Kathy Griffin at the Kennedy Center: Like a Boss

C — Can you see her? Can you just barely make out the small figure in the middle of the stage? This was my view for Kathy Griffin at the Kennedy Center on June 20th. As a contributor-level member, I am privy to pre-sale tickets, which is great because it gives me the opportunity to experiment with seats. I can now definitively say that I would not recommend the second row of the Parterre Box seats in the Concert Hall.

The show was great, though. As expected. Griffin is always funny. I first saw her live in London at the Palace Theatre where “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” was housed for a 2-year run. Fitting, considering her core demographic. And she took in every moment.

At the Kennedy Center, the tone was slightly different. It’s clear she tailors her act to the audience. Our crowd got a lot of political jokes along with the usual selection of Kardashian/Jenner/Hilton/Swift staples. But what I love about Griffin is that she’s always on top of current events — Rachel Dolezal, Caitlin Jenner, New York Manhunt, etc. All items in that day’s paper.

Here’s something I learned about the Kennedy Center that might make you feel pretty safe: those emergency alerts pushed through to your cell phone can actually get through in the Concert Hall where there is absolutely no cell reception. This was the day of some pretty significant storms which included hail, tornadoes and flooding. Three times you could see the collective glow of cell phones and hear, in concert, the muted tones of alerts. At one point, Griffin stopped and said, “Um, is this like an emergency or something? Is someone of authority going to come out and tell me to stop?” Storms aside, when you’re in a Washington, DC landmark and alarms start going off, the mind starts to wander to more serious things. But she kept going, unfazed, and we laughed for almost two hours straight.

New on the scene: bartaco

from the bartaco press kit

C – Let’s talk tacos. Or, more importantly, let’s talk about the drinks that could go with tacos.

Bartaco opened very recently in Reston Town Center, with little to no fanfare. I was trying to figure out what to have for lunch one rainy day, when I spotted it from under my umbrella. Open just one day, they had a clearly marked take-out option. So I gave it a shot. I ordered three tacos at $2.50 each (pork belly, sesame ribeye and duck) and the romaine wedge with lime dressing. I got it all the way back to my office and was initially shocked by the size of the tacos — they’re teeny tiny — but with the wedge it was actually a nicely rounded out lunch. Plus, the tacos were delish, particularly the pork belly.

from the bartaco press kit

I went back with a friend for drinks and dinner. We sat outside on the deck and, while at first it felt ok out, the temperature rapidly became unbearable. No fans outside, just so you know. So take that into consideration should you opt to eat out there.

The waitress was awesome. She explained the whole premise behind the place and answered all of our ridiculous questions with enthusiasm. Bartaco is all about small plates (hence the teeny tiny tacos), and to encourage you to try at your own pace, you’re given a firefly card that, when displayed, indicates a need for the waitstaff to come around.

We tried a good mix of items: chips and guacamole, different tacos, tamales and for desert, the spiced chocolate pudding. All terrific. But the best thing I had was the caipirinha. Made with the Brazilian liquor cachaca, and reminding me oh so much of Buzios, the caipirinha was the best I’ve had this side of the equator. And that’s enough to keep me coming back.

bartaco
12021 Town Square St, Reston, VA 20190
**Good news for the gluten-free! Most of what’s on the menu is GF unless otherwise indicated.

[solidcore] – that’s it

Taken from website

K- A couple of months ago I was looking for a workout to add to my dance classes, occasional running, biking and walks with the dog and found [solidcore]. After looking through their website it completely intrigued me as I felt it was something that would completely kick my ass and I always like a good challenge. I wasn’t disappointed.

I had read somewhere that [solidcore]. was like Pilates on steroids but I wouldn’t quite say that. They do use reformer-type equipment that is called a “megaformer” but I would say the workout is a lot more than Pilates and not for the completely unfit to start out with. In its FAQs it says “The class is definitely challenging, and if you haven’t worked out in over six months, or ever, this might not be the workout for you. We recommend you be able to hold a plank for 60 seconds before coming to take a class. [solidcore] is the most intense workout you will ever have.” And I completely agree with that!

