By: Cori Sue

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, little reindeers! Who doesn’t like December? The cold weather is still new, you shop with purpose, drink and eat with reckless abandon, people bring you presents, Starbucks has special cups, there’s mistletoe, Christmas trees and sparkly, shiny things all around. Yes, the Holidays really make me giddy like a little schoolgirl. I’ve been a busy little elf already—my tree is up, Christmas cards purchased, cookies baked, and presents purchased. Now, it’s time for some fun.

Get into the spirit this week with some merriment of your own—the holiday market, the lighting of the Capitol Christmas tree, Brightest Young Thing’s Holiday Party, Capital Club’s Santa Soiree, or enjoy the other food and fun events around town if you’re feeling grinchy.

All Week Long
The downtown holiday market kicks off this week with fresh food, arts and crafts, jewelry, Christmas ornaments, photography and other fun gifts and goodies from 108 exhibitors. Best of all, they have mini doughnuts.8th and F Streets N.W., 12-8 p.m. daily from December 2-23.

Monday
Ardeo Bardeo debuts its pie and wine special on Sundays and Mondays. Get a slice of house-made pizza from Chef Nate Garyantes and a glass of wine or beer for a mere $15. The deal is only offered from 5-10 p.m. on Sundays and Mondays. Sounds like a good way to beat the Monday blues to me.

Tuesday
Take advantage of living in Washington during the Holiday season and attend the annual lighting of the Capitol Christmas Tree, which will be lit by Speaker of the House John Boehner. 5 p.m., West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, at Constitution and Independence Avenue

Thursday
Luxury shopping boutique Intermix is having a shopping event with 10% of sales benefiting the Capital Breast Care Center. The mission of Capital Breast Care Center (CBCC) is to provide comprehensive, culturally appropriate breast cancer screening services and to promote health and wellness to women in the DC metropolitan area, regardless of their ability to pay. The CBCC screens 2,000 women a year and is one of the leading providers of breast cancer screening to uninsured women in the DC area. 100% of every dollar raised goes directly to helping provide services for the women who need them.

Sale items in the store are up to 70% off so it’s a great time for holiday shopping. If you visit Intermix Georgetown between now and the 8th, let the salesperson know if you’d like to hold off on ringing up your purchases until the night of the event.  6-9pm at Intermix Georgetown at 3222 M Street

Friday

Love tapas and Jose Andres? Us too. Head to Jaleo Bethesda for a book signing with Spanish chef, who will be signing copies of his cookbooks Made in Spain, Tapas: A Taste of Spain in America, and Tapas Deck: 50 Little Dishes that Capture the Essence of Spanish Cooking. Fittingly, Jaleo will serve tapas during the event. 5-7:30 p.m., Jaleo Bethesda, 7271 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, M.D.

Later that night, Brightest Young Things teams up with the Kennedy Center for “The Greatest Holiday Party of All” with live bands and entertainment, cash bars with holiday drink specials, festive photo ops, and ticket giveaways to upcoming Kennedy Center performances. The Kennedy Center will be decked out like  a winter wonderland, including a Santa chair for festive photo opportunities. Tickets are a mere$5 and obnoxious Christmas attire and Santa costumes are encouraged. 9:30 p.m., 2700 F Street N.W.,Washington, D.C.

Saturday
Dance the night away with the dapper gentlemen of Washington’s Capital Club at the 20th Annual Santa Soiree held at the City Tavern Club in Georgetown. Tickets include bottomless cocktails and live music from the Winn Brothers Band. Dress to impress—attire is holiday black tie. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., City Tavern Club. Tickets, here.

Sunday
Brunch, but of course. Boutique Colombia Heights restaurant Room 11 launches its brunch this weekend.

By: Cori Sue

Last week, we announced a giveaway of two pairs of tickets to Wine Riot, an all-day fun fest of wine tastings, food pairings, wine education, live music and more, being held this Friday and Saturday at DAR Constitution Hall.

