Social Capital - Erin M

Harmony at Harmony Cafe

musicfairie — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:00:17 EDT

Hi friends!

I thought the blog was over last week while I was in Mexico, but that was not the case. So you get a few more entries from me, please savor them for the rest of your lives.

Good thing, because I have another restaurant review that I had all but forgotten to include. It's for a sweet little place on M Street in Georgetown that seems miles away from the hubbub - Harmony Cafe.

I've been there countless times, and despite years going by, the place never changes. The mostly empty dining room, the same solitary smiling hostess/waitress, the cheery starway down to the basement.

Harmony is not any ordinary Chinese place. They're one of those crazy ones who have the power to make everything out of non-meat gluten products. While your General Tso's might taste like french toast (that's always the flavor I get with the gluten), at least you aren't ingesting questionable chicken parts. If you want the chicken parts, though, there is no judgment. Meat eaters and veg's alike come together at Harmony.

The must order speciality, however, is the Shiitake Mushroom appetizer. i'm drawn to mushrooms in general, but I must say this is a superb piece of work. Some upperclassmen introduced me to it the first week of freshman year, and I remain a loyal follower 5 years later. Now that's saying something.

So hit up Harmony - bring your veggie friends, escape from the oppressive smell of subway's eternally baking bread. You'll thank me!

Georgetown - the Insider's Guide

musicfairie — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 02:27:31 EDT

After graduating from Georgetown last May, my net time spent in Georgetown went way down -- logically. Not for disdain or being "over it" so much as the fact that Gtown is the black hole of transportation. Sure, you may be ambitious: walk from Dupont or take the G2, but by the end of your fantastic day shopping and people watching, finding your way home is a bit daunting. Still - Georgetown beats much of the District in terms of sheer beauty and commerce per street. Braving the black hole is the challenge you must undertake. Here are some of my favorite spots in the hood I used to call home:

Dolcezza

The gelato at Dolcezza is not to be missed. Wholly authentic Argentine gelato -- the owners have a legit gelato making machine from the land of tango -- with flavors traditional and avant-garde, it's difficult to pick your poison. I wholeheartedly enjoy mascarpone gelato (cream with berries), and I maintain that nothing can beat the refreshing taste of Cilantro Lime.

Annie Creamcheese

Whenever we had a tough day on Campus (oh, the relativity of that statement...) or needed a new frock for a party, Annie Creamcheese was the place to be. Great sales, inspired picks, cool salesgirls -- with a little searching, I found the perfect dress more than a few times. The left side of the basement store is dedicated to vintage designer fashions (don't fall in love with this stuff unless you have brought your full paycheck) -- on the right, more affordable dresses, skirts and tees.

Snap

Snap is a little creperie/street fooderie tucked into a townhouse on Thomas Jefferson street. Now, you could go up to Bonaparte and get the same thing for $20 more, but if you deal with the space and staffing issues of this little location, you will be more than happy. Snap has a gorgeous, if unmaintained, terrace out back, and it seems the owner has taken it upon herself to adopt street food from all over the world as part of the menu. You'll be overwhelmed. I can't say no to the fig, asiago and proscuitto crepe, but that's just me.

Not only are these spots in Georgetown, but they are at polar opposite points of the hood. Put on your (fashionable) walking shoes and get moving.

Dos Gringos: crunchy hippie goodness

musicfairie — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:01:22 EDT

I'll take cheery and homey over elegant and stuffy any day. That's why I'm usually at Dos Gringos on the weekend. A sweet little breakfast/lunch spot in the heart of Mt. Pleasant, Dos Gringos brings in the crowds with its veg-embracing, hearty menu. This is place that was green before it was trendy- chipped pottery dishes, a no cellphone policy -- take it outside, folks -- and no plastic. Here's another 'new' thought: running out of stuff isn't bad. That's what happens at Dos Gringos in the afternoon, because they don't want to throw things away. In our chain infused economy, not having every product on hand is almost outrageous. Would Subway ever run out of Black Forest Ham? Probably not.

