Blog 6

I started off this blog as the first in a two part series covering the best brunches in DC. However, the events of this evening compel me to sideline the food talk for just a bit and give you some idea of how it feels to be in the same room as Tom Hanks, Paul Giamatti, and David McCullough. Yes, one of the perks of being a Congressional staffer is getting to go to all these events on the Hill, your ID being your free ticket to most. And boy, I lucked out this evening! The morning update said HBO would be doing a pre premiere screening of their new miniseries "John Adams" starring Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney, exclusively for Members of Congress and staffers. What I did not know was that Tom Hanks is the producer of the series and that it is based on two-time Pulitzer Prize winning author David McCullough's biography of the same name. The icing on the cake, they were all in attendance (except Laura Linney) and the Cannon Caucus Room served as a perfect 'historic' setting for the series to be showcased. HBO replicated the frame of the famous painting entitled Declaration of Independence that hangs in the Rotunda of the Capitol and used it around the projection screen. The episode itself was every bit as gripping and historically sound as all of HBO's other ventures in this genre of film. Both Giamatti and Linney provide powerful, poignant, moving performances, supported by an outstanding cast. The attention to detail and the effort to re-create exactly the conditions that prevailed at the time are reminiscent of "Rome". All in all, it was an evening that I will not forget anytime soon. Enjoy the photos and don't forget to tune into the TV premiere on March 16 at 8 p.m.

Man of the Moment - Paul Giamatti

Cannon House Office Building

This man needs no introduction

Cannon Caucus Room










David McCullough

And now, ladies andgentlemen, THE blog…

Brunch Banter, Part 1

Inspired by this week's promise of sunshine and mild weather (which I'm hoping will continue over the weekend), I decided to make this aBrunch special (I had previously warned you that that at some point this blog would become a forum for the foodie in me!). Surprisingly, DC has a wide variety of offerings that would please any budding gourmand, but remember that brunches are more expensive than breakfasts or lunches (duh, they're both) so be prepared to shell out anywhere between $12 and $20 depending on variety, type and quantity of food, and accompanying drinks (the champagne will not flow if the cash doesn't!). If you play the game right, brunch can be your one and only meal of the day which makes a $15 tab sound somewhat justified. Due to the sheer volume of places to check out, and the convenient clustering in various neighborhoods around the District, I've divided this feature into two parts. This week we'll look at...hold your breath...Georgetown!

GEORGETOWN:

1) Café Bonaparte

1522 Wisconsin Avenue, NW. Washington, DC

My blatant French bias shouldn't come as a shock to any of my regularreaders, and hence, this tops my list of brunch spots. Dig into the sumptuous crêpes (Suzette, St. Germain) and galettes (Capri, Mirabeau), a meal-sized salad (Marie, Niçoise), or even just the mouth-watering desserts (Cigar Chocolat, L'Exotique). The special brunch menu consists of divine French pastries and creatively named omlettes, each containing a unique mélange of ingredients and flavors (the Rembrandt is a personal favorite).

2) Filomena

1063 Wisconsin Avenue, NW. Washington, DC

This may just be the best deal in terms of value for money and the sheer variety of offerings. The restaurant has a very homely feel to it, they beckon you calling it "the home of your Italian grandma" and you'll see why. It's been around forever and is frequented by a mixed crowd from all over the tri-state area but the biggest draw is definitely the authentic home-style Italian cooking. And as a general rule, when the biggest draw at a restaurant is the food, you know it's a good place to go! At $17.95 you get an all you can eat brunch buffet with an excellent selection of salads, breads, pasta, meats, desserts, soft drinks, tea, and coffee. You can be sure you will be served only the freshest of foods and that you can plan to stay put throughout the entire duration of brunch (11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) to pace yourself well enough to get at least a taste of everything.

3) Old Glory All-American BBQ

3139 M St., NW. Washington, DC

French (down), Italian (down), but what we were lacking was an All-American brunch spot to dig into some French toast (ironic) and spicy Bloody Marys! That is exactly what is on offer at Old Glory with the stuffed French toast being my personal favorite (sweet cream cheese, bourbon peach caramel, bacon strips, and sliced fruit - hell yes!). You are strongly encouraged to try The Big Breakfast (burrito, home fries, corn on the cob, fruit) which is a steal at $11.95. Quench your thirst with a fresh squeezed fruit juice or the much talked about Bloody Mary. This brunch has the potential to throw you into a food coma so don't plan to accomplish too much (rather anything) that Sunday afternoon!As for next week, no prizes for guessing, I shall bring you the best from Adam's Morgan and the Dupont Area. For now, I sign off leaving you with enough to chew on...quite literally!