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Food & Drink DATE-NIGHT SPOTS So, where do you want to go Saturday night? It’s an age-old question that often makes couples cringe. Instead of sitting at home or falling back on an old standby, head to one of our favorite spots for couples. The quaint and historic Tabard Inn (1739 N St. NW, 202-331-8528; tabardinn.com) is très romantic, while Co Co. Sala (929 F St. NW, 202-347-4265; cocosala.com) offers a dimly lit dining room and intimate tables for two. At Oya, also in Penn Quarter (777 9th St. NW, 202-393-1400; oyadc.com), sweethearts can whisper sweet nothings to each other by the modern fireplace or tucked away in a white leather banquette. And at Teatro Goldoni (1909 K St. NW, 202-955-9494; teatrogoldoni.com), gourmands will fall in love with Italian cuisine—and maybe each other—all over again. POWER DINING The Oval Room (800 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-463-8700; ovalroom.com) Panache Tysons (1753 Pinnacle Dr., McLean, 703-748-1919; panacherestaurant.com/tysons) The Lafayette at the Hay-Adams Hotel (16th and H Streets NW, 202-638-6600; hayadams.com) Charlie Palmer Steak (101 Constitution Ave. NW, 202-547-8100; charliepalmer.com) BLT Steak (1625 Eye St. NW, 202-689-8999; bltsteak.com) HOTEL RESTAURANTS J&G Steakhouse at the W Hotel (515 15th St. NW, 202-661-2400) Sou’Wester at the Mandarin Oriental (1330 Maryland Ave. SW, 202-554- 8588; mandarinoriental.com/washington/dining) Zentan at Donovan House Hotel (1155 14th St. NW, 202-379-4366; zentanrestaurant.com) Bourbon Steak at the Four Seasons (2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 202-342-0444) Blue Duck Tavern at the Park Hyatt (24th and M Streets NW, 202-419-6755; blueducktavern.com) Retail & Fashion DESIGNER DENIM Denim Bar (4939 Cordell Ave., Bethesda, 301-986-5260, 1101 S. Joyce St., Arlington, 703-414-8202; thedenimbar.com) Lucky (1739 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-265-8285; 3271–73 M St. NW, 202-333-6377; Tysons Corner Center, 703-893-4419; luckybrand.com) 7 For All Mankind (Tysons Galleria, 703-734-1730; 7forallmankind.com) CUSTOM JEWELRY Show off your individualist spirit with an original creation from Adeler Jewelers (772-E Walker Road, Great Falls, 703-759-4076; adelerjewelers.com). The shop can create a custom bauble in gold or platinum, and offers a stunning selection of loose gems from around the world. DC’s jewelry doyenne, Ann Hand (24885 MacArthur Blvd. NW, 202-333-2979; annhand.com) has a client base that includes presidents, first ladies and other Washington power players. ONE-STOP SHOPPING The Shops at Fairfax Square (8075 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA, 703-448-1830; theshopsatfairfaxsquare.com) The Collection at Chevy Chase (5471–5481 Wisconsin Ave., 301-654-2292; thecollectionatchevychase.com) Tysons Galleria (2001 International Dr., McLean, 703- 827-7700; tysonsgalleria.com) Tysons Corner Center (1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, 703-883-1400; 703-847-7300; shoptysons.com) RED-CARPET-READY LOOKS Louis Vuitton (The Shops at Fairfax Square, 703-506-9507; The Collection at Chevy Chase, 301-656-1827; louisvuitton.com) Gucci (The Shops at Fairfax Square, 703-506-6804; The Collection at Chevy Chase, 301-986-8902; gucci.com) Salvatore Ferragamo (Tysons Galleria, 703-748-7620; salvatoreferragamo.it) CASUAL WOMEN’S FASHION Trendy dressers flock to Urban Chic (1626 Wisconsin Ave., 202-338-5398; 7126 Bethesda Lane, Bethesda, 301-657-0290; urbanchiconline.com) to find feminine shifts and flouncy tops by the likes of Tory Burch, Cynthia Vincent and Shoshanna. At Rich Hippie (44110 Ashburn Village Plaza, Ashburn, VA, 571-223-3231; richhippyscloset.com) savvy shoppers can find designer labels and racks of “low-mileage” consignments from top-name lines. If you’re browsing for a little bit of everything from shoes to sunglasses, swing by the Shops at Wisconsin Place (5530 E. Western Ave., Chevy Chase, 301-841-4000; wisconsinplace.com). Here, you’ll find storefronts from Ilori, Cole Haan, Sephora, Bloomingdale’s and upscale kid’s shop Giggle. To