DCLance

AvalonLance

// August 24th, 2008 // No Comments » // Food & Drink, Redskins, Restaurants

Avalon Lance

The Princenton isn’t my favorite bar; but when I decided to try and watch the Redskins’ preseason game down the shore, I thought my best chance to do so involved braving the meatheads and cougars trying to make the most of their summer vacations, and venturing down to the ironically named bar.  As it was a preseason game and as we are in Eagles country, I thought it was best to call ahead and confirm that they would be showing the game on at least one of their many televisions.  I called the bar and spoke to a friendly young lady who assured me that they would be showing preseason games at the Princeton that evening, and that yes, the Redskins’ game would be one of them.

After arriving at the Princeton, we walked through bar, and not a single television was showing the Redskins’ game – but no fewer than six televisions were showing the Pittsburgh/Minnesota snoozefest.  When I approached the hostess (who I assume was the young lady with whom I had spoken earlier), and told her that none of the televisions were showing the Redskins’ game, she responded, “Well it is a preseason game…”

Here’s the thing: NFL preseason games are a chore.  They’re drudgery for the players, they’re drudgery for the fans, and they’re drudgery for the media schlubs who have to cover them.  You don’t watch preseason games unless nothing else is on, and you certainly don’t watch preseason games that don’t feature your favorite team.  So when I asked if there were any way I could get the Redskins’ game on just one of the televisions, and was told “Probably not, but you’ll have to ask the bartenders (who were equally if not less helpful),” one could imagine my level of exasperation.

Hungry, agitated and ready for a drink, Beth and I ended up at Maggie’s for dinner.  The service was great and it was one of the few places (i.e. the only place) that would accommodate us at that point in the evening. Maggie’s does sell wine, but only from the Balic Winery, a local winery based in nearby Mays Landing, New Jersey.  I ordered a bottle of the Napoleon Bonaparte, and while it was way too sweet for yours truly, my friends that tried it later seemed to really enjoy it.  Maggie’s is good enough, but a little overpriced (though its prices are definitely inline with other Jersey shore restaurants), and I would recommend it as a slight cut above the other pedestrian dining establishments at the shore.  I don’t mean hate on shore restaurants, but basically the equation is:

Jersey Shore Dining ≤ Olive Garden Food + $14 – Unlimited Salad and Breadsticks

And as it turns out, the clowns at the Princeton may have done us a favor.  Beth and I had a nice enough dinner at Maggie’s, and I was spared watching my Redskins get embarrassed by the Carolina Panthers. The bloom may be off the Zorn rose, boys, but it is certainly off of the Princeton.

Maggie’s
2619 Dune Drive
Avalon, NJ 08202
609.368.7422‎

Good Stuff Eatery

// August 17th, 2008 // No Comments » // Capitol Hill, DC, Food & Drink, Restaurants

Farm Fresh Trade Gothic

Wow.  A nicer, cleaner Five Guys with a more varied menu, salads, milkshakes and is within walking distance? I’m sold.  Top Chef contestant Spike Mendelsohn opened Good Stuff Eatery in July, and every time I’ve walked or driven past there since, the line has been to or out the door.  Beth and I decided to eat there Friday night, and when we got there (around 7:00 p.m.), the line was manageable, and we only had to wait a few moments to order.  But by the time we left, the line was at least twenty people deep.

Between the low ceiling, the music and the voices trying to talk over the music, the downstairs is LOUD.  I felt like I was shopping at Ruehl, not trying to buy a hamburger.  The upstairs is more suitable for dining, and with the multiple HDTVs and the ability to buy beer, it could be considered more of a sports bar then a fast food joint.  Regardless of ambiance, the bottom line is that the food is pretty damn good (and probably worth waiting in line).  The Farmhouse Burger was really good, the french fries were fresh and cooked perfectly, and the fried onion on top of the wedge salad was a pretty solid addition to an otherwise pretty unhealthy (yet delicious) meal.  I’m usually a condiment stickler when it comes to my burgers, but I went with the Good Stuff Sauce, and was pretty pleased.

This isn’t Citronelle – but between the quality of the ingredients and preparation, the varied menu and the use of Trade Gothic throughout their menus and signage, it is a definite step up from Five Guys; and for those that live or work on the Hill, it is a very nice option to have for a quick and inexpensive lunch or dinner.

Good Stuff Eatery
309 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20003
202.543.8222

Thao with the Get Down Stay Down

// August 15th, 2008 // No Comments » // Concerts, Music

I first heard Thao with the Get Down Stay Down on NPR’s All Songs Considered.  Boilen highlighted her song “Bag of Hammers,” and I immediately became a fan.  When I returned home, I purchased We Brave Bee Stings and All and have enjoyed the entire album ever since.

