I take the N and it’s always fast, clean and on time. I don’t know what Diana is talking about (see stage 1)... – cb

I caught subway envy in Washington D.C.

As a New Yorker, I had gotten used to the Metro’s shortfalls: frequent delays, unannounced service changes, dilapidated stations, foul smells, and mysterious stains on seats that are best left unquestioned. It’s dirty, inefficient and bustling. New Yorkers complain about the subway, but we tolerate it, since it’s our primary mode of transportation from point A to point B (except for those lucky few with a bottomless cab fund). Newcomers may experience culture shock getting jostled by beggars making their way through cars, or seeing their first foot-long rat run across some platform. But pretty soon we all get used to it. C’est la vie.

This complacent attitude is jolted when New Yorkers travel to other cities with public transportation. In Washington D.C., the subway reminded me of cleanliness I thought was only possible in foreign cities like Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Singapore. The modernist arched ceilings in all the stations screamed of a city that placed aesthetics on a pedastal. And electronic counters that showed the minutes until the next arriving train? Priceless.

And thus began the 5 Stages of Subway Envy:

1. Denial – I don’t see any electronic counters.
2. Anger – We had a billion dollar surplus last year! Why don’t we have those for our trains?!
3. Bargaining – I wonder how much apartments are in D.C.
4. Depression – But moving is such a pain.
5. Acceptance – When the bus back from D.C. pulled into Port Authority at 1 a.m., I was exhausted, cold, and had $2 in my pockets. Home was 110 blocks away. I was glad for any train that ran at 1 a.m. on a Sunday night, smells and stains and all.

- by Diana Kuan of Indietrekker fame

We all know that real legislation goes on in closed door meetings and expense account lunches. But where do the nefarious law makers, lobbyists, and conspiring media figures and lawyers meet to smoke cigars and spend our money? The following joints are the favorite spots for Capital Hill's power players, from both sides of the aisle and, incidentally, probably the closest you'll ever come to running into the folks who decide your kid's future.

Old Ebbitt Grill: Washington's oldest, most historic saloon, was founded in 1856 and is a favorite hangout for all kinds of powerful Washingtonians. Lawyers, lobbyists, politicians, visiting celebs- the place is a basic who's who at lunchtime. The restaurant itself is paneled in dark wood, covered in green velvet, and outfitted with antique gas chandeliers. It's also located right next to the White House, another reason for its popularity.

The Oval Room: About a block from the White House, this is a favorite of Karl Rove, Condi Rice, and other executive branch politicians. The restaurant is also big with the K street crowd. The cuisine is pretty good, but the kitchen changes hands pretty regularly. The focus is more on who's sitting across the room from you than what's on your plate.

Signatures: The one time power lunch hub owned by lobbyist Jack Abramoff is not the buzzing political hangout it once was. Actually it recently closed due to Abramoff's legal troubles. However, back in the day Abramoff used to host a whole roster of Republican senators, governors, and secretaries. It was reported that over a 17-month period in 2002 and 2003 the restaurant gave away over $180,000 worth of free food and drink to special guests on Abramoff's "Friend of the Owner" list. Abramoff himself racked up a $65,000 tab and often held fundraisers for big time GOP candidates without getting reimbursed.

The Capital Grille: This restaurant is well known in the area but is especially popular with the K street lobbyist crowd, and it tends to be more of a Republican hangout. It opened in 1994 at the same time as the Republican takeover and Newt Gingrich and Dick Army were two of the joint's first regulars. Expect to see silver haired men in suits smoking cigars, drinking beer, and congratulating themselves in the low lit masculine restaurant.

Cafe Milano: Reportedly one of Bill Clinton's favorite restaurants in Georgetown, Milano hosts quite the democratic power lunch. Though John McCain and other GOPs have been seen at the upscale spot, you are more likely to rub shoulders with John Kerry or Barack Obama. The atmosphere is sophisticated so make sure to bring your sport coat.

The Palm: The Palm is mostly a hangout for media types, lobbyists, and lawyers. Chris Matthews is always here. They are known for excellent food and the caricatures on the wall that depict famous figures around town.

The Monocle: A long established bipartisan lunch spot. The private room upstairs is often used for fundraisers and political parties. It's especially a favorite for Senators and lobbyists as it's on the Senate side of Capital Hill.

Four Seasons: This is out of the price range for a lot of workers on the hill so those who do go here are focused more on money than on the party line. Expect to see A-list politicos and out of town celebs. The service here is absolutely impeccable.