DCs best kept secret - Thai Xing

musicfairie — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:59:14 EDT

Readers, I've been holding out on you. I know the best place for Thai food in DC, and I haven't divulged it yet! I have to admit -- I was selfish and didn't want you to go (in droves) to this locale, all at once. So I hope that you haven't already finished your internship and that you haven't skipped town yet.

Go to Thai Xing at 515 Florida Avenue. It's just a 5 minute walk from the Shaw/Howard University stop on the Green Line -- just look for the townhouse with a thick glen of otherworldly plants. Step down the plank, pass the miniature fountain on your right and open the door -- a tiny english basement converted to a fully functional Thai restaurant. Owner Taw Vigsittaboot is also the chef, principal waiter, phone answerer, supply getter; a jack of many trades, Taw has channeled his Thai ancestry and experience as an artist into this very special place.

Meals from your pantry: roasted chickpeas!

musicfairie — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:57:36 EDT

Roasted Chickpeas: This week I bring you a ridiculously simple recipe -- and if you've been paying attention at all, most of these recipes are pretty simple already. But this is the first to involve only 1 can of goods, olive oil and whatever spices you have lying around.

So long, farewell!

musicfairie — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:52:07 EDT

Well, readers, it's been quick. I feel like I just wrote my first entry, and here we are nearing the end of the summer. You must be sick of filing and making copies (or coming up with brilliant policy) by now -- I know I was eager to get back to class after my internship three summers ago. August is also the steamiest month of DC summer: endlessly humid doesn't even begin to describe it. I'm actually in Mexico right now for the International AIDS Conference -- so I've already flown the coop, so to speak.

I wanted to come up with a short list of must-do's before you leave the city or head back to university life. If you've been following the advice of the other SoCap correspondents, I'm positive you've been on the ball in terms of city attractions. But what better to conclude my time on the blog than a retrospective?

Falafel from the box!

musicfairie — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:49:08 EDT

In this last week of SoCap, I'm struggling to find an epic final recipe to share with y'all. Should we go simple and cheap, as usual? Probably. Though I'm tempted to go wild, the integrity of intern-ready meals is at stake.

So the simple instruction is to buy a box of falafel (Fantastic brand is good) from your local grocery store. It's there with the veggie chili mix and the couscous. Falafel is a pretty labor intensive process -- and our homemade recipe likely won't come close to the tastiness you can find at Amsterdam or Old City Falafel. But by going low maintenance on this portion, you can devote your time to cutting up delicious things to accompany the little patties in their pita shell. Choose stuff like purple onion, plum tomato, feta cheese, hummus, cucumber, tahini -- anything that's fresh and has a good texture can join the party.

Mix the powdery substance (little ground chickpeas and spices) with water and form some patties. This would be the fun part. Try to make them pretty small and flat - that way, when you fry them, you won't have too much uncooked stuff in the center.

Renwick: Exploring Ghost Crafts

musicfairie — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 09:29:27 EDT

Last summer, during the endless job hunting months, I became rather obsessed with an obscure topic: American craft. People negotiate the difference between art and craft - by many accounts craft indicates the application of a technique as well as the object's ability to "function". Weaving baskets as generations of one's family has done, bookbinding and book design -- these are creative expressions as well as functional links to human history.

The Renwick Gallery has stood across from the White House for years. Though a few metro stops away from its "parent gallery" - the American Museum of Art in Chinatown, the Renwick houses the Smithsonian's collection of American crafts and decorative art. While the Renwick enjoys travelling exhbitions from time to time, it is its permanent collection that persists in my memory.

Scrumptious Sweet Potato Fries

musicfairie — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 09:27:36 EDT

As someone who exclusively used the stovetop for a period of time, I used to harbor the idea that things out of the oven were dry and tasteless – baked chicken, an ill conceived meatloaf – you get the idea. When a roommate this past fall showed me the magic of Sweet Potato Fries, though, I changed my tune. All you need is:

A sweet potato (1 serves 2 people)
Oil
Spices
A sharp, wide knife

Get your yoga on

musicfairie — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:53:22 EDT

I'm a huge fan of yoga. Feeling the breath rush through my body, stretching and twisting to ambiguously "spiritual" music, calm voices -- for me to get through my beloved city life, I need to also have a space to get away from it all!