Taken from website

The first class I attended I was very excited. I showed up to the studio, put my stuff in one of their lockers and looked around. They have towels, hair bands and bobby pins in case you forgot to bring yours and water fountains to fill up your water bottle -which I did but didn’t have time to take a drink until after the class. There are mirrors on the wall in front of you and in back so you can check your form during the workout and above the mirrors (as well as in the “pit” are inspirational words). The studio also has showers.

Before class began, the instructor went over the equipment with me and each new student while others joined the class. She checked us in and got to know each of our names, which she would use to encourage us through the workout. The workout itself is intense as it’s constant slow movement (unless you are holding an exercise, midway) so no momentum can be used. I admit, I had to take breaks here and there and my legs began to shake while doing lunges (I thought the girl on my one side was ready to cry). Through the whole 50 minute workout the instructor was enthusiastic, encouraging and helpful as she came by to correct form.

Taken from website

At the end of the workout the instructor asks you to high-five your neighbor on a job well done. I felt every muscle that I worked out and are exhausted – which was fantastic, although I confess there were times mid-workout where I felt “done” but kept pushing through and was glad I did.

Since my first class, I’ve attended two other classes and each one has been different but a tough and rewarding workout. I intend to continue but since it is a bit pricey for me, it won’t be as often as I would like but think it’s a great occasional supplement to my other activities.

If you are looking for a workout challenge I would definitely recommend giving it a try.

They have three locations in Washington D.C. and

BGR – The Burger Joint

C – I’m kind of on a burger kick. So, when my friend told me the best burger she ever had was at BGR, I jumped at the chance to join her. This was on Sunday and I’m still full. The portions are HUGE. She got the kids meal and it could easily feed two adults. I got a regular burger with sweet potato fries (above) and while it was fantastic, it was just too much.

The burgers at BGR are, in fact, terrific. But with so much food, I was left thinking about The Counter, where I was able to get a burger bowl. Kind of a burger salad if you will. Still huge, but the sans bread option becomes appealing about halfway through. I ditched the bun at BGR early on, but I still felt a bit weighed down. So, my advice, come hungry, split a burger or just get the sliders.

Bonus: the decor… 80’s rock. Loved it.

BGR – The Burger Joint
Tyson’s, Arlington, Bethesda, Cabin John and a bunch of other places.

Summer Shows

Photo from foofighters.com

C – Clearly we’ve skipped Spring. My hair went from fabulous to frizzy in a matter of days. Summer is here. And with Summer, we can expect a fair amount of tours coming through the Metro DC area. Here are some of the highlights:

Taylor Swift, July 13th and 14th, Nationals Park

I had to address this one first because it made news last week. Taylor Swift tickets went on sale back in December and tickets sold so, um, swiftly (sorry) that a second show was added. At the time, a friend with a tween daughter put into motion a complex plan to obtain her seats. I’m not sure what she paid, but I’m sure it wasn’t as much as what Congress is charging — up to $2,500. Yeah, I know. An unexpended fundraiser concert. The Washington Post has further info on that. And if you don’t suffer from Taylor Swift-Onset Vertigo, there are still some tickets left.

Jimmy Buffett, June 20th, Jiffy Lube Live

Jimmy Buffett’s annual pilgrimage to the ridiculously named Jiffy Lube Live comes a bit earlier than usual. If you’ve never seen him, you should. Just know that everyone you encounter will be drunk. They will have been drinking all day. Also, make sure to have an exit strategy. Last time I went to this show, it took me two hours just to get out of the parking lot.

