PlanetEye

Beware---Restaurant Week is August 11-17.  Restaurant Week is the best time to try new restaurants for a reduced price.  In past weeks, you can have a three-course lunch for $20.05 and a three-course dinner for $30.05, but inflation reared its ugly head and now the price of restaurant week has gone up to $35.05 for dinner. RATS!!! 

However, you must make your reservations early.  Also, as I have learned, some restaurants change their menus during restaurant week as well.  Since the price is cheaper than what you would normally find, the menu gets cheaper as well.  I tend to go to http://www.dcfoodies.com/ and they usually provide a good breakdown of what restaurants won't do the bait and switch during restaurant week.  Here are two of my favorites, Acadiana and DC Coast.  These restaurants both provide a good meal at the discounted price.

As of late, some restaurants are extending the dates of restaurant week.  For a list of those restaurants, please see:  http://blog.washingtonpost.com/goingoutgurus/2008/07/the_week_goes_on.html

There are even a few restaurants that are beginning restaurant week early.  For a list of participating restaurants, please visit:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?node=cityguide/profile&id=1066853&categories=Miscellaneous%20Events&venueid=1024915

Happy Eating! 

It's that time again...back to school time!  In an effort to aid back to school shopping, Virginia and DC have tax free weekends.  In Virginia, purchases on clothing up to $100 are tax free August 1-3 and purchases of school supplies up to $20 are tax free this weekend as well. 

In DC, the tax free days are August 2-10 and clothing purchases up to $100 are tax free and school supply purchases up to $100 are tax free as well. For more information, please visit:  http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/sales_holiday.html

I won't belabor the point with a long posting--Have fun shopping! 

This Saturday, August 2, you can get a behind the scenes peek at Signature Theatre.  This is the third year that this event has taken place and will feature performances, classes and events every 15 minutes.  Plus, more importantly, you can get a taste of the upcoming season. 

I live within walking distance of the Signature Theatre's new location in Shirlington (Arlington, VA).  I must admit that I have walked by the Theatre but never walked into the Theatre.  I have often thought about attending a performance there, but haven't made it yet.  The Theatre definitely looks really nice and has been home to plays that have featured such luminaries as Chita Rivera in "The Visit."  Since Shirlington is home to many new restaurants and has a movie theatre,  you can make a day out of it.

Signature Theatre's Third Annual Open House will run from Noon - 9:30 p.m.  The event is free!  Signature Theatre is located at 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA.     

Sometimes we can all appreciate doing something new.  For those of us in DC, we all know the well known monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, etc.  However, there are a few points of interest that you may not be as familiar with that you may want to check out.

1) Jim Henson Statute and Memorial Garden-- Who doesn't like the Muppets? Who knew that Jim Henson went to the University of Maryland? Well, he did.  The late Jim Henson, a local of this area, attended the University of Maryland. Located in front of the University of Maryland's Stamp Student Union, you will find a statue of Henson and Kermit the frog.  Kermit is seen reaching out a hand to his beloved creator.  From the photos, the statue looks really life like and cute. 

2) Mahatma Ghandi Memorial---This statue can be found on Massachusetts Avenue.  Ghandi can be seen clad in traditional Indian garb.  I find that this statue is probably unique in Washington because most statues are dedicated to war, and this one is dedicated to man who stood for peace.  This statue can be found between Massachusetts Avenue and Q and 21 Streets, NW. 

3) Mary McLeon Bethune Memorial-- Bethune was a civil rights leader, government official and activist.  This memorial is special because it is the first of its kind to be dedicated to a female African American.  Bethune is immortalized next to two small children.This statute is located on East Capitol Street between 11th and 13th Streets, NW. 

4) George Mason Memorial--There is a university in Virginia named George Mason University, but I have no idea who this person is.  It turns out that Mason was the author of Virginia's Declaration of Rights.  Unfortunately, there aren't any good signs directing visitors to Mason's memorial.  Mason is immortalized sitting on a bench, almost reflective.  The best way to describe the location of the statute is to say that it is located in East Potomac Park, near the Jefferson Memorial.

Since everyone seems to be feeling the pinch these days at the pump and everywhere else, it's always nice to hear about free or reduced events in the ever-expensive Washington, DC area.  I have always heard about the Smithsonian Jazz Cafe, but have never personally attended.  However, if it's affiliated with the Smithsonian, so it has to be good, right?

On Fridays, from 5:30-10 p.m., at the Museum of Natural History, musicans perform in the Atrium cafe.  The cover charge is a mere $10 for this rare treat and kids under 12 are free.  You can avoid this charge by presenting an IMAX ticket stub.  You can get the skinny on the IMAX schedule by calling 202-633-4629 or by visiting www.mnh.si.edu/imax for up to date information on the films. 

The performances are described as very intimate and there is a variety of different types of jazz to enjoy.  Dinner and drinks are available to savor as well.

For those who appreciate the female form, the art of burlesque dancing is making a comeback in DC.  Just recently, three burlesque shows now have permanent homes in town.  For those of you that are unfamiliar with burlesque, it is not stripping, but stripteasing.  The dancers are performance artists and perform either solo or with other performers, such as drag queens, sword swallowers and other interesting acts. 

Here are the three main places where you can get a sample of burlesque:

1) Dutch Oven Burlesque show:  You can catch this show once a month at the Palace of Wonders, 1210 H Street, NE.  The price of admission is $10.  For more info, go to:  www.palaceofwonders.com.

2) Golden Triangle Cabaret:  The performances take place at Ozio, an upscale cigar bar.  Golden Triangle takes you back in time to the 20s, 40s or 50s, depending on the night.  The resident dancer, Kitty Victorian, is also a professor at the Burlesque University, where you can take classes to learn the art of burlesque dancing.  Kitty's perforomances are rated PG-13 on a scale of naughtiness.  Kitty has even danced with pythons.  The Cabaret features jazz musicans and an illusionist to name a few.  For more info, please visit:  www.oziodc.com, $20 admission, 1813 M Street, NW. 

3) DC Gurly Show:  The main performer in this venue is CoCo Monroe, who studied ballet in Latvia.  Coco is a student of Kitty Victorian, who got her into burlesque.  The Gurly Show has 15 regular dancers, including CoCo, and perform once a week at Be Bar.  For more info, go ao www.dc-gurly-show.com or www.bebardc.com, 1318 Ninth Street, NW.

Washington, just like other major citiies, is home to numerous restarants.  Some are on the come up and some are considered local "institutions."  Due to the cultural diversity in the area, you can sample almost any type of cuisine in Washington.  However, some comfort foods will have a special place in our hearts and also our stomachs.  For me, nothing beats a good, juicy burger.

There is alot of talk in Washington about chefs that are opening "boutique" restaurants specializing in "simple" foods, such as burgers.  This a a great idea if you ask me!  Just recently, Spike, from the most recent season the emotionally charged Top Chef, opened his new burger joint, Good Stuff Eatery.

I, personally, have not had the chance to go to Good Stuff, but my picky hairstylist has and raved about it.  Word of caution--don't expect Mickey D prices.  The price for a burger and fries will run around $10.  I guess the consumer is paying for the chance to eat a custom burger designed by Spike. I also like the fact that they make their own shakes.  I love shakes! The onion rings have gotten rave reviews as well. Maybe you will get to see Spike in his usual fedora greeting guests.

If you do go, prepare to wait or wait until the hubbub has gone down a bit. I did hear that one evening, they ran out of food.  I can't understand how that is possible, but I am just passing on what I heard.

Check out.... www.goodstuffeatery.com