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Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies - Jim Bayless

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite books and movies. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies."

Jim Bayless (bio), a veteran legislative and regulatory attorney who has lived in Washington for more than 25 years, shares his favorite books and movies. (You can see some of Jim's favorite things about living in our nation's capital here.)

Favorite Books

• Manhunt, a thrilling, detailed account of the assassination of President Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth and his several co-conspirators, aiders, and abettors and the frenzied chase and capture.
• Team of Rivals, a masterpiece of how Abe Lincoln prevailed against his much more qualified rivals for the presidential nomination and integrated this extraordinarily accomplished group of political adversaries into his own Cabinet.

Favorite Movies

• Mr Smith Goes to Washington-a Frank Capra-produced classic starring Jimmy Stewart and portraying the fundamental role and operation of the U.S. Senate.
• Advise and Consent (1962)-a classic political novel portraying zealots in the president's party resorting to blackmail to insure the approval of their nominee for Secretary of State; demonstrates the advise-and-consent role of the U.S. Senate; starring Henry Fonda.
• The Seduction of Joe Tynan-another portrayal of the ideological and moral conflicts of being a member of the U.S. Senate; straining his already part-time family life. But it could be a big boost to his career, so he takes it on. Starring Alan Alda.
• No Way Out-a tense thriller starring Kevin Costner and Gene Hackman; a tale of national security and blackmail filmed at the Pentagon and elsewhere around Washington.
• Executive Action (1973)-A group of powerful and wealthy men hires mercenaries to assassinate John F. Kennedy.
• All the President's Men (1976)-True story of how two Washington Post reporters uncovered the Watergate scandal that led to the resignation of President Nixon; starring Dustin Hoffman, Robert Redford.

For more, also see our Political and Government Classics page.

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July 17, 2008 10:07 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies - Peter Loge

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite books and movies. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies."

Peter Loge (bio), a public affairs professional, shares his favorite books and movies. (You can see some of Peter's favorite things about living in our nation's capital here.)

Favorite Books and Movies

My taste in DC fiction tends to run to campaign ads and public assurances of 100% support. One terrific political thriller that takes place largely in Washington is Executive Actions by Gary Grossman – among other things there is scene in one of my favorite restaurants, Tabard Inn.

Of all the DC-centric movies, my favorites include The Day the Earth Stood Still, a classic for so many reasons, and Strangers on a Train, which is a terrific film. I like The American President mostly for the joke about getting lost in Dupont Circle.

For more, also see our Political and Government Classics page.

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July 9, 2008 07:57 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Jack Schenendorf

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Jack Schenendorf (bio) shares his favorites.

Five most interesting places to visit

• The Capitol, web site, 101 Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC.
• National Archives, web site, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 202-357-5450.
• The National Portrait Gallery, web site, 8th St NW and F Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-633-8300.
• The Holocaust Museum, web site, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW Washington, DC, 202-488–0400.
• Union Station, web site, 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Washington, DC, 202-289-1908.

Five most favorite “fun” things to do

• Paddle Boats on the Tidal Basin, web site, 1501 Maine Ave, SW, Washington, DC, 202-479-2426.
• Attend a Nationals game, web site, Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street, SE Washington, DC.
• Go to the Verizon Center for any sporting event. web site, 7th St NW & F St NW, Washington, DC, 202-628-3200.
• Take a tour of Georgetown. web site, Georgetown, Washington, DC.
• Walk along the National Mall. web site, National Mall, Washington, DC.

Five favorite restaurants

• Old Ebbitt Grill, web site, 675 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005 202-347-4800, [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Bullfeathers, web site, 410 1st St SE, Washington, DC 20003, 202-543-5005 [WaPo | Yelp]
• Oceanaire, web site, 1201 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004, 202-347-2277 [Hobnonb Blog | WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Clyde's Georgetown, web site, 3236 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007, 202-333-9180 [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Clyde's Gallery Place, web site, 707 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202-349-3700 [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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June 6, 2008 07:37 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Al Swift

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Al Swift (bio), a former Member of Congress, shares his favorites.

