DC on a Dime

We walked over to Eastern Market to check out the Grand Reopening this morning.  The inside looks good, although it’s not obvious why it took so long.  Lots of vendors, activities for the kids, and balloons.  Here are a few pics of the remodeled facility.

Whenever there is big news, we always like to view the newspaper headlines from around the world at the Newseum in Washington, DC.  If you didn’t get a chance to see the front page coverage of Michael Jackson on Friday, June 26, 2009, below are a few pics we took of the papers on display at the Newsuem.

Watch a Sunset and Remember the Times

Today we honor the music of the galactically talented and very troubled King of Pop.   If the sad news about Michael Jackson has your spirits low (like DC on a Dime) then grab your iPod and head over to the National Harbour or Hains Point, perfect locations to watch the sun go down and remember the times. 

Below are the setting times for the Sun in Washington, DC, for the next week.

June 26, 2009

8:37 PM

June 27, 2009

8:38 PM

June 28, 2009

8:38 PM

June 29, 2009

8:37 PM

June 30, 2009

8:37 PM

July 1, 2009

8:37 PM

July 2, 2009

8:37 PM

The DC Caribbean Carnival Is This Weekend

Calling all people from Barbados, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, the Virgin Islands, and everywhere in between – the annual DC Caribbean Carnival is happening this weekend. 

Hands-down one of the most fun events of the year, DC on a Dime looks forward to it each and every year, even the year organizers moved the parade from Georgia Ave. to Pennsylvania Ave., which was  ill-conceived, but fun no less. 

Of course, you don’t have to hail from the islands to enjoy Carnival.  (I’m from Ohio, but one of my best friends is a Trini).  It has it all:  authentic Carribbean food, live music, colorful costumes, and random acts of craziness!  What’s not to like?

The festivities begin at 11 am, on June 27, with the parade along Georgia Ave. from Missouri Ave. to Barry Place. 

Following the parade, there will be an outdoor festival at Banneker Recreation Park (across from Howard University), also on Georgia Ave.  There you will find all your Caribbean food favorites:  ackee and saltfish, meat patties, jerk everything, roti, and much more. 

Visit the Caribbean Carnival website for additional details, then grab a friend and head to Carnival, DC style.

The W Hotel Washington, D.C. – Opening July 8, 2009

The long awaited W Hotel Washington, DC is scheduled to open in just over 3 weeks.  Rumors about the new W, formerly Hotel Washington, have been much written about here, here, and here.  It even has its own facebook page. 

The Washington Post’s Going Out Gurus got an early preview and wrote about what to expect: 

An elevator speeds customers to the rooftop bar, which has very different indoor and outdoor sections. Inside, the modern, one-room main bar has just 66 seats. Large windows soar almost to the 20-foot ceilings and offer views of Pennsylvania Avenue. (The best spots in the house will probably not be at the low counter that runs along the bar, but at the circular tables for two that line the southern-facing windows.)

And then there’s the outdoor deck. Some may remember the cramped conditions that Hotel Washington offered — plastic picnic chairs and tables jammed on top of each other. Not anymore. Adding about four feet to the awning-style ceiling helps. Capping the seats at 104 is a good move, too, so you can have some privacy at your table as you gaze over at the East Wing.

The bar has a funky grass-style covering to match the prospective menu: seasonal drinks and a selection of tapas and light snacks. (No decision has been made about whether or not the rooftop will allow smoking.)

As far as we can tell, from the above rendering, we LOVE what the folks at the W (Starwood) have done with the roof-top terrace.  We’re not-so-sure about guest rooms (pics below), but for Washingtonians the only thing that really counts is the view from the top.  Which comes free with the purchase of a cocktail or a meal.

Location:  515 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004  (one block from the White House).

Website:  http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3279

No DC blog is complete without a list of favorite late night eat spots.  Here’s ours:

• Bistro Francais (Georgetown) 

This classic French bistro is the perfect late night spot, whether you’re coming from a show, or just prefer to eat your food while sitting down.  Either way, the steak sandwich is hard to beat at 2am.

Hours:

Monday, Thursday, & Sun open until 3am.

Friday & Saturday open until 4am.

Location:  3128 M St. NW.

• Five Guys Hamburgers (Georgetown)

No introduction is needed for Five Guys.   Just don’t sleep on the fries.

Hours:  Friday & Saturday open until 4:00am.

Location:  1335 Wisconsin Ave. NW  (between Dumbarton Ave & N St).

