2015 dc metro 03 apr may f low res by Amir Iskander

APRIL / MAY 2015

HIGH-GLAM GARDENS SPRINGTIME CELEBRATIONS! GET YOUR BRUNCH ON! COCKTAILS STEP UP TO THE PLATE PULLOUT

Museum & Attractions Guide

April / May 2015

CONTENTS

Features

Departments

Mid-Atlantic Musts TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS OFF I-95

A Region of Flower Festivals

EVENTS 8 SPORTS 15

SPRING IS IN FULL BLOOM

Splendid Springtime Gardens

THEATER 26

RENEW THE SOUL WITH A BOTANIC STROLL

Brunch Around Town KICK OFF A GREAT WEEKEND

• April/May 2015 • DCMetroPlus.com

EXHIBITS 28

WELCOME TO WASHINGTON, DC Named No.1 travel destination for 2015 by Lonely Planet!

For advertising or distribution (703) 455-9223

DCMetroPlus.com

STAFF PUBLISHER & EDITOR JOHN PARISI

s spring warms and brightens Washington, D.C., and the Mid-Atlantic region, exciting new events and attractions are blooming, from flower festivals and beer celebrations to a giant water slide and a Lego exhibition. In this issue, now that the

weather is cooperating, DC Metro + is spotlighting the best that can be enjoyed outdoors, as well as top indoor activities and attractions. Whether you’re planning a trip to, or driving through D.C.,Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, or Pennsylvania this spring, we have you covered! Whether you want to roll the dice at a mega-casino, enjoy the lush gardens of historic estates, sample the many brunch options in the nation’s capital, take in an exhibition on the history of spying in America, or visit a theme park, there’s something in DC Metro + to suit every age and interest. DC Metro + means more, because we’re here to guide you to more of the fun and fascinating, one-of-a-kind places, activities, and events that keep millions of visitors returning to D.C. and the Mid-Atlantic region every year! Enjoy your stay!

We’re here to help you see, do, and experience more! — THE STAFF OF DC METRO +

DESIGN & LAYOUT CHRIS MAHON EVENTS EDITOR KATHLEEN McDONOUGH CONTRIBUTING EDITOR EVA LEONARD DINING EDITOR CHEF DANIEL TURNER TRAVEL EDITOR AMY TROTTER HOUSTON CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AMY TROTTER HOUSTON KATHLEEN LANDRUM KATHLEEN McDONOUGH ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES JOHN PARISI SABRINA SHETH ROSALIND SMITH SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR ELI KAMEROW CAP MEDIA, INC. 6200 ROLLING ROAD, #2356 SPRINGFIELD, VA 22152 ISSUE 0702 All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material within the publication is strictly prohibited without the written consent of the publisher. Single copy $3.75. While every precaution is taken to ensure the accuracy of information herein, CAP Media, Inc. assumes no responsibility for losses incurred due to inaccurate information. CAP Media, Inc., 6200 Rolling Road, #2356, Springfield, VA 22152 (703) 455-9223. Published 6 times per year. PHOTO CREDITS Cover Colonial Williamsburg. Governor’s Palace gardens. Kelly J Mihalcoe Photographer LL. Courtesy Virginia Tourism Corporation. Pg 16 Jay Leno image courtest of NBC Pg 18 Gloucester Daffodil Festival, Christopher Hunter Photography, Virginia Tourism Corporation Pg 22 Virginia House, photo by Beth Furgurson, Virginia Tourism Corporation Pg 23 Tudor Place, Courtesy of Tudor Place Pg 24 Historic Garden Week in Virginia, Photo by Beth Furgurson, Courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation Pg 24 Custis Tenement Garden Colonial Williamsburg, Courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation Pg 26 The Originalist, Photo by C. Stanley Photography Pg 26 Freedom’s Song, Photo by Scott Suchman Pg 27 Dame Edna, Photo by Craig Schwartz Pg 27 Man of LaMancha, Photo by Scott Suchman Pg 29 Etui, Courtesy Hillwod Estate, Museum and Gardens Pg 31 Assassination of President Lincoln, Courtesy of Newseum and Library of Congress Pg 31 Van Gogh, Courtesy of Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

April/May 2015 •

Mid-Atlantic Musts

TOP10

ATTRACTIONS OFF I-95

Maryland Science Center

By Eva Leonard

Linking East Coast metropolises across nearly 2000 miles, Interstate 95 is the nation’s most traveled road. No matter where you’re headed or what your interests, adventurous travelers who enjoy checking out attractions along the way have much to choose from, from kid-friendly museums and science centers to the stunning mansions and gardens of industrial-era tycoons, and one of the country’s largest casinos. Here, DC Metro + presents some of the top attractions just off I-95.

• April/May 2015 • DCMetroPlus.com

BOARDING PASS PASSENGER___________________________________ FLIGHT NO.____________________________________

FLIGHT NEWS

Fredericksburg, Virginia

One of the nation’s most happening historic towns, Fredericksburg, Virginia, established in 1728, lies just off I-95 between Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia. Its very walkable and charming historic downtown offers a lively, multi-century mix of the fun and fascinating. Where else can you pick up antique and vintage bargains, enjoy grass-fed beef burgers, crab cakes, and espresso, then visit the former apothecary of Revolutionary War physician Hugh Mercer, who was doctor to George Washington’s mother, Mary, all within a three-block radius? www.visitfred.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. BWI AIRPORT Iceland’s Wow Air begins service to Reykjavik, Iceland, from BWI May 8, 2015 Condor Airlines will add a third weekly flight to Frankfurt, Germany (on Saturdays) in the summer. Spirit Airlines begins new daily service between BWI Marshall and Los Angeles, California, on July 10, 2015. Spirit Airlines will add daily service from BWI Marshall to Atlanta, Georgia, on June 18, 2015.

DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT “Journey Through Hallowed Ground,” a photo exhibit about the Civil War era, spotlights historic areas and sites of Virginia, including Gettysburg, Loudoun County, and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in Charlottesville. The exhibit, featuring many photos by National Geographic photographer Kenneth Garrett, is on display until June 2015.

Du Pont Mansions

Wilmington, Delaware

Even if you weren’t riveted by Steve Carrell’s performance as multimillionaire John Eleuthere du Pont in Foxcatcher, don’t miss these stunning estates, the former homes of wealthy members of the du Pont family dynasty. They include Nemours Mansion and Gardens, inspired by the Palace of Versailles; Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library, comprising a mansion that’s now a museum featuring nearly 90,000 pieces in 175 rooms and the 60-acre Winterthur Garden; and Hagley Museum and Library, site of the original du Pont gunpowder works and home of five generations of the du Pont family. www.visitdelaware.com

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Allegiant Air began new low-cost, non-stop flights between Richmond, Virginia, and the Tampa Bay, Florida, area February 13.

DCMetroPlus.com • April/May 2015 •

TOP10 I-95 ATTRACTIONS 6

new attractions promising wet and wild thrills. A family-friendly splash zone offers options for relaxation and play in an area geared to young children and their parents. Kings Dominion, 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, Virginia, 23047, 804-876-5000, www. kingsdominion.com

Maryland Live! Casino

Hanover, Maryland

Conveniently located between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., at Arundels Mills Mall, Maryland Live! Casino, one of the nation’s largest gaming facilities, is open 24/7, 365 days a year. It features 189 live action table games, including a Poker Room and electronic table games, more than 4,200 slot machines, and two High Limit rooms. Dining options include The Cheesecake Factory, Bobby’s Burger Palace, Luk Fu Noodles and Dim Sum, Phillips Seafood, Morty’s Delicatessen and Live! Buffet. Maryland Live! 7002 Arundel Mills Circle #7777, Hanover, Maryland, 21076, 443-445-2500, www. marylandlivecasino.com

Maryland Science Center Baltimore, Maryland

Designed to stimulate and pique the curiosity of developing minds, Maryland Science Center features do-it-yourself rooms, a planetarium and rooftop observatory, a science demonstration stage, exhibits including Dinosaur Mysteries and Life Beyond Earth, and a Kids Room for children under eight. And now at the center’s IMAX Theater, the film Tornado Alley 3D, takes viewers into the heart of a tornado. Maryland Science Center, 601 Light Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21230, 410-685-5225

National Security Agency’s National Cryptologic Museum

Annapolis Junction, Maryland

Kings Dominion Doswell, Virginia

Theme park Kings Dominion’s newly expanded 20-acre water park, Soak City, opens this spring, including a 65-foot-tall mega water slide complex, with three

• April/May 2015 • DCMetroPlus.com

Fans of the Academy Award-winning movie The Imitation Game and all things cryptologic will be fascinated by this museum, which traces the history of American cryptology for national defense. Exhibits range from one depicting the story of a female member of a spy ring who used her laundry as a secret code during the American Revolution to a mock-up of a 55-ton voice encryption machine for telephones invented by Bell Labs in 1943. Admission is free. National Cryptologic Museum, 8290 Colony Seven Road, Annapolis Junction, Maryland, 20701, 301-688-5849, www.nsa.gov/about/ cryptologic_heritage/museum

in advance online at www.fi.edu/exhibit/art-brick or by phone at 215-448-1200, as The Art of the Brick is wildly popular, especially since CNN tagged it a “top ten must-see exhibit.” The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, www.fi.edu, 215-448-1200

14th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C.

Philly Beer Week

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

If you have only one night to spend in D.C., and love checking out the hottest restaurants and nightlife, spend it here, on the 14th Street strip, which runs from Rhode Island Avenue to U Street. Hot prospects for an action-packed evening include dance club U Street Music Hall; award-winning restaurateur Stephen Starr’s Parisianstyle bistro Le Diplomate; gastro pub ChurchKey’s 555 beers, including 500 bottles, 50 drafts, and five cask ales; Doi Moi’s Vietnamese fare and downstairs bar, 2 Birds 1 Stone; Kapnos’ inspired Mediterranean cuisine; Argentinian-style gelato at Dolcezza; and choice libations at Black Whiskey.

Enjoy the fruits of Philadelphia’s long history as a beer capital during Philly Beer Week, a 10-day celebration of brew that takes place throughout the city May 29—June 7, 2015, at venues including bars, breweries, pubs, and restaurants. Events at the country’s largest beer celebration include hundreds of tastings, beer and cheese pairings, tap takeovers, festivals, meet-the-brewer nights, dinners, pub crawls, and competitions including scavenger hunts. www.phillybeerweek.org/

The Art of the Brick

The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Both kids and adults are in for a treat at this exhibition of the world’s largest collections of Lego art, spotlighting more than 100 creations made from more than one million Lego bricks, on view at the Franklin Institute through September 6, 2015. Artist Nathan Sawaya’s Lego sculptures include a 20-foot-long Tyrannosaurus Rex made from over 80,000 Lego bricks, as well as interpretations of works of art such as Edvard Munch’s The Scream and Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. A Lego-themed build-and-play area offers the little ones a chance to create their own masterpieces. Book tickets

Spirited Republic, Alcohol in American History, National Archives Museum Washington, D.C.