get a glimpse of what the young-and-pretty set is wearing right now, check out Cusp (3030 M St. NW, 202-625-0893; Tysons Corner Center, 703-288-1940; cusp.com). The nationwide chain has outposts in Georgetown and Tysons Corner and is the go-to spot for of-the-moment pieces. (Think Elizabeth and James tees and 3.1 Phillip Lim frocks.) HAUTE HANDBAGS Versace (Tysons Galleria, 703-448-5554; versace.com) Hermès of Paris (The Shops at Fairfax Square, 703-506-4546; hermes.com) Saks Fifth Avenue (Tysons Galleria, 703-761-0700; 5555 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, 301-657-9000; saksfifthavenue.com) Louis Vuitton (The Shops at Fairfax Square, 703-506-9507; The Collection at Chevy Chase, 301-656-1827; louisvuitton.com) DIAMONDS Tiny Jewel Box (1147 Connecticut Ave., 202-393- 2747; tinyjewelbox.com) Market Street Diamonds (3222 M St. NW, Ste. W241, 202-552-5744; marketstreetdiamonds.com) Boone & Sons Jewelers (1025 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-785-4653; 5550 The Hills Plaza, Chevy Chase, 301-657-2144; booneandsons.com) Tiffany & Co. (The Collection at Chevy Chase, 301-657-8777; The Shops at Fairfax Square, 703-893- 7700; tiffany.com) DeBeers (Tysons Galleria, 703-821-1422; debeers.com) Bailey Banks & Biddle (Tysons Corner Center, 703-883-1400; 7101 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, 301-469-6300; baileybanksandbiddle.com) Masica Diamonds (11700 Old Georgetown Road, Rockville, MD, 301-255-0000; masicadiamonds.com) FINE TIMEPIECES Cartier (The Collection at Chevy Chase, 301-654-5858; Tysons Galleria, 703-749-4664; cartier.com) Radcliffe Jewelers (1848 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, 410-484-2900; 825 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson, MD, 410-321-6590; radcliffejewelers.com) Liljenquist & Beckstead Jewelers (Tysons Galleria, 703-749-1200; 7101 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, 301-469-7575; liljenquist.com) SOPHISTICATED SUITING Ermenegildo Zegna (Tysons Galleria, 571-730-1900; zegna.com) Eric Finn (1732 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 400, 202-232-3042; ericfinn.com) DESIGNER BAUBLES David Yurman (Tysons Galleria, 703-245-3515; davidyurman.com) Mystique Jewelers (211 The Strand Waterfront, Old Town Alexandria, 703-836-1401; mystiquejewelers.com) Van Cleef & Arpels (5454 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, 301-654-5449; vancleef-arpels.com) Bulgari (The Collection at Chevy Chase, 301-986-8610; bulgari.com) DESIGNER SHOE BOUTIQUES Hu’s Shoes (3005 M St. NW, 202-342-0202; hushoes.com) SimplySoles (1438 Park Road NW, 202-232-0072; simplysoles.com) Sassanova (1641 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-471-4400; sassanova.com) TRENDY ACCESSORIES Smart fashion plates head to local boutiques like Wink (3109 M St. NW, 202-338-9466; shopwinkdc.com), South Moon Under (10247 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, 301-564-0995; 100 American Way, National Harbor, MD, 301-567-0511; southmoonunder.com), and Ginger (7114 Bethesda Lane, Bethesda, 301-664-9242; gingerstyle. com) to find budget-friendly accessories that add a little pop to wardrobe staples. Our favorite finds at SMU right now: Adia Kibur’s carved rose ring (just $15!) made from acrylic and Bobi opaque leggings ($38) in a palette of fall neutrals. Beauty MEN’S SALONS Grooming Lounge (1745 L St., NW, 202-466-8900; Tysons Galleria, 703-288-0355; groominglounge.com) WOMEN’S SALONS Dessange Paris (8020 Towers Crescent Dr., Vienna, VA, 703- 761-3135; dessangetysons.com) Toka (3251 Prospect St. NW, 202-333-5133; 801 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 202-628-5133; tokasalon.com) LUXURIOUS SPAS Hela Spa (3209 M St. NW, 202-333-4445; The Collection at Chevy Chase, 301-951-4445; helaspa.com) Spa at the Sports Club/LA (1170 22nd St. NW, 202-974-6601) Sugar House Day Spa & Salon (111 N. Alfred St., Alexandria, 703-549-9940; sugarhousedayspa.com) Red Door Spa at the Willard (1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 202-942-2700; reddoorspas.com) Bliss Spa at the W (515 15th St. NW; 866-862-5477; blissworld.com) Circe