Foo Fighters, July 4th, RFK Stadium

Former Virginian Dave Grohl — he went to Annandale High… and many other local high schools — and his band return to headline one seriously rock-tastic Fourth of July show. Heart, Joan Jett and LL Cool J are also on the ticket. The Foo Fighters 20th Anniversary Blowout starts at 1pm and includes a motorcycle rally and fireworks.

Diana Krall, July 25th, Wolf Trap

Wolf Trap is the perfect setting for Diana Krall. With her smooth, silky voice backed by the Wolf Trap Orchestra, sitting under the stars on a picnic blanket seems like the right thing to do. Krall typically visits the Birchmere, so this should be a nice treat for true fans and a great introduction for those who aren’t familiar with her music.

Madonna, September 12, Verizon Center

At the very edge of Summer, bordering on Autumn, is Madonna. How could I not mention her? Still seemingly relevant, she brings her Rebel Heart tour to the Verizon Center the weekend after Labor Day. It could be interesting. After all these years I’ve never seen her live. This might be the time to do it.

Sea Pearl @ Mosaic

Photo from Sea Pearl website

K- Last Saturday, C and I met for lunch at Sea Pearl. For whatever reason, I was trying to decide between Sea Pearl and Gypsy Soul – completely forgot about True Food Kitchen, which I really want to try – and ended up making reservations at Sea Pearl as their menu looked quite interesting.  I always make reservations, especially on the weekend as I believe it’s better to be safe than sorry and sometimes, like this time, we are one of the very few people in the restaurant.

Our table was by the window, which was quite nice and our server was quite prompt. I ordered the crab and corn chowder with crisp wontons only to be told that they didn’t have that but they did have a sweet corn soup with crab, bacon and crispy wontons so I ordered that minus the bacon for my first (yes, I hear those of you gasping at my sacrilegious decision of no bacon.)  For my entrée I chose the lobster crepe with shitake mushrooms, green onions, coconut milk, red chili, potatoes hash and sautéed spinach and a cucumber Bloody Mary to sip with my meal.

The cucumber Bloody Mary arrived with a large spear of cucumber rather than a spear of celery thus the cucumber part I’m assuming. It was good, but not very spicy or “tomatoey.” The sweet corn soup wasn’t very sweet, it wasn’t very anything – well, bland. There was a “sprinkling” of crab, which was also bland and of course the crisp wontons, which were nice and crisp.  I was hoping the crepe would add a bit of “zip” to the meal with the red chili but was sadly disappointed. To be honest, I don’t know if and where the red chili part was in my lunch.  The potatoes hash, I did like that – nothing spectacular, but it was good and the spinach was a bit flat.

Overall, for me, the Sea Pearl wasn’t a “pearl” however I had a great time hanging out with C and catching up.

C – These look amazing, don’t they?  Meh. The ricotta fritters with vanilla and lavender honey were just OK. And that was mostly because of the honey. The taste was lacking — like nothing at all, actually — and the rest of my meal was the same. I also had the lobster crepe and, as someone who never salts or peppers, I was looking for the shakers. They weren’t there, or on any table. I didn’t bother to ask. The experience was more about the company anyway.

The atmosphere was nice, though I was surprised to see the dining room so empty at 1:30 on a Saturday. All of the other restaurants at Mosaic are usually packed on the weekends. Perhaps I was served an unusually dull meal, or maybe I made a poor choice, but my instinct tells me lack of flavor may be why we didn’t have to fight for a seat.

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Sea Pearl Restaurant & Lounge
8191 Strawberry Lane, #2
Falls Church, VA  22042

 

Crab season is here! Bethesda Crab House

C – Mmmmmm. Crabs. It’s that’s time of year again. If you live anywhere near Maryland, warmer weather means crabs. But getting to the beach this early in the season isn’t really an option for me right now. Luckily, Bethesda Crab House offers a bit of a beachy experience close to the city. It’s not fancy like the trendy shops and restaurants across the way at Bethesda Row, but it has a rich history that will continue to endure as long as Marylanders are into crabs.