This compelling exhibition on alcohol and its place in American society and history answers such stumpers as “Who was the lady hootch hunter?” and “Why did some Americans campaign against the “spirit ration?” On view through January 10, 2016, it’s an intriguing collection of alcohol-related posters, films, patent drawings, petitions, photographs, artifacts, and information, ranging from the Founding Fathers’ alcohol connections to Prohibition to a first edition of Alcoholics Anonymous’ The Big Book. Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery, National Archives Museum, 9th Avenue and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., 1-877-559-6777, www.archives.gov/museum/visit/gallery.html

DCMetroPlus.com • April/May 2015 •

EVENTS

TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT’S GOING ON IN AND AROUND THE DC AREA

April 3-4

8th Annual Eggstravaganza at Tudor Place

Rolling lawns, spring blooms, and the elegant mansion on a hill serve as backdrop for this festive annual attraction in DC’s historic Georgetown neighborhood. Join the Easter Bunny and children of all ages for an Egg Hunt (starting 10:30am) and thrilling Egg Roll Contest down the grand South Lawn (10:45am). Decorate eggs, play games from the past, take photos with the Easter Bunny and make the 5½-acre gardens your play space for the morning. Bring your own basket, spoon, and one hard-boiled egg per child. Member Child: $7; Nonmember Child: $10; Adult Chaperones $5. 10am–12pm. Tudor Place Historic House and Garden, 1644 31st Street NW, Washington, DC 20007.  www.tudorplace.org

New York Mets. The team schedule includes 81 home dates and continues through September. 4:05pm. Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street, SE Washington, DC 20003.  www.washington.nationals.mlb.com April 11

National Air and Space Museum Heritage Family Day

“Explore the Universe Day” at the Air and Space Museum where astronomy will serve as the theme for visitors to learn how different people and cultures view and talk about the sky. The museum’s Public Observatory will be open for daytime sky watching, weather permitting. FREE! 10am-3pm. National Air and Space Museum, Independence Avenue at 6th Street SW,   Washington, DC 20560.  www.airandspace.si.edu/events/ heritage-days

April 16-26

April 6

Washington Nationals Opening Day

Baseball is back! After winning the NL East Division last season, the Washington Nationals and their fans eagerly anticipate the 2015 season at their home opener against the

Washington Nationals Opening Day

• April/May 2015 • DCMetroPlus.com

Filmfest DC

The Washington DC International Film Festival returns to the nation’s capital for its 29th year with a fresh new program of over 80 features, documentaries and shorts, representing the best new cinema from around

the world. Among its programs, the District’s oldest and largest film festival will highlight a slate of international comedies as well as a collection of riveting and action-packed films that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. At venues throughout DC. Visit website for full schedule, films, locations and tickets.  www.filmfestdc.org April 17-19

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Boat Show

This is the show that kicks off the Chesapeake boating season each spring and features activities for everyone along with celebrations of on-the-water fun. Imagine your summer days on the boat you find at the Bay Bridge Boat Show! Adult: $12; Child (12&under): FREE. Fri-Sat: 10am-6pm, Sun: 10am5pm. Bay Bridge Marina, 357 Pier One Road, Stevensville Md. 21666.  www.annapolisboatshows.com/ bay-bridge-boat-show

April 18

33rd Annual St. John’s/USNA Croquet Match If you’re planning a visit to Annapolis in April, consider attending what’s

become a beloved rite of spring: the St. John’s College vs. United States Naval Academy Croquet Match. In what’s likely the largest and most well attended croquet match in the country, the Johnnies (students from St. John’s) and the Mids (Naval Academy midshipmen) compete for the coveted Annapolis Cup. The festive atmosphere makes for a fun time for players and spectators alike at an event Sports Illustrated says has “no parallel in intercollegiate sports.” Attendees dress “Great Gatsby”-style while enjoying a lavish lawn party that includes serenades by the St. John’s Freshman Chorus and swing music provided by the Naval Academy’s Trident Brass Band. 1:00-5:00pm (rain date, April 19). FREE! St. John’s College, 60 College Ave, Annapolis, MD 21401.  www.sjc.edu April 18-19

Arlington Festival of the Arts

The Clarendon neighborhood offers some of Arlington, VA’s hottest restaurants, nightlife, shopping and for a third year a fine arts festival!  Enjoy a weekend of true visual inspiration, as over 150 leading artists showcase their works including glass, mixed media, paintings, jewelry, and pottery; providing all sorts of opportunities to appreciate – and purchase – art. FREE! 10am-5pm. 1101 N. Highland Street, Arlington, VA 22201. April 23-26

33rd Annual Smithsonian Craft Show

Widely regarded as the country’s most prestigious juried show and sale of fine American sculptural objects and design, the show exhibits 121 distinguished artists representing works in basketry, ceramics, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable art, and wood. $20, Children 12 and under: FREE. Thurs-Fri: 10:30am-7:30pm; Sat: 10:30am-5:30pm; Sun: 11am-5pm. The National Building Museum, 401 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001.  www.smithsoniancraftshow.org April 24-25

12th Annual Georgetown French Market

Georgetown’s Book Hill neighborhood welcomes spring with its signature open-air market. Superb shopping complimented by the sounds of strolling musicians enliven the event, featuring over 40 Georgetown boutiques, antique shops, restaurants and galleries offering savings off designer goods, art and antique home furnishings. The event also features children’s activities and French cuisine from Georgetown cafes and restaurants. 10am-5pm. FREE! Wisconsin Ave. NW, between P Street and Reservoir Road, Washington, DC 20007.

April 5

Easter Sunrise Services

Truly memorable worship experiences are offered to DC Metro area visitors and residents this Easter. As these services are out-of-doors, attendees are advised to dress comfortably and bring a coat or blanket for the often brisk morning weather. Lincoln Memorial

Join what has become a Washington tradition when thousands gather at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for an inspiring Easter service. 6:30am, rain or shine. Lincoln Memorial, Independence Ave. and 23rd Street, SW, Washington, DC 20001.  www.capitalchurch.net

Arlington Cemetery

The annual Sunrise Service will take place in the Memorial Amphitheater with a musical prelude by the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” beginning at 6:15am and nondenominational worship service beginning at 6:30am. Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA 22211.  www.arlingtoncemetery.mil

 www.georgetowndc.com DCMetroPlus.com • April/May 2015 •

April 24-25

Favorite

Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show

Set in the charming and historic seaport of Annapolis, the 4th annual in-water springtime show features all types and sizes of new and previously-owned sailboats as well as the latest in equipment, electronics, clothing and boating accessories at the 100+ on-land nautical exhibits and on-site pro surf shops. Adult: $12; Child (12&under): FREE. 10am-6pm. City Dock, 1 Dock Street, Annapolis, MD 21401  www.annapolisboatshows.com/ annapolis-spring-sailboat-show/

May 1-31

Passport DC – A Month of International Events

April 14-15

150th Anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s Assassination

April 14th marks 150 years since the assassination of Abraham Lincoln with commemorative programs at Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004.

 www.fords.org

April 14

Now He Belongs to the Ages: A Lincoln Commemoration  Event to include readings of Lincoln’s words and stories, Civil War-era music, excerpts from Lincoln’s favorite theatre and operas, and more. 9:00pm. Tickets are limited. At Ford’s Theatre and live streamed online and at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in the Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard. April 14-15

The Lincoln Tribute This around-the-clock event at Ford’s Theatre will mark the 150th anniversary with unique daytime ranger talks, performances of the one-act play One Destiny and panel discussions about the life, assassination and legacy of our 16th president. On the street outside, throughout the

• April/May 2015 • DCMetroPlus.com

day and night, living historians will provide first-person accounts about the end of the Civil War, the experience of being inside the theatre at the moment of the assassination, medical reports from the Petersen House, and the impact of Lincoln’s life and death. Starting the evening of April 14, Ford’s will host Civil War living historians on Tenth Street to recreate the vigil for Abraham Lincoln. The public will be able to visit the Ford’s Theatre campus throughout the night. The morning of April 15, Ford’s will mark Abraham Lincoln’s death at 7:22am with a wreath-laying ceremony; church bells will toll across the city, just as they did in 1865. Tickets are required for entry to the Ford’s Theatre campus (Museum, Theatre, Petersen House and Center for Education and Leadership).

Cultural Tourism DC presents its 8th annual celebration of world-class culture in the nation’s capital. Visitors and residents have the opportunity to travel around the world without ever leaving the city with tours of 70 embassies and hundreds of other international cultural activities that include street festivals, performances and exhibitions, and featuring the Around the World Embassy Tour on May 2nd (10am-4pm). At venues throughout DC. FREE! For complete schedule and details:  www.passportdc.org May 2

Virginia Gold Cup

Now in its 90th year, this grand tradition of Virginia’s legendary horse country is attended by a sellout crowd of over 50,000 spectators and is one of the largest and most popular sporting events in the region. Enjoy hurdle and timber horse races, Jack Russell Terrier races, tent, tailgate and hat contests, as well as vendor booths for shopping. Gates open at 10am and events begin at 11:30am. General admission car passes: $85 (allows entry of car and up to 6 occupants). Other passes and VIP packages available. The Great Meadow, 5089 Old Tavern Road, The Plains, VA 20198. For information and tickets:  www.vagoldcup.com May 2

Chincoteague Seafood Festival

An Eastern Shore tradition since 1968, this all-you-can-eat festival offers fresh, local seafood and includes exciting offerings and signature dishes from

wine, and live music on the east lawn overlooking the scenic Potomac River. Guests will sample vintages from 16 Virginia wineries, learn about the successes and failures of our Founding Father’s wine endeavors, and meet “George and Martha” on the Mansion’s piazza. Concessions by the Mount Vernon Inn are available for purchase. 6-9pm. Friday: $40; Saturday: $46; Sunday: $36 with advance ticket purchase recommended. Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, 3200 Mt. Vernon Memorial Highway, Alexandria, VA 22309.  www.mountvernon.org May 16

Chincoteague Seafood Festival

local restaurants as well as old and new Eastern Shore favorites prepared by famous festival cooks. Little neck clams, a long-time festival staple, will be available along with fish, clams and oysters prepared in a variety of ways. Don’t miss this chance to sample the best-ofthe-best local seafood! $40. Tom’s Cove Park, 8128 Beebe Road Chincoteague, VA 23336  www.chincoteaguechamber.com May 2-3

