Washington D.C.

by Martina Priadka

 

When talk of travel, adventure and excitement comes up, cities like New York, London, Hong Kong and Paris are the first to be shouted out.   Everyone nods their heads in agreement and begins talking over one another to tell the tale of their personal adventure in one of these exotic places.   The volume rises as more cities get thrown into the mix in all the excitement.

Amsterdam!   Athens! Bangkok! Washington DC!   Only, at that point, the needle scratches off the record and the room goes silent.   All eyes swivel in the direction of the crazy person who just shouted out the Nation's capital.   "That's not a holiday spot," one of them says accusingly.   "Why would you want to go there? DC is for families and school field trips, right" asks another.  

Eventually, the skeptical listeners and jet-setting naysayers are leaning in closer with anticipation as one of the best adventure stories of all is told.

Now you may think this an exaggeration but I suggest you ask ten people today if Washington DC is on their top three destination spots right now.   They might be able to come up with a six degrees of separation story to connect them somehow but for the most part DC is not on the minds of the general public unless they are in the process of making a Bush joke.

Washington DC is no joke, however.   Walk down the streets in springtime and you will find the Dogwood and Cherry Blossoms in full bloom. Streets endless with sculpture gardens, galleries and some of the best food around. There is much more to do than visit the monuments and discover the country's history.

But even if you are not interested in our Nation's history you will soon be captivated with the stories, archives, artifacts and monuments telling the story of how a country was born.   And even better, all of the museums are free.   It is your right to walk in and out freely educating and entertaining yourself with the mysteries of our history.

Not only will you see the Washington Monument, the White House and all the major sites you saw on 24, but the list does not stop.   How about checking out the largest collection of air and spacecraft in the world?   Wander past Lincoln's top hat or Dorothy's ruby slippers.   Spend an afternoon in The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.   Or take in a show at the Kennedy Center.   As a matter of fact, now through July 2007 Shakespeare in Washington is offering more than 100 presentations in over 60 venues for fans and those ready to discover the Shakespeare lover in themselves.    If Law and Order was your favorite show, maybe you want to sit in on a session of The Supreme Court debating a case.   Seats are limited, however, and this is a popular activity so get there at least one hour early.   The only problem with things to see in DC is that there is too much!   Your first trip will definitely not be your last.

After a day of sightseeing and calorie burning from miles of walking everyone needs a little pampering and good food.   Full of top rated restaurants and an array of culinary offerings you can partake in all the gastronomic delights this city has to offer guilt free.

Barry Brinker, jewelry designer, traveling bon vivant and a good friend of theskini.com adds his list of best eats and sights while in D.C.

ITALIAN ON P STREET AT TIRAMISU. CHEF LUIGI WILL TAKE VERY GOOD AND PERSONAL CARE OF YOU.   I AM A SUCKER FOR HIS SHAVED WHITE TRUFFLES OVER FRESH PASTA WITH CREAM!   ALWAYS GREAT WINES, DAILY SPECIALS AND MY FAVORITE BEEF CARPACCIO.   BE SURE TO BOOK AHEAD OF TIME, THEY ARE ALWAYS FULL BUT A FEW STRAY SEATS AT THE BAR.

MIDEASTERN ON 9TH & G STREET AT ZAYTANGA.   LOVELY MODERN SPACE WITH HUGE

HEIGHTS, HOT AND SEXY CROWD AFTER WORK AND THE BEST TAPAS TYPE FOODS; THEIR FRESH BREAD BUBBLES SERVED WITH POMAGRANITE REDUCTION AND VIRGIN OLIVE OIL WILL STEAL YOUR HEART. GREAT ENERGY AND FUN FOR ANY NIGHT. THE BAR IS PACKED BUT A GREAT WAY TO MEET SOMEONE NEW.

CHINESE AT MEI WAH ON 21ST & M STREET.   NOT ELEGANT BUT COZY WITH A

NEIGHBORHOOD FEEL. ONCE YOU GO THEY KNOW YOUR NAME ON EVERY VISIT AND SERVE EXCELLENT HONG KONG STYLE, PEKING DUCK WITH HOT SKINS THAT WILL MAKE YOU CRY. 

VISIT THE EAST WING OF THE NATIONAL GALLERY MUSEUM AND THEN TAKE THE TIME TO WALK AROUND THE BUILDING TO EXAMINE THE EXTERIOR AS WELL!

VISIT THE WASHINGTON ZOO!  A SMALL BUT PLEASANT AFTERNOON WITH GREAT FLOWERS WORLD FAMOUS PANDAS AND FUNNY BABOONS, AS WELL AS OPEN ENVIORMENT MONKEY EXHIBITS.

SHOP ON CONNETICUT AVENUE STARTING AT SAKS, STROLL BY TIFFANYS, CHANEL, GUCCI, AND THEN END UP AT NEIMAN MARCUS.   ACROSS THE STREET YOU CAN CHOW DOWN FOR LUNCH AT MAGGIANO'S CAFE.

A survey of theskini foodies and travelers in the know gave us their list of the top in DC food and nightlife.

Restaurants:

The Inn at Little Washington, Relais & Chateaux - a great overnight trip
Citroenelle - French
Kinkead’s - Seafood
CityZen - Modern American
Tommy Marcos Ledo Restaurant – Pizza
Armand’s Chicago Pizzeria - Pizza
Palena Café - American
Charlie Palmer Steak - Steakhouse
Jaleo - Tapas
Zaytinya - Small plates TenPenh Pan-Asian

Nightlife:

IndeBleu - Top DJ's nightly in posh lounge atmosphere
18 th Street Lounge - Shi shi and fancy and celebs
Blue Gin - modern sophisticated and exclusive
MCCXXIII and Spank - every level of spendy and trendy
DC9 - jukebox to DJ's comfortable and relaxed

...Now That's Theskini!::permalink


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