The folks at Weygandt Wines have teamed up with Double Premium Confections for a fabulous event.  As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to share...

FREE WINE & CHOCOLATE TASTING

Here are the details from Double Premium Confections:

Join us at Weygandt Wines on Saturday, November 21 from 12-4 pm to sample our handmade chocolates. The owners of Weygandt will also be pouring wine specially selected to bring out all the flavors in both.

We will be selling 18 pc boxes of our Thanksgiving chocolate collection and taking orders for boxes with free delivery anywhere in DC during the week of Thanksgiving.

We can cater and provide chocolates for your thanksgiving events too!

To order boxes for delivery in DC (or anywhere in the US for a standard charge) or to order catering for your family and guests, contact us by e-mail at bailey@doublepremiumconfections.com. Otherwise, we will see you there!

The event is not listed on the wine shop's website, but here are the details on where you should be for this amazing treat of an event...

Weygandt Wines

info@weygandtwines.com
202-362-WINE (9463)
fax 202-362-0437
3519 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008

(Cleveland Park Metro stop)

Restaurants

Many of the bars in Capitol double as restaurants, however there are a few gems that I wanted to share before heading off to the great Northeast.

Las Placitas - El Salvadorean/Mexican style, probably the best margaritas and best staff in town. Go for the food - especially the plantains, the el tipico and the burritos - and the serice and be sure to be nice to the staff, they'll be nice right back. Las Plas (as known to it's regulars) is located at 517 8th Street SE.

Market Lunch - On the weekends there is a gem located in Eastern Market that creates lines that go around the block. Market Lunch is a stand inside the market that sells burgers, crab cakes, among other snack bar-esque food. On Saturdays they serve up the best brunch in Southeast until 11am including some of the fluffiest blueberry pancakes. Two rules: Get there early and bring cash. Don't be intimidated by the long line, it moves quickly and is well worth the wait.

Image via www.Weatherbrook.com, Eastern Market, DC

Hunan Dynasty - For some congressionally approved Chinese/Japanese food, head to this upstairs joint at 215 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. When Congress is in session, you're likely to run into a member or two grabbing a quick dinner or lunch between votes, no lie, there are photos all over the wall in the entry way to prove it - pictures of Hillary Clinton, former speaker Dennis Hastert, current Speaker Nancy Pelosi and many many more adorn the wall with their photos taken with staff at this affordable restaurant. I've long loved their steamed dumplings as well as their sushi. The lunch specials top off at a nice $6.95-$8.95 and vary daily. The best part? They deliver.

There are so many great places to eat on the hill, I couldn't possibly list them all so I'll stick with my favorites.

The Hill (as known to locals) is a fabulous place to live with access to the metro, great food, Eastern Market (the oldest market in America), great activities like Oktoberfest on 8th Street, and is within walking distance to the National's ball park located near the Navy Yard Metro. I loved living here. I loved every moment of it - from being able to walk to the Capitol in fifteen minutes, the parks around to take my dog to, the restaurants, bars, and the ability to be downtown in ten minutes.

I've loved living on Capitol Hill. I've loved the nightlife, the homes, the architecture, the restaurants, and everything in between. So here's my list of my top Capitol Hill Bars. (Remember, Gals Guide does not condone underage drinking. You must be 21+ to get into these locations, or at the very least to be served as many double as restaurants.)

In no particular order....

Capitol Lounge 231 Pennsylvania Avenue SE - Any Hill staffer will tell you that Cap Lounge hasn't been the same since the fire. The second one really. The menu was recently revised, and the downstairs renovated but the Golden Fez Lounge just isn't the same. The food, I find, while decent for bar food (I'm a big fan of the chicken quesadillas), is slightly expensive. I've also found that the Happy Hour specials, in comparison to other Hill bars, are subpar.

Not to say I haven't had good times at Cap Lounge because I most certainly have, and definitely would advise anyone who doesn't want to party with interns to head on over here. Watch out in the summer time though, it's often taken over by softball teams.