Five most interesting places to visit

• Washington's Tomb or what was supposed to be that. It is now the place they store the Lincoln catafalque which has been used for every person who has laid in state in the rotunda since it was used for Abraham Lincoln. It is kind of hard to find but it is directly beneath the center of the Capitol Dome. Just keep going down. web site, 101 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, DC.
• The Brumidi Corridor in the U.S. Capitol, Senate side. web site, 101 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, DC.
• The Capitol Rotunda. web site, 101 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, DC.
• The Lincoln Memorial. web site, Independence Avenue SW & 23rd Street SW, Washington, DC.
• The Smithsonian. Some of these are pretty standard, but they are not ordinary. web site, map of museums on or near the National Mall, 202-633-1000.

Five most favorite “fun” things to do

• Have a martini, a cigar, and a conversation at Shelly's Back Room, a tavern in DC. One of only two places in DC where you can enjoy a good cigar while wetting one's whistle. web site, 1331 F Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-737-3003.
• Go to the National Zoo. web site, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-633-4800.
• Go to the Arboretum. web site, 3501 New York Avenue NE, Washington, DC, 202-245-2726.
• Ride the paddle boats in the Tidal Basin. This is one that I have not done, but it always seemed like fun. web site, 1501 Maine Avenue SW, Washington, DC, 202-479-2426.

Five favorite restaurants

Well, I'm a truck driver's son and while I've learned to like the finer things in life, I haven't forgotten the joys of a good peanut butter and jam sandwich...

• The Prime Rib for steak and lobster bisque. web site, 2020 K Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-466-8811. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• The Monocle for history and politics with your meal. web site, 107 D Street NE, Washington, DC, 202-546-4488 [WaPo | Yelp]
• Hard Times Cafe, any of them for chili. I like Texas, halfway wet with onions on the side. web site, many locations throughout the area. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Five Guys any of them for hamburgers, what else? web site, many locations throughout the area. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• BJs Sandwich Shop in the National Press Building. For good sandwiches when you are on the run. (But I've never tried their PB&Js.) web site,

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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May 22, 2008 07:27 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Jim Capretta

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Jim Capretta (bio), a Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, shares his favorites.

Three most interesting places to visit

• The Museum of Natural History. web site, 10th Street & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 202-633-1000.
• The Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, near Catholic University. web site, 3900 Harewood Road, NE, Washington, DC 202-635-5400.
• The National Archives building. web site, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 202-357-5450.

Two most favorite “fun” things to do

• Eat at the cafeteria in the Supreme Court building. Cafeteria Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on ground floor. It closes briefly to the public to accommodate Court employees at noon and 1 p.m. web site, map 202-479-3030.
• Go to the top of the Post Office Pavilion Tower. web site, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 202-289-4224.

Two favorite restaurants

• Crystal Thai web site, 4819 Arlington Boulevard (At Park Dr.), Arlington, VA, 703-522-1311. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Five Guys web site, many locations throughout the area. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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May 17, 2008 10:47 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Dave Grimaldi

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Dave Grimaldi (bio) shares his favorites.

Five most interesting places to visit

• The Folger Shakespeare Library behind the Supreme Court. web site, 201 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003, 202-544-4600.
• Meridian Hill Park,web site, 16th and U Streets NW, Washington, DC.
• Frederick Douglass's birth place, web site, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, VA, 703-777-3174.
• The Dumbarton Oaks estate in Georgetown, web site, 2715 Q Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-337-2288.
• The National Cathedral web site, Massachusetts and Wisconsin NW, Washington, DC, 202-537-6200.

Five most favorite “fun” things to do

• Going to the National Zoo two hours before closing, after all of the crowds are gone. web site, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-633-4800.
• Heading to the monuments during big snowfalls.
• Walking to Kalorama and seeing the grand ambassadors' residences. Kalorama Wikipedia entry, Kalorama, Washington, DC.
• Hitting the Dupont Circle Farmers' Market every Sunday morning. web site, 20th Street NW between Q and Massachusetts NW, Washington, DC, 202-362-8889.
• Bike riding through downtown and the Mall. You can see it all in less than a day! District of Columbia map.

Five favorite restaurants

• Cactus Cantina web site, 3300 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 202-686-7222. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• The Palm web site, 1225 19th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-293-9091. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Sushi Taro web site 1503 17th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-462-8999. [WaPo | Yelp]
• Tosca web site, 1112 F Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-367-1990. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Five Guys web site, now that they offer franchises they have many locations throughout the area. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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May 8, 2008 09:07 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies - Jill Kamp Melton

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite books and movies. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies."