Due to the loads of feedback, I was unable to use my official selection method (eeny meeny miny moe) and was forced to use a less-awesome random number generator. Based on the powers that be, Coral and Carrie, you each won a pair of tickets! We’ll be shooting you an e-mail shortly.

Photo credit: Wine Riot

We’re so sorry we can’t take all of you, but, if you want to snag tickets, they’re $50 (a steal) and you can get them here!

We hope to see you there!

By: Cori Sue

We Bitches love great champagne. But, we won’t discriminate against a good glass of white or red, either.

As much as I might pretend to know a lot about wine, frankly, I don’t. I enjoy drinking it. I know what I like, and what I don’t like, but I have no explanation for my preferences … it’s a lot like my taste in men.

I prefer someone knowledgeable to recommend a good wine, tell me why I should like it, pour it for me, and provide delicious food along with it. What can I say? I like to be well taken care of.

Cue Wine Riot: a cross-country wine tour hitting our nation’s Capitol next weekend, October 21 and 22. It was started by a group of 20-somethings who love wine, but aren’t prepared to be snobby about it.

Photo credit: Wine Riot

There are 250 wines being poured, with food pairings. Here’s the best part: there’s a mobile app that enables you to track what you like and what you don’t as you cruise through the event. Plus, Wine Riot will have roving “wine intelligence units” and crash-course wine seminars throughout the event to educate you. I am ready to learn about ze vino!

Then, when you get nice and toasted, there’s a DJ and photo booth will all sorts of fun props to play with and memories to make.

Photo credit: Wine Riot

Sounds like a Bitchin’ party. Not convinced? Find more information on their website.

To celebrate our impending wine intelligence, we’re giving away two pairs of tickets! That’s four total tickets, divided between two lucky Bitches and their plus-ones.

The winner can choose to attend between 1) Friday Oct. 21, 7-10 p.m., 2) Saturday, October 22, 1-5 p.m., or 3) Saturday, October 22, 7-11 p.m. The event is being held at Daughters of the Revolution Constitution Hall, 1776 D Street N.W., Washington, DC.

To enter:
1) Like the Bitches on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or sign up to receive our emails each weekday morning (or do all three!).
2) Like Wine Riot on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.
3) Tell us your favorite type of wine in the comment section below, along with your contact information.
4) Do this by Wednesday, October 19, when we announce the winner.

We’ll be there, too, kittens. We’ll meet you for champagne in the photo booth!

By: Josh, Guest Bitch

A Note from the Bitches: We are regularly invited to media night at our most favorite theater, Woolly Mammoth. Woolly has put on some great plays this season, most notably The Agony and The Ecstasy of Steve Jobs, and A Girl’s Guide to Washington Politics. Last week, we were unable to attend media night so we sent Josh, our resident gay-about-town, who opines on wine, food, theater and all things classy.

A theater regular I am not. A title like “Booty Candy,” however, is more than enough to drive this lazy bum off his Netflix and out into the world of the stage. Showing at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre (in Penn Quarter) through July 3 (extended!), this play is a shock-your-mama must-see. Not for the faint of heart or the overly politically correct, Robert O’Hara pulls you through ten sketches ranging from five to 15 minutes each touching on a different aspect of race, sexuality and the labels that define us. Did I mention this is a comedy?

We dined at the meatalicious Hill Country BBQ across the street before the show. Had we not, we would definitely have hit the theater’s concessions, which offers reasonable prices for wine, beer, nonalcoholic beverages and snacks. All of which, I might add, can be brought into this intimate theater. Intimate in that the front row is about two feet from the stage and the actors. During the intermission, we were able to check out the alphabet wall on the second floor where guests had written in taboo words from their childhood. This interactive piece proved both amusing and insightful.

