Area Pub Quiz - Now on Tuesday

If you're reading this now - then it's too late to go to trivia night at Looking Glass Lounge. Just don't try to go on Thursday.

The usual Thursday night pub quiz at Looking Glass has now moved to TUESDAY, starting today. The Quizmaster of Georgia Avenue will still be on hand, hosting as always.

You can also now keep up with the Quizmaster, host of Looking Glass and Commonwealth's trivia nights, on Facebook. Check him out here.

About Time: Tynan Opening

PoP breaks the news - Tynan is FINALLY opening. I feel like that Tynan sign has been there forever. You can tell that I think this because two blog posts ago I snarked at them for this. Now we'll go friendly for them: WELCOME TYNAN! I can't wait to try some coffee and tea.

Eating Organic and Local in Columbia Heights

So I read this book about food that basically makes a case for eating local and/or organic whenever possible - if you can. I decided I'd follow it for a while, so you know - I'm starving.

But! The good news is that it's not that hard to find food in the neighborhood and stick by these rules the book ("In Defense of Food" by Michael Pollan) convinced me to follow.

Mt. Pleasant Farmer's Market
This is obviously the best choice for locally grown and organic. The amazing thing is that while some food is way more expensive - $9 for a pound of arugula - other food can be cheaper here than at the grocery store. Honey crisp apples, for example, are up to $.25 a pound cheaper here if you find the right booth.

I also bought this awesome looking orange head of cauliflower and didn't have time to cook it for about a week. It stayed good AND I was able to turn it into an awesome puree (microwave steamed cauliflower, a few tablespoons of organic butter, sea salt, one clove chopped garlic, two grinds pepper, all tossed in the blender).

Giant
Our local supermarket has a surprisingly good amount of organic options. The organic stuff definitely costs more - about a $1 more for most single items, but Nature's Promise is prevalent in every section of the store and almost any basic item (apples, tomatoes, yogurt) had 1-2 organic options. If you look carefully, you can even find locally grown stuff on occasion in the produce section.

Target
Not so organic and nothing is fresh. I guess I have to stop buying so much food at Target. Oh! But they have the Annie's palak paneer frozen dinner I like (also at Giant). I would say they have some options for what I might call "processed organic" - dry and frozen but technically organic.

Pete's Apizza
Pete's uses all organic ingredients and lots of locally grown stuff. Their salads are delicious and you can tell it's super fresh. Sometimes they have a "farmer's market salad" from whatever they were able to buy over the weekend. Love this place.

Commonwealth Gastropub
You'll notice that at the bottom of the Commonwealth menu they have a "thank you" to the local producers that are currently supplying the restaurant.

Any other suggestions? Places I'm forgetting to acknowledge?

Serious Activity at Chipotle

On a holiday Monday at 6:30PM, our new Chipotle location on 14th Street next to The Heights was full of activity. Several workers were inside and the place is full of equipment for the build-out. It's a nice sign of progress when other places - Tynan and Ellwood Thompson, to name two - seem totally stagnant.

We Love DC profiles Columbia Heights

Local blog, We Love DC, takes a look at Columbia Heights for its "Where We Live" series. I talked to the post's author, Shannon, earlier this week and some of my thoughts on the neighborhood ended up in the final piece. What are your responses to her questions:

- How long have you lived in Columbia Heights?

- What do you like best about your neighborhood?

- How has the neighborhood changed since you've been there, and how do you expect it to change in the future?

- What are your favorite neighborhood spots-- restaurants, shops, bars, anything. Any can't missspots?

Heritage Trail Unveiling Set for Oct. 24

Cultural Tourism DC will officially unveil the Columbia Heights Heritage Trail on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 1 pm. The event kicks off at the new civic plaza.

Here is some more information from the organizers:

Join Cultural Tourism DC, Councilmembers Jim Graham and Mary Cheh, and the Columbia Heights Heritage Trail Working Group when we unveil Cultural Convergence: Columbia Heights Heritage Trail.

WAMU’S Kojo Nnamdi will emcee the 1 pm program, which features the Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers and celebrated DC author Marita Golden, who will speak about how Columbia Heights influenced her writing.