Spa (123 N. Washington St., Alexandria, 703-519-8528; circedayspa.com) TOP-NOTCH SPA PACKAGES AND PRODUCTS Mandarin Oriental (1330 Maryland Ave. SW, 202-554- 8588; mandarinoriental.com/washington/spa) Gaylord Spa (201 Waterfront St., National Harbor, MD, 301-965- 4400; gaylordhotels.com) Bluemercury (1619 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-462-1300; 3059 M St. NW, 202-965-1300; bluemercury.com) Celadon Spa (1180 F St. NW, 202-347-3333; celadonspa.com) DISCREET COSMETIC ENHANCEMENT Bella Cosmetic (120 Waterfront St., Ste. 400, National Harbor, MD, 301-567-6767; bellacosmeticsurgery.com) Cultura (5301 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-237-9292; culturamed.com) Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute (8501 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax, 703-206-0506; drbitar.com) GW Medical Faculty Associates (2150 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 202-741-3000; gwdocs.com) PICTURE-PERFECT MAKEUP APPLICATION Erwin Gomez Salon & Day Spa (1519 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-333-7290; erwingomezsalon.com) Blue Water Day Spa (5234 Nicholson Lane, Kensington, MD, 301-984-6245; bluewaterdayspa.com) PRIVATE WORKOUTS Mark Jenkins (2121 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-965-2121; somafit.com) Equinox (The Shops at Fairfax Square, Vienna, VA, 703-790-6193; equinox.com) MASTERFUL MASSAGE Parma (8212B Old Courthouse Road, Vienna, VA, 703-506-8401; parmaspa.com) Elizabeth Arden (5225 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-362-9890; reddoorspas.com) Travel RELAXING ESCAPES The Homestead (1766 Homestead Dr., Hot Springs, VA, 540-839-1766; thehomestead.com) Greenbrier (300 W. Main St., White Sulphur Springs, WV, 866-981-1882; greenbrier.com) The Hotel Hershey (100 Hotel Road, Hershey, PA, 717-533-2171; thehotelhershey.com) Bellmoor Inn (6 Christian St., Rehoboth Beach, DE, 302-227- 5800; thebellmoor.com) The Inn at Perry Cabin (308 Watkins Lane, St. Michaels, MD, 410-745-2200; perrycabin.com) FOODIE DESTINATIONS Leave the city behind for an unforgettable meal in a setting that’s worth the trip. Try Cindy Wolf’s Charleston in Baltimore (1000 Lancaster St., Baltimore, 410- 332-7373; charlestonrestaurant.com) for French-meets-Low Country cuisine. Buttery in Lewes, Delaware (102 Second St., Lewes, DE, 302-645-7755; butteryrestaurant.com) offers classic American in a charming Victorian setting. Nemacolin Woodlands’ restaurants (1001 Lafayette Dr., Farmington, PA, 724-329- 8555; nemacolin.com) include three fine-dining spots that range from straightforward to Mobil Travel Guide five-star. And foodies swoon over Volt by Bryan Voltaggio in Frederick (228 N. Market St., Frederick, MD, 301-696-8658; voltrestaurant.com). WEEKENDS WITHOUT THE KIDS If you’ve got a sitter for the weekend, try visiting one of these stone’s-throw spots. Borgata/Water Club Atlantic City (One Borgata Way, Atlantic City, 866- 692-6742; theborgata.com) offers casinos, celeb-chef restaurants and plenty of top-notch entertainment. Soho’s 60 Thompson (60 Thompson St., New York, 877- 431-0400; thompsonhotels.com) is a luxe, 100-room hotel with a terrific restaurant, Kittichai. Travel + Leisure considers the waterfront White Elephant (50 Easton St., Nantucket, MA, 508-228-2500; whiteelephanthotel.com) one of the top 50 resorts in the country and Canada. And Goodstone Inn & Estate (36205 Snake Hill Road, Middleburg, VA, 540-687-4645; goodstone.com) is a must if you’re seeking a luxury bed and breakfast in Virginia’s hunt and wine country. Out & About PARTYING UNTIL THE WEE HOURS Lima (1401 K St. NW, 202-789- 2800; limarestaurant.com) Recess (727 15th St. NW, 202-637 7667; recessdc.com) Lotus (1420 K St. NW, 202-289- 4222; lotusloungedc.com) The Park at Fourteenth (920 14th St. NW, 202-737-7275; theparkatfourteenth.com) Josephine (1008 Vermont Ave. NW, 202-347-8601; josephinedc.com) L2 (3315 Cady’s Alley NW, 202-965-2001; l2lounge.com) LUXE AIRLINE PERKS AND SERVICE Qatar Airways (1430 K St. NW, 877-777-2827; qatarairways.com) Virgin Atlantic (800-821-5438; virgin-atlantic.com)