Photo credit: Stan Barouh

The play itself seems designed to make you laugh, squirm, laugh again then ask yourself if it’s okay to be laughing. That quickly passes, thanks in part to an early sketch that reassigns the title “genitalia” in a way you definitely won’t see coming and had most of the theater nearly falling out of their seats. O’Hara’s script, loosely based on his own experiences, holds a mirror up to the experience of being black and gay. Then he puts another mirror behind him, another in front and so on breaking up the pieces of his story before he pulls them all back together.

Odds are you won’t be allowed to rest in your comfort zone for long, though O’Hara and his cast thankfully are equally skilled at bringing the audience back to that comfort zone as they are at yanking them out. The intimacy of the set and the actors combined with the sometimes meta- nature of the story assist in that push and pull with the audience. You won’t feel comfortable, but you will be entertained. This might be Mr. O’Hara’s endgame—if so, it is masterfully achieved.

Photo credit: Stan Barouh

Woolly Mammoth Theatre
641 D Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Admin: (202) 289-2443
Box Office: (202) 393-3939

By: Cori Sue

There are lots of shows, parties, and food events this week. Check it out, Bitches.

All Week: Go Veg

Follow in my animal-loving footsteps and celebrate DC Meat-Free Week! There are restaurant events all week long (details, here). Thursday, DC food trucks—Eat Wonky, Sweet Flow, Pie Truck, Fojol Brothers, PORC Mobile, and DC Slices—are offering dollar discounts on all their veggie fare.

Monday: See

We just love some Woolly Mammoth (the theater, not the animal … actually, I’m pretty sure the animal was cool, too). The Penn Quarter theater’s newest play, Oedipus el Rey, an adaptation of the original tragedy, opens tonight. Tickets, $30.

Tuesday: Rock

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training hosts a night of Rock’N’Roll at Whitlows on Wilson. Live music, complimentary apps, and an info session on Team in Training, which can teach pretty much anyone how to run a marathon or half marathon. 6:30-9:30 p.m. 2854 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, V.A.

Wednesday: Dress for Success

The Business Center at Flashpoint and Deb Sivigny, a costume designer who also works for Stacy London’s Style for Hire, host a workshop, Dress for Success: The Art of Dressing for Auditions and Interviews. Learn how to dress for interviews and auditions, and how to pick clothing that complements your body type. 6-8 p.m, The Studio Theater, 1835 14^th St. N.W., Washington D.C.

Thursday: Binge

Yipee! The International Food and Wine Festival is finally here—I’ve been waiting for another excuse to overeat and drink excessively. The event starts Thursday and culminates in the Grand Tasting Event this weekend. Details and tickets, here. Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, D.C.

Photo credit: Wine & Food Festival

Friday: Party

One of the best galas of the year, SOME (So Others Might Eat) Jr. Gala takes place this Friday. Drink and dance the night away with young professionals while supporting a meaningful cause. Tickets, $85 for a single, $170 for couples, cover unlimited drinks, hors d’ouevres and live tunes from the Blue Tips Rhythm Review. February 11, 8 p.m. to midnight at the Corcoran Gallery of Art.

Saturday: Run

Get your skivvies out! This Saturday is the only time you’ll be able to run through the Capitol in your underwear, courtesy of Cupid’s Undie Run, which benefits the Children’s Tumor Foundation. The race itself is sold out, but you can watch us from the side of the race route, along Pennsylvania Avenue and in front of the Capitol. We’ll be running in it (look for our “Bitches” undies!).

Sunday: Kiss For Your Burger

Bring your Valentine to Z Burger on Sunday or Monday, kiss at the counter, get a free heart-shaped burger. Yes, you get to make out in public, then eat free beef. Z Burger, 4321 Wisconsin Ave . N.W. Sunday, open-close, Monday, open-4 p.m.

Photo credit: Pamela's Punch Flickr

By: Becca

Do you feel the chill? It’s officially fall. And I officially love it.