Pour House/Top of the Hill 319 Pennsylvania Avenue SE -  If you want to class it up a notch, head upstairs to Top of the Hill for the comfy couches, the space, and the general atmosphere. If you're feelin' a little crazy? Head on downstairs for $1 beer night on Thursdays. Watch out for the "skinterns" and the sometimes-not-so-classy marines. Pour House is always a good time no matter what floor of this three-story establishment you're on. The food leaves much to be desired but the crowds are...energetic, if not rowdy on a night when the Steelers are playing and the happy hour specials are plentiful.

Hawk and Dove 329 Pennsylvania Avenue SE - What can I say about Hawk & Dove? Well, it's a great place. It's got an amazing historical background, just look around on the walls. It was my go-to place when I was an intern which tells you something else about it - during the summer months (I was an intern in the spring FYI) watch out for the underage kiddos trying to slink on in to go upstairs to the H&D DF. The bartenders are great here, and while I've never tried the food, I'm pretty sure it's standard barfare. The specials? Aren't too shabby either. Get there early on a weekend before the dancefloor is hoppin' and you can get a few requests in. Watch out for the bathrooms latenight, best to use the ones downstairs.

Tune Inn 331 Pennsylvania Avenue SE - Tune Inn is a townie bar, for as much as DC has townies. They have amazing burgers and were once voted in the top 100 bars in America (it's on the wall). The wall is filled with redneck paraphanalia (think deer antlers on the walls), they serve PBR on tap, and the staff has been there forever. Expect it to be busy on the weekends, the happy hour special says "$1 off all booze" on the board on the sidewalk, and the jukebox often plays anything country combined with the usual bar favorites. It's a great place for late night eats, and a place to not just throw a couple back but also to sit down and have a greasy, cheap meal.

Molly Malones 713 8th Street SE- I'm a little biased about Molly's. My favorite bar ever - Finn Mac Cool's - shut down so that Molly's could open up. When you walk upstairs, the sign from Finn's still hangs over the staircase. The beer selection is good, the food is amazing, but if you're looking for a good deal? This may not be the place to go. However, the food? Especially the Lobster Mac & Cheese as well as the Veggie Burger? Are definitely worth checking out.

Ugly Mug 723 8th Street SE- The Mug has never really...impressed me. However, on the contrary, I've never been super disappointed by the Mug either. It's a decent bar, usually has a good DJ and has pretty superb happy hour specials on both food and drink. It gets a little loud on the weekends, and the bar is often crowded. In the summer however, sit outside on a Friday night and you can get an excellent earfull of the 8th and I Marine Parades. I always enjoy the pizza's here, and the appetizers have never disappointed.

Lola's 711 8th Street SE- Owned by the same guy who runs Molly's, you get a nice vibe here. The food, again, is superb. The Old Bay Wings, the Sloppy Joe Sliders and the 4 Cheese Grilled Cheese? All worth giving a go. It gets a little crowded on the weekends, but the service is great. If you can, get a seat outside by the fireplace, it's sure to keep you warm on a chilly autumn night. The price point is similar to Molly's and the menu is slightly limited. Don't expect to find your "typical barfood" like mozzeralla sticks, etc.. here. The menu, like Molly's, is definitely classier which makes up for the lack of variety. Looking for a good drink special? You may want to look elsewhere. The happy specials are next to non-existant but the good selection of beer and wine is worth the extra dough.

Coming up next/later this week? Places to See!

Humidity aside, August is one of my favorite times of year - bosses let you leave early, happy hours are aplenty, and then there's Restaurant week.

This August, Restaurant week falls August 24th through 30th where at a number of restaurants you can get lunch for $20.09 or dinner for $35.09. Meals come with three courses, and do not cover drinks.This year, since I recently had a chance to visit the prestigious Charlie Palmer Steak House for lunch (on the house with the new job!), I'm planning on catching dinner there with Fiance. I've tried out Teatro Goldoni on K Street, Tuscana West where I went last Restaurant Week with my fellow DC Guide Elizabeth, and my book club tried out Zaytina in Penn Quarter for lunch last summer - two of my gal pals raved of the Blueberry martini. Definitely a place worth checking out.

