John and Lewis

John and Lewis are identical twins who can always be found side by side. This does not, however, mean they are one and the same; each has his own distinct personality and tastes. For instance, John has a love of things salty, and when they go to Dairy Queen he is all about the French fries.


Lewis, on the other hand, has quite the sweet tooth, and is all about the frozen treats (he just tried the August Blizzard of the month, the Oreo Brownie Earthquake, and thought it was rather tasty).


John and Lewis do have similar tastes when it comes to their socializing, and like many of their penguin friends they gravitate towards activities that combine culture and cocktails. They recently attended a DC Preservation League event at Heurich House, built by Christian Heurich, a German immigrant and brewer.


While the home itself is in need of some restoration, it is filled with fabulous over the top Victorian furniture, which John and Lewis wished they could take home with them to furnish their own Victorian abode. They particularly liked the fabulous grotesque chairs in what was Mr. Heurich’s drinking room (known at the world’s oldest brewer, he lived until 102, so all of that drinking obviously did him good).


Like Mr. Heurich must have, John and Lewis enjoy their German treats, so they decided to head over to the German Gourmet for some goodies. The store is stocked with lots of chocolate, wine, baked goods, cheese and other edible delights. John and Lewis picked up various things for dinner, although they were somewhat distracted by the large display of nutcrackers and smokers, which got them thinking about their Thanksgiving getaway. John and Lewis are planning on going to Nuremberg to hit the Christmas markets, and are already counting the days (and, when it’s not too too hot at night, dreaming of Glühwein).

BB

Although the Washington social scene slows down somewhat in August, BB has no problem keeping himself amused (that is when he finds the energy to face the heat).He recently found himself at Morso for a Georgetowner party that also featured jewelry from Ann Hand. BB had a great time socializing over a few glasses of white wine, but it was much too steamy in the restaurant, which left him feeling rather sticky and disheveled. He wants to return to try Morso’s cocktails, many which feature rhubarb (yum), as well as some of the tasty looking Eastern Mediterranean treats; he’ll just have to wait until it’s somewhat cooler (or the restaurant gets its air conditioning sorted out) so that he can properly enjoy his meal.


This past weekend BB had a friend in town from New York. It had been a while since he had seen her, and the two of them caught up over multiple long gossip sessions at Teaism (his friend’s favorite restaurant in DC). They first met at the Penn Quarter location, where she had a very tasty tempeh dish and the restaurant’s always divine chocolate salty oat cookie. BB, however, resisted Teaism’s treats as he wanted to try the nearby Fro•zen•yo (something he had been meaning to do for ages). The self serve frozen yogurt shop offers 16 flavors to choose from – he filled most of his cup with peanut butter (of course), but also tried cake batter, red velvet and banana cream. He liked it so much he went to the Columbia Heights location on Sunday. This time he had lots more peanut butter, cookies n cream and luscious lemon (after peanut butter his favorite). He can’t wait for the holidays so that he can indulge in seasonal flavors like pumpkin pie and eggnog.


Lest you think BB only eats dessert, he’d like you to know that while in Columbia Heights he also tried Pete’s New Haven Style Pizza. He is always searching for good pizza (sadly a rarity in DC) and was particularly craving it as he had bumped into two friends dining outside at Sette the previous evening (unfortunately he was headed somewhere and could not join them). He enjoyed his slice at Pete's, especially the chewy crust, but must admit that he is still craving Sette (the Regina pizza). And of course more peanut butter Fro•zen•yo.

Svetka

Svetka is a fancy girl who would never consider leaving the house without looking absolutely fabulous. DC may be a conservative city, but she’s never afraid to be a bit flashy when she heads out for a night on the town. Ever so bored with all of the packing and moving that has been going on lately, she decided this past weekend that it was time to resume her social life with a good night out. And what better way to celebrate the new house than by checking out some new (at least to her) places.


Svetka began her evening at Estadio. She liked the Spanish restaurant’s décor (although not the exposed pipes…she’s getting a little bored of those) and sampled a few of their cocktails - their much talked about slushito (the quince, lemon, paprika, scotch and sherry version) and a bubbly, tequila, grapefruit and rosemary concoction. The restaurant also has a good selection of Spanish wines, although its pours are far from generous (and Svetka is all about generosity). She then headed over to ChurchKey, not particularly expecting to like a place known for its beyond expansive selection of beer (over 500). However, while much of the clientele could learn a little something about how to dress for a night out (just say no to shorts), she found the interior quite pleasing and was happy with the much more generous pours of bubbly. She also eyed the various treats being served around her (as usual it was a liquid dinner for her), and hopes to make it back soon for something solid.