• Kramerbooks and Afterwords (Dupont Circle)

Hours:  7:30 AM – 1:00 AM Daily, Friday a& Saturday opend open 24 Hours.

Location:  1517 Conn. Ave., NW  (Just Above Dupont Circle/Across from Dupont Circle ‘Q’ St Metro).

• Julia’s Empanadas (Dupont Circle/Adams Morgan) 

If you crave food that’s hot, fried, and delectable (who doesn’t at 2am?) Julia’s Empanadas is the place. 

Hours:

Monday – Thursday open until 2:30am.

Friday & Saturday open until 4am.

Locations:

2452 18th St. NW (Adams Morgan).

6232 Georgia Ave. (Brightwood).

1221 Connecticut Ave. NW (Dupont Circle).

14th St & Park Rd. NW (Columbia Heights).

• The Diner (Adams Morgan)

It’s the best place in Adams Morgan to grab a late bite, if you don’t mind a long wait.

Hours:  Open 24/7.

Location:  2453 18th St. NW.

• Steak ‘n Egg Kitchen (Wisconsin Ave)

Osman & Joe’s Steak ‘n Egg Kitchen is where you can sit on a bar stool and enjoy classic diner food.   Great outdoor seating and service.

Hours:  Open 24/7.

Location:  4700 Wisconsin Ave. NW.

• Ben’s Chili Bowl  (U Street)

If 50 years of serving customer satisfaction means anything, Ben’s is a good call. 

Hours:

Monday – Thursday open until 2am.

Friday & Saturday open until 4am.

Location:  1213 U St. between 12th and 13th St.

The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) will release ladybugs into the Traditional Croplands on the southside of the museum this Friday, June 19, at 10am.   Releasing ladybugs is an eco-friendly pest-control method.

NMAI Ladybug Release

You can also view the NMAI ladybug release on any of the following Fridays, at 10am:  7/10, 7/24, 8/7, and 8/21. 

Location:  Traditional Croplands; meet outside the south (staff) entrance.

Visit the museum’s website for more information.

We’ve received several requests to post happy hour deals in DC.   Rather than reinvent the wheel, we recommend happyhourcity.com.  This is your one-stop shop for after-work festivities.  Check out these links for popular DC neighborhoods: 

Capitol Hill             Georgetown

Downtown              Golden Triangle

Dupont Circle        U Street 

HappyHourCity.com is a site dedicated to bringing you the latest information on happy hour in the DC area, and their specials, taking place. Happyhourcity.com is divided by DC area neighborhoods. Each neighborhood features information about each venue’s happy hour drink specials, hours and days of operation as well as entertainment during the happy hour. We at Happyhourcity.com strive to get the most up to date information and always appreciate your feedback. Please don’t forget to check out our daily headlines featuring information on special happy hour, wine tastings, restaurant openings and more in the DC area.

$5 Off Each Newseum Ticket Purchase Online

Purchase Newseum tickets online during the month of June and get $5 off every ticket you buy.  Click here to purchase tickets and use this discount code:  80090101.  The promotion ends June 30. 

Regular price tickets:

Adult  (Ages 19-64) $22.00

Senior  (Ages 65+) $20.00

Youth  (Ages 7-18, 6 and under free) $15.00

Location:  Pennsylvania Avenue and Sixth Street, N.W., Washington, DC.

Group Tickets

Groups that purchase 10 or more tickets are eligible for discounted admission and are required to purchase advance reservations.

• Pricing and information
• School field trips

Kids’ Restaurant Week Starts Saturday

Saturday, June 13 – Sunday, June 21, is Kids’ Restaurant Week in Washington, DC.   For prix fixe menus,  Adults pay $29; Kids 11 and under pay their age.   For early dinner seatings 5:00-7:00pm.   A portion of the proceeds will benefit Miriam’s Kitchen.

Make your reservations now! Please note that Kids’ Restaurant Week prix fixe menus are offered only for seatings between 5 and 7 p.m.  Please try calling restaurants directly if you are unable to secure a table through Open Table.

Washington, DC  kick-off event at the Eastern Market, Saturday June 13th!

• 10 a.m. – Kids’ Market Lesson: Bowers Cheese
• 11 a.m. – Chef Demo: Travis Timberlake of Art & Soul
• 11:30 a.m. – Kids’ Market Lesson: Agora Farms
• 12 p.m. – Chef Demo: Greg Lloyd of Zola
• 1 p.m. – Chef Demo: Danny Bortnick of Firefly (joined by his son Jonah)