DC is home to many yoga studios, with most emphasizing a vinyasa flow approach. If you've taken a few yoga classes and you're familiar with the basics, this would probably be your best bet for a challenging workout that will help you develop your practice. Poses are synchonized with your breath, and the teacher will instruct your movement from pose to pose on an inhale or exhale.

If you're new to yoga, however, try a hatha class. This will emphasize postures and correct alignment, building your foundation for a faster flow or more strenuous postures.

While I've only begun to explore the different studios around here - partly due to price, partly to time -- here are two studios with great deals and wonderful instructors.

Quiet Mind Yoga
A new studio on 14th Street in Colombia Heights, Quiet Mind is building its client base in the community. This means they have a great intro deal: 2 weeks of unlimited classes for $20. While it's a small studio with only a few classes a day, the ethos of "radiating peace" goes far with me.

3423 14th St NW
(at N Newton St)
(202) 299-0111
quietminddc.com

Studio Serenity
Studio Serenity has a real community following -- though finding serenity on 18th Street in Adams Morgan seems an impossibility, the studio is seriously committed to yoga and spirituality. I've gone to some absolutely great classes here -- and there are tons to choose from! There's also an $8 Lunar Lotus class on Fridays at 8. As an intro deal, Studio Serenity offers one week of unlimited classes for $20.

2469 18th Street NW
Studioserenity.com

Bloomingdale: Must See Attractions

musicfairie — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:47:12 EDT

For a little under a year, I called Bloomingdale my home -- but never without a qualifier to fill in my listener on its location. "It's right near Howard University" -- I'd tell some. Others, "It's near North Capitol Street" or "off of Rhode Island". Most would respond with a blank smile and nod.

I admit, it's a bit out of the way. About a 12 minute walk from Shaw/Howard U Station, Bloomingdale stretches from Florida Avenue up to Channing Street, bounded by North Capitol and Second Streets NW. Within this little segment of DC exists gorgeous Victorian Houses, a community owned park and a fabulous coffee shop that is getting more and more buzzworthy. So if you're jonesing for exploration, check out these haunts.

Big Bear Cafe
1st and R Streets NW
Big Bear has been featured throughout local DC media for its quality brews and communal atmosphere. Owned by Stu and Lana Labermeier, the shop has rebounded from broken windows to become a beacon for Bloomingdale revitalization. If you go on a Sunday in the summer, enjoy the adjoining neighborhood farmers market.

Crispus Attucks Park
1st and U Streets NW
Last year my house backed up to this serene spot. The rare open space has gone through a number of incarnations but now is completely owned and maintained by those who live around the park. While Crispy doesn't have the waterfalls or statues of other city parks, the solitude of the Memory Garden -- with its one, single bench -- brings many to the park.

Your best bet on getting to Bloomingdale would be to take the metro. For a more scenic route, take the green line to U Street/Cardozo and get on the 90 or 92 buses down to First Street. Your first stop will be Big Bear, on your left!

Fried Rice, or why you need to get Sesame Oil

musicfairie — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:46:19 EDT

Since a very young age, I've felt a special connection with Asia. I distinctly remember getting out a book on young people in China at the library and feeling the effects for years: the book was a pro-communist regime text celebrating the wonderful changes since the revolution ("Before Chairman Mao, Chinese families were splintered. Now, they are strong!"). With the Olympics coming up, they're be no better chance to explore the validity of that statement.

In a closely associated topic, Chinese food is also a puzzling breed. When I lived home in New Jersey, most Chinese food places were pretty nice, at least offering those delectable little fried noodles on the tablecloth topped table. Here in DC, the "more affordable" options won't break the bank, but may leave you wondering how low prices match up to massive quantities -- 1 liter of General Tso's is generally not recommended for a single serving. Chinese leftovers last and last, especially the seemingly useless white rice. What to do?

Make fried rice! It's seriously easy and will taste better and brighter than your garden variety Chinese entree. The key factor is to use day old rice and whatever is around your kitchen to make a fast, cheap meal. The recipes vary considerably, but they are unified by a few main ingredients. These are the ones I generally use.