Saturday (after yet another day of moving) Svetka found herself at Irvine Contemporary for the opening of Introductions 6. She loves going to the gallery both for the art and to see her fabulous friend who works there. The current exhibition is a curated MFA show highlighting a selection of artists from leading art colleges across the country. Svetka enjoyed the show, and especially liked Hedieh Javanshir Ilchi’s paintings. Too bad she needs to furnish her place before she picks up any more art.


Sunday involved yet more moving related tasks, which left Svetka very hungry and craving something sweet (of course). Just because she’s fancy doesn’t mean she’s not up for a good all American treat, and she firmly believes that nothing beats Dairy Queen (this time it was a peanut butter sundae and a strawberry golden Oreo Blizzard). While she’s never afraid to splurge on DQ, this visit she didn’t need to worry about her waistline given all of the extra calories she burned packing and moving. She might just need another treat to reward herself for all of the unpacking that’s left to do!

CC

CC usually likes to get out and about as much as possible, but the very, very, very muggy summer has left him feeling most lethargic. Furthermore, the limited energy he does have has been spent on the slow process of moving into the penguins’ new abode and on the search for furniture (he loves GoodWood and had a great time checking out the antique shops in Fredericksburg). Despite the heat and moving he has, however, found the time and energy to get in some art and treats; of course the weather makes trips to Dairy Queen all that more urgent.


Last week CC went on a tour of Anderson House, home of the Society of Cincinnati. Built in the early 20th century, the ornate Beaux Arts mansion is filled with an eclectic collection of fine and decorative arts. It wasn’t CC’s first visit to Anderson House; he had been there before for the Phillips Collection Gala After-party. On that occasion, however, he had been more concerned with making certain his glass of champagne was continually full than with perusing the collection, so he appreciated the opportunity to return under more sober circumstances.


Although Saturday was without a doubt one of the nastiest days of the year (nothing like a heat index of 108), CC managed to make his way to Irvine Contemporary for the closing party of the exhibition Picture Planes: Rob Mellor and Alexa Meade & Gaia: The Urban Romantic! He watched Alexa Meade’s last on-site portrait session, socialized and kept cool with white sangria (always a good summer drink). He’s looking forward to this Saturday’s opening party for the gallery’s next show, Introductions 6, he just hopes it won’t be quite so steamy. CC's arty evening didn't end there, but before making his way to the Hamiltonian Gallery for the opening of New Now 2010, a show introducing the 2010 Hamiltonian Fellows, he stopped by ACKC for a much needed icy treat (much to his delight the shop now has a sundae bar that includes peanut butter topping).


Monday CC found himself at one of the always enjoyable Pink Line Project Salon Contras. It was a surprisingly pleasant evening, so guests sat outside as they learned about and discussed George Mason’s Container Space Project, a prototype for an off-grid mobile gallery that will remain part of the university’s School of Art, as well as container projects in Haiti. CC enjoyed the talk and checking out some of the fun new works on display in the Pink Line Project headquarters...of course now he wants more art for his new abode (although it might be more responsible to find a sofa first).

Frigid

Frigid loves to travel; his most recent trip was to Chicago (Glen Ellyn to be precise), to see a friend. Their adventures began soon after he landed at O’Hare, when his friend took him to the nearby Leaning Tower of Niles. The replica of Italy’s famous statue is around half the size of the original, and was built in 1934 as a utility tower to store water (who knew utility towers could be so classy).


They then headed to another local landmark, the McDonald’s Museum. The Museum is a replica of the first McDonald’s franchise, which opened in 1955. Sadly it was closed so he could only admire the “authentic” 1950s restaurant from the outside. There is a new McDonald’s open across the way where hungry visitors can grab a bite to eat, but Frigid had already spotted a Costco so they went there for a treat instead (frozen yogurt, of course).


His second day in Chicago revolved around numerous treats (his kind of day). Frigid’s first stop, a required one on any trip to Chicago, was El Taconazo, in the Pilsen neighborhood (he really, really misses good Mexican food in DC). He loved his tasty sope con rajas y queso, which he washed down with horchata, and couldn’t stop nibbling on the totopos and salsa (the green was his favorite). With their bellies full Frigid and his friend headed to the National Museum of Mexican Art, where they perused the exhibition Translating Revolution – US Artists Interpret Mexican Muralists, and hit the fabulous gift shop.


After getting his fill of the Mexican it was time for some Northern European. Frigid and his friend first stopped by Lincoln Square, home to Chicago’s German-American festival, for a bit of German. Frigid was not, however, too impressed; besides the large German/Eastern European grocery store there was little of note. He considered picking up some Lithuanian bubbly, as he likes to try bubbly from as many different places as possible, but decided against it upon discovering that the only options were sweet and semi-sweet.