National Harbor Wine and Food Festival

Adult: $35; Non-Member Adult: $40; Child: $20. 10am-12pm. Tutor Place Historic House and Garden, 1644 31st Street, NW Washington, DC 20007  www.tudorplace.org/ May 15-17

Mount Vernon Spring Wine Festival and Sunset Tour

Celebrate the history of wine in Virginia with candlelit tours of the Mansion, including the rarely open basement where George Washington stored his

National Asian Heritage Festival: Fiesta Asia Street Fair

The Asia Heritage Foundation’s annual festival features outdoor craft exhibits, cooking and martial arts demonstrations, a talent show, flash mob dancing, and much more. Repeatedly voted the best street fair in Washington, Fiesta Asia! is an exciting opportunity to get in touch with DC’s multicultural pulse. 10am-7pm. FREE! Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd & 6th Streets, NW, Washington, DC 20004.  www.asiaheritagefoundation.org

Join in the excitement of this worldclass, waterfront, culinary event that brings together world-renowned chefs, artisanal craftsmen, and culinary pioneers with thousands of Metro DC’s foodies. Over 150 different international and local wines, beers and spirits at this all-you-care-to-taste event. Adult: $39&up; Child: 12 and under: FREE. 12-6pm. On the Waterfront at National Harbor, 165 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD 20745.  www.nationalharbor.com May 10

Mother’s Day “Silhouette” Tea

Celebrate Mother’s Day together with tea, and take home a traditional keepsake portrait to remember your special day. Adults and children ages 12 and older will enjoy period teas, finger sandwiches, and delicious desserts, and have your silhouettes cut by a skilled local artisan. After tea, your guided tour of the 1816 Landmark mansion’s entertaining spaces includes reflections on portraiture over time, including 200year-old silhouettes of the first children to grow up at Tudor Place. Member

KIDS 2–12 TRAVEL FOR HALF PRICE. BOOK EARLY AND SAVE 25% OR MORE*

*Restrictions apply. Amtrak and Northeast Regional are registered service marks of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.

DCMetroPlus.com • April/May 2015 •

EVENTS Favorite

May 16-17

DC Dragon Boat Festival and Races

Smithsonian TechQuest: Eye in the Sky

Beside the space shuttle Discovery, Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum has a new free “Eye in the Sky” reality game that just makes the visit to this Smithsonian Museum even more worthwhile. The interactive game challenges young and old alike to act as intelligence analyst during the Cold War. The mission of the intelligence analysts will be to locate a missing U.S. military aircraft with top-secret technology onboard, examine “classified” information, solve puzzles and Museum artifacts to locate the aircraft, and formulate a plan to recover the top-secret technology and rescue the pilots. The game is designed primarily for families with children ages 10 to 14, but anyone can play. “Eye in the Sky” game will be offered every Saturday and the second Friday of every month. Admission is free. Open Daily 10:00 am to 5:30 pm The Udvar-Hazy Center is located in Chantilly, VA, just minutes from Washington Dulles International Airport. www.airandspace.si.edu, 703-572-4118.

• April/May 2015 • DCMetroPlus.com

Maybe not real, fire-breathing dragons, but there will be brightly painted boats sporting dragonheads, tails and scales! The 14th annual festival features premiere teams of elite athletes – as well as those with a more light-hearted approach – along with traditional ceremonies, cultural exhibitions and craft demonstrations. 8:30am-7pm. FREE! Thompsons Boat Center, 2900 Virginia Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20037.  www.dragonboatdc.com May 17

Taste of Arlington

Arlington’s Ballston neighborhood is transformed into a lively street festival featuring the cuisine of more than 50 restaurants, a beer garden, live entertainment, arts and crafts and children’s activities. 12-6pm, rain or shine. FREE, but food, beverage and certain KidZone game tickets required. Advance online and day-of tickets available. Wilson Boulevard from Glebe Road to N. Quincy Street and along N. Street to 9th Street, Arlington, VA 22203.  www.ballstonbid.com/taste May 18-24

GI Film Festival

This unique festival is the first in the nation to exclusively celebrate the successes and sacrifices of the service member through the medium of film. See classic and premier films celebrating the heroic stories of the American Armed Forces in and out of the arena of war presented by independent filmmakers and award-winning Hollywood actors and directors. In addition to presenting feature, documentary, and short film screenings, the GIFF also presents panel discussions, educational forums and special events. See website for schedule and venues.  www.gifilmfestival.com

May 23-24

Delaplane Strawberry Festival

Bring the whole family and enjoy a fun and festive day in the Virginia countryside. This annual festival includes hayrides, old fashioned field games, music, dancing, magic, storytelling, crafts, a petting farm, an antique car show, bake sale, hikes in the shadow of the Appalachian Trail, and so much more. Make a whole day of it and don’t forget to take home a flat of delicious fresh strawberries!! $25 per car. 10am-5pm. Sky Meadows State Park, 11012 Edmonds Lane, Delaplane, VA 20144.  www.delaplanestrawberryfestival.com May 24

Rolling Thunder Motorcycle “Ride For Freedom”

Commemorating its 28th year, thousands of motorcyclists will ride through downtown DC to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to honor those who have given their lives for the freedom that all Americans enjoy. While many riders and Rolling Thunder members are veterans, all riders are invited to participate in this annual demonstration seeking to improve veteran benefits and resolve POW/MIA issues. FREE! 7am: assembly at North Pentagon Parking Lot; 12pm: Depart from Pentagon; 1:30pm: Speakers’ program and musical tribute at the Reflecting Pool across from The Lincoln Memorial.  www.rollingthunder1.com

Rolling Thunder

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May 24

25th Anniversary National Memorial Day Concert

Join the National Symphony Orchestra for America’s “memorial service for the nation” as the sacrifice and service of our military men and women and their families are honored at a nationally televised outdoor concert sponsored by PBS. Features actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise, and a star-studded list of guest artists. 8pm (gates open at 5pm). FREE! West Lawn of the US Capitol, East Capitol and 1st Streets NE, Washington, DC 20004.  www.pbs.org/memorialdayconcert

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DCMetroPlus.com • April/May 2015 •

EVENTS

May 25

National Memorial Day Parade

This nationally televised parade, the nation’s largest, has quickly become a tradition in which Americans of all ages and generations can share in the commemoration and celebration of those who have served in uniform from the American Revolution to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Begins at 2pm. FREE! Parade passes along the National Mall on Constitution Ave. NW, between 7th and 17th Streets, Washington, DC 20024  www.americanveteranscenter.org/parade

May 30-31

Vintage Virginia Wine Festival

The 33rd Annual Vintage Virginia, features the Commonwealth’s best wine, food and music and this year’s festival promises to be the best in decades, with an emphasis on Virginian cuisine, showcased by daily cooking presentations by top chefs from across the country. Enjoy samples by more than 50 wineries, including over 250 award-winning Virginia wines, educational seminars on food pairing, fine art exhibits, children’s activities, food and live entertainment. Adult: $35; Child 6-12yrs: $10/5yrs and under: FREE. Sat: 11am-6pm; Sun: 11am-5pm. Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville, VA 20121.  www.vintagevirginia.com

• April/May 2015 • DCMetroPlus.com

SPORTS

Tuesday, May 5 – 7:05pm vs. Miami Marlins Wednesday, May 6 – 1:05pm vs. Miami Marlins Friday, May 8 – 7:05pm vs. Atlanta Braves Saturday, May 9 – 4:05pm vs. Atlanta Braves Sunday, May 10 – 1:35pm vs. Atlanta Braves

NHL Hockey

WASHINGTON CAPITALS  Verizon Center

601 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20004  Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com

Home Schedule April

Tuesday, May 19 – 7:05pm vs. New York Yankees

Wednesday, April 8 – 8pm vs. Boston Bruins

Wednesday, May 20 – 7:05pm vs. New York Yankees

Saturday, April 11 – 3pm vs. New York Rangers

Friday, May 22 – 7:05pm vs. Philadelphia Phillies Saturday, May 23 – 4:05pm vs. Philadelphia Phillies Sunday, May 24 – 1:35pm vs. Philadelphia Phillies

MLB Baseball

WASHINGTON NATIONALS  Nationals Park

1500 South Capitol Street, SE Washington, DC 20003 Tickets: (888) 632-NATS (6287)  www.washington.nationals.mlb.com

Home Schedule April

MLS Soccer

Monday, April 6 – 4:05pm vs. New York Mets

DC UNITED  RFK Stadium

Wednesday, April 8 – 7:05pm vs. New York Mets

2400 East Capitol Street, SE Washington, DC 20003  Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com

Thursday, April 9 – 1:05pm vs. New York Mets Thursday, April 16 – 7:05pm vs. Philadelphia Phillies Friday, April 17 – 7:05pm vs. Philadelphia Phillies Saturday, April 18 – 1:05pm vs. Philadelphia Phillies Sunday, April 19 – 1:35pm vs. Philadelphia Phillies Tuesday, April 21 – 7:05pm vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Home Schedule April

NBA Basketball

WASHINGTON WIZARDS  Verizon Center

601 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20004  Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com

Home Schedule

Saturday, April 11 – 7pm vs. New York Red Bulls Saturday, April 18 – 7pm vs. Houston Dynamo May

Saturday, May 2 – 7pm vs. Columbus Crew SC

April

Saturday, May 9 – 7pm vs. Sporting Kansas City

Wednesday, April 1 – 7pm vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Wednesday, May 13– 8pm vs. Orlando City SC

May

Friday, April 3 – 7pm vs. New York Knicks

Saturday, May 30 – 7pm vs. Philadelphia Union

Monday, May 4 – 7:05pm vs. Miami Marlins

Sunday, April 12– 6pm vs. Atlanta Hawks

Wednesday, April 22 – 7:05pm vs. St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, April 23 – 4:05pm vs. St. Louis Cardinals

DCMetroPlus.com • April/May 2015 •

CONCERTS

THE LINCOLN THEATRE

WARNER THEATRE

Washington, DC 20009 (202) 888-0050  www.thelincolndc.com

Washington, DC 20004 (202) 783-4000  www.warnertheatredc.com

 1215 U St NW

BIRCHMERE

 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria, VA 22305 (703) 549-7500  www.birchmere.com

The Average White Band

April 19 – 8:00pm Rick Springfield

 513 13th Street NW

April 10 – 8:00pm Patton Oswalt

KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS  2700 F Street, NW

Washington, DC 20566 (202) 467-4600  www.kennedy-center.org

April 29 – 8:00pm Daryl Hall & John Oates

WOLF TRAP NATIONAL PARK FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS  Filene Center

