequency to duck out of the sun.  In all of our times passing through, though, we have yet to see a single butterfly.

The Butterfly Habitat Garden's website boasts a viewers' ability to see "the actual butterfly life cycle," but we must be strolling through during the hibernation phase.  The garden itself is beautiful - there are plenty of bright flowers and it's in an area with a rare balance of shade and sun - but without butterflies, it's a bit of a bummer. 

(Lifted from Smithsonian Gardens' website - http://www.gardens.si.edu/our-gardens/butterfly-habitat-garden.html)

On the upside, within the Natural History Museum there is a fantastic butterfly exhibit where guests are able to go inside of a "Butterfly Pavilion" and watch butterflies fly around from plant to plant.  I visited with my parents and my dad was a big hit - multiple butterflies landed on him and took a free ride as he walked around.  As of 6/12, tickets are $6 for adults but free on Tuesdays.

Location: The lawn adjacent to the National Museum of Natural History - 12th St. NW in between Constitution Ave. NW and Madison Dr. NW

Closest Metro Stop: Federal Triangle (orange/blue)

Cost: Free (pay your taxes!)

#8: Banana Cafe & Piano Bar

I spent a summer in the District when I was 20 and let me tell you, it was the pits.  I wasn't allowed in many restaurants after 8pm and there are very few things I could do on a Friday night that didn't involve watching credits at the end.  One of the highlights of this summer occurred when my best friend Krystin visited and we ventured to Banana Cafe in Eastern Market.  I haven't forgotten the favor that Banana Cafe paid me by actually letting me in and to pay them back, I brought Matt for an adventure when I had much more money than I did as an unpaid intern.

We were originally going for the piano bar upstairs, but upon arrival, we realized we were a bit early.  So we went downstairs and had a filling, affordable meal.  Banana Cafe's website says it's "renowned for its Cuban, Mexican and Puerto Rican cuisine," and we were quick fans.  I went to town on some delicious chimichangas and while Matt's entree choice is fuzzy, he did have some pretty awesome plantains.  And then came the entertainment.

Matt's a good sport and can have a good time virtually anywhere.  So he was already pretty content with the concept of a piano bar.  He had no idea what he was in for.  Gordon Kent is a fantastically talented entertainer who would be worth watching for his talent alone.  What makes him even more impressive is what he does as one man.  The man interchangeably plays saxophone, trumpet, and of course, piano, while singing, yelling at the crowd to get louder and taking requests.  And if playing those instruments weren't impressive enough, it's worth noting that he's blind.  Feel inferior yet? 

From Banana Cafe's site:
http://www.bananacafedc.com/piano.htm

We hung out at the bar and listened to Gordon play a range of recent songs and oldies, from Outkast to Bob Seger.  The bride-to-be in a bachelorette party took to the "dance floor" (space in front of Gordon's piano) with an 85-year-old birthday boy, the crowd sang and clapped along, and it was the most open, laid-back environment I've been in on a Friday night in awhile.  The happy hour is good (4pm to 7:30pm), the food is good, the entertainment is fantastic - the only negative of the night was when he took a break!

Location: 500 8th Street, SE (8th & E SE) Map

Closest Metro Stop: Eastern Market (orange/blue)

Cost: Happy hour has $3 margaritas, beers and rail drinks; Dinner was about $30 for two





#7: Einstein Memorial

Good old Albert Einstein.  Despite the number of times I've been called "Einstein," I've never really harbored any negative feelings towards the ol' chap.  Until I tried to visit his monument.  When you Google the monument, you read about exact locations and see photographs.  It looks like a nice hidden gem a stone's throw from the mall and without all of the people.  To put it succinctly: it looks lovely for a "local."

Apparently after 2 years here, I wasn't local enough.  We tried to visit the monument and wound up passing it at least 3 times, despite having the coordinates and a visual in my head.  The problem with the plan was that I didn't get all the way down to street view (an error I would never make again).  Street view shows you that the monument is obstructed from the street by a nice array of trees and bushes.  What does the maps view show?  A monument on a corner.  To me, that's the easiest thing to find.  Alas, I was wrong.

A few wrong turns led us to the Vietnam Memorial (which was good, since Matt had never been) and then the Lincoln Memorial (which was good but less so, as we were getting impatient), before we broke down and asked for directions.  Many vague fingerpoints and another time asking later, we finally found our way to the monument.

It was lovely.


Photo from Wikipedia

Quiet, shady and imposing, the monument really was beautiful.  In fact, being hidden was part of its appeal.  Monuments in DC fall into two distinct categories: climbers and lookers.  This is certainly a climber.  Little kids swarmed the monument while others posed for pictures right in front.

But I can't say I'm happy about it.  I was tired and - dare I say - slightly bitter.  For a "ah, we'll see it and it'll be a quick, great adventure!" type of adventure, this one left me apologizing quite a bit.  But it's worth a visit, so go there already.  Just don't look like an idiot trying to find a genius.

Location: 2101 Constitution Ave., NW.  Directly on the corner of a nameless street and across from Henry Bacon Drive.  Map
Closest Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom (orange/blue) or Farragut North (orange/blue)
Cost: Free

#6: Crackle Bar

On the top floor of Georgetown's seafood eatery sits Crackle Bar, a quaint, New Englandy beach bar that offered us some of the best happy hour deals we've seen yet.  They were out of the $2 margaritas that we ventured there for, but we didn't mind replacing them with $1.50 beers and $3 calamari. 

The bar itself had wooden floors and walls with various nautical props decorating the room.  Flat screen TVs hung on the walls and the vibe was energetic, with a mixture of young professionals and college students.  We sat on barstools at a counter overlooking M Street and received quick service despite the room being packed.  While our experience didn't last too long, it was a nice stop for a quick and cheap happy hour - with a snack (calamari) to boot!

Photo from "Crackle Bar Debuts Happy Hour" on Metrocurean

I can remember this goodbye being surprisingly hard for me - it's so rare that we hang out for just a short amount of time and then commute our own separate ways.  But I'm hooked (+1 for a Crackle Bar pun?) so it makes sense.

Happy hour runs weeknights from 5-7pm and has $1 oyster shooters, $3 calamari, $0.50 chicken wings, $5 steamed shrimp, $1.50 bottles of Bud and Bud Light and $2 frozen margaritas.  Not a bad deal!

Location: 3245 M Street, NW (Upstairs)
Closest Metro Stop: Rosslyn (orange/blue) or Foggy Bottom (orange/blue) - the Circulator stops right nearby
Cost: $6 for two beers and calamari for two