Chix: 50% organic never tasted so good

musicfairie — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:44:03 EDT

At the intersection of 11th and U, just past Bohemian Caverns, exists Chix -- afresh, healthy take on the Peruvian chicken joint (See: Pollo Sabroso, Pollo Campero... etc). Chix is 50% organic -- and so clean and pleasant smelling you'd think it was at least 90% organic. Or something like that. Regardless of its organic status, Chix serves up chicken and sides, the eco friendly and culturally expressive way.

Things to pick:

Colombian Chicken -
Cooked in a mix of coffee and coconut milk, this chicken makes you forget the possibility of dryness. Whenever I've asked for recommendations at the counter, employees suggest the Colombian Chicken. Take the recommendation!

The Caribbean Curry Sauce -
I could drink this sauce. It's great on everything -- the black bean hummus, chicken pieces, sweet potatoes, rice. Apply generously.

Black Bean Hummus -
There is something about this hummus that I can't get enough of! As a hummus devotee, I thought I was pretty well versed in different incarnations of hummus. The spices and texture of this dish, though, left me inspired.

Watermelon and Mint Agua Fresca --
In my opinion, watermelon expresses itself the best in drink form -- as a solid, it's only marginally successful. The lightly sweet nectar never overpowers, and mint is always a good thing in my book.

It's not budget, it's minimalism: Sausages and Grapes

musicfairie — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:24:19 EDT

A key to living on a budget is embracing the minimalist philosophy. You aren't low on food ingredients because you're broke or too lazy to go to the grocery store, you're embracing a low consumption lifestyle, free of clutter! (It's all about perception.)

Mark Bittman's blog on the NYtimes website, Bitten, stresses minimalism in cooking: using simple ingredients and preparation to bring out delicious natural flavors. No need to mask what is already good with a lot of extraneous, exotic touches. When i look at a recipe, the most frustrating thing is its inclusion 20 different ingredients, 10 of which I don't have. If I wanted to spend $50, I'd go out for a delicious dinner -- not make it at home! This is never the case with Bitten recipes -- the following recipe, in fact, has only three components.

Hirshhorn tries to help us understand "Art"

musicfairie — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:30:03 EDT

When I saw the Cinema Effect: Realisms during Hirshhorn After Hours a few weeks ago, I was somewhat wound up and distracted. Granted, the exhibit is a bit esoteric and weird to absorb amidst revelry and cocktails. Last spring's Cinema Effect: Dreams lent itself perfectly to an altered state of consciousness: floating through the darkened hallways, seeing an old man's face projected onto the crumpled body of a babydoll -- the exhibit paid homage to the nonsensical musings of nighttime slumber. You weren't supposed to understand. Realism, on the other hand, presents a problem in its focus -- the very nature of realism demands understanding. So in conclusion, I think I needed a bit of assistance in comprehending the exhibition.

No fear, says the Hirshhorn. We'll help you out. Out of all of the Smithsonians, Hirshhorn really delivers on the new media front. Three years ago, when podcasts were still in the phases of germination, Hirshhorn broke new ground and offered a podcast tour of the national mall. OK, back to the story.

Pete's APizza: Escape a Deluge, Eat Delicious Pizza

musicfairie — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:07:55 EDT

Last Sunday, the tell-tale signs of an apocalyptic DC Summer Rainstorm were a-brewing when friends and I sought shelter and a tasty dinner at Pete's. As the rain poured down, we laughed at those standing under the metro awning - why didn't they just come in for a slice?

I really didn't intend to write all of my restaurant reviews about pizza places, but money is tight right now and pizza does not damage the coffers as much as, say, anything else.

This is particularly true at Pete's New Haven Style Apizza, a spot just steps from the Columbia Heights metro stop, literally: it's tucked in the corner of one of the new high rise buildings surrounding the metro. Besides the tasty food, great prices and a fun backstory, Pete's puts energy into things that matter.

Example one: Glasses at the Soda Fountain

I love a good fountain Diet Coke. It's 10x better than a can or bottle. I also love glasses - not red plastic cups or soggy paper ones. Pete's gives me a glass, tons of ice, and unlimited soda. There's nothing else better. Besides satisfying the needs of soda addicts everywhere, Pete's is focused on a following a "green" philosophy. Good timing, guys.