Jill Kamp Melton (bio), a communications consultant, shares her favorite books and movies. (You can see some of Jill's favorite things about living in our nation's capital here.)

Favorite Books and Movies

As for books and movies, my taste is back in the 19th century. I love anything by Jane Austen and have watched ALL the versions of Pride and Prejudice and Emma many times. The novels by Catherine Cookson that have been made into movies by the BBC for TV are also compelling.

The only modern movie I have liked recently is The Devil Wears Prada, because of the fashion angle. In addition, seeing the personal price that is paid for someone to sacrifice ethics and relationships for position and power could be seen to echo DC shenanigans.

For more, also see our Political and Government Classics page.

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April 9, 2008 04:57 PM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies - Michael Koempel

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite books and movies. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies."

Michael Koempel (bio), a senior specialist in American National Government for the Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress, shares his favorite book and movie. (You can see some of Mike's favorite things about living in our nation's capital here.)

Favorite Book and Movie

There are many good books and movies about Washington, but my favorite book and movie about Washington are the same: Allen Drury's Advise and Consent. The book, and the movie on which it was based, was written by someone who knew the Senate and Senators very well and respected the institution and its people, captured the essence of congressional politics in a real way, successfully invoked the political backdrop prevailing at the time (anticommunism; there's always a political backdrop), was based loosely on a real event, and, in the case of the movie, was wonderfully cast and directed.

For more, also see our Political and Government Classics page.

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April 2, 2008 09:07 AM   Link    Comments (1)

Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies - Claudia Thurber

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite books and movies. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies."

Claudia Thurber (bio), a veteran of over twenty-two years of federal government service, shares her favorite books and movies. (You can see some of Claudia's favorite things about living in our nation's capital here.)

Favorite Books

I am addicted to mysteries so I will limit my selections to those. (There are many good novels, but I will leave those for someone else to mention). There are many good writers who have set their mysteries in DC. Two of my favorites are: David Baldacci's The Camel Club and George P Pelecanos' Right as Rain and The Sweet Forever. Pelecanos is not for the faint of heart. His books are gritty and disturbing, showing a side of DC that few of us know. Nevertheless, I like him!

Favorite Movies

As to movies, there are many good ones set in DC. Here are a couple of my favorites: Mr Smith Goes to Washington; All The President's Men; No Way Out and, of course, The Exorcist, which has always given tourists something to look for in Georgetown!

For more, also see our Political and Government Classics page.

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March 12, 2008 11:07 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies - Bill Noxon

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite books and movies. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies."

Bill Noxon (bio), a public relations practitioner, shares his favorite book and movie. (You can see some of Bill's favorite things about living in our nation's capital here.)

Favorite Book

The World is Flat -- My favorite book (recently) was Tom Friedman's "The World is Flat." I was interested in it for a couple of reasons. I read many of Friedman's columns in the New York Times about the changing nature of the world economy, as well as science, technology and education. He quite often cited our National Science Foundation statistical studies and analyses in building his individual columns. The book dramatically yet eloquently stated a view he championed for years that the rest of the world is slowly catching up to the United States in innovation, wealth generation and in some ways, passing the U.S. in educational achievement. The reality of this "flatness" is in this growing global economy and interaction, and the challenges we have in maintaining world leadership in areas the U.S. often has taken for granted until the dawn of the new century we are now in.

Favorite Movie

Schindlers List-- My favorite movie is no longer new. But it left my wife and me speechless as we left the theater. Schindler's List left an emotional impression on me about the realities of the Holocaust, and as I recall the evening we first saw it, not only did it leave us speechless, but as we looked around, we saw an entire theater empty with almost no sound, as though we were caught in a stuper that rendered us totally overcome by the horrors of the time, seeing it in ways we had never seen or known about previously. The end of the movie, where former Holocaust survivors get together, and stories were shared, drove home the emotional experience to a level that seems indescribable, even now.

For more, also see our Political and Government Classics page.

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March 8, 2008 11:07 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Bryan Hubbard

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Bryan Hubbard (bio) shares his favorites.