1551 Trap Road Vienna, VA 22182 (877) WOLFTRAP  www.wolftrap.org Sheryl Crow

The Marshall Tucker Band

April 17-18 – 7:30pm The Average White Band April 23 – 7:30pm The Marshall Tucker Band April 29 – 7:30pm WAR May 7 – 7:30pm Vince Gill May 14 – 7:30pm Todd Rundgren “Global Tour 2015”

DAR CONSTITUTION HALL  1776 D Street, NW

Washington, DC 20006 (202) 628-4780  www.dar.org/conthall

April 26 – 7:30pm John Mellencamp

April 8 – 7:00pm Jay Leno

May 26 – 8pm Sheryl Crow

MUSIC CENTER at STRATHMORE

May 30 – 8pm Kool and the Gang Chaka Khan

 5301 Tuckerman Lane

North Bethesda, MD 20852 (301) 581-5100  www.strathmore.org

April 25 – 9pm An Evening with Julie Andrews May 9 – 8pm An Evening with Shirley MacLaine Kool and the Gang

VERIZON CENTER  601 F Street NW

Washington, DC 20004 (202) 628-3200  www.verizoncenter. monumentalnetwork.com

April 4 – 8:00pm Neil Diamond Nick Jonas

THE HAMILTON  600 14th Street, NW

Washington, DC 20005 (202) 787-1000  www.thehamiltondc.com

April 8 – 7:30pm Spyro Gyra

• April/May 2015 • DCMetroPlus.com

May 12 – 7:30pm Iggy Azalea & Nick Jonas

Chaka Khan

Kings Dominion is celebrating it’s 40th in a big way. Experience over 17 thrill rides, a 14 acre Planet Snoopy kids area and a bigger, wetter all - inclusive water park. Remember you only turn 40 once – so don’t miss out on the fun. Get your tickets today at kingsdominion.com.

DCMetroPlus.com • April/May 2015 •

April 24-May 3

88th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival

Gloucester Daffodil Festival

Spring Flower Festivals Wherever You Go! April 3-May 3

2nd Annual Spring Bloom Festival at Kings Dominion Spring’s the time to head to Kings Dominion as the park is transformed into a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors with thousands of flowers in boom. Experience unique springtime food and beverage tastings, enjoy toetapping entertainment and participate in hands-on activities for kids in the Planet Snoopy area. Don’t miss it! See website for tickets, park hours and directions. Kings Dominion, 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, VA 23047. www.kingsdominion.com April 18

Old Town Historic Homes and Garden Tour Five of Old Town Alexandria’s premier properties play host to visitors eager to see some of the area’s most beautiful gardens, homes and historic landmarks. All sites are within an easy walk of each other, allowing visitors to stroll Old Town’s quaint streets lined with charming townhouses and intimate walled gardens. Full tour ticket

• April/May 2015 • DCMetroPlus.com

includes FREE admission to George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate as well as other notable historic sites in Alexandria on the day of the tour. Refreshments offered at the historic St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. 10am4pm. $40 in advance, $45 day-of-tour. Locations throughout Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314. www.vagardenweek.org April 18-25

82nd Virginia Historic Garden Week – Statewide House & Garden Tours  Each spring visitors are welcomed to over 250 of Virginia’s most beautiful gardens, homes and historic landmarks during “America’s Largest Open House.” This 8-day statewide event provides visitors a unique opportunity to see unforgettable gardens at the peak of Virginia’s springtime color, as well as beautiful houses sparkling with over 2,000 flower arrangements created by Garden Club of Virginia members. At locations throughout the state – see website for detail. www.vagardenweek.org

Get your bloom on at the Apple Blossom Festival, an annual celebration of spring in the Northern Shenandoah Valley. The event is one of the largest in the Mid-Atlantic area, taking over the town of Winchester. This is a great time to enjoy the Virginia countryside and see the blooming apple trees while they color the region in pink, white and green. The ten-day festival features more than 45 events including the Coronation of Queen Shenandoah, the Grand Feature Parade, band competitions, dances, a carnival, orchard tours and more. Winchester, VA, 22601 (72 miles west of Washington DC). For complete schedule of events: www.thebloom.com

May 1-2

76th Annual National Cathedral Flower Mart A fine spring day is sure to attract thousands of visitors to this floral festival that encircles the Cathedral with its tents and booths offering flowers, gardening items and more. Don’t miss the International Floral Exhibit that lines the nave with floral displays created by many of the city’s foreign embassies to showcase native flowers, histories and cultures. Garden enthusiasts and families alike will enjoy the flowers, garden tours, musical entertainment, gourmet food, book sale, children’s activities and even an antique 1890’s carousel! Fri: 10am-6pm; Sat: 10am-5pm. FREE! On the grounds of Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016. www.allhallowsguild.org

Highlights of the National Cherry Blossom Festival Through April 14th

National Cherry Blossom Festival Spring has sprung in Washington and with a peak bloom prediction of April 11-14th, the city’s famous cherry blossoms provide a wonderful backdrop for winter-weary eyes! Daily concerts, cultural demonstrations, family-friendly activities, fireworks and parades all around the National Mall and Tidal Basin commemorate the gift of the cherry trees and the enduring friendship between the citizens of the United States and Japan. Most activities FREE! Events throughout DC and the metro area. Best viewing of cherry blossom trees at the Tidal Basin. For complete schedule of events and bloom updates: www.nationalcherryblossomfestival April 4

Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival This is a fun-for-all-ages event that boasts more than eight celebratory hours of music, family friendly waterrelated activities, cultural experiences, live entertainment and delicious food at multiple outdoor venues. As finale, a spectacular fireworks show lights up the night sky on the Washington Channel at 8:30pm. 1-9pm. FREE! Southwest Waterfront, 600 Water Street, SW, Washington DC 20024. www.nationalcherryblossom festival.org April 11

National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade Blossom-inspired floats, marching bands, giant helium balloons and international performing groups come together to create an energyfilled salute to spring in the heart of DC. 10am-12pm, rain or shine. FREE along parade route; reserved

grandstand seating starting at $20. Parade runs along Constitution Ave. NW, between 7th and 17th Streets, Washington DC 20001. www.nationalcherryblossom festival.org April 11

Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival Now in its 56th year, visitors are sure to enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere of the largest Japanese cultural festival in the United States. Stretching nearly a mile down Pennsylvania Avenue the festival features food, Japanese culture and arts, vendors, performers, and more. 10:30am-6pm. Adult: $10/$5 after3pm; 12 years or younger: FREE! The Festival stretches for six blocks through downtown DC on Pennsylvania Avenue from 9th to 14th Streets NW, Washington, DC 20001. www.sakuramatsuri.org April 12

Anacostia River Festival New this year, the first annual Anacostia River Festival will officially close the 2015 Cherry Blossom festivities. The event will feature family-friendly activities including free kayaking and canoeing, musical performances, fishing workshops,

a bike parade and more and will bring people from across the region to celebrate the history, ecology and communities along the banks of the Anacostia. 12-4pm. FREE! Anacostia Park, Good Hope Road and Anacostia Drive, SE, Washington DC 20020. www.bridgepark.org/ anacostia-river-festival Through April 12

National Mall Water Taxi For those on the Virginia side of the Potomac, it’s now even easier to see the 1,700 cherry blossom trees color the Tidal Basin in shades of pink. Hop on the water taxi from Alexandria to the National Mall and view the cherry blossoms in bloom against the backdrop of the national monuments, then return for an up-close encounter with American history in walkable Old Town. Taxi runs three times a day, seven days a week and trip is approximately 30 minutes. Adults: $28 roundtrip/$14 one-way; Child: $16 roundtrip/$8 one-way. Departs from Alexandria City Marina and docks at West Basin and Ohio Drives in SW Washington, a short walk to the Lincoln Memorial, the Franklin Roosevelt Memorial, the Martin Luther King Memorial and the Tidal Basin. See website for departure times. www.potomacriverboatco.com

DCMetroPlus.com • April/May 2015 •

SIPS & SADDLES

Discover the pure pleasures of Virginia’s scenic Horse & Wine Country with a burst of exciting experiences and events this spring.

G R A P E ES C A P E Fully immerse yourself in the Wine Country lifestyle with this two-night package showcasing luxurious accommodations, private tours and tastings at four distinguished wineries, a gourmet picnic and more.

D ER B Y & GO LD CUP FEST IVIT IES May 2 | Two top races. One celebration headquarters. Enjoy delectable derby fare and bottomless mint juleps as you follow the day’s action. Linger after the Winner’s Circle for a lavish dinner featuring your favorite Virginia wines, live music and dancing.

Explore all of the remarkable package possibilities at SalamanderSpringExperiences.com | Less than an hour west of Washington, D.C. SRS-Sips-Saddles-DCMetro-March2015.indd 1

3/16/15 4:53 PM

Where One Weekend Can Stay with You Forever Charming Ambience • Inspired Dining • Stunning Grounds Magical Moments • Cherished Memories Charlottesville, VA 20

• April/May 2015 • DCMetroPlus.com

www.prospecthill.com

540-967-0844

Photographed at the Lincoln Memorial

BOSS . BURBERRY . LORO PIANA . SALVATORE FERRAGAMO . ZADIG & VOLTAIRE . ALEXIS BITTAR

ALLEN EDMONDS . ARC’TERYX . CAUDALIE BOUTIQUE SPA . KATE SPADE NEW YORK . LONGCHAMP . PAUL STUART

TUMI . DBGB KITCHEN AND BAR . DEL FRISCO’S DOUBLE EAGLE STEAK HOUSE . MANGO TREE . RARESWEETS OPENING 2015 CH CAROLINA HERRERA . DIOR . LOUIS VUITTON . VINCE . CANALI . DAVID YURMAN THE GREAT REPUBLIC�.�MORGENTHAL FREDERICS�.�CENTROLINA�.�DOLCEZZA�.�FIG & OLIVE�.�MOMOFUKU & MILK BAR Located at 10th & H Street NW, Washington, D.C. | 202.289.9000DCMetroPlus.com | CityCenterDC.com • April/May 2015 •

SPLENDID SPRINGTIME GARDENS

By Amy Trotter Houston

“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.” Luther Burbank

s the warmth of spring chases away chilly winter memories, there is no better way to renew the soul then by wandering amid intoxicating and colorful garden blooms. To make the experience even more memorable, queue up Tiny Tim’s “Tip Toe Thru’ the Tulips with Me.” Of course, humming that catchy song while strolling a garden path is bound to make others smile – or grimace. Washington, DC and the mid-Atlantic have a plethora of gorgeous gardens just waiting to be explored. Whether you enjoy identifying heirloom plants or take pleasure in simply sitting on a bench amid bountiful blooms, here are a few choice places to enjoy springtime fragrances. Garden Escapes in Washington, DC Finding respite from the rhetoric and hot air of Washington, DC is often necessary. One of the best distractions is found in the different gardens open to the public. Just like its sister repositories