Real Estate

LOWCOMMITMENT LIVING SPACES (RENTALS)
There’s no need to sacrifi ce comfort and luxury if you choose to rent, either for an extended visit or an annual lease. Government contractors, politicos and theater companies all say great things about AKA’s White House (1710 H St. NW, 202-904-2500; hotelaka.com), where Molton Brown toiletries, Bosch washers and Sony Wega televisions make extended-stay guests feel at home, while spa services and a concierge deliver hotel-quality attention just two blocks from the real White House. The rooftop pool is a big lure at Archstone Wisconsin Place (4440 Willard Ave., Chevy Chase, 888-308- 5351; archstoneapartments.com), which offers efficiencies and one-, two- or three-bedroom apartments. And stylish design meets iPod-ready cardio equipment at Veridian Silver Spring (1133 East- West Hwy., Silver Spring, 301-495-9595; theveridianapartments.com).

CONDO PERKS EVERYONE WISHES THEY HAD
If only we all could indulge in the 24-hour concierge, in-home butler service and housekeeping services offered at the Residences at the Ritz-Carlton in Georgetown (3150 South St. NW; 202-912-4100; ritzcarlton.com). It’s one of the reasons the private residences made such a splash when they launched several years ago. The on-site bistro at Turnberry Tower (1820 Fort Myer Dr., Arlington, 703-243-3000; turnberrytowerarlington.com) offers a variety of breakfast options, while the concierge service makes residents feel like they have their own personal assistant. The Jamieson (2050 Jamieson Ave., Alexandria, 703-535-3006; thejamieson.com) is located above the Westin in Old Town, and offers residents maid service, valet parking and a swimming pool. And the sleek new Newseum condos (565 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 866-593-3660; newseumresidences.com) provide a 24-hour concierge, gourmet coffee bar and personal trainers—along with a daily selection of the world’s top newspapers, natch.