The Prime Rib: Located right on K Street The Prime Rib is another big hangout for lobbyists and their prey. With huge round tables and expense account prices, it is a perfect spot for business lunches.

Union Pub: More of a young Democratic hangout than a power lunch spot, Union Pub (formerly the Red River Grille) is the place to meet staffers and up and coming talent. The food is traditional pub fare with some south of the border influences and the atmosphere is lively. It's crowded both for lunch and after hours drinks.

Previously: Ex-Spy Visits Spy Museum, Cogito Lego Sum, There is Such a Thing as a Free Lunch in DC, Cafe Monti in DC, Dcist's Got your back

Ex-spy Lindsay Moran visited Washington DC's spy museums and divulged their secrets to, guess who, the New York Times! Seriously though, her article on her visits to the National Cryptologic Museum and the Spy Museum sheds light on why our intelligence gathering capabilities are so pathetic. Here's some choice excerpts from Ms. Moran's covert life and her day-trip to Langley and Ft. Meade:

I was reminded of an occasion when the agency's notoriously inept cover office issued me a set of fake documents that mistakenly suggested I had been born on two different dates in two different years.

We proceeded to the Briefing Room, a small, dark auditorium, reminiscent of many in which I and my fellow trainees staved off sleep during lectures on such scintillating topics as Document Classification Designations.

A display on disguises shows how the same young woman can easily be transformed into a much older woman (with a skunklike streak of silver through her hair) [So basically, turn into Susan Sontag?]
Though Moran visits the Spy Museum, the Cryptology Museum, the online CIA museum and Cold War museum, she doesn't come across any dioramas of Valerie Plame or tableaux of a Yellowcake party. Somethings, the Intel community, doesn't want to display.

NSA's National Cryptologic Museum
Spy Museum
Cold War Online Museum
CIA Online Museum

[Photo: NYT]

Previously: Cogito Lego Sum, There Is Such A Thing As A Free Lunch in DC, You Just Have to Pay for It, The Warehouse Theater, Cafe MOnti: DCists Got Your Back

Though we don't usually crow the glories of malls (or as Eisenhower might term them, the capitalist industrial complex), DC's Tyson Corner gets a shout out not only because it's named after a dude with a face tattoo and ear-in-mouth disease but because it is the home to the LEGO store. At this 8-year-old's wet dream, you can choose a specific piece from the "Pick-A-Brick Wall," an action whose excitement can not be conveyed in words. It is a transcendental experience, like LEGO building in God mode. The closest shopping analogue in terms of monochromaticism is going nuts at the Jelly Belly cannisters at the candy store but in terms of pleasure, it is more similar to being surrounded by Spawn pog slammers, toy trucks and the smell of Mommy, or whatever image would lead an eight year older to emit nocturnally.

LEGO Store at Tyson's Corner [via Metroblogging DC]

[Photo: WFY/Metblogs]

Previously: Free Lunch in DC, The Warehouse Theater, Cafe Monti in DC, DC's Little Fountain Cafe, Smithsonian Photography Initiative

National Geographic Traveler recently featured a guide to freebies in our nation's capital. So if you're not roaming the halls of Congress, impersonating a Senator, catching free lunches and helicopter rides in exchange for earmarked appropriations, you can still eat and sightsee for free. NatGeo Traveler recommends free steak sandwiches at Morton's Steakhouse during their happy hours, sitting in on oral arguments at the Supreme Court and a lot of other stuff too.

Free Things To Do in DC [NatGeo Traveler]

[Photo: AT Willet]

Previously: Warehouse Theater, Cafe Monti, DCIst Has Your Back, Black Broadway is Back, This Time With 13 Martinis

We're not saying this happens every night at the Warehouse Theater in Washington DC. But the fact that it has happened in the past is enough to recommend the place. The Warehouse Theater, appropriately enough, is pretty much the alternative culture clearinghouse in DC. The theater is part of the larger complex which includes a bar/restaurant, a gallery and a screening room. Upcoming shows include a Capitol of Punk release party during which Marion Barry will pontificate on Fugazi (a first, perhaps) and short movies on DC's musical history will be shown. Definitely worth a glance at the calendar if you're heading down to the DC. Who knows, maybe you'll even catch a malevolent stripping marching band.

Warehouse Theater
Extra Action Marching Band
Yellow Arrow: Capitol of Punk

Previously: Cafe Monti: DCist's Got Your Back, Black Broadway is Back, This Time With $13 Martinis, Big Taste in Minibar, Jimmy's Cantler's Crab House, Obrycki's Crab House, Paul Klee at the Phillips Museum, Sardinian Restaurants in DC, Blue Duck Tavern, Eighteenth Street Lounge, Cakelove

Rebutting a negative review of Austro-Italian restaurant Cafe Monti, DCist waxes poetic about the goulash there.