• April/May 2015 • DCMetroPlus.com

along the National Mall, the United States Botanic Garden (100 Maryland Avenue SW) is also a museum. The National Garden, Bartholdi Park, and the glass-enclosed Conservatory make up a museum dedicated to living plants. Established in 1820 by the U.S. Congress, it is one of the oldest botanic gardens in the U.S. and gives visitors the pleasure of plant life any time of year. If the pace of trying to see all of the DC sights becomes overwhelming, step into this sanctuary, if only for a few minutes, and regain peace of mind. Website: www.usbg.gov. Outside of downtown, Washington, DC is fortunate to have a number of historic estates that have been preserved as museums and are open to the public. Some of these include spectacular gardens like those found at Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens (4155 Linnean Avenue NW). Once home to prominent hostess Marjorie Merriweather Post, the 13 acres of formal gardens are considered an extension of

the house. These “outdoor rooms” include the Lunar Lawn site of many receptions over DUMBARTON OAKS the years. There is a Rose Garden, formal French Partee, and Japanese Style Garden. Don’t miss the Russian dacha, Pet Cemetery, and Putting Green. The Cutting Garden is planted with the flowers used to decorate the mansion. From April 1 – June 28, garden tours are on a first-come, first-served basis, Tuesday through Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Meet at the Visitor Center. Additional information may be found at the website: www.hillwoodmuseum.org. The enchanting gardens of Dumbarton Oaks Museum and Gardens (3120 R Street NW), originally designed by owner Mildred Barnes Bliss and landscape gardener Beatrix Farrand, offer beautiful sights and welcome tranquility. There are ten acres of formal gardens to explore including the charming Rose Garden and intriguing Pebble Garden. TUDOR PLACE Blooms change with the seasons and the gardens include shaded paths with benches ideal for whiling away an afternoon. The gardens are open daily except Monday and certain holidays. During the regular season (March 15 – October 31), the gardens are open from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and admission is charged. Get a feel for the gardens by taking a brief introductory tour held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 2:10 p.m. Meet the docent across from the Garden Gate House located at R and 31st Streets. Group tours may be booked via the website: www.doaks.org. A few minutes walk away is Tudor Place Historic House and Garden (1644 31st Street NW) where the history of the Peter family is interlaced with that of Washington, DC. Over the years, the site transformed A Weekend Away with the Du Ponts from a working farmstead to the gardens of today. The 5 From Washington, DC drive 2.5 hours to the Brandywine ½-acre landscape includes open lawns and ornamental Valley, the confluence of southern Chester County, flower gardens accented by statues, walkways, and a lily Pennsylvania and northern Delaware. Here magnificent pond. Take in the grassy elliptical Bowling Green and Federalmansions and glorious gardens are the lasting legacy of style boxwood Knot Garden with a sundial from Crossbasket the influential Du Pont family, whose name is tied to the Castle in Scotland. A Japanese Tea House and grape arbor chemical corporation responsible for Teflon. were added in the mid 20th-century. Note the 200 year old Begin at Longwood Gardens (www.longwoodgardens. tulip poplar on the South Lawn and don’t miss the exotic sago org) where the magnificent indoor and outdoor gardens palms purchased in 1813 in Philadelphia. Florentine tulips change with the seasons. The kaleidoscope of colorful tulips are among the heirloom species that date back more than a is breathtaking, while the Wisteria Garden with its gnarled century. The garden is open Tuesday through Saturday from vines and intoxicating spring blooms is not to be missed. The 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m. gardens are open every day beginning at 9:00 a.m. Due to the It is closed Monday. There is a small fee for the self-guided gardens’ popularity, timed tickets must be purchased online garden tours. Check in at the Visitor Center. Information on in advance. From here, it is only seven miles to Winterthur arranging group tours is found on the website: www.tudorMuseum, Garden and Library (www.winterthur.org), home place.org. to vast meadows, forests, and formal gardens. There are over Take a peek at more gardens on The Georgetown Garden 4,000 plant varieties in the living collection. Children will Tour taking place on Saturday, May 9, 2015 with gardens open adore the Enchanted Woods, said to be built by the magical from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. For more details and ticket woodland fairies that live on Oak Hill. Guests may stroll the information, go to www.georgetowngardentour.com. garden Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to dusk. DCMetroPlus.com • April/May 2015 •

HISTORIC GARDEN WEEK

CUSTIS TENEMENT GARDEN COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG

Winterthur is closed on Monday and certain holidays. Tickets may be purchased online or at the visitor center. Nemours Mansion and Gardens (www.nemoursmansion.org) is five miles further and features formal French gardens modeled on those at Versailles that include statues, fountains, and pools. Reservations for the guided garden walks may be made online or in person at the visitor center. Children under 12 are not admitted. These garden locations are very popular on Mother’s Day. For the full Du Pont experience, stay at the exquisite Hotel du Pont in Wilmington and dine on French fare in the Green Room before taking in a show at the Du Pont Theatre. More information is found at www.hoteldupont.com and www. thebrandywine.com.

“VERY FUNNY, VERY BRILLIANT, VERY CHILLING” —The New York Times

THE TONY AWARD-WINNING PLAY BY TOM STOPPARD DIRECTED BY AARON POSNER

• April/May 2015 • DCMetroPlus.com

Historic Garden Week in Virginia The best way to take a lingering look at over 250 homes, gardens, and historic landmarks across Virginia is during the annual Historic Garden Week, this year from April 18 – 25, 2015. Sponsored by the Garden Club of Virginia, tours are open to the public and showcase springtime colors, as well as over 2,000 flower arrangements created by garden club members. Information on the many tours is found on the website www.vagardenweek.org. Tours take place rain or shine with prices ranging from $15 to $50. Statewide passes are available for purchase. Proceeds are used in part to restore and preserve historic gardens throughout Virginia. It will be hard to choose among the variety of tours. One features three of the James River Plantations. Another is a walking tour of five row houses with courtyard gardens in Old Town Alexandria. When Thomas Jefferson was designing the gardens for his estate, Monticello, he sketched out his ideas so the gardens would be just as he imagined. A visit here includes a variety of walks, talks, and tours. A Norfolk tour includes a demonstration of Victorian style floral arrangements. This year Williamsburg is celebrating the 300th anniversary of the Burton Parish Churchyard, which is a Garden Club of Virginia restoration project. Other properties on the itinerary include Providence Hall, The Fife and Drum Inn, and the William and Mary President’s House and Garden. The celebrated gardens of Colonial Williamsburg include those at The Governor’s Palace (see cover photo). Whether escaping from urban chaos, getting out of town for a weekend, or legitimately peeking over garden walls, Washington, DC and the mid-Atlantic feature an abundance of bountiful and beautiful gardens full of blooms. Tiptoeing through the tulips is optional.

COCKTAILS STEP UP TO THE PLATE BY DANIELLE TURNER The DC area’s restaurant scene has evolved in recent years and the cocktail scene is keeping pace. Designer cocktails are no longer simply an accessory to a meal. They’re taking center stage at bars, speakeasies and soda shops around town where the drinks are the main event.

2 birds 1 stone

 1800 14th Street NW 

Washington, DC 20009 http://2birds1stonedc.com/

Adam Bernbach’s star shines brightly at 2 birds 1 stone, a vibrant cocktail bar where bartenders pour up classic cocktails alongside original creations prepared with the finest ingredients. The weekly cocktail menu is literally a work of art as Bernbach, an awardwinning bar director, draws each one by hand. Curated craft beers and wines and fine spirits are also available to order but try a Hanky Panky, gin, vermouth and fernet, for a real treat.

Bar PX

 728 King Street 

Alexandria, VA 22314 www.barpx.com

Stepping into PX is like traveling back in time to an era when cocktails were forbidden and speakeasies clandestine. No sign marks the spot at PX; a blue light and plain door are the only advertisement this speakeasy needs. Master mixologist Todd Thrasher’s sophisticated cocktail menu - think mojitos made with champagne instead of rum - features drinks made with house-made juices and some housemade sodas. With room for a mere 25 guests, PX takes intimacy and exclusivity to a new level. It’s so exclusive, even the ice cubes are special. Look for 1 1/4-inch-square cubes in most drinks and flavored ice in others.

Buffalo & Bergen  Union Market

1309 5th Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 202.543.2549

You’ll find family friendly beverages at Drink Genius Gina Chersevani’s Buffalo & Bergen in Union Market. The modern-day soda shop serves up egg cremes, floats, malt and sodas, a delicious blast from the past, in unique flavors like honey-citrus. Not to worry, parents! All of the drinks at Buffalo & Bergen can be made with alcohol! The shop is an homage to the soda shops of Chersevani’s New York roots. Knishes and bagels are on the menu at Buffalo & Bergen if you need a nibble to enjoy with your drink.

DCMetroPlus.com • April/May 2015 •

FOLGER SHAKESPEARE LIBRARY  201 East Capitol Street, SE 

Washington, DC 20003 (202) 544-7077 www.folger.edu

May 12-June 21 8 in the Elizabethan Theatre

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

THEATER SEE WHAT’S PLAYING ON STAGES IN AND AROUND DC

The Originalist

Tom Stoppard’s breakthrough play and Tony Award®-winner turns Shakespeare’s Hamlet on its head by giving two of its most incidental characters main roles and reducing all of its major characters (including Hamlet) to minor roles. Written around and in-between the lines of Shakespeare’s play, Stoppard brilliantly takes the main concerns of contemporary theater – absurdism, the inevitability of death, breakdown in communication and feeling – and inserts them into the text of a much earlier play. Freedom’s Song

ARENA STAGE  1101 Sixth Street, SW 

Washington, DC 20024 (202) 488-3300 www.arenastage.org

Through April 26 in the Kogod Cradle Theater

The Originalist

This world-premiere political drama brings to the stage a most original subject: Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, one of America’s most brilliant and polarizing figures. The play, set during the 2012–13 term, imagines the conservative justice and his liberal clerk as formidable sparring partners as they debate how to formulate Scalia’s dissent in the legal ruling which struck down part of the Defense of Marriage Act. (And in a stroke of poetic irony, as Justice Scalia and his law clerk wrangle onstage, the actual Supreme Court will be hearing much-anticipated arguments on same-sex marriage in April.) This is a daring new work about passionate people risking heart and soul to defend their version of the truth. April 3-May 3 on the Fichandler Stage

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play, this is a “sunny new play about

• April/May 2015 • DCMetroPlus.com

gloomy people” (New York Times). Siblings Vanya and Sonia live out their days in an endless, bleak tableau in Bucks County, PA. All seems numbingly mundane until in sweeps Masha, their fading movie star sister, with her shiny new boy toy and a big announcement. Satirizing characters and themes from Chekhov’s classics, this madcap masterpiece serves up family drama with comic savagery and poses the question: if you could choose your family, would you necessarily choose your family? April 24-June 7 in the Kreeger Theater

The Blood Quilt

Inaugural resident playwright Katori Hall is once again redefining theater with this funny and fierce world premiere. Gathering at their childhood island home off the coast of Georgia, four disconnected sisters meet to create a family quilt to honor their recently deceased mother. When their reunion turns into a reading of their mother’s will, everyone must grapple with a troubling inheritance. Stitched with history and ritual, laughter and tears, will their “blood quilt” bind the family together or tear them apart forever?