Directly preceding Restaurant Week though? In it's inaugural year.... Beer week. I don't know what Beer Week is per se, but I am certainly curious to find out. Not to mention, check it out with the full list of participants here. I'm curious to try out some of the places on H Street NE, a new up and coming neighborhood (in case you weren't aware) including the recent addition H Street Country Club. I've heard rave reviews of Sticky Rice and Granville Moore's (with former Next Food Network Star contestant Teddy Folkman as it's chef it's gotta be delish!) and Pizzeria Paradiso (in Dupont and Georgetown) is always a great place to check out.

Some of the events during beer week are a little pricey (I probably won't be spending $75 for a five course meal from Granville Moores - however I'm sure it'll be incredible!) but the free ones (Friday night at RFD? Yes please! I'll be there!!) I bet are definitely worth it! Needless to say the next two weeks will be filled with good booze, and even better food.

Where are you hitting up for Beer Week and/or Restaurant Week? Any favorite spots??

So you can imagine my delight when I saw that the National Book Festival will be continued this year! After Laura Bush started it in 2001, it was uncertain if our new first lady would continue the tradition but it appears that with or without Michelle Obama's support, the book fest will go on.

The other day, the list of participating authors was released and my inner twelve year old heart went pitter patter when I saw that Judy Blume would be there, and I couldn't help but wonder if I could find my beat up and battered copy of Are You There God? It's Me Margaret. Still to be determined, but I will do my best.

Additionally, for my inner romantic, Nicholas Sparks will be there; my favorite Food Network star - Paula Deen; and finally, Jodi Picoult who is an amazing writer as well. 

I'm pretty excited about the book fest this year - last year I took my mother and future mother-in-law as the parents were down for some quality bridal gown shopping, unfortunately I didn't get much time to tool around the festival. This year? I'll be waiting in line to meet my favorite's.

This year, the book festival is on September 26th here in Washington, DC on the National Mall. I'll be there with a library of books to get signed....will you?

Oh, we all know what happens. Ever since MTV has been using some sort of convoluted equation of who will cause the most drama during a season of the Real World, it hasn't nearly been as interesting as Stephen slapping Irene in Seattle or the intervention with an alcoholic Ruthie in Hawaii.

And now they're coming to DC.

Despite the crys of the locals saying, if MTV really wanted to show off youthful political activism, they're about twenty years too late - what about Pedro?! Post-San Francisco season, young twenty somethings were invigorated about raising awareness for HIV, Gay Rights and other issues that vocal activists tend to get behind, MTV is finally making their way to "make a difference" in the nation's Capitol. Of course, MTV claims that in the 2008 election the highest percentage of young adults were involved in the election of President Barack Obama, maybe so but Rock the Vote has been around since the 90's, and as far as I know, college students in 2008 weren't the first ones to get out the vote for a candidate they cared about (I did so in 2004 for John Kerry!)

Still though, despite MTV putting DC on the reality television map (along with Desperate Housewives, but that's a separate post), many locals are worried. Worried for their local watering holes.

With their notoriety of hitting up bar scenes and portraying these seven strangers as alcoholic sex fiends only interested in sleeping, drinking, working out and getting it on, people are worried about the bad rap DC might get in the wake of all this excitement.

A blogger for the blog "Anti-Real World DC" was quoted in the Washington Blade saying:

“I’m not anti them coming to D.C.,” says Tracy Sherman, contributor to an anti-Real World D.C. blog. “And I’m not anti-reality TV. What I’m most upset about is that they’ve done no outreach at all … Nothing has been confirmed.”

As far as the locals being worried about getting a blurry face on MTV? Well, the Washington Post Going Out Guru's have been doing their research and have provided a list of bars that have already decided to blacklist (or allow) the show at their establishments. Now these aren't places I go to often anyhow (I don't often venture off the Hill...) but most are in the U Street, Adam's Morgan, Dupont Corridor.