Five most interesting places to visit

• The Library of Congress is underrated. web site, 101 Independence Ave, SE, Washington, DC, 202-707-5000.
• The National Cathedral is fascinating. web site, Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues, NW, Washington, DC, 202-537-6200.
• Great Falls Park Maryland side. Who knew there was that much nature that close to DC? web site, 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, MD, 301-767-3714.
• The National Zoo in the spring-wow! web site, 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 202-633-4800.
• Udvar-Hazy Annex of the National Air and Space Museum, an adrenaline-history junkie's dream. web site, 6th and Independence, SW, Washington, DC, 202-633-1000.

Five most favorite “fun” things to do

• Bike the C&O Canal path. web site, Directions to six visitors centers 301-739-4200.
• Fly fish the many rivers and streams within one hour.
• Ride a motorcycle around the memorials and along the Potomac. National Mall and Memorial Parks web site, Potomac River web site.
• Spend an evening on Barracks Row or in Chinatown. Barracks Row web site, Chinatown Wikipedia entry, Barracks Row directions, 733 1/2 8th Street, SE, Washington, DC, 202-544-3188.
• Go to a Nationals game. web site, Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street, SE Washington, DC.

Five favorite restaurants

• Pizzeria Paradiso web site, DuPont Circle location, 2029 P Street NW, Washington, DC,202-223-1245, Georgetown location, 3282 M Street NW, Washington, DC,202-337-1245 [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Belga Cafe web site, 6514 8th Street, SE, Washington, DC, 202-544-0100. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Filomena web site, 1063 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 202-338-8800 [WaPo | Yelp]
• Capital Grille web site, 601 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 202-737-6200. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Finn MacCool's web site, 713 8th St SE Washington, DC, 202-547-7100. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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February 27, 2008 01:47 PM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Jill Kamp Melton

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Jill Kamp Melton (bio) shares her favorites.

Five most interesting places to visit

• The Claude Moore Farm in McLean, run as an 18th century poor farm. Three times a year they have an “18th century Market Fair" that I love to attend. web site, 6310 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA, 703-442-7557
• Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home, especially at Christmas time. web site, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Alexandria, VA
• Oatlands, a historic home in Leesburg with a very interesting tour. web site, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, VA, 703-777-3174
• George Washington’s birthplace on the Northern Neck, east of Fredericksburg. web site, 1732 Popes Creek Rd, Colonial Beach, VA, 804-224-1732
• Caledon Wildlife Preserve in King George County. It is pristine and untouched for hundreds of years. Tours in a rickety bus point out beaver dams and lots of wildlife. web site, 11617 Caledon Rd, King George, VA

Five most favorite “fun” things to do

• Shop the DC Flea, a flea market and antique show that comes to the Expo center in Chantilly 3 or 4 times a year. web site, 4368 Brookfield Corporate Dr, Chantilly, VA
• Shop the Eastern Market any Sunday morning. web site, 7th St & North Carolina Ave SE, Washington, DC, Metro
• Drive to Middleburg, Leesburg and Charlottesville, not on the same day, soak up the ambiance, eat at The Red Fox Inn in Middleburg and spend the night in a B & B. The Red Fox Inn web site, Middleburg web site, Leesburg web site, Charlottesville web site
• Take the metro to King Street and walk on one side of the street all the way to the water and then on the other side all the way back, taking time to window shop and “see what’s doin’.“ King Street Metro, Old Town Alexandria web site
• Attend a concert at the Kennedy Center or Strathmore Music Center in Rockville or a jazz concert at the National Gallery of Art downtown. Kennedy Center, Strathmore Music Center, National Gallery of Art

Five favorite restaurants

• The food court at Whole Foods in Old Town on Duke Street and Holland Lane. web site, 1700 Duke St, Alexandria, VA
• Tachibana, a Japanese restaurant on Lowell Street in McLean. They have a private room in the back for 8 where you can sit, eat, and talk for hours with friends. web site, 6715 Lowell Ave, McLean, VA, 703-847-1771 [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Carlyle Grande Café in Shirlington, call ahead for reservations. web site, 4000 28th Street South, Arlington, VA, 703-931-0777 [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Chutzpah in Fairfax on Ox Road near Fair Oaks Mall. web site, 12214 Fairfax Towne Ctr, Fairfax, VA, 703-385-8883 [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Lebanese Taverna Market in north Arlington or the one at Galleria, Tysons 2. web site, 5900 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA, 703-241-8681 [WaPo | Yelp]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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January 17, 2008 09:37 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Steve Roberts

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Steve Roberts (bio), a journalist, political commentator, and the J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Professor of Media and Public Affairs at the George Washington University, shares his favorites.

