Things to Do: Gentleman Jack Art, Beats + Lyrics

Let me just begin by saying I'm not a huge fan of Jack Daniels but I went to their Gentleman Jack Art, Beats + Lyrics Urban Art Exhibition last year and had a great time. I’d been to your typical wine and hard liquor tastings that happen frequently in the Washington, DC area but this event is so much different. The Art, Beats + Lyrics event truly lives up to its name.

This year’s event will be held on Friday, April 1, 2011 from 7:00PM – midnight at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium on Constitution Avenue. They feature paintings, photography, and mixed media pieces of artwork created by urban designers. Last year, there was also a DJ as well as a few musical performers and dancers. Additionally, you were given the opportunity to try out Gentleman Jack in a number of cocktails or straight-up along with plenty of heavy hors d’oeuvres. The best part of this event is that it is completely FREE!!! Space is limited, register today! Hope to see you there!

For more information, visit http://www.gentlemanjackabl.com/

Gentleman Jack Art, Beats + Lyrics Urban Art Exhibition Andrew Mellon Auditorium 1301 Constitution Avenue Washington, DC

Things to Do: JLW Tossed & Found Rummage Sale

It's that time of the year again! Join the Junior League of Washington (JLW) for their/our annual Tossed & Found (T&F) Sale.

If you're not familiar with T&F it's the largest fundraiser for the JLW, benefiting literacy programs in the Washington, DC area. It's a huge rummage sale where you'll find thousands of items. Last year they had everything including designer clothing, furniture, books, sporting equipment, knick-knacks, etc. There is definitely something for everybody!

See below for more information about the preview night party on Friday, March 25.

We hope you will join us for our Hoops & High Heels Preview Night Party to kick off the weekend in style with food, drinks, March Madness basketball games on big screen TVs and silent and live auctions packed with amazing items!

For more information, visit http://www.jlw.org/ or download the informational postcard http://images.dcheetahimages.com/www.jlw.org/ama/orig/TF/TFPostcard2.pdf

JLW Tossed & Found Sale
The Crystal City Shops
2100 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202

General Shopping Hours:
Saturday, March 26, 2011, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 27, 2011, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

“Hoops & High Heels” Preview Night Party
Friday, March 25, 2011
7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Click here to purchase tickets

Things to Do: Lego Architecture @ The National Building Museum

Recently, I went to the National Building Museum for the first time. I really don't know why I'd never been before but it was definitely worth the wait. Just walking in the atrium area, it sets you back into another era. It's absolutely breathtaking. It seemed as if most of the people in the museum just sat in the atrium instead of visiting the exhibits because it was busy with people standing around and kids running back and forth in the play area.

Although the museum has a lot to offer, my entire purpose for going was to check out the LEGO Architecture: Towering Ambition exhibit. I've always had a passion for architecture, it was even my major in college for 3 years, but that's another story.

Can I just say how amazing it was. Seeing the LEGO version of many world famous buildings, along with the listings of how many pieces it took and how much time it took to build them, was totally unbelievable. At the end of the exhibit there were tons on LEGO pieces, where kids and adults alike could sit down and build their own masterpieces. The exhibit runs through September 5, 2011. Admission into the museum is "free" but to enter the LEGO exhibit it's $5 per person.

In case you're interested, Living Social is offering a great deal to the National Building Museum and it includes 6 passes LEGO Architecture exhibit. The deal lasts through Saturday. For more information, click here.

(Note: If you don't have a Living Social account, it's FREE to sign up and you'll receive $5 off of your first purchase)

Restaurant Review: Fiesta (Dupont Circle)

A few weeks ago I purchased a deal to Fiesta through one of the local deal sites, The Capitol Dish. A friend and I went on a Friday night around 9:30. The place was pretty dead but I wanted to use my deal before it expired so we sat down in the bar area and ordered some drinks.

I'm a huge margarita fan and I love Mexican food so I figured this place couldn't be that bad. Although there was only one other table with 6 people and 2 girls seated at the bar, they began to blast the music at around 9:45 and a light show began around 10, despite the fact everyone in there was trying to watch the basketball games, clearly no one was there to party that early.
I ordered a margarita on the rocks and asked for Cuervo tequila because I didn't trust the well liquor they had, cheap liquor and I don’t get along. When it came out I took one sip and sent it back. It was disgusting so I asked for Patron instead. You can’t ruin anything with Patron in it, I was wrong. Honestly, I really don’t think they’re using the liquor you ask for. They have the bottles but I have a feeling they refill them with the cheap stuff.