After the unveiling, lace up your walking shoes and join officials, neighbors, and Cultural Tourism DC staff for the inaugural stroll at 2 pm! Working group members will be stationed at signs to tell stories of how the trail came together, and three important community institutions - Mexican Cultural Institute, Dance Institute of Washington, and Art and Media House - will open their doors, offering tours and entertainment.

Activities will also take place on Civic Plaza throughout the afternoon, including performances by GALA Hispanic Theatre, jazz band Rhythm Accents, and Ghanaian drummer Kweku.

Room 11: Gin, Punch Club, Oh My!

Room 11 is having some gin tastings on Tuesdays and PUNCH CLUB IS BACK! The Heights Life LOVES Punch Club! Here's the info from owner Dan:

The Bombay Sapphire Collins Experience Tonight!

Please join us at Room 11 tonight, October 7 (or next Wednesday, October 14th), for the Bombay Sapphire Collins Experience. From 6 to 8 pm we will be featuring Bombay Sapphire Gin giveaways, Tom Collins samples made with Bombay Sapphire, and demonstrations of how to make the perfect Tom Collins at home by Room 11 partner and DC Craft Bartenders Guild member Dan Searing.

Punch Club returns, now on Sundays at Room 11!

Starting Sunday, October 11, at 5 pm  the popular event featuring classic, modern, and original punches comes to Columbia Heights wine bar Room 11. Hosted by Room 11's partners at the Warehouse Theater Cafe earlier this year to much acclaim, Punch Club will now take place starting at 5pm every Sunday and will last until the punch runs out. Join us this Sunday for some classic favorites like Glogg (mulled wine) and Rocky Mountain Punch
(made with sparkling wine, rum, and maraschino liqueur) and look forward to more many new punches in the coming weeks.

Ellwood Thompson's Hope Lives On

According to Councilmember Jim Graham, Ellwood Thomspon's is still maybe coming and at least acting like they might and Jim Graham gave them tax credits. I don't know, just read this:

Dear Friends:

I am glad to report that yesterday I introduced and the Council passed legislation to help an organic market to locate in the DCUSA retail center . This bill will ensure that Ellwood Thompson's -- a full-service, organic, natural and sustainable food store -- will receive tax relief benefits that are available to every qualified supermarket in DC.

Ellwood Thompson's is dedicated to high-quality products, supporting local farmers and the community. It signed a lease with DC USA Operating Co., LLC for space in the DC USA Shopping Center in Ward 1. The construction of their supermarket space was delayed due to the downturn in the economy. The is the second time the council passed this bill. The earlier measure was about to expire, and so this action was necessary. the legal action pertained to the fact that--unlike many supermarkets--this one is not free standing and is part of, and within, an existing development. So some technical changes were needed.

I am told that the plans for this supermarket are again underway. Our latest report is that Ellwood Thompson's has submitted construction diagrams to the developer and they are awaiting approval.

With the passage of this bill, the Council is again doing all it can to make this happen.

Bests, Councilmember Jim Graham

Two Thumbs Up for Thai Tanic II

In keeping with my tradition of visiting new neighborhood eateries and bars within a week of their opening, I stopped by Thai Tanic II for an early dinner on Saturday. Short review: Great space, well-trained staff, quick kitchen, good food.

Having visited its other location (near 14^th and Rhode Island) many times, I knew I would not be disappointed by the food. My vegetarian Kra Pow was delicious, and my friends said the same about their entrees. What I was really impressed by my first visit to Thai Tanic II, was that it didn’t contain all the normal management pitfalls of a new restaurant opening. Especially what I have experienced in Columbia Heights. Our waiter knew what he was doing, the food came out quickly, and the staff did not look frazzled. Nor were they too absent or too pushy.

I was also very impressed by the space. Thai Tanic II is easily the anchor retail for the Allegro, and it is one of the larger restaurants in the neighborhood. There are plenty of tables set along the windows looking out to 14^th Street. The interior is very Southeast Asian Jetsons, but it works. Particularly the orange dining chairs; love them. At 5:30 pm on Saturday, its second day, the restaurant had only a few tables occupied but I am sure it picked up later in the evening.

When it was first announced in the spring that we were getting a Thai restaurant, I had high hopes. Those hopes were easily met.

Openings and Not Openings: IHOP, Ellwood, Thaitanic II

Some updates on the latest openings and potential openings...

