Washington D.C. Info Plz

**Rontele** · 04-14-2009, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by Tye 1on

I vote Monaco. Then again it's the only one of the three I know. Thinking it's 6-8 blocks from the Mall, checking a map it's next door to the Portrait Gallery and Verizon Ctr, close to the ConCtr. And it's a cool property, all of the Kimpton's are. If you haven't stayed at one of their hotels, you should.

They are very cool. We had the rehersal dinner for our wedding at the Monaco in Denver. Mrs. Rontele is going to look at them online and make the final call.

**Rontele** · 04-17-2009, 09:06 AM

Bump for one more update. My firm represents Fairmont and thus, we get a great rate at their hotels. We are going to stay at the Fairmont in the West End. Looks like a good location, no?

**CantDog** · 04-17-2009, 09:44 AM

The same thing that goes for the Grand Westin goes for the Franklin, they are practically next to each other. Easy for your wife, a little harder for you. But the metro is cake to ride, so it shouldn't be an issue.

**Tippster** · 04-17-2009, 09:54 AM

If you're staying at the fairmont you'll def. need to make reservations at the Blue Duck Tavern.

**Stu Gotz** · 04-17-2009, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by Rontele

Bump for one more update. My firm represents Fairmont and thus, we get a great rate at their hotels. We are going to stay at the Fairmont in the West End. Looks like a good location, no?

You would think they charge outside legal counsel 2X the regular rate for a room.

**Rontele** · 04-17-2009, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by Tippster

If you're staying at the fairmont you'll def. need to make reservations at the Blue Duck Tavern.

Reservation made sometime ago.

**Tippster** · 04-17-2009, 11:55 AM

For Ice and me as well?

**Rontele** · 04-17-2009, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by Tippster

For Ice and me as well?

Yes. I made sure to request oxygen tanks for ice and a high-chair for you, Tipp.

**Tippster** · 04-17-2009, 07:30 PM

Nice. I'll bring a spare diaper.

**iceman** · 04-17-2009, 08:06 PM

As usual I'l probably have some silly commitment with the kids and I won't make it. Gotta give Tipp points for trying to get my old ass out of the house, at least.

**DerJaeger** · 04-18-2009, 11:41 AM

I'm currently residing less than half a mile from the Fairmont. If anyone wants me to drop by and heckle Rontele, let me know.

**Cap'm Charlie** · 04-27-2009, 04:34 PM

so as a lurker who hails (sorta) from DC i felt the need to chime in.

1st be ready for a fukked up cab system, no meters, just ramdom ass zones and some ethiopian cabby saying you owe him 14$ for a 1/2 mile ride cause you crossed from one zone to another. Also read up on the Metro subway system, it can be kind of confusing (buy more metrocard than you need)

While you can walk almost anywhere it does get tiring, the mall is a lot bigger than you think so keep a metro map handy. As a purported "local" i avoided museums like the plague but the new Air+Space annex at Dulles is worth it if you are in the area or really like aerospace

make sure you have a drink at the 'round robin bar' in the Willard hotel, across from the WH. famous old place with lotsa history, presidents, SCJ, etc. (not more than one drink tho unlesss you have serious $$)

Chadwicks in upper NW (near bethesda/chevy chase) is better than clydes or ebbitts or any of the tourist places for American/Bar food. for pizza Two Amy's is dank for sure and for burgers any Five Guys location will put McWendysKing to shame. Decent italian food is hard to come by but Filomena's in Georgetown is halfway decent for pasta. Some good places in Chinatown too

The real place to see DC bigwigs (if thats your thing) is a restaurant called "The Monocle" on the senate side of capitol hill, you may even catch teddy kennedy draining a few quarts of chivas. (less likely these days)

Make friends with any local instantly by professing your love of dem 'Skins and hatred for the Eagle's and Cowboys. With the, ahem, different culture local radio/TV can be funny as hell, check out the "Eastern Motors" Commercials, goddamn hillarious, also Senate Insurance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wpw-dJinzK0

Finally I always found it was beneficial to show tourists the "real" DC. Now dont fall for that whole Georgia Ave, Northeast tour, those are just the wannabe pawnbrokers, crack whores and drug peddlers. No sir if you want to see the side of the District they don't show in the travel guides make your way to ANACOSTIA. basically once you cross the anacostia river into extreme SE DC you have entered the party zone. Just remember that if that nice young entrepenuer on the corner asks if you want a "One and One" he is offering you one vial of crack rock and one hit of sweet cheeze heron. Enjoy!

**snow_slider** · 04-28-2009, 06:15 AM

I will say this in defense of Anacostia - they have a really nice park. Thanks Marion Berry! I used to play ultimate games down there every weekend.

**Rontele** · 04-30-2009, 06:36 AM

Last piece of advice.

Cool lunch spot for Saturday? We get in around 1 am Saturday morning (don't leave from Denver until 730), so figure we'll be out and at it by 10 am Saturday or so...

Would like to see the Smithsonian and National Gallery as well as walk the mall. Perhaps have some time to stroll Georgetown. Dinner at Blue Duck Saturday night at 730.