I’ll be jetting around this week, New York and then Austin (yes, my Bitches get a weekend off). But part of me wishes I were D.C.-based for the next seven days, because there are some seriously cool things happening …

Monday

The Devil Wears Prada author Lauren Weisberger will make an appearance at Ginger boutique in Bethesda Row to promote her newest novel, Last Night at Chateau Marmont. From 6 to 8 p.m., the shop will also play host to Georgetown Cupcakes and White + Warren for a trunk show. The event is part of Bethesda Row Boutique Week, which has more trunk shows and fashion shows planned throughout the week.

Wednesday

Admit it: You get some of your work basics at Ann Taylor. This Wednesday you can say ‘thanks’ to the president and CEO of the company, Kay Krill and Christine Beauchamp, while you shop the fall collection. The event, hosted by DC Modern Luxury, will be at the Ann Taylor on 13th Street NW from 1 to 3 p.m. Just RSVP to rsvpdc@modernluxury.com.

Then, that evening, Cork Market & Tasting Room will be opening some of their rarest bottles. Importer Neal Rosenthal will sign copies of his memoir and give a tasting tour of his wine travels through France and Italy – what a treat! It’s the first of Cork’s quarterly series of tastings. $25 per person, RSVP to info@corkdc.com.

Thursday

If you keep hearing about all those damn food trucks but just never seem to find the time to hunt them down, this Thursday is your chance. They’ll all converge in the Old Washington Convention Center lot in Chinatown for DC’s first Curbside Cookoff. You can try them all, vote on your favorite, and also enjoy live music and art. It’s being hosted by BYT, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, and DCRA.

Saturday

Cross your fingers it’s one of those gorgeous fall days, because this Saturday is Taste of Georgetown. I went last year and had such a lovely time. You can sample all the goods from Georgetown’s top restaurants, and enjoy wine, beer, and live music in the garden at Grace Church. The best part is all the proceeds go to help the homeless. It’s from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wisconsin and M Street.

Sunday

It’s the opening day for Artisphere, Arlington’s new 62,000-square-foot cultural center. It will have theaters, galleries, a ballroom, shops, and a free-WiFi cafe and bar. I can see myself there already. On Saturday, the doors swing open to the public with a big party: Chopteeth (an afro-funk band) will be playing at 9 p.m., and there will also be performances by a chamber ensemble, dance crews, video installations, a jazz band, and more. A “Skateboarding Side Effects” exhibit, where artists have captured the motion of skateboarding, will be on display through November. Free all day.

By: Cori Sue

I’m going dive right in to my thoughts on Ulah Bistro, because that’s exactly what I did with the food. I couldn’t resist. And now, I can’t say enough good things about this lesser-known U Street gem.

The Bistro serves modern American cuisine—hearty, delectable comfort food such as pizza, burgers and mac-and-cheese—at very affordable prices, and with good service to boot. Last Sunday was rainy, dreary, and cold, and so our hung-over bodies wanted that solid comfort food for brunch.

It hit the spot. To begin, a little hair of the dog: Bloody Marys that were the perfect amount of spicy, served with olives and celery.

My craving for eggs benny was fully satisfied with the Eggs Chesapeake ($12). Take a look at those enormous lumps of crab! Pops had the Nova Scotia ($12), also known Salmon Eggs Benedict.

Apparently, everyone in my family likes their eggs firmly poached. And our competent and cute (my lecherous father will have you know) waitress relayed our egg order to the chef perfectly, which he followed explicitly. Eggs correctly poached, good hollandaise, mush-free bread, and hearty helpings of seafood – Ulah’s Benedicts get five stars from the Morris clan!

Miss Lindsey went for the Mediterranean omelet ($9), made with spinach, tomato, and feta, and a side of fresh fruit. All the fruits and vegetables were fresh and delicious.

Hoping to cure her red-wine induced birthday hangover, Mom went for the mac n’cheese ($8), made with aged smoked gouda, pecorino romano cheese, orecchiette pasta, and bacon. Even better, the mac-and-cheese was served with homemade cornbread topped with honey butter. Carbohydrate heaven, my dears.