When I arrived at the Black Cat, David Schultz & the Skyline were in the beginning of their set.  Schultz & the Skyline are from Richmond, and have a pleasant, twangy sound.  Thao and the Get Down Stay Down came on stage around 10:35 and I immediately noticed that the sound was not nearly as full as it is on the album.

To start, her voice was not as strong as it is on the recording, but she was coughing and drinking tea in between songs, and considering this was the last stop of the tour, I’m going to assume she was just worn out.  Towards the end of the show her voice improved, and seemed to be stronger and much more consistent.

Thao is a much better guitar player than I anticipated, much better looking and more stylish than I anticipated, and a significantly more energetic performer than I anticipated.  She set up on the left of the stage, but as she would wander your eyes couldn’t help but to follow her as she jumped up and down, danced and vigorously attacked her guitar.  

The highlight of the show came during the last song of the first set where all four members of David Schultz & the Skyline joined Thao with the Get Down Stay Down on stage. There were multiple tambourines, two mallets and a harmonica with a total of seven people on stage collaborating on very spirited version of “Feet Asleep.”

Though there were no pianos, banjos, or horns, which coalesce to create a full sound on We Brave Bee Stings and All, there was a little beat boxing and plenty of hand clapping, which as my friend Odie will tell you, always makes for a good time.

An August Evening

// August 11th, 2008 // No Comments » // DC, Life

Library of Congress

At its best, DC is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  While I don’t have the easiest of commutes, in driving the George Washington Parkway, crossing the Memorial Bridge and traversing the city on Independence Avenue, I do have one of the most scenic.  On spring and autumn evenings when the sky is a deep blue and the setting sun casts a golden glow on the city’s many marble and granite facades, it is extremely difficult not to be impressed with the city.

The Start of the Season

// August 10th, 2008 // No Comments » // Redskins, Sports

It was good to be back at FedEx Field on Saturday.  Even if it were only for a preseason game, even if there were only 69,000 people in attendance, and even if the starters only played a quarter, it was good to be back.  What had the potential to be a fairly large party ended up being a subdued, yet very enjoyable tailgate.  The weather was unusually cool for an early August DC evening, and despite the absence of some key members of our tailgate, we had a very nice time, and did manage to get a few cold ones down.

Sell the Team T-Shirt

I wore my burgundy and gold “Sell the Team” shirt, and while I thought the message was obvious (and would be a hit with Redskins fans), it didn’t seem to go over super well.  “What does your shirt mean?”  “Why do you want them to sell the team?” “Who do you want them to sell the team to?”  Seriously?  I guess comprehending a burgundy and gold “Sell the Team” shirt takes a little thinking, and for better or for worse, during the last nine years there has been little to no thinking done at 1600 Fedex Way, game day or otherwise.

Locanda

// August 9th, 2008 // No Comments » // Capitol Hill, DC, Food & Drink, Restaurants

Outdoors at Locanda

Since we moved to the Hill, the number of quality local restaurants has increased significantly, but we always appreciate more walkable dining options.  When we saw that there was a new Italian restaurant coming to Pennsylvania Avenue last spring, we were pretty excited.  After a few delays, Locanda finally opened last fall, and Beth, Valerie, Travis and dined there shortly thereafter.

This Friday, Beth and I were looking for someplace to eat outdoors to take advantage of the incredible weather we were experiencing here in DC.  I made reservations at Locanda on my way home from work and was able to secure a table at the front of the restaurant, which opens onto Pennsylvania Avenue during the spring, summer and early fall.  The mosquitos were a bit a nuisance, but dealing with them was worth the people watching and the ability to enjoy the superlative weather.

To start, we ordered the calamari & zucchini fritti and the Caprese salad.  I enjoyed the calamari, but was less a fan of the salad.  The mozzarella was soft, the tomatoes were fresh (although yellow), and my lack of enthusiasm was not due to quality of the ingredients, but because I prefer a less traditional Caprese salad – one accompanied by a good bit balsamic vinegar.  For entrées we ordered the crab ravioli (which was fantastic), and I believe the Napoletana farfalle (which was fairly solid).

The ambiance is modern and warm though definitely not extravagant.  Despite a lot of the reviews I’ve seen online, the servers were very attentive, the staff friendly, and I found the bread to be surprisingly good.  While not the most glamorous restaurant on the Hill, it is a welcome addition to the neighborhood and one worth visiting on occasion.

Locanda
633 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20003
202.547.0002