What better way to get a feel for the midterm election than a trip to D.C. Okay, quit complaining!!! I know that this isn’t about Youngstown Eats. On the other hand, Washington is one of my favorite cities…and in order to get my tax write off, I have to write about something. This is it. Get over it!!!!!!Seriously, Washington is obviously about government, which is one of my main interests. But is also a beautiful and cosmopolitan city with terrific night life, great shopping, and an energy you won’t find anywhere else. For years, my family and I traveled to Washington to spend the Easter holiday. Easter weekend is less hectic as the tourists are home with their families. Hotels offer good deals to fill the empty rooms, and you can restaurant reservations.
There are lots of Episcopal churches in D.C. and my wife and I, good Episcopalians that we are, would attend Easter services at the Church of Presidents across from the White House, or at a lovely Episcopal Church in Alexandria, Va., that was the home church of George Washington. Women were dressed to the nines, and the uniform du jour for the guys was tan slacks, a navy jacket, and a Brooks Brothers tie.
After so many visits, one gets tired of the historical stuff, and starts to focus on Washington, the city, the home to many non-governmental workers who have work-a-day worries just like you and me. That is the Washington we like.
This trip, we stayed in Georgetown. Georgetown is in the district, but by design was kept separate and apart from the rest of the city when the residents fought the extension of the Metro line into the area. It is a neat place with wonderful old row houses and closely built mansions. Look out your hotel window and you can imagine the Washington during the Civil War. Its core is Georgetown University, giving a real academic flavor, not to mention all the quirks that go with a Jesuit university!! You can walk along the Potomac to the south, and attend church at the National Cathedral to the north...or stroll along the lovely cobblestone streets.
M Street at Wisconsin Avenue, the heart of Georgetown, is one of the most congested areas in the city. Taxis are readily available to get around (expensive). A better choice might be the DC Circulator, a regularly scheduled bus service designed to take Georgetown tourists to most places a tourist might want to go in the District. It is frequent, clean, convenient, and a bargain at a buck a ride (correct change only, please). There is a separate Circulator between Georgetown and DuPont Circle, another hot bed of “toute sorte d’activite.”
We like to stay at the Georgetown Inn located right in the heart of the area. It is a tad dated. Its idea of technology is a phone in the bathroom and a CD/Radio combination… but it is immaculate with a friendly staff that will do anything to help you. It has a great bar jammed with locals during Friday happy hour and Saturday nights. The circulator is right outside the front door and you are within walking distance of anything there is to do in Georgetown. The Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons also claim Georgetown addresses; but are inconvenient to what Georgetown has to offer. Translate, too far to walk…to close to drive!
I can report to you that there is no recession in Washington. Food is pricey, with only rare respites of inexpensive that one has to search out. That being said, we have had some memorable meals there. This trip, we went to two old favorites and a new place. New on the list was Filomena’s Italian Restaurant on Wisconsin Avenue. Located in a basement, this place is over the top in every way…from decorations to huge portions to unbelievable desserts and too close for comfort tables. It is a Georgetown institution, and rated one of the best Italian restaurants in Washington. It has earned the reputation. Dress business casual, and make sure to have reservations as the place is packed.
Two old favorites we visited were Leopold’s Café and Martin’s Tavern. Leopold’s is an Austrian Café located off an alley located just off M Street. Its décor is both charming and modern. It has the nicest outdoor patio that I have seen just about anywhere. Claim to fame here is the pastries…OMG…so many pastries. It has great brunch choices on the weekends, as well as a full bar service and full menu from breakfast through dinner. Leopold’s is a keeper, and definitely non-diet.
Martin’s Tavern is a standby since 1933, right across the street from the Georgetown Inn. It is the real McCoy with Mahogany finished wood and paneling and lots of brass, scrunched together tables and booths, and a convivial bar. This is my favorite place to go. Reservations recommended for weekends. The food is good, not great…but it reeks of class. Look over to the far window booth, and you will see where John Kennedy proposed to Jackie. The overall menu looks old school with a Welsh Rarebit appetizer and a Hot Brown sandwich (a turkey sandwich smothered in rarebit sauce and parmesan cheese, and broiled…I need to catch my breath.) No matter how important or unimportant you are, Martin’s treats everyone the same, even a card carrying member of the Hoy Ploy like me!!
I have lots of friends who go on lots of vacations to many wonderful places…but nobody goes to Washington. Why not give it a try? Take in one historical monument…and then go shop and eat and take in a show. It is a great place to hangout!!!!!
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