District Doughnut: Damn Delicious

I anxiously crawled out of bed this morning to walk down the street and finally get a taste of our new neighborhood addition, District Doughnut.

As we approached we could see the line was most definitely out the door, but I can assure you, it was worth the wait. My husband and I purchased one of each available flavor and two cups of coffee, here are our findings:

The coffee was a great brew. Classic (but quality) coffee to pair with the classic breakfast pastry.

The Key Lime Doughnut was by far our favorite. Sweet, tart, and beautifully presented. (top left)

The Brown Sugar Doughnut was our runner up. Simple, light, and slightly sweet.  (bottom right)

The Dulce de Leche came in third. Quite sugary but with a delicious caramel sauce. (bottom left)

The Goodfellow was our fourth and final, and not because it wasn't delicious, it was just so much doughnut! Glazed in a Nutella Ganache with Crispy Bacon toppings, this was quite the decadent doughnut and not for the faint hearted! (top right)

I loved the overall vibe of District Doughnut. A clean, crisp interior design with carrera counters and accents of turquoise and lavender. This space was designed with a modern approach but oozes vintage vibe. District Doughnut has applied for a permit to provide outdoor seating, but for now it's either lean on the counters inside or take your doughnut to go.

District Donughnut
749 8th St SE (8th between I and G)
Eastern Market Metro Stop
http://www.districtdoughnut.com/

Happy Hilling!
S.

4th of July Events: Where to Celebrate this Weekend

Hey Hillers,

It's almost time to celebrate our nation's 239th birthday in our beautiful Capitol city.  My parents are flying in from Texas for the next few days so I've been scouring the web to find some great events and places to take them to. Here is how our weekend is shaping up!

Barracks Row 4th of July Parade - 10am, Friday, July 4th

Parade kicks off at 10am.  Marines and marching music down one of DC's best strip of bars and restaurants. Parade starts at 8th and I St SE and ends at Eastern Market. Start your 4th of July morning in Captiol Hill!

Nationals vs. Cubs - 11:05am, Friday, July 4th

What is more American than baseball, hot dogs, and beer? Come cheer on the Nats as they take on the Chicago Cubs at Nats Stadium. 

"A Capitol 4th" Concert - 8pm, Friday July 4th

Listen to an amazing free 90 minute concert featuring the National Symphony Orchestra, Frankie Valli, Phillip Phillips, and live cannon shots by the US Army Presidential Salute Battery.  Catch a stunning view of the fireworks from the sloping hill of the West Lawn of the Capitol. Gates open at 3pm.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival - Daily, 11:30am-5:30pm

As if there weren't enough reasons to take a stroll on the Mall on July 4th! Check out the awesome Smithsonian Folklife Festival between 7th and 14th streets.  Taste authentic dishes from featured countries Kenya and China as well as learn about their culture and traditions.  A unique experience only the Smithsonian could provide. 

Mike's Crab House - Daily, 11am-10:30pm

This activity requires a drive, but it isn't quite a summer holiday without eating Maryland crabs on the waterfront.  Our favorite is Mike's Crab House, located near Annapolis. Have a boat? Mike's offers free boat dockage. Head there early in the day, get your buckets of crabs before they run out! Have some cold beers on the deck, then head into Annapolis for some site-seeing in this charming town.  Mike's is located at 3030 Riva Road, Riva, MD.

Happy 4th of July!!!

S. 

What to do this Weekend: In and Outside Capitol Hill

It's Friday, Hillers!

Time to get ready for a weekend of no work and all play.  Here are a few goings-on to fill up your social calendar.

Annual Safeway Barbecue Battle
Get ready for some serious BBQ from major names like Red, Hot, and Blue and Dickey's.  Memphis style, Texas style, this festival has your BBQ classics covered.  Live music and entertainment as well! Saturday and Sunday, Penn Ave between 9th and 14th St NW.
http://www.bbqindc.com/index.htm

Live Music NOLA Style
Who doesn't love a great, legitimate New Orleans brass band? Hit it up the Hamilton tonight to see Bonerama, straight from the Crescent City. Tickets $20-$25.
Friday, doors open at 7pm. In true NOLA style, I'm guessing Bonerama won't go on until after midnight.
http://live.thehamiltondc.com/event/545911-bonerama-washington/

Ward 6 Family Day
Join Councilmember Tommy Wells for the 8th Annual Ward 6 Family Day. Food, fun, and games for the entire family! Support the homeless children of our community by donating a school uniform in conjunction with the Family Day event. You can purchase a uniform through this amazon link (see below).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/SGKH8FLM7WFU/ref=cm_sw_su_w
Eliot Hine Middle School, Saturday 1-5pm
http://www.tommywellsward6.com/2014/05/8th-annual-ward.php

FIFA World Cup - USA vs. Portugal
Support Team USA as they take on Portugal. Hit up any of our awesome Capitol Hill bars for game watching and cold brews.  Might I suggest the Ugly Mug? Sunday at 6pm, ESPN for you home viewers.

