You would think that others would have learned their lesson from Chef Spike Mendelsohn when it comes to talking culinary smack about D.C. more ›

>> Well, we know who Diane Rehm won't be supporting for President in 2008: Newt Gingrich. The former Speaker of the House was on her WAMU-produced NPR show this morning, but ducked out 20 minutes short of his hour-long segment; Ms. Rehm was not pleased. "I think he just came on the show to sell his book," a caller said, to which Diane replied, "I think so too, and I'm FURIOUS about it." Another... more ›

If you're lucky enough to have your mom or grandma somewhere easily accessible, then you have the distinct pleasure of celebrating Mother's Day with the real McCoy. As for me, I'll have to settle for a teleconference with my mom while eating pancakes shaped like Mickey Mouse that I'll pretend she made for me. Sniff. I love you, Mom! more ›

After six years of adding to the eclectic flavor of the intersection of 18th and Florida NW, word comes to us this week that Staccato is closing its doors forever next month. Staccato has always sort of been the Little Club That Could, hosting aspiring musicians from a variety of genres in its no-frills, teeny, converted-townhouse venue. more ›

If you're anything like this writer, the last big election returns "party" you went to turned into a vast pit of sorrow and despair you'd like not to repeat. Or maybe you joyously tossed balloons and toasted champagne at your party's continuing reign. Either way, the fate of the next two years of our country is being decided and you need a place to go tonight to watch, with trepidation and a beer, as the results come in. This is D.C., so you've got a few options: more ›

After last year’s WaPo Best Bet winners turned out to include an un-hip number of national chain stores and discount outlets, the organizers made some changes to the categories. The changes were designed to draw out the local spots and independent retailers that locals cherish. Categories like “Neighborhood Spot” and “Vintage/Thrift Store” were positively begging for an increased hipster presence in the poll. The 2006 Bets are out, and while peppered with Washington-based establishments, many... more ›

...this place is something I love too dearly not to mend, fix up and reintroduce to the Hill. I really appreciate all the generous offers I have had from people all over town to help employees, to paint, to get the word out when I reopen, etc. It may only be bricks and mortar but the place has a soul and we will not let it die.

Off the 18th St. strip in Adams Morgan is a bar that we're a little hesitant to tell you about. You see, this is Adams Morgan -- a neighborhood full of people with big beads or popped collars, descending on weekends like a plague of locusts, ending their nights by scarfing down jumbo slices at 3 A.M. Five years ago? Maybe. Nowadays, we're curmudgeons. more ›

FRIDAY: more ›

We're certain there is someone out there who was able to figure out yesterday's DCist pre-St. Patrick's Day Happy Hour trivia question/riddle. But from what we've heard, this DCist has sure stumped a lot of people with our perplexing questions. While we aren't going to give any big hints, if you can figure out the relationship between the two places on "Grover's Nutmeg High Street," you should be able to figure out the rest of the clue by some basic Google-sleuthing or just locating a telephone book. The Post's Going Out Gurus, considering their accumulated bar tabs over the years, should be able to nail this one on the head, or at least refer the questions to the Post's research department. more ›

We'd like to thank the Going Out Gurus for reminding us that today is the ninth annual Dining Out for Life event sponsored by Food & Friends. If you're looking for a good excuse to enjoy a nice meal tonight, what better reason than the fact that your dollars will be going to a good cause? Participating area restaurants will be donating between 25% and 100% of their revenue today to Food & Friends, which packages and delivers meals and groceries for individuals living with HIV/AIDS and other life threatening illnesses throughout the D.C. area. Three area restaurants -- The Carlyle Grand in Arlington, the newly-opened Opera on U Street, and Ristorante Tosca in Penn Quarter -- will be donating 100 percent of their revenue to the worthy cause. more ›

Today will be partly cloudy with a chance of snow showers and temperatures in the 40s. more ›

As rumored on their chat last week, the Post's Going Out Gurus started their own blog today. Along with the Achenblog, the Post now has two active blogs running. It's great to see the Post get into the blogging community with a group blog that has comment features, especially considering their stated dissatisfaction with local music blogs:

The one problem I have with many of the local music blogs I've read ... is the obsession with indie rock...and only indie rock. Gets boring pretty quickly..

From DCist contributor Catherine Andrews: more ›

Live on Penn is live no more. Citing sluggish ticket sales and amid rumblings of poor mismanagement, the outdoor concert series that took place on a stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue near the National Gallery of Art has shut down after only three of the ten scheduled concerts took place. more ›