Favorite Places to Visit

• I still get a thrill every time I see the Capitol, particularly at night, even after all these years. web site, map
• The branch of the Air and Space Museum at Dulles airport is a real treat. My grandkids love the space shuttle and the Blackbird spy plane. The IMAX theater there also a special event (the IMAX theater in the Air and Space Museum downtown shows the same films but tends to be more crowded). Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, web site, 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly, VA, 202-633-1000, free admission, $ parking and IMAX have fees
• I'm a big fan of the National Zoo, lots to see in addition to the pandas. Try to catch elephant training (11 am) or seal feeding (11:30 am) shows daily (daily programs). web site, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-633-4800
• National Museum of Natural History is great for dinosaur loving kids. Lots of cool skeletons. web site, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-357-1729
• Get out of your car and walk around Georgetown or Old Town in Alexandria. Notice the small architectural details and get a feel for an 18th century cityscape. Georgetown - from Wikipedia, "Walking Tour of Old Town Alexandria," from Rachel Cooper.

Fun Things to Do

• Walking/jogging/biking along the C&O Canal is a lovely outing particularly in spring. Take the Park Service trip on an old barge, along the canal, starting in Georgetown, complete with guides and period musicians (web site). Also the Capital Crescent Trail (web site), part of the rails-to-trails system, goes through MD and down to Georgetown. web site
• Cherry blossoms in MD neighborhood of Kenwood (in Bethesda) are actually more spectacular than at the Tidal Basin and much less crowded. map, "Walking Kenwood, Maryland During Cherry Blossom Time," by Kevin Shaw
• National Arboretum (east of Capitol) is best in azalea season, early May. web site, 24th and R Streets NE, Washington, DC, 202-245-2726
• Glen Echo Park (also in MD) is a real old-fashioned amusement park. Don't miss the carousel (web site). Puppet (web site) and live stage shows for kids on weekends are well-done. NPS web site, events web site, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD, event line: 301-634-2222
• Congressional Cemetery (in southeast DC) has some fascinating monuments (John Philip Sousa, J. Edgar Hoover, list of famous internments), very guest/dog friendly. web site, 1801 E Street SE, Washington, DC, 202-543-0539

Favorite Restaurants

• Downtown I like Primi Piatti (on Eye St) especially in nice weather when you can eat outside. Feels like Rome. I like the ravioli, farfalle with crab and peas, and roasted peppers with goat cheese. web site, 2013 Eye Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-223-3600
• A door or two away, Cafe Lombardy (in Lombardy Hotel) is nice for breakfast (ask for a window table, usually sunny even in winter). web site, 2019 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-828-2600 [openlist | MenuPages]
• Iron Gate on N St. has the loveliest garden in town, food with a Lebanese accent. web site, 1734 N Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-737-1370 [DC Pages | Gayot | WaPo | Yelp]
• Legal Seafood on K St. has a delicious tuna burger. web site, 2020 K Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-496-1111 [Yelp]
• In the suburbs, my favorite is Pines of Rome in downtown Bethesda (on Hamden Lane, walking distance from Metro stop), very reasonable and kid friendly, white pizza a house specialty. 4709 Hampden Lane, Bethesda, MD, 301-657-8775 [MenuPages | Yelp | City Paper]
• Mon Ami Gabi on Woodmont is a great French bistro, I like the crepes and omelets. web site, 7239 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 301-654-1234 [Yelp]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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December 1, 2007 08:07 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Bill Noxon

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Bill Noxon (bio), a public relations practitioner, shares his favorites.

Favorite Places to Visit

My work led me to a couple of these choices after having more than a normal visitor's access, so my picks may have some innate prejudices.