Marine Corps Evening Parade
It's officially summer, and that means every Friday night you see loads of Marine's wheeling in stadium seating on Barrack's Row for their weekly Evening Parade.  Come check out our nation's finest in full dress uniform for an evening of music, marching, and history.  If you haven't been, and I know it sounds touristy, it's actually wicked cool.
Every Friday night until August 29, 2014. 8:45pm start time.
Must have reservations, fill out the form here: http://www.mbw.usmc.mil/RequestReservation.aspx

Cozy Capitol Hill Dinner: Rose's Luxury

Let me start by saying all of the hype you have heard about Rose's Luxury is true.  I have dined at Rose's for dinner three times in four weeks.  Yes, it is that good.


Rose's Luxury is the perfect modern day dining experience.

The food is sophisticated, but not fussy. The wait staff is knowledgeable, but not pretentious. The decor is elegant, but not over the top.

Rose's Luxury does not take reservations and yes, they are slammed on Friday and Saturday nights.  If you want to go on a weekend night, go at 6 or at 9:30pm.  If you show up at a normal dining time you will have a three hour wait.


Personally, I like to go on a Wednesday or Thursday around 6:30pm.  Enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail at the chic and cozy upstairs bar before being seated for dinner.

Considering the number of times I have been to Rose's Luxury I have now tried almost everything on the menu (which does change seasonally).  A few of my favorites are as follows:

1. Oysters - both Chicken Fried and Raw, absolutely delightful

2. The Bread - which is free, is omg-amazing.  The whipped butter with crispy potato skins on top, out of this world.  I could make an entire meal just from this bread and butter.

3. The Fried Chicken - drizzled with a bit of honey for a savory & sweet experience.  Try it with and without the Crystal's hot sauce.  By the way, shout out to Rose's for offering legit southern hot sauce to pair with the chicken.

4. The Brisket - juicy, savory, cooked to perfection. If you don't want the family style platter ask for a brisket sandwich - trust me, it's exactly what you want. Technically the sandwich is only on the bar menu, not the full dining room menu, but they will serve it at the table.

5. The Sourdough Donuts - mixed with the vanilla bean ice cream, this stuff is heaven.

Happy Hilling!
S.

Harold Black: A Capitol Hill Speakeasy

It was a rainy, dreary Saturday night in DC this past weekend.  With guests in from out of town, and outdoor sightseeing out of the question, we luckily scored a last minute table at Harold Black.

That's right Hillers, we have our own illusive speakeasy right here in Capitol Hill.  As is the tradition with most speakeasy's....it's difficult to find, impossible to make a reservation, and because of these trials and tribulations it is ultimately very, very cool.

Harold Black is located above Aqua Al 2 on 7th Street across from Eastern Market.  We heard about Harold Black from friends.  It seems all the buzz is by word of mouth (and the occasional blog).  

I looked online and could not find a way to contact the speakeasy so I called Aqua Al 2.  The hostess was so nice.  She said Harold Black did not have a public phone number but that she would go upstairs and ask if they could squeeze us in and call me back - which she actually did! It's always so surprising when people do what they say they are going to do. Freaking amazing.  

The night was already improving. 

She called back and said they could seat us immediately but that they needed the table back by 10pm for people who actually had reservations.  So across the street we ran!

To enter Harold Black do the following:

- walk through the unmarked door to the left of Aqua Al 2's entrance

- round the corner hallway

- go up the stairs

- knock on the sliding wood door

- someone will open it and ask for your name

- if they do not have your name, you cannot drink with the cool kids

The space is dark, cozy, and intimate.  The decor is made up of vintage books, men's shaving brushes, and all sorts of other miscellaneous knick-knacks on the bookshelves that separate each booth.

The drinks are stout, flavorful, and delicious.  Our group ordered the cocktail flight for $35- which was a hell of a deal to get sufficiently buzzed on some serious high quality booze.

The servers were knowledgeable and friendly.  The vibe was chill, fun, and secretive - of course.  Harold Black was the perfect answer to a rainy weekend night.

Happy Hilling!
S.

Dessert in Capitol Hill: The Sweet Lobby

I have to admit, I knew about this uber fabulous establishment, known as The Sweet Lobby, long before I was a Capitol Hill resident. 

The Sweet Lobby serves cupcakes, macaroons, and cupcakes with macaroons on top.  Simple, right? Simple and delicious!  

The macaroons are hands-down my favorite thing at The Sweet Lobby. The flavors are inventive, fun, and change on a regular basis.  The presentation is beautiful and they have great gift box options if you are looking for a unique hostess or work gift.  

I am not traditionally a cupcake lover; however, The Sweet Lobby's cupcakes really hit a home run with me. Why? Because they are not overly sweet or overly filling. I can actually eat an entire cupcake from The Sweet Lobby and not feel like I am on the verge of becoming diabetic.  The cupcakes come in a wide variety of flavors including vegan and gluten free options.  

The Sweet Lobby makes the perfect stop for an afternoon sweet fix or a unique dessert destination after dinner on Barracks Row.  

Personally, I would recommend the praline macaroon - it's divine. :-)

The Sweet Lobby
404 8th Street SE (between Penn Ave and E St)
http://sweetlobby.com/

Happy Hilling!
S.