HOT NEW PROPERTIES
EYA Capitol Hill (1023 Fourth St. SE, 202-484-0360; eya.com)
1801 Foxhall (1801 Foxhall Road NW, 866-375-2073; 1801foxhall.com)
West End 25 (1255 25th St. NW, 888-217-2525; westend25apts.com)
2501 Penn (2501 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 202-659-2501; 2501penn.com)
Van Metre Homes (44675 Cape Ct., Ashburn, VA, 703-723-2800; vanmetrehomes.com)
Trillium Bethesda (8400 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, 877-293- REAL ESTATE 2500; trillium-bethesda.com)
Park Potomac Place (Seven Locks and Montrose Roads, Potomac, MD, 301-251-7723; parkpotomacplace.com)

ROOFTOP VIEWS
Ten Ten Mass (1010 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 202-682-0202; tentenmass.com)
The Woodward (733 15th St. NW, 877-398-7358; sjgproperties.com)
Yale Steam Laundry Condominuims (Fourth and New York Avenues NW, 202-628-0460; yalelofts.com)

Home & Design

HOME THEATER SYSTEMS
Integrated Media Systems (44873 Falcon Pl., Ste. 174, Sterling, VA, 703-464-0736; imsva.com)
Sound Images (6541 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, VA, 703-534- 1733; soundimagesusa.com)
Chesapeake Smart Homes (337 Log Canoe Circle, Stevensville, MD, 410-604-3600; chesapeakesmarthomes.com)

INNOVATIVE KITCHEN DESIGNS AND IDEAS
Aidan Design (4701 Sangamore Road, Ste. L3, Bethesda, 301-320- 8735; aidandesign.com)
Poliform (300 D St. SW, Ste. C-7, 202-554-8658; poliform-dc.com)
Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens (12223 Nebel St., Rockville, MD, 301-363-4064; jackrosen.com)
Nancy Thornett Associates, Inc. (4833 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda, 301-718-0155; thornettkitchens.com)
Snaidero (3409 M St. NW, 202-484-8066; snaidero-usa.com)
Konst (7500 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, 301-657-3800; konstlifestyle.com)

OUTDOOR SPACE EXPERTS
Petro Design/ Build (16401 Old Central Ave., Upper Marlboro, MD, 301-249-9000; petrodesignbuild.com) NVblu, Inc. (14000 Thunderbolt Pl., Ste. E, Chantilly, VA, 703-968- 8888; nvblu.com) Chapel Valley Landscape (3275 Jennings Chapel Road, Woodbine, MD, 301-924-5400; chapelvalley.com) EP Henry (201 Park Ave., Woodbury, NJ, 856-845-6200; ephenry.com)

SAVVY INTERIOR DECORATORS
An interior designer can help you see your home through a new lens, whether it’s simply reworking what’s already there or starting from scratch. Barbara Hawthorn (1950 Valley Wood Road, McLean, 703-241-5588; barbarahawthorninteriors.com) creates warm, welcoming environments both traditional and modern. Kristin Peake (103-A W. Edmonston Dr., Rockville, 301-545-0441; kristinpeakeinteriors.com) designs beautiful, feel-good rooms. Rachel James (8300 Boone Blvd., Ste. 500, Vienna, VA, 703- 848-9255; rjinteriors. com) creates fun yet refi ned spaces that have been featured on HGTV. Great Falls Distinctive Interiors (14740-A Flint Lee Road, Chantilly, VA, 703-263-0180; gfdii.com) is glad to incorporate eco-friendly fabric and furniture into their elegant, opulent rooms. Darryl Carter’s (202-234- 5926; darrylcarter.com) classic, timeless approach has gained him national attention. Sara Tuttle, who recently opened her own firm in Arlington (2001 N. Adams St., Ste. 932, 703-528-3420; saratuttle.com), creates fresh, charming rooms by mixing vintage items with modern pieces.