William Jordan (aka BroNat) reports in the Columbia Heights Forums that Ellwood Thompson's grocery store might still make it's way to DCUSA - and he keeps my IHOP hopes alive:

Ellwood has a signed lease and deposit with DCUSA. They still plan to come. Economically they believe it's better to wait than to invest now what is required to move forward. They are in wait and see mode. Ellwood has to weigh the risk of the current lease costs of an empty space with the millions it will cost of opening a new locating in this financial market.

The construction going on is related to Ellwood but not exclusive to it. DC USA is adding another enterence to the internal mall and elevator to the garage. This will support Ellwood when it comes and other retailers including the IHOP which is on the way.

The Prince of Petworth says today is actually the day that Thaitanic II will open up. Full service starts tomorrow. More details here: http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/10/thai-tanic-ii-opens-up-friday/.

Thai Tanic II Now Open in the Allegro

As Spud Lite mentioned, today Thai Tanic II is finally open for business in the Allegro at 3462 14th Street. The original Thai Tanic location in Logan Circle is one of my favorite Thai restaurants in a city of many Thai restaurants.

So in keeping with a The Heights Life tradition ...

COUNTDOWN: Thai Tanic Menu Picks

5. Bird Nest on Fire
Chicken, peppers, chili paste and some greens. Hot, hot, hot but so, so, so good.

4. Pad Prik Sod
A standard on any Thai menu but always well-prepared here. Good for those who need a mild dish.

3. Tom Ka Goong
Spicy, smooth, and just a bit tart. This shrimp and coconut soup is a great way to start a meal and perfect for the cooler days of early fall.

2. Pad Kee Mao
Drunken Noodle is a common dish, but I find that Thai Tanic’s is better than the rest. Their noodles are superb.

1. Spicy Eggplant
If I am going vegetarian, I will pick eggplant over tofu most days. In this dish it is all about the sauce.

The full menu is available on their website at http://www.thaitanic.us/home.php. (Warning, there is music.)

Jim Graham Says He Didn't Do It

Here is the latest from Councilmember Jim Graham on the scandal involving his Chief of Staff, Ted Loza. And in case you missed it - the City Paper's coverage of the Graham/Loza relationship: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2009/09/30/jim-grahams-ties-to-ted-loza-included-abortion/.

Dear Friends,

In regards to the recent arrest of Teddy Loza, we should all be patient while the authorities conduct their investigation. Corruption is a very serious matter. As much as anyone else, I want this investigation to be thorough and all guilty parties held to account. I have pledged 100% cooperation to the FBI.

I have committed no wrongdoing or crime.

Please also keep in mind that the Washington Post on September 30 (linked here<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/29/AR2009092903638.html?sid=ST2009092403248>) reported-based on law enforcement sources-- that I am neither a "target" nor a "person of interest" in the FBI investigation.

Bests Councilmember Jim Graham

Construction-Free Patio Heights Specials

The Heights is celebrating the end of the construction that made their patio nearly impossible to handle with some specials and some caveats. The special: happy hour beverage prices all day long, all month.

Ok, maybe all day - but not all DAYS... the caveats: patio diners only, and not valid on the weekend (Friday at 7PM - Sunday at 7PM). Which means we're probably going to have to rush the patio tonight, right?

Countdown Columbia Heights: Dry Cleaning

So as of today, I've officially done my dry cleaning at three fine Columbia Heights establishments located between Irving and Park. For a while, I was a Georgetown Valet girl... it was smaller, cheaper and seemed like more of a mom and pop shop than OXXO next door. Then Kenyon Square opened up - it was close, they'll send your shoes for repair, and I rarely had to wait in line.

But tonight... tonight I picked up my first round of cleaning from OXXO. They are greener... they are 24 hour... and my clothes... they smell... well, they don't. Yes, I think it was more expensive ($34 for two girl-suits and 1 errant jacket), but have you seen their 24 hour pick-up? And seriously, the chemicals might be greener - but that stuff... it smells like NOTHING. My clothes smell of NOTHING. Brilliant!

So now, I bring you - Columbia Heights Countdown: Best Dry Cleaners.

3. Georgetown Valet
2. Kenyon Square
1. OXXO - try it... you'll like it.

These are the only three I've tried, so feel free to give your favorite dry cleaner a shout-out in the comments section.