In honor of Bike to Work Day 2013, which is this Friday, May 17th, here are some of my favourite artistic bike rack from around Washington, D.C. From left to right: “Equality Bike Rack” outside of the Human Rights Campaign HQ; part of “Bike Here” outside of Dupont Metro station’s south entrance; one of the 28 racks designed by local artists in 2009. "Duck, Duck, Bike!" at 1776 G Street was inspired by the mama duck and her ducklings that nest in the National Geographic courtyard each spring. ""(Re) Cycle" at 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue NW provides parking for up to 10 bikes and is made out of used parking meter heads. It was designed by local firm Design ...
L’Heure de l’Apéritif – Green Hat Gin
Feels like I haven't done a cocktail post in ages... probably because that's the case. But last Saturday, after the Shortcut to Europe Embassies Open House event, I was inspired to branch out of my usual French wine and try something a little more "exotic." Like Bulgarian wine. Well, wouldn't you know, it is not easy to find Bulgarian wine in D.C.! But what I did find while I hopped from liquor store to liquor store, was a bottle of limited release seasonal Green Hat Gin. Probably a better choice than Bulgarian wine anyway ;-) I visited D.C.'s first legal distillery since prohibition back on November 24, 2012 during American Express' Small Business Saturday promotion. John Uselton, who runs ...
Ladies who lunch…at the French Embassy
I wouldn't normally "review" an office cafeteria lunch, but I thought I'd make an exception... There are some 300 employees at the French Embassy in Washington, D.C. It's actually the largest French diplomatic mission in the world, and guess what, all this staff has to eat lunch at some point. I know... there are plenty of amazing lunch options in Washington. But pretty much none near the Embassy which is far far away, on Reservoir Road, near the Georgetown Hospital. It's kind of a pain to get to... but the D6 bus and I are learning to get along. I digress. The French Embassy in the United States has 2 restaurants, a fancy one for business meetings etc. (I haven't had a chance to eat at ...
Film Series – 50 Years French-German Friendship
Though it kicked off last Monday, May 8th seemed like a more appropriate day to write about a Franco-German film series happening in D.C. over the next few months... 50 years after Konrad Adenauer and Charles de Gaulle signed the Élysée Treaty, establishing the foundation for German-French friendship and cooperation, l'Alliance Française and the Goethe-Institut are celebrating this post-war reconciliation with a film festival showcasing films that were created through collaborations between filmmakers and actors in the two countries. The series kicked off on May 6th with the screening of Truffaut's classic Jules and Jim. Set between 1912 and 1933, it tells the story of two kindred spirits, ...
Speculoos Alfajores
I always look forward to passport D.C. and, this year, managed to squeeze in 9 different embassy visits. The one where I spent the most time was probably Chile, in part because I really enjoyed the traditional dance demonstrations outside the Embassy but also because the line was deceivingly long inside the Embassy. But the wait was worth it. I got to see the 2011 winning peep diorama "Chilean CoPeepapo Mine Rescue" and taste a number of Chilean culinary specialties like quinoa, pisco sour, wine, fresh fruits and alfajores. Alfajores are delicate cookies typically associated with Argentina, but baked throughout Latin America. Delicate. Not dainty like macarons. Though they're composed in ...
Stanley Cup(cakes)
So far so good... the Caps trumped the Rangers 3-1 at the Verizon Center last night and you can celebrate with cupcakes. Crumbs Bake Shop has partnered with NBC Sports Group and the NHL to design and create a a limited edition of Stanley Cupcakes, with either the Stanley Cup or team specific logos. Crumbs is selling the cupcakes for $4.50 in its 69 locations throughout the country, including its two locations here in DC. Let's hope we can enjoy Caps cupcakes all the way to the finals right? Right! And at the very least, Washingtonians can enjoy them today. An NBC/NHL/Crumbs co-branded mobile vehicle will be distributing the specially “iced” Cupcakes for free today at Union Station from ...