Example two: Quality over Quantity

At Pete's, there's not a million different types of pizza. A pizza-by-the-slice establishment (also a rarity in this town outside of a nasty mall food court Sbarro), you have a few choices - all delectable, but not overwhelming. This time, I chose caramelized onions and peppers. The crust was somewhat thick and crunchy, with just enough cheese and toppings. My friends both got Big Pete's panini, which by all accounts seemed absolutely sublime. I've also sampled a salad - much better than Red Rocks' offerings, and with more inventive ingredients.

I saw something, I said something

musicfairie — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:34:27 EDT

I'm not sure if I'm the only one, but I really enjoy the metro public service announcements. There's something comforting and familiar about them, enough that I want to recite them in my daily life.

"Hey, is that your bag? These small words... can make a Biiiig difference. So if you see something, say something. Hey, is THAT your Bag?"

I've actually seen an errant bag on the metro and asked someone if that was his bag. To my dismay, he replied no (!!!!). What was I supposed to do? I went back to my rote memories of the announcement -- i was supposed to report it to a metro employee. But I didn't want to shut down the metro for a forgotten tourist's bag! I decided to take the plunge and look in the bag. If I died, that would be too bad. I had had a good life, but curiousity kills the cat and all that.

IMAX: Still fun

musicfairie — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:43:50 EDT

When my family ventured to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia years ago, IMAX was always an essential part of the day. The content honestly didn't really matter - it was more the experience: the dizzying feeling that took over once you got close to the screen, a killer sound system, an in depth look at something weird and IMAX-worthy.

DC has a huge variety of IMAX possibilities, as would be expected from the reliable Smithsonians. The Museum of Natural History and Air and Space Museum offer a rotating cast of films like Sea Monsters 3D, To Fly, Dinosaurs 3D, Black Holes and Cosmic Collisions. Tickets are $8.50 to all shows. No, the fact you're seeing Dinosaurs 3D does not mean you can truly revert to childhood, those days when your admission fee was waived simply because you were a youngin'.

Check out the IMAX/Smithsonian site for a list of shows and times.

A 5 LB bag of lentils just keeps on giving...

musicfairie — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:13:09 EDT

When I moved a few weeks ago, I unearthed quite a few things in my kitchen closet, namely a 5 lb bag of lentils. I have no memory of buying this massive portion, though lentils are one of my favorite legumes. And, even more overwhelming, I had bought some multi colored lentils the previous weekend.

Lentil soup was the only credible response. Not only does it have that earthy, chewy texture and taste, but it's seriously good for you -- tons of fresh veggies and lots of protein. I've been working through the bag by making a huge batch of soup on Sunday nights and keeping it for easy dinners and lunches throughout the week. And, as always, this recipe is cheap and easy!

I used a recipe from the Food Network site -- gotta love Alton Brown, and it's the first thing that comes up when you google "lentil soup". I've altered it a bit for ease.

Red Rocks: Not just a stadium in Colorado

musicfairie — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:10:15 EDT

Red Rocks Pizzeria

I usually give a restaurant two tries before giving it a positive or negative verdict – or a verdict that’s somewhere in between. Last night, I visited Red Rocks for the second time and so have formed a verdict – great atmosphere, yummy pizza, convenient spot in the neighborhood.

While better pizza exists in DC, Red Rocks really wins out with its setting and décor. The outdoor patio grants a peaceful, yet interesting view of 11th street winding down for the evening, a mix of families and young people walking down Park with Giant bags and strollers. On a lovely night like last night, the setting sun cast a tranquil light over our pizza.

Ok, so on the pizza. Each one comes with six slices – a prudent diner might split the pizza with a friend and split a salad, but that was not the case anoche. We ordered an onion and fennel sausage pie and a proscuitto, mozzarella and pineapple pie – an upscale version of the famed Hawaiian pizza.

Both pies had great flavors, but the mix of onion and fennel sausage was truly delectable –that pie disappeared first. The upscale Hawaiian was somewhat crippled by a soggy crust, apparently a frequent complaint at RedRocks. The pineapple seemed like it had been poured with all its juices, already diced, from a can – though I can’t be sure. I’m a sucker for proscuitto, though – and each slice’s allocation left me more than pleased.