“Politics and sex.” That is how Arie Mandelbaum, speaking in English as best he could, simply explained his work during the opening of his first U.S. show, at Honfleur Gallery. And while Mandelbaum’s work exhibited in Die Umwelt can easily be divided into these two self-identified categories, they contain much more than these simple explanations and speak to his experiences. A critically acclaimed artist in Europe, Mandelbaum’s career is dotted with numerous accolades. His work…

Nowadays, it seems like every place under the sun is producing wine. Indeed, it’s probably because they are. Whenever someone says that they have a bottle from North Carolina or Mexico or China, there is no second guessing them anymore. Whether or not these odd regional wines are actually drinkable is another story. We’ve made it our mission to always give a bottle try- no matter where’s it from- because you never know when or…

It’s that time of the year again, when people make resolutions they do not plan on keeping. Join DCist in resolving to see more art in 2007, but let’s mean it. You could get started this week. >> Studio Gallery will have an invitational show featuring artists from the greater D.C. metropolitan area (January 3 to 28). This will include Suzanne Quinlan, whose work is shown at right. Open Wednesdays to Sundays, 2108 R St….

The Labor Day weekend is just around the corner, and with summer vacation heaving its last gasp, we’ve got slim pickings as far as area author events go. MONDAY Jennifer Egan’s latest novel, The Keep, blends meta-fiction, intimations of revenge, high-tech weirdness and claustrophobic creeps in a story of two cousins who reunite in Eastern Europe to refurbish an ancient castle. One of the characters in the book can apparently detect the presence of Wi-Fi…

In cities with a large Eastern European population, one can usually spot several cheap-eats Polish diners serving all sorts of starchy goodies, from pillowy steamed pierogies to borscht to apple cake. Washington may be an international city, but Eastern Europe is sorely underrepresented as far as dining options go. Indeed, our favorite aforementioned comfort foods are only available at two posh and pricey places. That’s not to say, of course, that we didn’t mind parting…