FORD’S THEATRE  511 Tenth Street NW 

Washington, DC 20004 (202) 347-4833 www.fordstheatre.org

Through May 20

Freedom’s Song: Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War

This epic musical features the words of Abraham Lincoln and music inspired by the letters of those who lived through the Civil War. With rousing music, stirring speeches and rich, historic costumes, Freedom’s Song evokes the soaring hopes and tragic losses of the real people of Civil War America. Part of the Ford’s 150, a series of events commemorating the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s assassination.

SHAKESPEARE THEATRE COMPANY  The Lansburgh Theatre: 450 7th Street NW

 Sidney Harman Hall:



610 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20004 (202) 547-1122 www.shakespearetheatre.org

Through April 26 in Sidney Harman Hall

Man of La Mancha

Dame Edna’s Glorious Goodbye

A story of hope and idealism rises from the darkness and despair of a prison cell in Man of La Mancha, carried aloft by some of the most familiar and moving songs of the American theatre. As Miguel de Cervantes presents his tale of knight errant Don Quixote, his journey comes alive in a play-within-theplay, featuring loyal friends, troubled maidens, giant monsters and brave knights. Don Quixote’s quest—filled with humor and poignancy in equal measure—dares everyone to dream “The Impossible Dream.”

KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS  2700 F Street, NW 

SYNETIC THEATER  1800 South Bell Street

Arlington, VA (Crystal City) 22202 (800) 494-8497 www.synetictheater.org

WARNER THEATRE  513 13th Street, NW

NATIONAL THEATER  1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW



Washington, DC 20004 (202) 628-6161 www.thenationaldc.com

Following a sensational opening at the London Palladium, Barry Humphries and his alter ego, Dame Edna Everage, come to DC with an evening of theater that will have audiences in stitches and the critics raving. Join Dame Edna on her riotous spiritual journey of personal fulfillment and enlightenment as she becomes psychic, karmic goddess, guru and spiritual guide for her audiences.

Welcome to the Kit Kat Club, the hottest nightclub in seedy, prewar Berlin; here, life is beautiful. Featuring the treasured songs “Maybe This Time,” “Willkommen,” “Don’t Tell Mama” and the title song, Kander and Ebb’s Tony Award®-winning masterpiece graces the Signature stage for the first time in twenty years!

Originally performed Off-Broadway to rave reviews, this irreverent comedy tells the story of a drag queen named Jerry who finds the baby at his door. To calm the child down, he enacts the entirety of Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities – playing all the characters himself! “Always fascinating, sometimes funny and finally moving evening.” (The New York Time).

Set in the Shear Madness hairstyling salon, this record-breaking comedy has been Washington’s favorite hilarious whodunit for 25 years. And after more than 11,000 performances, this show is still in great shape, retaining all the bounce, body, and shine of its opening night!

Dame Edna’s Glorious Goodbye – The Farwell Tour

Caberet

A Tale of Two Cities

Sheer Madness

April 21-26

May 12- June 28



Washington, DC 20566 (202) 467-4600 www.kennedy-center.org

Ongoing in the Theater Lab



has taken to her couch. Her mother, roommate and sometimes-boyfriend all attempt to persuade her to leave her apartment and enjoy life. However, as Charlie’s memories take over, she must confront her deferred dreams and consider the possibility of life and love just outside her door. This world premiere musical’s quirky style communicates a youthful humor, energy and wit that delivers a searing and sardonic commentary on what to do with the time you have left.

Washington, DC 20004 (202) 783-4000 www.warnertheatredc.com

May 1-2 Anthony Warlow as Don Quixote

SIGNATURE THEATRE  4200 Campbell Avenue (Shirlington



Village) Arlington, VA 22206 (703) 820-9771 www.signature-theatre.org

March 10-April 26

Soon

Memphis – The Musical

Winner of four Tony Awards in 2010 including Best Musical, Memphis breezes in from Broadway on its first national tour! From the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, comes a red-hot musical that bursts off the stage with explosive dancing, irresistible songs and a thrilling tale of fame and forbidden love.

It is the hottest summer in human history and, in a few short months, all water on earth will evaporate. In response, twenty-something Charlie DCMetroPlus.com • April/May 2015 •

FORD’S THEATRE CENTER FOR EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP  514 Tenth Street NW

Washington, DC 20004  FREE! (on-site first come/first served; advance: $2.50) Lincoln’s Hat the night he was shot

National Geographic - Spinosaurus

EXHIBITS

SPECIAL THINGS AWAIT INSIDE THESE EXCELLENT GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS

AMERICAN ART MUSEUM  Eighth and F Streets, NW

Washington, DC 20004  FREE!  www.americanart.si.edu

Through August 2

Mingering Mike’s Supersonic Greatest Hits

In 2013, the Smithsonian acquired a collection of over 150 artworks made between 1969 and 1976 by a self–taught DC artist known only by his alter-ego, Mingering Mike. This collection comprises artworks constructed as part of the artist’s youthful fantasy of becoming a famous soul singer and songwriter, including LP albums made from painted cardboard, original album art, song lyrics and liner notes, self-recorded 45 rpm singles and more, all tracing the career of a would-be superstar. The works powerfully evoke the black entertainers of the late 1960s and ’70s and are a window onto an historical moment when black radio was new and Washington-based performers like Marvin Gaye were gaining national attention and transforming American music. Although untrained as either musician or visual artist, Mingering

• April/May 2015 • DCMetroPlus.com

Mike nonetheless embodies a critical component of the American Dream, conquering tough circumstances by actualizing—to whatever extent possible—a world filled with fame, fortune, and happiness. This exhibition presents the vibrant creativity of this singular artist and powerfully conveys the larger American cultural phenomena that are so fully enmeshed in his words and images. 2nd floor South FOLGER SHAKESPEARE LIBRARY  201 East Capitol Street, SE

Through May 25

Silent Witnesses: Artifacts of the Lincoln Assassination

This special exhibition will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the assassination and death of Abraham Lincoln by reuniting—for the first time since April 1865—an extraordinary collection of artifacts that were in Ford’s Theatre or carried by Lincoln the night of the assassination. Included within the exhibition are the contents of Lincoln’s pockets, his great coat, his top hat, and much more. FREER GALLERY OF ART ARTHUR M. SACKLER GALLERY MUSEUMS OF ASIAN ART  Freer Gallery of Art: Jefferson Drive at 12th Street, SW

 Arthur M. Sackler Gallery: 1050

Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20013  FREE!  www.asia.si.edu

Washington, DC 20003  FREE!  www.folger.edu

NEW!

Decoding the Renaissance

During the Renaissance, the art and science of cryptography came into their own. The advent of printing, development of diplomacy, and creation of postal systems created an obsession with encryption that produced some of the period’s most brilliant inventions, most beautiful books, and most enduring legacies. Featuring the best collection ever assembled of early works on codes and ciphers.

The Traveler’s Eye: Scenes of Asia

Through May 31

The Traveler’s Eye: Scenes of Asia

Travel shapes how we see the world. Long after a trip has ended, images made to guide, track, and represent travelers and their journeys continue to influence

our views of other cultures and our own cultural identities. Featuring more than 100 works created over the past five centuries, this exhibit provides glimpses of travels across the Asian continent, from trade voyages to tourist trips. Arthur M. Sackler Gallery HILLWOOD ESTATE MUSEUM AND GARDEN  4155 Linnean Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20008  Adult: $15; Senior: $12; Student: $10; Child (ages 6 – 18): $5  www.hillwoodmuseum.org

National Aquarium

Hillwood – Etui

Through June 7th

Splendor & Surprise

Open up a world of treasures! More than 80 remarkable boxes, coffers, chests, and other containers reveal the beautiful and unexpected ways that cultures have contained their most treasured items and everyday objects from the 17th through the 20th century. For the first time, many

of the objects on view will be opened for display to reveal the surprising interiors. Animated labels, opening the lid on some of the most intricate objects, will illustrate the inner workings and luxurious insides not typically available to viewers. NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM  Independence Avenue at 6th Street, SW

Washington, DC 20560  FREE!  www.nasm.si.edu

New!

Hawaii by Air

Must travelers don’t realize, on their long flight from the mainland to

Hawaii, that they are traveling to one of the most remote places on Earth. Jetliner travel makes it easy to forget how challenging it once was to reach Hawaii by air. The Hawaiian Islands are mere specks in the vast Pacific. Flying there in the early days of flight was not for the faint of heart. Bad weather, a navigational error, or an engine failure could spell doom. Hawaii by Air recounts how things have changed since then. How air travel to Hawaii developed and grew. How the travel experience evolved along with the airplane. And how air travel changed Hawaii itself. NATIONAL AQUARIUM  501 East Pratt Street

Baltimore, MD 21202  Adult: $34.95; Senior(65+): $29.95; Child(3-11): $21.95  www.aqua.org

Now Year-Round!*

“Fridays After Five” at the National Aquarium

National Air and Space Museum – Hawaii by Air

Scratch whatever you had planned for Friday night. If it didn’t involve diving into an Indo-Pacific reef, traveling through an Australian river gorge or exploring shark territory, it’s got nothing on the National Aquarium’s Fridays After Five. Meet the Aquarium’s 17,000 animals and discover award-winning exhibits at a special price when you visit Friday nights after 5 pm. To learn more about this and other opportunities, visit aqua.org/youraquarium. DCMetroPlus.com • April/May 2015 •

Hear My Voice – Alexander Graham Bell

modern paleontologists use. Travel with National Geographic explorers and scientists to the remote edges of the Sahara to discover the origins of this rare African dinosaur and the mysterious journey that led to its rediscovery. Exhibition included in museum admission

Scaling Washington

NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM  401 F Street NW

Washington DC 20001  Adult: $8; Youth (3-17yrs), Student w/ID & Senior (60+): $5  www.nbm.org