While we waited I figured it couldn't take the food that long since no one was there so we didn't order the chips and salsa which were an additional $1. What reputable Mexican restaurant even charges for chips and salsa, I thought that was standard. Our food eventually came out, it was ok but the salsa they had was bland. It was really nothing more than diced tomatoes and a little onion. I didn't taste any cilantro, jalapenos, nothing.

I had a sweet tooth so I ordered the sopapillas. Those were definitely their only saving grace where the food/drinks were concerned. They were made perfectly and came out hot with just the right amount of honey, cinnamon and powdered sugar. If it weren't for those and the cute bartender/waiter, I would've given the place 1 star.

They've only been open for about 2 months now and I really don't see that place staying around much longer. There are plenty of better options, those with good food and a nice atmosphere, in Dupont Circle. Don't waste your money here.

Restaurant Review: The Reserve on L

I'd been to The Reserve on a number of occasions for parties and special events. This time I went to use my What's the Deal voucher for dinner with a friend.

We arrived for our 7:30 reservation around 7:10, and went to the upstairs bar while we waited. We came back downstairs to find there was only one "table" available which was really a sagging couch and an Ikea table. The seating situation wasn't really conducive for eating but we went with it.

My friend and I ordered a salad and 4 tapas. I was a little concerned because our waitress didn't write anything down and had to clarify what we ordered twice. I'm somewhat of a picky eater so my orders typically require me to request meals without certain foods.

We ended up getting the greens salad for starters, it was ok. It was basically a garden salad with a bunch of green beans on it. Next our waitress brought out the Shrimp on garlic sauce (why it's not called shrimp in or and garlic sauce is beyond me) and the taquena w/ guacamole. Both of those were very good and I'd highly recommend them. After that we had the chicken sliders and a side of fries. The chicken was pretty bland but the sauce and pineapple salsa saved it, the fries were crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside just the way I like them.

After that course we just sat and waited for our final course the shrimp penne pasta which is apparently one of their signature dishes and is much larger than their traditional tapas. While we waited, the other waitress working on the main level finally brought out the water we'd asked our waitress for since before we'd even ordered our meal. The other waitress took up our plates and asked us how was everything. I told her good but we still had another course.

Finally our waitress came back and was like oh you have something else? I politely said yes and reminded her about the shrimp penne pasta with no mushrooms (the dish I had to repeat twice to make sure she didn't put mushrooms on). if she'd written it down, there wouldn't have been a problem, just saying. Needless to say, she'd forgotten to put in the order but blamed it on being delivered to another table, yeah ok. I said whatever and that I'd just take it to go.
Overall, The Reserve has a nice vibe to it. The food is pretty good. If our waitress wasn't so scatterbrained the rating would have been a solid 4 stars.

Honestly, I doubt I'll be going back anytime soon, unless it's for drinks and more of those tasty taquenas.

Things to Do: Dining Out for Life -- March 10

On March 10, 2011 when you dine out at participating restaurants in the Washington, Dc area, 25-110% of your bill will be donated to Food & Friends.

Food & Friends is "the ONLY organization in the Washington region providing specialized meals and nutrition services to children and adults facing HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses. " More information, taken from their website: Along with nutrition counseling, Food & Friends prepares, packages and delivers meals and groceries to more than 2,800 people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses throughout Washington, DC, 7 counties of Maryland and 7 counties and 6 independent cities in Virginia. Since 1988, Food & Friends has provided food and companionship to our clients, their loved ones and caregivers.

Don't worry if you can't participate in Dining Our for Life, there are a number of other ways you can show your support. Food & Friends is always looking for volunteers as well as financial contributions from the community. In the past, I've delivered meals as well as made holiday cards to be included with the meal deliveries to brighten someones day, every little thing helps! They also host a number of events throughout the year.

For more information about Dining Out for Life, click here.

Click here for a listing of participating restaurants & to make your reservation today!