The entire table wanted Ulah’s delicious french fries, charmingly served in a newspaper-print cone. So fries we had, fresh and piping hot. We absolutely devoured them.

The Bitches say: Weren’t you listening? I said the food was damn good, easy on the wallet, and served up by a cute and competent wait staff in a relaxed, cozy setting. A+!

Ulah Bistro
1214 U Street N.W.
Washington, D.C.
(202) 234-0123

By: Cori Sue

Wow, it’s August already?

Shop

Mid City Dog Days. Head to the U Street/14^th Street corridors for the 11^th annual MidCity Sidewalk Sale. Some of the bitches’ favorite décor and clothing boutiques—RCKNDY, Urban Essentials, Nana, Redeem, Treasury Vintage, Pulp—are having great sales and discount specials. Area restaurants—Policy, Masa14, Marvin, and more—are having complimentary drinks, popsicles, and snacks and other specials. More information. Start at U and 14^th N.W. Aug. 7–8.

Tax Free at Tyson’s. Pick up your fall essentials with tax-free shopping at Tyson’s Mall Aug. 6–8. Tyson’s Galleria, 2001 International Drive, McLean, V.A. (703) 827-7730.

Drink

Photo credit: Ping Pong Dim Sum

 After Dark Happy Hour. Having trouble making it to the bar in time for the good specials? Ping Pong Dim Sum has your solution. Their “after dark” happy hour starts at 10 p.m. and features $7 martinis, $20 bottles of prosecco, and $4 desserts—chocolate buns, mango puffs, exotic fruits, and sorbets. 900 7^th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. (202) 506-3740.

Green Goodness. Green Meetup (a group for Green consumers, companies, and entrepreneurs) and VeeV (organic booze) host a happy hour at Hudson Restaurant. Thurs., Aug. 6, 6–8 p.m. 2030 M St. N.W., Washington, D.C. (202) 872-8700.

Half-priced wine on Fridays. M Bar offers a damn good special for a Friday. So, grab your coworkers, friends, whoever—and relax over a light white on a hot summer night. 4– 8 p.m. 1143 New Hampshire Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. (202) 775-0800.

Go.

Endless Summer Beach Bash. Luke’s Wings is a local charity with a great cause—they fly families of wounded soldiers to visit during hospitalization and rehabilitation—ensuring service members have the support and encouragement they need to recover. This Friday, they host their second annual beach bash fundraiser at L2. Enjoy limbo dancing, beach twisters, a surfing contest, tropical drinks, and more. Tickets $20 in advance, $30 at the door. Fri., Aug 6, 7 p.m. 3315 Cady’s Alley N.W., Washington D.C.

Earth Festival. National Museum of the American Indian hosts a free food-focused fest—farmer’s market, cooking demonstrations, and dinner-and-a-movie at the Mitsitam Café (the best place to dine on the Mall). Full details, here. Fri.–Sun. Aug. 6– 8. 4^th St. & Independence Ave. S.W., Washington, D.C. (202) 633-1000.

Photo credit: Jazz in the Garden

Jazz in the Garden. The weather’s cooled down a little, so head to the sculpture garden for this timeless summer tradition. Fridays, 5–8:30 p.m. Free. 700 Constitution Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. (202) 289-3360.

By: Cori Sue

Back in 2007, when I was a fledgling student reporter in Chapel Hill, N.C., I interviewed Mike Benson, owner of the charming Southern Rail. The restaurant is built inside restored vintage railroad cars nestled next to an active railroad in Carrboro, Chapel Hill’s hippie neighbor. And with that interview, my brunching seeds were sewn early—I was a regular at Southern Rail’s brunch for their fantabulous pancakes that can cure any co-ed’s hangover.

