Going Out Gurus

Got Plans? Redux: Thanksgiving visitors edition

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:24:27 -0500

Another week, another contest. We wanted to give away a pair of "Lost in Yonkers" tickets, so we asked you where you bring out-of-town visitors. You turned in some great, offbeat suggestions. We learned about barbecues at Gravelly Point, walking tours and trips to the National Building Museum. Check out the full transcript for more suggestions -- and, of course, our usual serving of advice and commentary. We dished about hanging at the Black Cat, watching sports at bars and dining at restaurants run by "Top Chef" contestants. We're taking next week off -- Gurus need turkey, too! -- but we'll be back to chatting on Dec. 3. Ask away! -- Julia Beizer

Where do you go for great grilled cheese?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:30:03 -0500

Who doesn't love a grilled cheese? Whether it's a classic rendition like the one at Stoney's . . . (Kathryn Norwood - For The Washington Post) My mission for this week's Dinner Deals column: to find the best grilled cheeses in the area. I settled on five classic faves and three upscale twists. My picks'll be in tomorrow's paper, but you can check 'em out a day early. When researching this story, I found people all over the city with really strong opinions about melted cheese on bread. The Hamilton's version of the sandwich kept popping up among Hill-dwelling sources, so I tried it. Twice. Not-quite-melted white cheddar with tomato and bacon didn't do it for me. The Saloon and the Vienna Inn have decent options, but thin bread turned me off in both cases. Probably more authentic that way -- just like your mama used to make! --

Who's behind the future DC Diner?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:12:13 -0500

Chowhounds might already know there's a diner planned for the long-vacant McDonald's in Cleveland Park. Discerning types should be thrilled to hear that the owners of the popular Nooshi and Spices, chef Jessie Yan and Vanessa Lim, are behind the replacement. Unlike their pan-Asian eateries, the future venue, tentatively called DC Diner, will have a more American focus. Think omelets and sandwiches, some sort of steak and long hours: DC Diner may serve as early as 6 a.m. and on weekends, as late as 2 a.m., says Lim. She's hired Beltran Design Group in Washington to turn the space at 3407 Connecticut Ave. NW into a bucolic 140-seat dining room. Look for barn wood inside. A note from the architect, read by Lim, suggests the interior will "reflect the beauty and simplicity of the farm." The restaurateurs hope to open the diner in April, but "you know construction," says Lim.

Play virtual tour guide and win theater tickets

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:56:49 -0500

It's Thursday, and we're ready to chat at 1 p.m. Looking at the dozens of questions that are already in the Got Plans? queue, people are anxious to talk about holiday parties, Thanksgiving eve destinations and places to take visitors. Of course, we're ready and willing to talk about more than that -- all you have to do is ask. Speaking of Thanksgiving, we also have a prize to give away this week: a pair of tickets to see "Lost in Yonkers" at Theatre J on Tuesday night. All you have to do is suggest your favorite off-the-beaten-path place to take holiday visitors. Everybody goes to the Air and Space Museum or the World War II Memorial -- we're looking for something different. So as you're hanging out with your family next week, just think: you could go watch a family that's even nuttier. Get ready to play tour guide,

Hot tickets

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:51:09 -0500

Tickets are on sale now at Tickets.com (800-955-5566) for these shows at the 9:30 club: • Wale and Remy, Jan. 1 ($25) • Thievery Corporation, Jan. 21-23 ($40-$50). Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster for Moody Blues, March 26 at DAR Constitution Hall ($48-$68). Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. through Live Nation for these shows at the Warner Theatre: • Steven Wright, Jan. 23 ($39.50-$119) &bull: Jimmy Fallon, Feb. 5 ($35) Tickets go on sale Friday at noon through Ticketmaster for the Magnetic Fields, Feb. 4 at Lisner Auditorium ($35). Tickets go on sale Friday at noon through Ticketmaster for these shows at the Birchmere: • Justin Townes Earle and Joe Pug, March 7 ($22.50) • Crooked Still and Chatham County Line, March 14 ($25). Tickets go on sale Friday at 4:20 p.m. through Live Nation for Cheech & Chong, April 10 at

Three more reasons to go out this week

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:06:04 -0500

If you're tired of the same-old nightlife destinations, take heart -- it's a big week for bar openings and reopenings in D.C. Probably the most welcome is the rebirth of the Black Rooster, the downtown pub that closed in October after losing its lease in a downtown office building. After a public outcry (and help from D.C. council member Jack Evans), owner Jody Taylor quietly reopened the bar Monday. Regulars will also be celebrating on L Street on Friday, when Evans presides at a 6 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony that Taylor called "the quote-unquote unofficial-official grand reopening." A DJ will spin from 6 p.m. on, and there will be food and wine specials in addition to the usual "$1.50 off all draft beers" deal that's offered at its weekday happy hours. It won't be hard to miss the party; Taylor says there will be searchlights outside. We mentioned the Peroni Blue

A movies remake

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:21 -0500

Cinemaphiles, let me direct your attention to the (computer) screen. We just launched a new look for movies in the Going Out Guide, and we'd love to get your feedback. Our new main movies page features what's opening this week and our holiday movie guide, along with quick lists of critics' picks, recent releases and other easy-to-scan suggestions about what's in theaters and what's coming soon. There and on our trailers page, you'll can find the newest trailers available so you can keep up with the buzzed-about flicks. And for all those who love to watch the numbers, we added a revamped version of the weekend box office stats. Take a tour of our new pages and let us know what you think, because we're planning even more movie-related improvements for you in the future. You can e-mail us at goingoutguide@washingtonpost.com, or leave comments below. -- Anne Kenderdine

Nightlife Agenda

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:56:16 -0500

It's worth staying up late for the Beaujolais nouveau party at Bistrot du Coin -- especially if you like free wine. (Courtesy of Bistrot du Coin) A hectic week starts with Beaujolais nouveau parties and a fundraiser hosted by hip-hop icons Public Enemy, but also includes a hip-hop history lesson from a cavalcade of local artists, Texas-style two-stepping with Gary P. Nunn at the Clarendon Ballroom, a tribute to the daiquiri, an appearance by highly rated DJ David Guetta, fonk from the Pimps of Joytime, a CD release party for the Jet Age and a new beer night.

