WASHINGTON DC

To Eat

Le Diplomate is a fashionable, Frenchthemed bistro on the vibey corner of 14th and Q Streets NW, within walking distance of upmarket Logan Circle, and is the go-to spot for long, lazy, Mimosa-filled Sunday brunches. Popular with both Hill aides and trendy tech startup founders alike, take my advice and order the pancakes with maple syrup and crispy bacon. Don’t forget to grab a loaf of their home-baked sourdough on your way out. lediplomatedc.com

To Do

Words Matthew Mcclure

If you crave weekend visits to bustling markets to pick up some ethically farmed sirloin steak or a box of free-range eggs, then Eastern Market is for you. Located in a 150-year-old heritage building in the pretty, Victorian townhome-lined Capitol Hill neighbourhood, Eastern Market is a veritable treasure trove of vendors selling anything from stained glass and ceramics to family-recipe bratwurst and carrot cake muffins. Get there early for fresh produce and keep an eye out for my favourite bake stand, Ravenhook Bakehouse –their Mardi Gras King Cakes are a delight. easternmarket-dc.org

To Drink

Sometimes, a hand-mixed cocktail enjoyed while perched atop a plush barstool is the only way to end a stressful week. At The Pembroke, located on the ground level of the Dupont Circle Hotel, you can relax in comfort knowing you’re in the hands of consummate cocktail professionals. The bar decor (by Martin Brudnizki) is a contemporary nod to the casual style of the 1950s, with lots of fresh flowers accenting cool white marble. Stop by for a full dinner after an exhibition opening at the nearby Dupont Underground (an art and events space housed in an old tram station) or, like us, pop in on a Friday night for one of their delectable Vodka Collins with a side of indulgent truffle fries. thepembrokedc.com

To Walk

To Watch

The Studio Theatre in Logan Circle has been hosting and producing thoughtprovoking pieces of culturally incisive playwriting for over 40 years. Studio X falls under the umbrella of the main studio and is an important incubator for new and challenging work that might normally struggle to raise production funding. Racial and gender equality and the ever-present spectre of gentrification are just some of the prickly issues that actors tackle onstage at Studio Theatre. Go online or follow them on Instagram for regular updates to their itinerary. studiotheatre.org

Often second fiddle to the Potomac, the equally majestic Anacostia River winds down from neighbouring Maryland to form a fork with the Potomac at the bottom of the city. This fertile body of water was once home to the Nacotchtank Native Americans and has been the focus of environmental upliftment and rejuvenation by the surrounding communities since the late 1950s. The Anacostia Riverwalk Trail is 20 miles of gorgeous, paved walkway under shady American Elms that stretches along the banks of the river from the nearby Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens down to the hip and trendy Navy Yards development. Whether you’re a regular runner or prefer a more leisurely pace, this trail is less crowded than the ones to the Northwest of the city and allows you to fully appreciate the work urban planners are doing to create a sustainable link between the more prosperous West and the historically marginalised East of DC. ■

WHEN DO YOU FEEL INSPIRED?

I’m most creative late in the evening when there are no phone calls coming through. I find I have the majority of my ideas during this stillness.

SHOPPING CHECKLIST? My most important considerations when choosing clothing are: Where was it made? From what is it made? By whom was it made? My work with Fashion Revolution South Africa has imprinted this on my mind.

TREASURED CLOTHING ITEM? I have a wool coat that was tailored for me in Pietermaritzburg. I treasure it as both my parents were alive at the time it was made and insisted that I have this done. It was paid for by my dad and cost a lot at the time. Twenty-seven years later, both my folks have passed, and this is a prize coat in my wardrobe. I know who made it, I know from what it was made and I know where it was made. Most importantly, it is the love that this jacket holds.

JOYS OF LIFE IN CAPE TOWN? It is my home and it’s a beautiful city. I love the friendships I have here and the landscape of the ocean and mountains.

FAVOURITE LOCAL RESTAURANT? There are many choices, but if I have to pick just one it would be Willoughby & Co (at the V&A Waterfront). It’s consistently great.

TRAVEL PREFERENCE? Although I’m not opposed to short breaks during the year, one long vacation is what I currently do. This is usually at the end of the year and allows me to be fully immersed in a country and its culture.

DRINK OF CHOICE? If it’s after 5pm (and sometimes just before!), I love a good martini – stirred, not shaken. And it must be a dirty martini with three olives.

UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE? I visited India in 2004. En route to the Taj Mahal, I stopped in Jaipur to see some of the local sites. I had my first dosa there and was very amused that it fit over two plates. Then, in 2022, I was on holiday in the US. There is a guy, Thiru Kumar, known as the Dosa Man who serves up authentic two-plate dosas right in the heart of New York!

RECENT INDULGENCE? Having a scent consultation. I enjoyed talking about different scents and finding out what I’m most attracted to before figuring out what scents work best for me.

SIMPLE PLEASURE YOU ENJOY? There’s a spot in my lounge where the sun beams in beautifully. This is where I love to sit and unwind with a good book, rooibos tea and either homemade scones or a sweet treat.

LEISURELY DAY HIGHLIGHTS? I love exploring the local fashion scene and looking at vintage stores. Another hobby of mine is visiting art galleries and museums. And of course, a pastime I really enjoy is eating local food.

IDEAL SHORT GETAWAY? Having visited New York city a few times, this is where I would go for 48 hours. I would most definitely have breakfast, lunch and dinner with different friends in the city.

KITCHEN SKILLS? I recently decided to learn how to cook authentic dosa. It takes two days to prepare and isn’t an easy recipe. But I took on the challenge and was happy with the result. I enjoyed the process as I have so many good memories associated with this dish.

Carry-on must-haves: Contact lens solution and lip balm. Back-at-home meal: Fish and chips as only done in Cape Town. Regularly used gadget: Earpods. Must-pack luxury item: A beautiful fragrance. My current obsession is Le Labo Santal 33. Repeat destination: The MET Museum in New York City. I have not completed it… Is it even possible to see it all? ■