The ones saying the show can't go on in their bars?

• Black Cat
• Wonderland Ballroom

Bars that will allow the filming to go on?

• Cobalt
• Cafe Saint-Ex
• Bar Pilar
• Russia House
• Gazuza
• Chi-Cha
• Town
• Shadow Room

Do you frequent any of these places? Are you going to try to get your fifteen seconds of fame on the Real World? For more information about anything Real World: DC related, be sure to check out the Anti-Real World DC blog, which is kept up to date with all the happenings regarding the series coming to DC.

Today, I had a meeting downtown so I decided to spend the afternoon kicking around Georgetown. Which led to the decision (right after I purchased my bathing suit from J Crew - go figure) to treat myself to a cupcake. I initially wanted to check out Georgetown Cupcake but decided against it when I saw the size of the cupcakes and remembered Baked & Wired.

image via Express Night Ou

I've been to many cupcakeries in DC, Baked & Wired being my favorite (Strawberry Cupcake being my favorite) with Hello Cupcake, Love Cafe and Red Velvet Cupcakery all coming in as second/third/fourth choices (though not necessarily in that order).

Baked & Wired - located at 1052 Thomas Jefferson Drive (off M Street) seems to have the best size, the best frosting (not too sweet but not flavorless) and the densest cupcakes. Their cupcakes have all the best parts of a cupcake - size, and flavor. Additionally, at Baked & Wired they have a coffee shop so you can get a cup of tea or chai, and other sweet treats incase cupcakes ain't your thang. If you're ever in Georgetown and don't feel like waiting in line for Georgetown Cupcakes pop down to Baked & Wired for a good cupcake, and plenty of plush seating.You can also find Baked & Wired on twitter!

Red Velvet Cupcakery - located in the heart of Penn Quarter on 7th Street just one block from the Verizon Center. The cupcakes, though delicious a couple of times I've been there, seem to lack consistency. They have a number of flavors - my favorite being the Birthday Cake (vanilla and chocolate I'm not rebelious when it comes to cupcake flavors) - including red velvet (obvi), chocolate, peanut butter cup, among many others. The cupcakes at their best were flavorful and light. At their worst? Dry, flavorless and left me feeling like it was $3.25 wasted.

Hello Cupcake -  One of the first cupcakeries in DC, it's located in Dupont just across from the metro on Connecticut Avenue on the South end of Dupont. I haven't actually been to the store front, but I can say that they're cupcakes are delish. Back in January, a friend of mine picked up some cupcakes for a happy hour celebrating another friend's birthday. The cupcakes all looked absolutely lovely and from what I remember, were quite light and tasty as well. Additionally, Hello Cupcake does a bunch of events, a few weeks ago I went to an event downtown that had cupcakes catered by Hello Cupcake - a great touch to an event! Definitely a place I will go back to check out! 

Finally....

Love Cafe - Love Cafe is located at 15th and U Street NW and is the cafe from Cake Love. Their cupcakes, are absolutely delightful! Love Cafe is also a great place to people watch and provides free wifi. Cake Love has delightful cakes that have been featured on Food Network, the Today Show and the baker has his own cookbook! Love Cafe has a few different locations around DC including Shirlington, Tysons, U Street and as far away as Baltimore. This is one absolutely worth checking out.

Enjoy trying the cupcakes - and don't forget your glass of milk!

What's your favorite cupcakery in DC?

Photo From Eclipse Magazine

The Kennedy Center is a beacon of culture in Washington DC.  Opera, modern musicals, classical performances, ballet, Shakespeare... it's all been performed under that roof.  We all know that, though, right?  Heck, it's not like the Kennedy Center is a hole in the wall dive that no one has ever heard of!

What you may not know about, though, is their Millennium Stage.  The Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center holds free concerts every night at 6pm.  Not only can you watch them in person, you can also watch the concerts for free online!  It's really neat!

You can find the schedule of performances HERE.  As I mentioned, the time is at six unless otherwise noted.