The Passenger: Ready to board

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:05:15 -0500

If you've been looking forward to the Passenger, the new neighborhood bar in Shaw from cocktail experts Tom and Derek Brown (formerly of Cork and the Gibson, respectively), here's some good news. The Passenger is set to open at 5 p.m. on Thursday after a few of the usual friends-and-media previews. For more on the promising-sounding establishment, including details about the exclusive cocktail lounge coming early next year, check out my previous post. -- Fritz Hahn

Dine With Tom: Last week to enter

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:24:58 -0500

The photos keep pouring in. We're up to a whopping 168 entries in the Dine With Tom contest! Just a reminder: Deadline day is looming. You have until 5 p.m. this Friday (Nov. 20) to enter. Check out the official rules and then upload your photo here. Beginning Nov. 30, we'll ask readers to vote for one of 10 finalists. The winner scores dinner for two with Post food critic Tom Sietsema. Not a bad prize, if I do say so myself. -- Julia Beizer

Free and easy events

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:46 -0500

Our free picks this week include kids yoga, manicures and expert advice on how to be a spy. Saturday, Nov. 21 "The Real Spy's Guide to Becoming a Spy" at the International Spy Museum If you've ever wanted to be the next James Bond, you could do worse than getting tips from Spy Museum Executive Director Peter Earnest, who served as a senior CIA spook (er, a "clandestine operations officer") before taking on his current position. Earnest discusses his new book in the museum's gift shop. Sunday, Nov. 22 Free Kids Yoga Classes at Circle Yoga Ever get the feeling your son is a budding swami? Does your daughter have a predilection for the warrior pose? Get them to Circle Yoga for free classes for ages 3-5, 5-8 and 8-12. Be aware that your little ones will be guinea pigs for instructors learning to teach yoga to kids, and parents

Slumberland celebrates its 20th

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:30:25 -0500

"I don't think any of us had any great ambitions or imagined putting out more than one or two singles each. We really just wanted documents of what we were doing, and putting out singles seemed to make the most sense." That's Michael Schulman of Slumberland Records, talking about the modest beginnings of his record label, which he founded in Silver Spring 20 years ago and now runs from San Francisco. Countless other labels have started in the same low-key manner, and the story usually ends shortly after that. Hardly any make it through two decades, and even fewer boast a catalogue that helps define a genre. But Slumberland did achieve those milestones; for the past 20 years, the label has released some true indie-pop cornerstones. It's currently experiencing some of its greatest success to date, thanks the popularity of new bands such as the Pains of Being Pure at

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Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:30:25 -0500

National Gallery skating rink won't open this weekend

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:36:00 -0500

We hyped it in Thursday's discussion, and we'd chosen it as one of our best bets for this weekend. But organizers at the National Gallery told me this morning that because of weather conditions this week, the popular skating rink on the Mall will not in fact open Saturday. The planned opening date is now set for Friday, Nov. 20 -- but again, it all depends on the weather. Check back with us for updates next week. Update: As the weather forecast changes, so do the plans for the rink's opening. Officials say it could open as early as Wednesday, weather permitting. There will be free hot chocolate on the opening weekend days, Nov. 21 and 22. -- Anne Kenderdine

Last night's happy hour: From Russia House with love

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:30:53 -0500

Raise a glass to happy hour with the Gurus. (Dakota Fine) Thanks for joining us at happy hour at Russia House last night! We had a packed crowd over the lounge's multiple floors, a live violinist and from the looks of things, a fair number of vodka-lovers there. Big congratulations go to our raffle winners: Jem Bahaijoub won tickets to the sold-out Arctic Monkeys show at the 9:30 club on Dec. 8, and Josh Kriger won the pair of tickets to see Devendra Banhart at 9:30 on Nov. 25. Check back later today for updates with our additional winners and photos from last night's party. And make plans to join us -- and Santa Claus -- for next month's happy hour: Dec. 10 at Buffalo Billiards. Update: Our final two winners are: Brian Funk, who nabbed two tickets to see the 8 p.m. show of They Might Be Giants

Got Plans? Redux: What's nightlife worth to you?

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:00:05 -0500

Yesterday's chat touched on one of my favorite subjects: how much to spend on an average night out. A reader asks: D.C.: Gurus, in these tough financial times going out is sometimes a bit of a downer when it comes to spending money -- at least for me in my mid-20s and not being totally financially set yet. Gurus and readers, how much do you think the -average- person (in the "just getting established" age range) spends (or plans to spend) on drinks for a weekend night out with friends in one of the main going-out areas? Just purchasing drinks -- not dinner. (I know there is a huge range of price points in D.C. nightlife, from fancy hotel bars/wine bars down to dives.) How much is enough so that you don't have to feel like a cheapie all night holding a glass of water but not so much that