Through January 6, 2016

Scaling Washington

Photographer Colin Winterbottom’s debut museum exhibition, features stunning large-scale images of the postearthquake restoration of the Washington Monument and Washington National Cathedral. Winterbottom’s images highlight the technical insights shared by the engineers and architects central to the restorations, giving visitors new perspectives on these symbolic icons. Over twenty years ago, Winterbottom began taking dramatic, highly textured photographs of Washington, D.C.’s many architectural masterpieces. Always determined to create imagery unlike any he’d seen before, he quickly recognized the power of scaffolding to provide up-close—and high altitude—access to these historic structures. As sole photographer for restoration efforts at the Washington Monument and National Cathedral following the August 2011 earthquake that shook the nation’s capital, Winterbottom blends documentation with artistic expressions, crafting photographs that share his unusual access to remarkable, fleeting vantage points. Composed in close proximity to generally inaccessible parts of these two landmarks, many of the photographs provide

• April/May 2015 • DCMetroPlus.com

sensitive appreciation of their beauty and fragility. Surprisingly, they also transform scaffolding from an industrial workhorse to rhythmically compelling geometry that complements the historic structures they seem to engulf. In Winterbottom’s own words: “I took very seriously my obligations to bring the viewer with me to those narrow, scaffolded platforms and show them what that was like. The series is a mix of fine art, documentary and technical photographs; I hope that chorus helps viewers experience these events on several levels.” NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MUSEUM  1145 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20036

 Adult: $11; Member/Military/Senior/ Student: $9; Child (5-12): $7

 www.nationalgeographic.com Through April 12

Spinosaurus: Lost Giant of the Cretaceous

Meet Spinosaurus. At over 50 feet long, 20 feet high and weighing in at 6 tons, he’s the largest predatory dinosaur to ever roam the Earth — even bigger than T. Rex. This bus-sized dino’s extraordinary features include a crocodile-shaped skull and 7-foot spines forming a sail along its back. Spinosaurus is unlike any other dinosaur you’ve seen or heard of before. Encounter this bizarre predator for the first time at the world premiere of a one-of-a-kind exhibition where visitors can explore a full-sized skeletal model as well as genuine dinosaur fossils and learn about the latest technologies

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY  14th Street and

Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20001  FREE!  www.americanhistory.si.edu

New!

“Hear My Voice”: Alexander Graham Bell and the Origins of Recorded Sound

Alexander Graham Bell is best remembered as the inventor of the telephone, but he and his associates were also instrumental in the development of sound recording at his Volta Laboratory in Washington, D.C. In this exhibition, see documents, recordings, laboratory notes, and apparatus from the Volta Laboratory dating from the 1880s; learn about the early history of sound recording in the United States; and hear some of the earliest sound recordings ever made. Located on Second Floor East NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY  10th and Constitution Avenue NW Washington DC 20560

 FREE!  www.mnh.si.edu

The Last American Dinosaurs: Discovering a Lost World

Discover the lost world of the last dinosaurs to roam what is modern day North America sixty six million years ago before events caused their extinction. Walk through time to find answers to the questions that help us understand America’s last dinosaurs, their lives, and their ultimate

newspaper’s complete coverage of the tragic event as it unfolded. Located on Level 4 VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS  200 N. Boulevard  Richmond, VA 23220

 FREE!  www.vmfa.museum

demise while taking a peek “behind the curtain” to see what goes into making a new, large-scale fossil exhibition. See “Hatcher” the Triceratops, a Tyrannosaurus skull, other fossils from the same ecosystem, and watch fossils being prepared in a working fossil preparation lab. NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY  8th and F Streets NW Washington, DC 20001

 FREE!  www.npg.si.edu

prints, drawings and maps to document how the Civil War affected patterns of life in the District of Columbia and includes views of forts and hospitals, the Navy Yard and the Sixth Street Wharf, and landmarks such as the Capitol, White House, Ford’s Theatre and the Old Capitol Prison. A special feature are the images of notable Washington personalities— statesmen, spies, soldiers and nurses— who gave the city a sense of national purpose, glamour and intrigue during four years of war. NEWSEUM  555 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20001

 Adults: $22.95; Senior (65+): $18.95 

Child (7-18): $13.95; Child (6 & younger): Free www.newseum.org

Through 2015

President Lincoln is Dead: The New York Herald Reports the Assassination

Through May 25th

Mr. Lincoln’s Washington: A Civil War Portfolio

This exhibition uses large-format reproductions of original photographs,

To mark the 150th anniversary of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, the Newseum will display an unparalleled collection of New York Herald special editions from April 15, 1865. The exhibit brings together all seven editions for the first time since 1865, beginning with the 2am edition, which contained the first Associated Press report that Lincoln had been shot. The display also includes a recently discovered 8:45am “extra” that was one of the first newspapers to report the president’s death. With this exclusive exhibit, visitors will be able to view the

Through June 21

Van Gogh, Manet and Matisse: The Art of the Flower

This exhibition is the first major American exhibition to consider the French floral still life across the 19th century and explores the infusion of new spirit and meaning into the traditional genre of floral still-life painting even as the advent of modernism was radically transforming the art world. Featuring 70 flower paintings by more than 30 artists, it showcases work from Eugène Delacroix, Gustave Courbet, Henri Fantin-Latour, Édouard Manet, Vincent van Gogh and Henri Matisse. The museum also will offer workshops, tours and classes that will have adults and kids trying their hand at the art of the flower.

DCMetroPlus.com • April/May 2015 •

A TASTE OF ITALY T

25 Italian Favorites

here’s more to Italian food than pasta and sauce. Luckily for diners in the DC area there are a host of talented chefs who bring authentic and adventurous Italian food to restaurant tables from Penn Quarter to Arlington. Whether you’re in search of the perfect wood-fired pizza, the creamiest risotto or handmade pasta, there’s something for Italian food lovers all over town. Here are 26 of our favorites and the neighborhoods where you can find them. ADAMS MORGAN

DOWNTOWN

DUPONT CIRCLE

 1790 Columbia Rd NW

 1100 New York Ave NW

 2014 P St NW

Pasta Mia

Washington, DC 20009 (202) 328-9114

Bibiana

Washington, DC 20005 (202) 216-9550

This unassuming neighborhood restaurant is an Adams Morgan institution, with its large pasta portions, low prices and legendary red sauce.

Chefs at Bibiana have crafted a sophisticated Italian menu to match the restaurant’s stylish decor. Cap off your meal with one of their innovative Italian desserts.

BLOOMINGDALE

Siroc

The Red Hen

 1822 First St NW

Washington, DC 20001 (202) 525-3021

 915 15th St NW

Washington, DC 20005 (202) 628-2220

Diners at this Italian-influenced American restaurant can also enjoy selections from the restaurant’s eclectic wine list.

This casual, cozy trattoria offers a moderately priced menu featuring house-made pasta and sauces. Half-sized pasta portions make it possible to try two pastas for the price of one.

CAPITOL HILL

Tosca

Acqua Al 2

 212 7th St SE

Washington, DC 20003 (202) 525-4375

Acqua Al 2 is the American outpost of a restaurant in Florence, Italy, which explains the menu’s true Tuscan authenticity. The chef’s choice samplers make it easy to small portions of several dishes.

 1112 F St NW

Washington, DC 20004 (202) 367-1990

Tosca is all about fine Northern Italian dining. Fresh house-made pasta dishes are prepared with local produce and farm-raised local protein; all of which combine to create a sublime dining experience.

• April/May 2015 • DCMetroPlus.com

Al Tiramisu

Washington, DC 20036 (202) 467-4466

Seafood dishes are the standout at Al Tiramisu. The restaurant’s charm, consistently outstanding service and numerous daily specials are also highlights.

Floriana

 1602 17th St NW

Washington, DC 20009 (202) 667-5937

This comfortable Italian bistro serves dishes made with ingredients sourced from local producers. The menu changes seasonally so there’s always something fresh and delicious to enjoy.

I Ricchi

Obelisk

 2029 P St NW

Washington, DC 20036 (202) 872-1180

Obelisk has been serving a 5-course dinner, 5 nights a week, since 1987 so come ready to experience decadent Italian dishes from their hand-written menu, which changes daily.

GEORGETOWN  Filomena Ristorante

1063 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington, DC 20007 (202) 338-8800

Filomena first opened its doors in 1983 and it has been serving Old World regional Italian specialties ever since. Arrive early to watch the restaurant’s “Pasta Mamas” make fresh pasta in the storefront kitchen.

Il Canale

 1063 31st St NW

Washington, DC 20007 (202) 337-4444

Stop in at Il Canale for Neapolitan wood-fired pizza so authentic it’s certified by the Italian Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana.

Ristorante La Perla

 1220 19th St NW

 2600 Pennsylvania Ave NW

The Tuscan and regional Italian menu at I Ricchi is inspired by the 18 years restaurateur Christianna Ricchi spent in Tuscany. Look for Old World Italian classics and their signature tortelloni is not to be missed.

The focus is on simple, fresh ingredients and traditional Italian cooking methods at Ristorante La Perla. Fresh pastas are made in-house daily, and dried pastas are imported from Italy.

Washington, DC 20036 (202) 835-0459

#101 Washington, DC 20037 (202) 333-1767

H STREET

Toscana Café  601 2nd St NE,

Washington, DC 20002 (202) 525-2693

This friendly, affordable gathering place offers generous portions and outstanding housemade pastas in an upscale casual restaurant.

LOGAN CIRCLE

Tortino

 1228 11th St NW

Washington, DC 20001 (202) 312-5570

Designed to transport diners to a trattoria in Tuscany, Tortino serves up authentic Italian dishes. The fetuccine alla bolognese is a must try.

PENN QUARTER

Fiola

 601 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20004 (202) 628-2888

Only the freshest ingredients grace the daily changing lunch and dinner menus at Fiola, an upscale trattoria with an extensive wine list.

Graffiato

 707 6th St NW

Washington, DC 20001 (202) 289-3600

Paradiso Italian Restaurant  6124 Franconia Rd

Alexandria, VA 22310 (703) 922-6222

Paradiso is the place for traditional Italian food in a family friendly setting. Ideally located minutes from Springfield hotels, their bountiful Sunday brunch is a must try.

Tempo

 4231 Duke St,

Alexandria, VA 22304 (703) 370-7900

Chef Mike Isabella cooks up small plates inspired by the food he grew up eating in New Jersey prepared by his Italian-American grandmother. Look for small plates and seasonal artisanal pizzas at this Italian-inspired restaurant.

The Northern Italian entries on Tempo’s menu draw loyal locals and tourists alike. One of Alexandria’s best kept secrets, Tempo gives diners Italian classics like carpaccio, caprese and fresh egg pastas.

UNION MARKET

ARLINGTON

A Litteri

 517 Morse St NE

Washington, DC 20002 (202) 544-0183

A Litteri is Washington’s oldest Italian market. It features a large selection of Italian products from every part of Italy at reasonable prices. You can choose from six brands of pasta in more than 200 shapes.

