RSS FeedDC Link Roundup: Heard In The ‘Hood
Photo: The Hamilton at 14th and F St NW during opening week
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Here’s what we were reading recently about neighborhood news in DC. Have something to add? Leave it in the comments!
Penn Quarter – You know the neighborhood is in the big leagues when it appears on a Best of list in one of our city’s main rags. [Washingtonian]
Southwest – Station 4 restaurant in southwest DC has a $20 Neighborhood Appreciation Night on Monday nights. We wish restaurants downtown and in the PQ would offer similar specials for us downtown residents. Know of any? [Station 4 restaurant website]
All Over DC – DC’s Winter Restaurant Week runs January 9 to 15. Zoiks! That’s next week…better get your resis in! Which one are you going to try? [Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington DC]
Penn Quarter – A woman is sexually assaulted after a man gets into her car near 7th and F St NW. [NBC 4 11 pm news story] & [Washington Examiner] & [DC Police press release]
Penn Quarter – Our neighborhood gets frequent mentions in this list of top dining neighborhoods for 2011. We heartily agree that it is the place for dining and an all around night out in DC. Of course, we’re biased. [Eater DC]
Downtown/Shaw – The next ANC2C meeting is tomorrow at 6:30 pm at the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library at 1630 7th Street, NW. One item of note…Elisir Restaurant is petitioning for a sidewalk cafe. Nice! We’re also digging the great ANC2C Twitter feed coverage…very refreshing! [ANC2C agenda] & [ANC2C Twitter feed]
Shaw – While we’re on the subject of Shaw, the building at 9th St, Q St, and Rhode Island Ave continues its makeover. Retail anyone? [Renew Shaw]
14th Street – Pearl Dive Oyster Palace opens and gets a good review from Sietsema. We love oysters so we know a field trip is in order. [WaPo]
Georgetown – The Barnes & Noble on M Street shutters over the weekend. We’ve ducked in here many a time to pass the time while waiting for the dinner hour to arrive. Fortunately, our own downtown Barnes & Noble remains open. [Georgetown Metropolitan] & [Federal News Radio]
Happy New Year!
Photo courtesy of prettyinprint on Flickr
The writers at Penn Quarter Living would like to wish all of our neighbors a very happy 2012! As for where to go and what to do on New Year’s Eve? Just about every retail establishment in Penn Quarter has a special event planned that is open to the public. The Washingtonian also has a nice round-up of celebrations. But, as with previous years in DC, there will be no fireworks display or publicly sponsored event.
Are You Ready For 2012?
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! Now, it’s time to prepare for the next one. I’ve decided to brush up on the lyrics of the traditional New Year’s Eve song Auld Lang Syne and thought I would share some ideas for lucky foods that might help you have a prosperous 2012.
Auld Lang Syne
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind.
Should old acquaintance be forgot, and old lang syne.
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
Lucky foods via Epicurious:
Grapes
New Year’s revelers in Spain consume twelve grapes at midnight—one grape for each stroke of the clock. Each grape represents a different month, so if for instance the third grape is a bit sour, March might be a rocky month. For most, the goal is to swallow all the grapes before the last stroke of midnight, but Peruvians insist on taking in a 13th grape for good measure.
Cooked Greens
Cooked greens, including cabbage, collards, kale, and chard, are consumed at New Year’s in different countries for a simple reason — their green leaves look like folded money, and are thus symbolic of economic fortune. It’s widely believed that the more greens one eats the larger one’s fortune next year.
Legumes
Legumes including beans, peas, and lentils are also symbolic of money. Their small, seedlike appearance resembles coins that swell when cooked so they are consumed with financial rewards in mind.
Pork
The custom of eating pork on New Year’s is based on the idea that pigs symbolize progress. The animal pushes forward, rooting itself in the ground before moving. Pork is also consumed in Italy and the United States, where thanks to its rich fat content, it signifies wealth and prosperity.
What Not to Eat
In addition to the aforementioned lucky foods, there are also a few to avoid. Lobster, for instance, is a bad idea because they move backwards and could therefore lead to setbacks. Chicken is also discouraged because the bird scratches backwards, which could cause regret or dwelling on the past. Another theory warns against eating any winged fowl because good luck could fly away.
Supporting Your Local PQ Shops
After making the social rounds to holiday parties we found shops in the PQ to be ever helpful in finding just the right gift for just the right event. Here at PQ Living we are big supporters of shopping local by purchasing from neighborhood outlets as much as we can even if that bottle of wine costs one or two dollars more than it might at the Safeway. As a recap, here are the posts listing out some of our favorite items for sale in PQ shops:
Penn Quarter Holiday Shopping 1
Penn Quarter Holiday Shopping 2
Penn Quarter Holiday Shopping 3