Frigid was much more impressed with his taste of Sweden in the Andersonville neighborhood. There he perused various cute shops, checked out the yummy offerings at the farmers market, and learned all about immigration in the Swedish American Museum.


Frigid's final destination of the day was Julius Meinl, his favorite Austrian export and another required stop on any trip to Chicago. There he had yet another treat, the always divine Topfenstrudel, which he washed down with Meinl’s excellent coffee (iced due to the steamy day).


On the final day of Frigid’s visit he and his friend opted to skip the city, and instead drove to the charming town of Geneva (despite its name also home to various things Swedish, as well as some very, very friendly people).


Frigid enjoyed shopping in the cluttered antique shops and interesting furniture stores, and of course couldn’t leave without trying a treat (a white chocolate raspberry truffle cupcake - one of the tastiest he's ever had - at The Latest Crave).


He managed not to go too crazy with the shopping, but as usual it was a struggle getting his suitcase to close. It might just be time to upgrade to a bigger bag (and, of course, to plan the next trip).

Snuzzle

Snuzzle is a social guy who always does his best to find fun things to do during the long, hot and humid Washington summers, regardless of the fact that it can be incredibly hard to motivate knowing how sticky he will feel the second he leaves home. Last Wednesday evening was a busy one, starting with the Choral Arts Young Patrons Summer Soiree, held at the home of the British Deputy Chief of Mission. The atmosphere was festive, there was a performance by the Capitol Hearings, and Snuzzle bumped into various friends he hadn’t seen in a while. It was, however, very, very hot in the seemingly un-air conditioned home – Snuzzle wondered if the British government’s budget cuts include air conditioning for the country’s representatives (if the Queen is giving up some of her comforts no reason for others not to suffer). Always resourceful, he knew he’d just have to fight the heat with lots of white wine (thankfully it was not Chardonnay) and Pimm’s (always a pleasant summer drink).


Snuzzle left the party looking slightly more disheveled than when he came, and headed to the Morrison Clark Inn for a friend’s birthday drinks. The charming Victorian hotel, designated a Historical Hotel of America, was a great choice of venue (he always likes to discover new places), and one where he was able to socialize in slightly less steamy conditions.


Snuzzle’s biggest news of the week is that on Friday he became the owner of a new home - a cheery yellow Victorian house (he now has his very own turret) - something he naturally celebrated with a glass of bubbly. Snuzzle had considered celebrating further at Saturday’s Bastille Day party at the French Embassy, but decided to be responsible and instead spent his weekend doing some moving and looking for some much needed furniture. Of course this does not mean he forewent socializing and treats (he needed some motivation/reward for all of the hard work, after all).


Taking a break from the boxes he decided it was only right to get a treat in his new hood, and stopped by Pont Chaud Café and Crepes, where he tried a yummy spinach, mushroom and cheese concoction. He showed rare discipline and passed on a sweet one, motivated primarily by the fact that he had invited friends over to the new abode for drinks and snacks. His earlier discipline paid off as his guests brought cupcakes from Red Velvet Cupcakery, and he felt no guilt in sampling all of the tasty flavors (Summertime was his favorite).


The truth is that Snuzzle rarely gets sugared out, so on Sunday, after a day of more moving and more furniture shopping, he headed to Dairy Queen for a treat. He deviated slightly from the usual as it was just a banana split kind of day (of course it’s always a Dairy Queen kind of day).

Spuds

Spuds hopes that everybody (who celebrates) the Fourth of July had a fun-filled long weekend. While it is not particularly a favorite holiday of his (nothing comes close to Christmas), Spuds is happy to embrace any excuse to be festive and indulge in unhealthy food and cocktails.


Having no desire to fight the crowds that descend upon DC for the fireworks, Spuds headed to Fawn Lake for the weekend to celebrate with his family. As usual he took advantage of strip mall filled Spotsylvania County and ran errands (Walmart, Aldi, Wegmans and Costco). He also made the requisite Dairy Queen stop for a peanut butter sundae (and a bite or two of his dining companion’s banana split Blizzard).


Much of the rest of the weekend was spent lazing, baking (chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies) and indulging. The local fireworks took place on the 3rd, and the views from the dock were magnificent (as was the sunset). He ate lots of 4th of July appropriate foods like corn and watermelon, which he washed down with bubbly, his beverage of choice.


By Sunday the temperatures were soaring, making a day spent lazing outdoors infinitely less appealing. Spuds thus decided to visit the Potomac Point Winery – what better way to celebrate the 4th than with a tasting of some American wines (seven to be precise).


He can’t say he was won over by the Virginia wines, but he did enjoy Potomac Point’s port, as well as the winery’s beautiful setting.