ALEXANDRIA

Geranio Ristorante  722 King St

Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 548-0088

Perfect for a family outing or a romantic evening, you’ll find fresh, seasonal Italian ingredients and a chef committed to the craft of fine Italian cooking.

Landini Brothers  115 King St

Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 836-8404

A favorite spot for locals and tourists, Landini Brothers is known for preparing Italian dishes featuring the flavors of Tuscany in a casual, but elegant environment.

RESTON

Il Fornaio

 11990 Market Street, Suite 106 Reston Town Center Reston, VA 20190 (703) 437-5544

Il Fornaio is part of a chain of 21 Italian restaurants but the menu reads like that of a boutique Italian trattoria. Antipastas, pizzas and pastas all bear the hallmark of traditional Italian cuisine in a lively setting.

Mele Bistro (formerly Village Bistro)  Colonial Village Shopping Center 1723 Wilson Blvd Arlington, VA 22209 (703) 522-0284

Italian food shares the menu with dishes from France at Mele Bistro, the restaurant formerly known as Village Bistro. Mele’s focus is serving creative, healthy dishes that show respect for nature.

FAIRFAX

Dolce Vita

 10824 Fairfax Boulevard Fairfax, VA 22030 (703) 385-1530

Chefs at Dolce Vita bring a little corner of Italy to the suburbs, where they prepare authentic Italians food in a setting reminiscent of true Italian gathering spots.

• military gifts for retirements & promotions • ships wheels • ships clocks • barometers • tide clocks • military flag cases • shadow boxes • military ball caps & tee shirts • decanters • glasses 1677 Crystal Square Arcade, Arlington, VA 22202 703.413.6289 www.shipshatch.com DCMetroPlus.com • April/May 2015 •

Brunch Around Town BY DANIELLE TURNER

othing kicks off a great weekend morning like a chilled Mimosa and a leisurely brunch, that delicious hybrid of breakfast and lunch that makes everyone want to linger at the table. Brunch in the metro area is serious business and local chefs have crafted menus featuring a delicious blend of classic brunch favorites with unexpected twists. Whatever you’re craving there’s a DC area chef cooking it up for brunch. Here are a few of our favorite brunch hot spots.

Alba Osteria  425 I St, NW

Washington, DC 20001 (202) 733-4454

French Brunch at Bistrot Royal

• April/May 2015 • DCMetroPlus.com

Chef Roberto Donna is a pioneer of Italian cuisine in the DC area and there’s no greater testament to his ability to showcase the best of Italy’s Piedmont region than brunch at Alba Osteria. House made steel cut oats and Nonna’s Eggs and Meatballs are standouts. The oats are served with pistachio, banana and a press pot of cinnamon-steeped milk, while sunny side up eggs are paired with fresh tomato sauce and house made meatballs. Brunch runs Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm.

Bistrot Royal

Hank’s Oyster Bar

 1201 N. Royal St.

 Dupont Circle

Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 519-9110

If Paris is always a good idea then so is brunch at Bistrot Royal. Diners in search of an authentic French meal can tuck into a Croque Madame, a traditional grilled ham and cheese sandwich with mornay sauce topped with a fried egg, and Moules Marinieres, classic steamed mussels with white wine, garlic and shallots. A side of crispy pommes frites french fries - accompany both. Stop in when it’s brunch in Paris you’re craving. Bistrot Royal hosts brunch on Sundays from 11:30 am - 2:30 pm.

Carlyle

 4000 Campbell Avenue Arlington, VA 22206 (703) 931-0777

Everything at the Carlyle is over the top. This bustling all-American bistro is known for its high energy atmosphere and amped up menu items. You’ll find no standard French toast here, instead Brioche French Toast with granola, fruit and yogurt. Fried green tomatoes are adorned with guacamole, arugula and a shrimp remoulade and Warm Flourless Chocolate Macadamia Nut Waffles topped with vanilla ice cream will satisfy your sweet tooth. Carlyle serves brunch on Saturday from 10:30 am - 3:00 pm and on Sundays from 9:30 am - 3:00 pm.

Chef Geoff’s

 3201 New Mexico Ave

Washington, DC 20016 (202) 237-7800  Downtown 13th Street Between E and F Street Washington, DC 20004 (202) 464-4461

 Rockville

12256 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852 (240) 621-3090  Tysons 8045 Leesburg Pike Vienna, VA 22182 (571) 282-6003

All of Chef Geoff Tracy’s restaurants are known for great service, food and drinks, and brunch at either of his four namesake establishments is no exception. Diners can enjoy a delicious variety of innovative breakfast and lunch items from a Breakfast Pizza made with smoked gouda, chicken sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs and sriracha mayo, to a Bacon Waffle served with honey butter and a bacon maple syrup. Chef Geoff’s serves brunch from 11:30 am - 3:00 pm on Saturdays and from 10:30 am - 3:00 pm on Sundays.

1624 Q Street NW Washington DC 20009 (202) 462-HANK (4265)  Capitol Hill 633 Pennsylvania Avenue SE Washington DC 20003 (202) 733-1971  Alexandria 1026 King Street Alexandria VA 22314 (703) 739-HANK (4265)

Chef Jamie Leeds serves up her version of urban beach food at the three area restaurants she named after her father, Hank, her inspiration for becoming a chef. Hank’s Oyster Bars serve New England beach favorites like lobster rolls, Ipswich clams and a selection of raw oysters from the ice bar. Brunch at Hank’s brings several non-beachy items like Huevos Rancheros with Crispy Corn Tortillas, Fried Eggs and Spicy Salsa and Stuffed French Toast with Nutella and Banana. Enjoy brunch at Hank’s Oyster Bars from 11:00 am on Sundays at all three locations.

Ris

 2275 L Street, NW

Washington, DC 20037 (202) 730.2500

Chef Ris Lacoste’s super power is turning the ordinary into the sublime. The brunch menu at her upscale West End restaurant, Ris, where she turns humble oatmeal into Oatmeal Brulee, steel cut oats layered with raspberries, vanilla custard and caramelized sugar, is proof. In Ris’ kitchen breakfast hash becomes a Spanish Migas Chicken Hash, sherry and herb soaked bread with chicken, chicken livers, mushrooms and kale topped with a poached egg and the Bloody Wasabi Cocktail, made of vodka, wasabi, tomato and cucumber, outshines the Bloody Mary. You can enjoy brunch with bottomless Mimosas on Sundays from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. DCMetroPlus.com • April/May 2015 •

Hot Mess at Roofer’s Union

Roofer’s Union

 2446 18th Street NW

Washington DC 20009 (202) 232-7663

Brunch at Roofer’s Union in the heart of Adams Morgan, can be a Hot Mess. Seriously, the Hot Mess, pepper and onions with fried chicken, sausage gravy and a sunny side up egg, is a highlight of Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley’s brunch menu. Bradley specializes in classic American fare, offering diners hearty, down-home dishes like Deviled Eggs, House Made Sausage, and Doughnut Holes served with Chocolate Sauce and Jam. Roofer’s Union serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 am - 2:30 pm.

Homemade Pop Tarts at Ted’s Bulletin

Ted’s Bulletin

 2911 District Ave.,

Unit 160 Fairfax, VA 22031 (571) 830-6680  Reston 11948 Market Street Reston, VA 20190 (703) 956-9510

 Capitol Hill

505 8th Street SE Washington, DC 20003 (202) 544-8337  14th Street 1818 14th Street NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 265-8337

There’s no traditional weekend brunch at area Ted’s Bulletin restaurants but this kid-friendly chain offers breakfast, lunch and dinner options all day, everyday so you can have brunch whenever the mood hits you. Their extensive menu includes Chicken ‘n Biscuits, mini honey biscuits plated with fried chicken breasts, home fries and mumbo sauce, and Homemade Pop Tarts. You can create your own brunch at Ted’s Bulletin during opening hours, 7:00 am - 10:30 pm Sundays thru Thursdays and 7:00 am - 11:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

• April/May 2015 • DCMetroPlus.com

Tempo Advert

10/27/04

3:19 PM

Page 1

WASHINGTONIAN’S TOP 100

Spectacular Seafood Creole & Cajun Specialities 3804 Mt. Vernon Ave. Alexandria

“European & Californian cuisine consistently hits the high notes.” Joan Horwitt,Mid Atlantic Magazine

One of Alexandria’s Best kept secrets... Nestled in the West End, this elegant but unpretentious neighborhood restaurant is where the locals dine. Ample free parking. Reservations are suggested. All major credit cards accepted.

703-684-6010 www.rtsrestaurant.net

4231 Duke Street • Alexandria, VA

703-370-7900

BRING IN THIS AD AND GET 2 FOR 1 ADMISSSION 6-10! Free Lunch Mon – Fri, 12 – 3

THE WORLD FAMOUS

PAPER MOON 703.866.4160 6315 Amherst Ave. Springfield, VA 22150

DCMetroPlus.com • April/May 2015 •

Taverna Cretekou Nationally Recognized • Festive Atmosphere

PREMIUM ENTRÉES. MOUTHWATERING STEAKS. EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE. Celebrated Chef Mike Cordero unveils Old Town’s newest steak destination

Celebrating our 40th year!

(p) 703.548.8688 (w) www.TavernaCretekou.com TavernaCretekou_1-4pg_v1.indd 1

Daily Lunch Buffet - 11:30am to 2:30pm | Dinner - 5pm to 10pm Saturday - 12pm to 10:30pm | Sunday Brunch - 11pm to 3pm Sunday Dinner - 5pm to 9:30pm

818 King Street, Old Town Alexandria, VA

0777 808 KING STREET ALEXANDRIA, VA

Reservations: 703 299 0777

12/5/08 8:12:23 AM

808 KING ST. ALEXANDRIA, VA

Simple Elegance, Exceptional Food

Award-winning French and Basque cuisine La Bergerie is renowned for its charming atmosphere and Old World setting. Among the house specialties are lobster bisque, fresh foie gras, Dover sole, venison chops and dessert soufflés. Zagat rated. Featured in DiRõNA since 1997. Extensive wine list that has won Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. Private rooms for any occasion. Business Casual Attire. Reservations Recommended. Validated Garage Parking.

703.683.1007

www.LaBergerie.com 218 North Lee Street, Old Town Alexandria Providing memorable dining experiences for over 30 years.

• April/May 2015 • DCMetroPlus.com

Fabulous Seafood Menu - Waterfront Dining Private Parties & Receptions - Experienced Event Planner Live Entertainment Friday & Saturday Nights

703.494.6373

www.madiganswaterfront.com

Located on the Historic Occoquan River 201 Mill Street, Occoquan, Virginia 22125

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