The goulash immediately transports us back to the beer halls of Prague, especially when paired with a selection from Monti's comprehensive imported beer selection. The beef, slow cooked, tender, and juicy is accompanied by yeasty herbed bread dumplings used liberally for sopping up excess juices.

Cafe Monti is a cheap brusque outpost for Austrian and Italian food. Strange as you migh find the combination (kind of like the Jamaican Korean places in my neighborhood) Austria and Italy have a long history making sweet love together. Austria, in the 18th century ruled large swathes of Norther Italy. Of course, what justifies Cafe Monti isn't the history but the $14 goulash and the tortellini, both of which DCist swears by.

Cafe Monti
Don't Mess With Monti [DCist]

Previously: Black Broadway is Back, This Time With $13 Martinis, Big Taste in Minibar, Jimmy's Cantler's Crab House, Obrycki's Crab House, Paul Klee at the Phillips Museum, Sardinian Restaurants in DC, Blue Duck Tavern, Eighteenth Street Lounge, Cakelove

In an otherwise somniferous Sunday NYT Travel section, an article about the resurgence of Washington DC's U Street provided a great roundup of nightlife spots in what was once known as "Black Broadway." The area used to be home to Washington DC's jazz scene before it stumbled into a skid row. Now, as the NYT hed suggests, the "lights return" in the form of bistros like the Tabaq Bistro (home of the $13 martini) and Bohemian Caves where hometown favorite Duke Ellington used to play and the Twins Jazz Clubthe Call it gentrification or urban renewal (the Time's opts for the latter), U Street is that rare strip of land in DC not claimed exclusively by a racially homogenous bunch. Sadly, this doesn't make for integration as much as it does for a tenuous cohabitation. As Dan Levin writes:

Young barhoppers -- from tattooed musicians lugging guitars to Congressional staff members with shirts untucked -- passed abandoned buildings and homeless people on their way to the area's stylish new restaurants, bars and clubs.

It looks like Black Broadway is back but the blacks are still the ones being played.

Lights Return to "Black Broadway" in Northwest Washington DC [NYT]

[Photo: MatthewBradley/Flickr]

Previously: DC's Little Fountain Cafe, Big Taste in Minibar, DC Punks Give Tour of DC Punk, 18th Street Lounge, Muppets on Parade, Menupages DC, Metromapr

Contrary to at least my expectation, DC is actually a town full of foodies (case in point, check out DC Foodies)--a fact to which the seemingly ever-expanding waistline of our capital speaks. With expense account-wielding politicians on the prowl, DC's restaurant scene mimics politics: a pay-to-play game of access, reservations and favors. All this is why it is such a surprise that a local can still walk into The Little Fountain Café on almost any night of the week and get one of the 13 tables (although reservations are still recommended). Moderately priced entrees and a great wine list nearly pale in comparison to the atmosphere, which is cozy below ground and sweet without treading that all-too thin line into "precious." On a recent night, a grilled coriander spiced tuna with sticky rice and Japanese cucumber salad had to be one of my best meals this year, and at a $15 price tag was one of the cheaper. I hate to blow up what appears to be a neighborhood secret, but sharing the news on this place is too good to pass up.

Little Fountain Cafe [Official site]

[Text: Whitney Kassel Photo: Furcafe/Flickr]

Previously: Blue Duck Tavern, Big Taste in Minibar, Jimmy Cantler's Rivesride Inn, Obrycki's Crabhouse and Seafood Restaurant, Sardinian Restaurants, Cakelove

Like an eight-year old with a new toy, the Smithsonians's got something it really really really wants you to see: in this case, millions of photographs. The institution launched a Flashy new site that allows one to search for photos from all the Smithsonian institutions. I, for instance, just spent the last 20 minutes looking at photos of the 1969 Newport Folk Festival (Arlo Guthrie looks like Vincent Schiavelli) and Persian wrestlers. Though a bit clunky at the outset (you have to log in; key word search is woefully inadequate), the site allows you to tag your own photos and create sequences you can then save and share. If flickr isn't sating your appetite for a photography community, the Smithsonian offers a more recherche and selective, not to mention historically-grounded, context.

Smithsonian Photography Initiative

Previously: Eye Level Smithsonian Artblog, Synaesthesia at the Smithsonian, When Nixon Met Elvis At the National Archives, National Archives, Paul Klee at the Phillips Museum