STATEMENT PIECES FOR THE HOME
Investing in a singular piece gives rooms a personality all their own. Abu Rugs & Home (1905 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, 703-388-2445) offers stunning handwoven Tibetan rugs. The designers and artisans at O’Neill Studios (4142 Howard Ave., Kensington, MD, 301-530-9030; oneillstudios.com) create one-of-akind wall fi nishes using luxe products like heavy, textured animal skins and eco-friendly products like seashells, clay and fl ax. L’Eclat de Verre (3336 M St., 202-333-6840; eclatdeverre.com/us) offers French framing with papers from all over the world. Find framed modern art on canvas at Sands Artwork (107 Gibbs St., Unit B, Rockville, MD, 888-411-0278; sandsartwork.com) or visit Wentworth Gallery (7101 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, 301-365-3270; wentworth-art.com) for fine art at reasonable prices.

MODERN DÉCOR HOT SPOTS
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams (1526 14th St. NW, 202-332- 3433; mgandbw.com)
Roche Bobois (5301 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-686-5667; rochebobois.com)
Anora Home (5252 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-363-3033; anorahome.com)
Ligne Roset (3306 M St. NW, 202-333-6390; ligne-roset-usa.com)
Bo Concept (3342 M St. NW, 202-333-5656; boconcept.us)

CUSTOM HOMES
Superior Home Services (1728 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Ste. A-122, 202-363-7304; superiorhomeservicesinc.com)
Rosenthal Homes (7648 Standish Pl., Rockville, MD, 301-762-7024; rosenthalhomes.com)
Synergy D&C (1900 Campus Commons Dr., Ste. 100, Reston, VA, 703-766-6333; synergydandc.com)
Tradition Homes (1811 N. Lincoln St., Arlington, 703-987- 3444; builtbytradition.com)
Horizon Builders (2131 Espey Ct., Ste. 3, Crofton, MD, 301-261-6706; horizonbuildersinc.com)
Bowa Builders (710 Westpark Dr., Ste. A10, McLean, 703-734-9050; bowa.com) ★

 

This is a new weekly feature that was inspired by a conversation with Dr. Nir Buras. He is the man behind McMillan Two, which calls for narrowing the Anacostia, extending the L’Enfant street grid to both sides of the river and building many more bridges. He is a Classicist, and believes that using traditional materials and techniques in our built environment builds better places. More on him in the near future.

This building serves as the home of the Christian Heurich House Museum. From the website:

One of Washington’s best-kept secrets, The Brewmaster’s Castle is the most intact late-Victorian home in the country, and a Landmark on the National Register of Historic Places.

Built in 1892-1894 of poured concrete and reinforced steel by German immigrant, local brewer and philanthropist, Christian Heurich (HI-rick), it is also the city’s first fireproof home.

Heurich was Washington’s second largest landowner, the largest private employer in the nation’s capital, and as the world’s oldest brewer, ran his brewery until his death at 102.

A visit to The Brewmaster’s Castle is a visit back in time to the
late-19th Century, when the Heurich family was in residence in Washington’s premier residential neighborhood.

Photo by NCinDC

No big surprises in the first D.C. Council vote on legalizing same-sex marriage: the Council today voted 11-2 to approve the "Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009," with Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) and Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7) the only dissenters.

The historic legislation still needs to pass a second vote in the Council in the next month, at which point it will be sent to D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty for his signature. Fenty has promised he will sign the bill.

During a brief debate period before the vote, David Catania (I-At large), the bill's champion, remarked that when he first joined the Council in 1997, he never imagined that he would see the day when the body would take up such legislation.

Barry was perhaps the only vote in question today. While in the past the Ward 8 Council member has promised to support same-sex marriage, earlier this year Barry flip-flopped on the issue and voted against recognizing gay marriages that are performed legally in other states.

"The African American community has much different views on this issue," Barry said today, noting that he would have preferred to see a ballot initiative on gay marriage.

In voting for the bill today, the Council also sent a firm message to the Washington Archdiocese, which has threatened to stop providing services inside the District of Columbia through its Catholic Charities group should the bill pass as it's currently written. Ward 6's Tommy Wells made a point of listing other religious groups that already provide services in D.C. that could step in to fill the gap.