Photo credit: Southern Rail

While interviewing Mr. Benson, he told me about his other transportation and vintage themed restaurants—an aviation-themed Café St. Ex and a Hemingway nautical-themed Bar Pilar—both located in Washington, D.C. A Hemingway aficionado, I had just read For Whom the Bell Tolls while abroad in Spain, and longed to visit Bar Pilar.

Two years later, in 2009, I’m new to the District and new to the dating scene. A charming young man (who you now know as “boyfriend”) took me on our first date for drinks and appetizers at Bar Pilar—where we were able to hit it off chatting about Hemingway over a few rounds of sangria.

Nowadays, said couple lives a few blocks away and frequents Bar Pilar and Café St. Ex, so it was only a matter of time before we headed to our first-date spot for brunch. This Saturday, we were able to check out Bar Pilar’s vintage décor in the sunlight—including the authentic helm of Hemingway’s boat, Pilar, the namesake of the restaurant and the female protagonist of For Whom the Bell Tolls.

Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris

I settled on the berry pancakes ($9). Each pancake was filled with a different berry—raspberry, blueberry and blackberry. They were perfectly cooked—I hate it when filled pancakes are mushy on the inside—ack.

Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris

Meanwhile, boyfriend had the chicken salad sandwich ($9), served on thick, crispy, buttery bread with a side salad of mixed greens with the most phenomenal dressing.

Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris

Brunch was very quiet—we were the first ones in the door when it opened at 11 a.m., a very different ambiance from evenings at Bar Pilar. Brunch was also affordable—entrees were $8-12.

The bitches say: B+ delicious, affordable food in a charming spot—though we prefer Bar Pilar for dinner and drinks.

1833 14th St. N.W.
Washington, D.C.
(202) 265-1751

By: Cori Sue

Drink

25 for $25 Wine Tasting. Adorable French bistro Mon Ami Gabi in Bethesda offers a wine tasting paired with passed hors d’oeuvres. Mon., June 28, 6:30–8:30 p.m., (301) 654-1234.

Metro Event Specialists’ Networking Mixer. With more than 1,000 members, this organization is the largest event planning organization in the area. Free to attend. Tues., June 29, 5:30–8 p.m. George, 3251 Prospect Street N.W., Washington D.C.

Drink to Save The Earth! A cause we are particularly passionate about,  Plastic Pollution Coalition (REFUSE single use and disposable plastics) hosts a cocktail event at Muleh on the 14^th St. Corridor. Free, donations taken at door. rsvp@plasticpollutioncoalition.org. Wed., June 30, 7–9 p.m. 1831 14^th St. N.W., Washington, D.C.

Save Argonaut Bar.  For those of you who haven’t heard, H Street locale Argonaut caught fire last Sunday. This fundraiser is to support the bar/restaurant’s restoration and help employees left without jobs after the fire. Wed., June 30, 5–11 p.m. The Rock and Roll Hotel, 1352 H St. N.E., Washington, D.C.

Social Media Day 2010 Happy Hour. Meet up with your Facebook friends and Tweeties, Tweethearts, or Twitter-whatever-you-call-ems at Science Club to celebrate Social Media Day. $3 beer specials, $4 liquor drinks, $5 wine. Music by DJ Lil’ Elle. Wed., June 30, 5:30–9 p.m. Tickets free, sign up online. 1136 19^th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 

Eat

Beer Floats! Head to AGAINN to cool off with Guiness beer floats. At $9 each—you  pick strawberry, vanilla or stout ice cream and save by combining drinks with dessert! 1099 New York Ave., Washington, D.C.

Go:

Free Admission to the Corcoran. Save yourself $10 and check out the Corcoran Gallery of Art for free on Saturdays all summer long (until Labor Day). 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 500 17^th St. N.W., Washington, D.C.

Rock at the Row Summer Concert Series. For all you Arlington dwellers, head to Pentagon Row Thursday evenings for live music from the area’s best bands. Thurs., July 1, 7–9 p.m. 1101 S. Joyce St., Arlington, V.A.