• The White House -- Whether or not you agree with the politics of whomever is the sitting president, there is nothing more exciting than getting an up-close and personal look at this fascinating place. It's not as large as it may appear in pictures, and when you go into the press room where they hold daily briefings, it feels like you're inside a small box because of the tight theater-style seating and all the equipment buzzing around you. Yet, that's the room you see every day on TV and where White House spokesmen reach millions with their communications on presidential activity and policy. The other rooms up in the main White House complex are a little smaller than one may expect, but their beauty, furnishings and art leave you almost speechless. Many rooms give you a wonderful view of the Rose Garden. When you consider you're walking on the same floors as every president since the White House was built, you realize that you are probably one of the very few Americans who have the opportunity to be inside this seat of global power. It is an awesome place. I've personally been fortunate enough to be able to walk many of the rooms without tour guides and just contemplate the experience. I've been involved in ceremonies in the East Room with Presidents Clinton and Bush, which were all exciting events. And I can verify from having the opportunity to attend a few presidential receptions that the White House food is -- in a word -- fantastic. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC [White House Visitor Center, 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC | White House Tours]
• The Vietnam Veterans Memorial -- I was not in Vietnam, but was in the Army during the final couple of years of this conflict. If you are of an age that you have had friends or family involved in Vietnam, the 58,000 or so names that stream across this marvelous monument leave you literally without words. Even though I know of no personal friends who were casualties, I go back and continually scan the names. It's not that I want to find someone I know, but it's one of those eerie things that draws you back. The names represent real people, young people, whose lives were lost trying to do their duties in support of our nation. web site, search for names at The Wall, map (approximately 22nd Avenue NW and Constitution Avenue NW). Visiting Arlington National Cemetery is probably a good corollary if you're paying tribute to our fallen soldiers, sailors and airmen, but nothing leaves you quite as struck as this Vietnam memorial. web site, map (located just beyond the western end of the Memorial Bridge; the Lincoln Memorial is located at the eastern end of Arlington Memorial Bridge)
• The Capitol -- This used to be my favorite place to visit because of its beauty and its history, but the recent security measures have really detracted from the Capitol's true personality. There was a time you could walk into most entrances, get into the House and Senate galleries with little problem, and in fact, during my early days of broadcast news, I was able to cover many hearings in both chambers, and pretty much come and go without question. And not too long ago, it was common to see Senators and Congressmen walk by, and if you recognized them, you might get a few words with them. The atmosphere isn't as welcoming as it once was, but the building still has a lot of charm, and it is another of those "can't miss experiences" if you are in DC. web site, map
• Smithsonian Air and Space Museum -- Even for those who aren't especially interested in aviation, this is still one of the nation's most attractive "free" experiences. The kids love it. Some of the old aircraft and space vehicles are suspended high above the main floor, while others are available to on the floor for close-up viewing. The museum is beautifully laid out so that you can take escalators up and down to many other displays, theater presentations and interactive exhibits. I haven't looked at statistics recently on visitation, but this seems to be one the one place tourists all migrate to because of its central location and interesting presentation. web site, Independence Avenue SW at 6th Street SW, Washington, DC, 202-633-2563
• The Lincoln Memorial -- Of all the individual memorials in Washington, this one still makes my heart pound when I go there. It's not just that it's Abe Lincoln and his legacy that are presented there. But it's the beauty of the statue, the words that grace the interior, and the remarkable view as you turn back toward the Mall and see the Washington Monument and Capitol Rotunda squarely ahead. Then there are visions of the many historic events that occurred there, such as the Vietnam war protests, Martin Luther King, Junior's great speeches, the stirring performances given there during Independence Day and other special occasions. web site, map, next to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, article from Wikipedia
• Others -- You can make a full day of Smithsonian's various museums of art, science and technology and never walk more than a mile [web site | also see "Museums, Memorials and Monuments in DC" from TheCapitol.Net]. The John F. Kennedy Memorial on the edge of Arlington National Cemetery [web site] should be a stop on your tour. People are starting to "lose the significance" of this tragic event in our nation's history, so I tend to steer people there.
  
  There are those who believe Washington has recently become too crowded with new memorials [e.g., FDR, WWII], diluting the significance of each. But I still believe many of the earlier monuments hold the most beauty, and places like the White House and Capitol retain their importance because they are still very active as part of our national character and historical relevance.