So, you might be wondering to yourself, "Well, that's great (and free) and all, but how the heck do I get there? We all know the Kennedy Center isn't metro accessible!"

You'd be half right in that assessment.  The Kennedy Center is not near a Metro station, but that's okay!  Why?  Because every fifteen minutes, you can catch a burgundy shuttle bus emblazoned with "The Kennedy Center" in white letters at Foggy Bottom Metro Station.  

Check it out! The performances, while free, are wonderful.  There is everything from jazz, Mexican progressive, classical, folk music, etc.  

This is why I love living in DC, for those who think DC is no fun: so much culture is shared freely within this city. Museums, concerts, etc.  It is such a fun place to live.

Seriously, it was a smashing hit - sangria and margs all around and while the crowd was smaller, it's probably for the better since well, we were all huddled at the bar (note to readers: Lauriol Plaza takes ZERO reservations, I got there 45 minutes early to stake out a spot at the bar and I still missed the prime spot thanks to happy hour folks throwing back a few rounds of Tequilla shots...yikes). The greatest thing about events like this is seeing a random assortment of people all getting along and exchanging business cards and contact info - I knew everyone from blogging or otherwise and I always get nervous when I host events that everyone won't mesh well. These gals meshed perfectly!

Expect Liz and I to be planning MORE happy hours and hopefully other fun events in the future because seriously? The gals here in DC are just awesome!

(Jackie, Amanda, myself, Valerie and Christine)

(Amanda, Sarah and Liz)

Thank you again to all the girls who came out (Jackie, Amanda, Valerie, Sarah, Christine) and to Liz for co-hosting (and for dragging my butt out to karaoke in Adams Morgan afterward - oh my goodness!) I'm fairly certain the only thing missing from Friday night was ending the night with a ginormous, calorie packed jumbo slice.

Check out the rest of the pictures here and be sure to stay tuned for the next Gals' Guide DC event!

I know, I know. I have been bereft in my Guide duties. But I am back and hoping to buy back your affection with some fabulous knowledge.

Let's face it: this economy has everyone on edge. While there is an upturn, we're stressed. Employers are cutting corners (and jobs). Prices and taxes are going up, including that proposition to tax plastic bags at grocery stores. Companies are failing.

We need a drink. But where? The economy also has us tightening our purse strings, too!

Now, I don't know about you, but I love a good happy hour. One of my favorite ways to destress is to meet up with my favorite ladies somewhere and forget about the ills of the world for a little while, over a cocktail.

While Georgetown is synonymous was nightlife and bars, it is also synonymous with expensive bar tabs. This was something that made me sad, when my fiance and I moved across the District from Capitol Hill to the Glover Park neighborhood of DC.

Then something magical happened. One day Patrick and I were walking along M street after work, and we were famished. We stumbled into Mr. Smith's of Georgetown on a whim. Tired and weary, we settled into a table on their back garden patio.

All images courtesy of MrSmiths.com.

The back garden patio is amazing. It's a unique atmosphere that is also connected to another section of the garden patio that is outside. When looking at the exterior, this was not what I was expecting at all! Another surprise awaited us, as well. We had made it in time for happy hour. One glance at the menu, and I knew I was home.

Here is what you get for happy hour, which lasts until 7pm, at Mr. Smith's:

$2 rail drinks

Half priced beer

$3 beer of the month

Half priced appetizers

Other food and drink specials EVERY night including taco night, rib night, etc.

No exceptions

So that's your tip for today, ladies! Hopefully this little gem will help you with your recession blues. Just remember, even when your wallet looks a little saddened, all you need is a few dollars to meet with a friend and have a nice time out. Plus, you'll be doing your part to stimulate the economy!

Oh, another thing. If you feel like staying past happy hour, they have pianists who will play your requests including (but not limited to!) Journey, Billy Joel, the Beatles...

Mr. Smith's of Georgetown
3104 M Street NW
Washington, D.C., 20007

(202) 333-3104

P.S. Don't forget the DC Gal's Guide Happy Hour is TONIGHT! Go here for details, courtesy of Heidi!