City Life I spent the recent Blizzard of 2009 trudging through two feet of snow in our nation’s capital. Use my hypothermic misfortune as your guide to a great weekend getaway.
I spent the recent Blizzard of 2009 trudging through two feet of snow in our nation’s capital. Use my hypothermic misfortune as your guide to a great weekend getaway.
STAY: The Affinia hotel group recently completed a renovation of a — don’t judge — Holiday Inn, transforming it into The Liaison, a lovely boutique hotel that’s not exactly the lap of luxury, but is very comfortable, affordable, and literally steps away from the Capitol and the Mall. Weekender readers can take advantage of an unbelievable deal: room rates from $149, a $50-per-stay dining/drinking credit (including in-room), a free movie (is it getting hot in here?), and 2 p.m. checkout on weekends. Just use the promotional code D8NGHT when making your reservation.
EAT: The aforementioned hotel restaurant – Art & Soul – is presided over by Art Smith, who served as Oprah’s personal chef until 2007. And after a brunch there, I think I understand the talk-show queen’s struggles with weight gain. Think country fried steak and chicken and waffles, or try Gayle’s (as in Oprah’s BFF) favorite, the lemon yogurt pancakes. Once you have room for something else, head to the nearby and tiny-by-any-measure Chinatown for cheap eats. I had excellent food at the jam-packed Chinatown Express, where staff stands in the front window making noodles and dumplings by hand. Or, if you want to spend some of the money you’ve saved with the hotel hookup, try esteemed (and expensive) popular-with-politicos French spot Bistro Bis, just named one of the capital’s top restaurants by Washingtonian magazine. So expect a wait. More casual but none less reliable is the critically acclaimed fish-house Johnny’s Half Shell. Get the po’boys and fried oysters.
DRINK: The Sonoma wine bar is less than a mile from the hotel and offers 40 wines by the glass. If you’re in town on the weekend, don’t miss the Saturday happy hour, when the wine-of-the-week is $20 for a bottomless glass. If a beer is in order, Capitol City Brewing Company — D.C.’s first brewpub — is just a few blocks away. I also had a great time hanging out with the friendly snowed-in locals (and some very tipsy Fox News employees) at the vast Kelly’s Irish Times, which is even closer.
DO: Obviously, since you’re so close to the Mall, you’d be a fool not to take in the many free museums. New Smithsonian exhibits include “One Life: Echoes of Elvis” at the Portrait Gallery, “Moving Beyond Earth” at Air & Space, and “Abe Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life” at National History. The International Spy Museum and the Newseum, while not free, are also in the neighborhood. On a non-museum note, I highly recommend you check out Orestes, A Tragic Romp at the world-renowned Folger Shakespeare Library, which is quick cab ride away (though walkable too). There’s some Philly talent involved — Arden co-founder Aaron Posner and Obie-winning Pig Iron man James Sugg — and the show runs through March 7th. For $10 off any ticket (Tuesday through Friday and Sunday evenings only), use the promotional code WEEKENDER.
INSIDER TIP: If you’re driving, know that parking at the hotel is an atrocious $42 a night. That includes in-and-out privileges, but you don’t really need a car in this neighborhood. If you can’t detach yourself from your car, park at the very close Union Station, where it’s $19 per 24 hours. Or, better yet, save yourself the aggravation and take the two-hour train ride. Two of you can get there for as little as $132 round trip on Amtrak. Unfortunately, the Bolt Bus doesn’t do Philly-DC yet, though you can try your luck with the Chinatown buses.