Fun Things to Do

• Fourth of July celebrations -- These are always great. They bring people together in harmony, and it's a great traditional party in Washington. None was better than the bicentennial celebration. But they are all good. web site
• Return of baseball -- My own favorite things include the return of baseball to DC, and I will "most definitely" escalate this to the top of my list when the new Nationals' stadium opens next year. Driving down South Capitol Street once a month gives you a great "progress" snapshot of the new ballpark. And it's going to be a beauty. Washington Nationals, web site, RFK Stadium, 2400 East Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC. [Also see "Sports in DC" from TheCapitol.Net]
• Scottish Walk in Old Town Alexandria -- This used to be an annual winter event for me before moving somewhat far out of town. A great bagpipe parade, followed by some exploring in Old Town makes for a fun full day. web site, Alexandria, VA: map, "The Fun Side of the Potomac"
• Biking along the Potomac from Old Town Alexandria to Mount Vernon (home of George Washington) on the Mount Vernon Trail. Another of my favorite former activities, but hundreds still do this on a weekly basis, and it's a beautiful ride down the river that is almost flat for most of the ride. Mount Vernon Trail, web site from National Park Service, web site from Bike Washington. Also see "The Visitor's Biking Guide to Washington DC"
• Sampling microbrews at various bars and restaurants around town. Like exploring new restaurants, it can be a fun tasting experience. [See Microbreweries and Brew Pubs by students in MGT 558: Marketing & Community at The Catholic University of America: DC, MD, Northern VA]

Favorite Restaurants

This is harder. Most of my eating is now done outside of DC.

• L' Auberge in Great Falls. After many decades, it's probably still near the top in fine French eating in the area. Maybe there are better, but never are you disappointed at this great restaurant. web site, 332 Springvale Road, Great Falls, VA [Economist | TCEDG]
• Luigi's on 19th Street. Another old DC institution. Lots of Italian places come and go, but Luigi's is an institution, with some great pizza and exquisite Italian dishes for its pricing. The pizza is not quite what it was in the 1970s, but its other dishes are still wonderful. web site - Warning: slow to load flash 1132 19th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-331-7574 [WaPo | insiderpages | WETA | Yelp]
• Chart House in Old Town Alexandria. Great atmosphere and seafood selections. web site, One Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-684-5080 [openlist | Yelp]
• Cafe Tirolo, Arlington. This little place on Fairfax Drive tucked behind Tara Thai is operated by one of D.C.'s former top chefs (from Austria) who opened up his own place in Alexandria before moving to Arlington. A walk-up and order kind of place, the food is varied, and absolutely delicious. 4001 Fairfax Drive, # 16, Arlington, VA, 703-528-7809 [TCEDG | WaPo | MenuPages | openlist | Yelp]
• About 25 Chinese restaurants could share this position [see TCEDG - Chinese]. Hard to choose a favorite. You can go almost anywhere in the city and find some truly top-notch Chinese eating. Unfortunately, my personal favorite is Yangming in Philadelphia near Villanova University and Bryn Mawr College. Nothing compares! If it were a DC restaurant, it would jump to # 1 on my list. Yangming, web site, 1051 Conestoga Road, Bryn Mawr, PA, 610-527-3200 [Citysearch | MenuPages | Yelp]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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November 15, 2007 06:17 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Chuck Cushman

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Chuck Cushman (bio), an associate professor and director of the Master of Arts in Legislative Affairs program at The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management, shares his favorites.

Most interesting places to visit

• Capitol Building, map
• Building Museum, web site, 401 F St NW, Washington, DC, 202-272-2448
• U Sreet Corridor, Wikipedia, Cultural Tourism, map

Favorite “fun” things to do

• Jazz in the Garden at the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden on Fridays during the summer. web site, 7th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-785-1277
• See the monuments at night, TheCapitol.Net's Museums and Memorials, National Park Service map of the mall
• Running though Rock Creek Park -- best green space in town, web site
• Buying Italian groceries at Litteri's wholesale in NE Washington, web site, 517 Morse St NE, Washington DC, 202-544-0184
• Films at AFI Theater, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD, 301-495-6720

Favorite restaurants (all in NW)

• Al Crostino, web site, 1324 U St NW, Washington, DC, 202-797-0523 [Yelp | WaPo]
• El Chalan, web site, 1924 I St NW, Washington, DC, 202-293-2765 [TCEDG | Yelp]
• Rumba Café, web site, 2443 18th St NW, Washington, DC, 202-588-5501 [WaPo | Yelp]
• El Patio, web site, 12303 Twinbrook Pkwy, Rockville, MD, 301-231-9225 [WaPo]
• Busboys and Poets, web site, 2021 14th St NW, Washington, DC, 202-387-7638 [Yelp | WaPo]

For more, see our Visiting Washington DC pages and other Faculty Favorites.