You can go for the all you can eat, but my favorite crab expert suggested a dozen mediums for two people. She was right. It took a couple of hours, a few beers and a ridiculous amount of napkins to get through them. But that’s the beauty of a crab feast – you have time to sit and talk. It’s a lot of work getting to the meat and it’s totally worth it.

Oh sure, there are other things on the menu, but what’s the point? It’s all about the crabs.

Bethesda Crab House
4958 Bethesda Avenue
Bethesda, Maryland 20814

Spring has Sprung!

C – Literally, overnight, these blooms appeared on the trees in my neighborhood. And like that, it became Spring. It’s not perfect, but by the weekend it should, according to the Weather Channel, be sunny and in the upper 60s. It’s just the right weather to get out and enjoy the city.

While peak bloom isn’t expected until after the 11th, the buds are starting to show and the Cherry Blossom Festival is underway. So, it’s probably going to be crowded if you head to the Tidal Basin. But, year-after-year, it seems like it’s worth battling the tourists. Head to the welcome area at the Tidal Basin Stage for free live music through the weekend. Or try the paddle boats this year. $15 for 2 hours. Again, it’ll be crowded but sometimes you just have to go for it.

Don’t forget the parade is on Saturday from 10am-Noon. Weirdly, it looks like reserved grandstand seats are still available. (as of 830pm Tuesday). Or you can choose to stand for free along the parade route. Whatever you choose, just know the traffic’s going to be nuts.

Enjoy! And take lots of pictures.

National Cherry Blossom Festival
Through April 12, 2015

Mon Ami Gabi

C – Have I mentioned this place before? I think only as a stopover on the way to Red Velvet Cupcakery, so perhaps it deserves a post of its own. Mon Ami Gabi bills itself as a “classic french bistro.” It is, in fact, somewhat of a chain restaurant with five locations across the country: Las Vegas, Chicago, Oak Brook, Bethesda and Reston.

I’ve been to the Reston location several times and it’s good. Not spectacular, but good if you’re looking for a business dinner that won’t break the bank.There’s something to please everyone here. Some of my favorites include the warm brie cheese appetizer, steak frites w/Bearnaise sauce and the chicken paillard.

It tends to be quite crowded here on weeknights, so reservations are recommended. If you have a large group of people, they are very accommodating and have some great private space. But again, plan ahead. Overall, I see Mon Ami Gabi as a restaurant with consistently good food and an excellent location for business dinners.

Mon Ami Gabi
Reston Town Center
11950 Democracy Drive
703.707.0233

 

Fun DC Stuff for Spring

C – I know it’s not Spring yet. Not even close. But a girl can dream and, in fact, plan. Here are a few fun things to look forward to this Spring:

The National Park Service announced yesterday, peak bloom for this year’s cherry blossoms. April 11-14. The actual festival will be held March 20 – April 12, so fingers-crossed the blooms will come out during the window. Follow the #Bloomwatch on Twitter @NationalMallNPS.

DC United opens the regular season this Saturday, March 7th against the Montreal Impact. A bit chilly for soccer if you ask me – the forecast shows a high of 43 – but perhaps the experience could trick you into thinking it’s Spring? Maybe?

Nothing says Spring like walking for a good cause. Walk for Wishes will be held at the Mosaic District on March 26th. Maybe it’ll be one of those awesome March days!

Iggy Azalea is coming to the Verizon Center May 12th. I have to admit, I’m curious. Plus, she has a very Spring-like name. So, there’s that.

I am not entirely sure how many beer festivals there are in the DC area, but I came across two that seem to be at opposite ends of the spectrum. The 2015 DC Beer Festival will be held Saturday, April 11, 2015 from 1:00 to 9:00 pm at Nationals Park, while Savor is on the calendar for June 5-6 at the National Building Museum.

I hope this helps at least a little bit. Good luck with the rest of Winter and look forward to a wonderful DC Spring.