I am looking forward to it besides the shitty weather forecast.

**CantDog** · 04-30-2009, 07:43 AM

Originally Posted by Rontele

Last piece of advice.

Cool lunch spot for Saturday? We get in around 1 am Saturday morning (don't leave from Denver until 730), so figure we'll be out and at it by 10 am Saturday or so...

Would like to see the Smithsonian and National Gallery as well as walk the mall. Perhaps have some time to stroll Georgetown. Dinner at Blue Duck Saturday night at 730.

I am looking forward to it besides the shitty weather forecast.

One of the week days you are there you should hit breadline for lunch (http://thebreadlinedc.blogspot.com/)

Saturday lunch, if you are in Georgetown Quick Pita is always a good bet, Tackle Box is a fish/chips place that is fun. Also Dean and Deluca has live jazz on saturdays, so it's nice to get a cup of coffee at the little cafe and sit outside. I'm a big proponent of picking up a loaf of bread and some brie and sitting there.

I always recommend heading down to the Maine Ave fish wharf and getting some shrimp/fried fish and eat it walking around and people watching, it's a great way to get a feel for DC and the community. You could spend your entire trip around the Mall and Georgetown and not really see 'authentic dc'.

If you do go to the Wharf, you are only a few blocks walk from the Mall/Museums, and you could eat your lunch there or at the Tidal Basin on the way over.

**Rontele** · 04-30-2009, 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by CantDog

One of the week days you are there you should hit breadline for lunch (http://thebreadlinedc.blogspot.com/)

Saturday lunch, if you are in Georgetown Quick Pita is always a good bet, Tackle Box is a fish/chips place that is fun. Also Dean and Deluca has live jazz on saturdays, so it's nice to get a cup of coffee at the little cafe and sit outside. I'm a big proponent of picking up a loaf of bread and some brie and sitting there.

I always recommend heading down to the Maine Ave fish wharf and getting some shrimp/fried fish and eat it walking around and people watching, it's a great way to get a feel for DC and the community. You could spend your entire trip around the Mall and Georgetown and not really see 'authentic dc'.

If you do go to the Wharf, you are only a few blocks walk from the Mall/Museums, and you could eat your lunch there or at the Tidal Basin on the way over.

Maine Ave. wharf sounds like exactly the ticket. Are people going crazy there over swine flu?

**Tippster** · 04-30-2009, 07:57 AM

Go to Central Michel Richard for lunch, then! 2 Blocks from the National Archives, 4 from the national Gallery. Another hotspot is The Source Restaurant (A Wolfgang Puck joint) in the Newseum, which is caddy corner from the Natl. Gallery.

http://www.centralmichelrichard.com/eat/
http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/restaura...ne-dining/3941

**Rontele** · 04-30-2009, 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by Tippster

Go to Central Michel Richard for lunch, then! 2 Blocks from the National Archives, 4 from the national Gallery. Another hotspot is The Source Restaurant (A Wolfgang Puck joint) in the Newseum, which is caddy corner from the Natl. Gallery.

http://www.centralmichelrichard.com/eat/
http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/restaura...ne-dining/3941

What about t3h swine fluz?!!!1!!!

**Tippster** · 04-30-2009, 08:03 AM

It adds extra zest.

No case of Swine Flu (H1N1 now, please) in DC... yet.

**Rontele** · 04-30-2009, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by Tippster

It adds extra zest.

No case of Swine Flu (H1N1 now, please) in DC... yet.

I may actually wear a surgical mask on the airplane. No joke.

i am very excited to come to D.C.

**CantDog** · 04-30-2009, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by Rontele

Maine Ave. wharf sounds like exactly the ticket. Are people going crazy there over swine flu?

See some folks on the metro with masks, confirmed case in MD so VA will be next. People aren't going crazy, but there are a lot of signs up here on the NIH campus.

If you head to Maine Ave walk around before picking which stand you want to order from, I usually go with Jimmy's. Really good cake too. The oysters are cheap and pretty good too, but don't expect some fancy pacific guys, they are usually big juicy ones from the rappahanock.

**pechelman** · 04-30-2009, 10:40 AM

you're jewish
its swine
you should be fine

**Rontele** · 05-02-2009, 03:59 PM

Holy crap is DC cool. Got in at the wee hour of 2 am, up and at it by 1030. Strolled down from the hotel to the Mall, went to the White House, Washington Monument, Smithsonian and the National Gallery. The National Gallery was definitely the highlight. Architechturally inspiring on the inside, absolutely massive and their collection of Renoir, Degas and Monet made me smile. After the National Gallery, we strolled up 9th to lunch at Zaytinya. Wow. Absolutely incredible lunch. After the feast, we walked up the convention center, registered for the convention walked back down to the Mall to see the Jefferson, Lincoln, Vietnam and WWII Monuments.

We're beat, back at the hotel and getting ready for Blue Duck tonight.

DC is awesome. Cannot wait to explore a bit more. [/sweet blog]