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November 7, 2007 07:47 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Deanna Gelak

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Deanna Gelak (bio), faculty for "How to Work the Hill Like a Pro Audio Course on CD," shares her favorites.

Five Most Interesting Places to Visit

• Get a Different (Aerial) Perspective
  • Go to the top of the Washington Monument to get a spectacular view of the city at least once in your life. web site, Constitution Ave & 15th St NW, Washington, DC, 202-426-6841, September through March daily 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • You can also get a nice view from the Old Post Office Bell Tower home to the Bells of Congress, which were a present from England on our Nation’s Bicentennial. web site, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC, 202-606-8694
  • A trip to the National Cathedral's Observation Tower also offers a nice view from the top of the city. The National Cathedral is often overlooked on public tours because it is off the beaten path, but the Cathedral is as long as the Washington Monument is high and contains beautiful architecture and much history. Many President's funerals have been held there, Woodrow Wilson is buried there and Helen Keller's ashes are in the lower level. web site, 3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC, 202-537-6200
• Make it Official by taking "official" tours of the US Capitol and Washington, DC. Information on US Capitol outside walking tours, visiting inside the Capitol and sitting in on a Congressional session are available at the US Capitol Historical Society.
  • Congressional Floor Tours: When the House is out of session, a staff member can escort family and friends onto the House floor. One interesting view is the bullet holes in the desk from the 1954 attack by Puerto Rican nationalists.
  • A tourmobile such as the Old Town Trolley (202-832-9800) is an efficient way to hit most DC highlights. The Tourmobile stops by the various attractions periodically so that you can depart from various locations when you are ready, according to their schedule. Kids especially like the DC Ducks Tour which takes you on a land and sea tour from the same vehicle (202-966-DUCK).
  • Before Coming to Washington, take a VIRTUAL tour to familiarize yourself with the US Capitol and White House
    • US Capitol
    • Tour of The White House
    • The West Wing
    • President's Park: Gardens and Grounds
    • White House Video Specific Rooms (Blue, Green, Red and State Dining Room)
• Air and Space Museum (Smithsonian Institute on the Mall): See the Wright Brothers' airplane and touch some moon rock. See the classic movie, To Fly (I remember it from when I was a kid and recently took my kids) and take a flight simulator ride (best to buy tickets online in advance to avoid very long lines). web site, Independence Avenue SW at 6th Street SW, Washington, DC, 202-633-2563
• Senate Summer House: Walk by the Summer House (open-air brick building near the Senate entrance just north of the capitol). The original fountain provided a place for visitors and their horses to drink. web site
• Stay at the Carriage House on Capitol Hill: Beautiful Bed and Breakfast - amidst century old rowhomes on Capitol Hill. A perfect place to retreat after a full day of meetings or touring the city. The Carriage House is a quick walk away from the Capitol, House of Representative's buildings, Supreme Court and the Library of Congress. It is a blend of new and old construction and is apointed with treasures from around the world. Guests feel at ease and cared for and small private events can be arranged. web site, 3rd St SE & South Carolina Ave SE, Washington, DC

Five Favorite Fun Things to Do

• Tour the Monuments by Moonlight: Arranging your own limo with a driver is a fantastic way to see Washington in a different light, but the "Monuments by Moonlight Tour" by Old Town Trolley is also good. Reservation information is available at (202) 832-9800.
• Go dancing over Washington in the revolving Skydome rooftop lounge, with excellent views of the Capital and the Potomac, as well as happy hour buffets and dancing. The Skydome Lounge is located at the top of the Doubletree Hotel in Crystal City, near national airport. web site, 300 Army Navy Dr, Arlington, VA, 703-416-4100
• Have a bowl of Senate bean soup at one of the Congressional cafeterias. Visitors can have official Senate bean soup that has been on the menu in the Senate for more than 100 years.