An Alternative Valentine's Day

 DC Valentines from the Washington Post

We've already posted our restaurant recommendations and gift ideas for a traditional Valentine's Day here in Penn Quarter.  But there's a lot beyond dinner you might want to consider.

• Crimes of Passion at the Crime and Punishment Museum.  You'll be handcuffed to your significant other as you tour the museum and hear stories like the "Valentine's Vampire." February 10-14.  $45 per couple.  ($46 if you want to upgrade to furry handcuffs!)
• Date Night at Bar Method.  Couples work out at the barre together and then stay for beer, wine and snacks after class.  Friday, February 10th at 6:30p.  $20 per couple if you're both new students.

Single?  Professionals in the City is hosting a mixer at Greene Turtle on Valentine's Day.  February 14th from 7-10p.  $10 if you purchase tickets by Friday February 3.  Call (202) 686-5990 for tickets.

Superbowl Celebrations

Photo credit: Michael Daggett http://michaeldaggett.com

The Redskins have been out of contention for months now, but if you're still in the football party spirit, here are some local events and watering holes you might try:

• Riot Act is the site of 106.7 The Fan's Big Game Party.  There will be Caps ticket giveaways each quarter, a $1,000 giveaway at halftime, and the final giveaway of the Ford F-150 as part of The Fan's Pigskin Pickup Contest.  Doors open at 4p, and there will be a 60' screen and two 30' screens downstairs.
• Capitol City Brewing Company is having a "colossal" Super Bowl party.  Food and drink specials begin at 4p and are available until closing.  
• Other good go-to-places for watching the game (no word on whether they'll be running specials):  Redline, Grand Slam, Iron Horse,  Greene Turtle, and Bar Louie.

Any other parties or old favorites?  Leave 'em in the comments.

D.C. record fair comes to Penn Quarter Feb. 12th

You may think you have stumbled upon the archives of Penn Quarter Insider, but you haven't.  There are still record fairs, it turns out, and the D.C. Record Fair will take place Sunday, February 12th in Penn Quarter at Riot Act.

Two previous D.C. record fairs have taken place, though outside of the District.  Now the record fair comes home to the heart of our city.

There will be forty dealers on both floors of Riot Act with tons of records.  There will also be food and drinks to make your record wheeling and dealing more pleasurable.

The event will be capped off with several DJs mixing records of their own, the DJ schedule is as follows:

11:00 – 12:00 DJ Pari | Soulpower RVA
12:00 – 1:00 Sean Marquand | Phenomenal Handclap Band
1:00 – 2:00 Patrick Kigongo | Ra Ra Rasputin
2:00 – 3:00 Cerphe Colwell | Cerphe’s Progressive Show
3:00 – 4:00 Will Eastman | Volta Bureau 
4:00 – 5:00 DJ Roz | Champion Sounds



The cost to attend is $2, but if you want the privilege of getting the best records you'll have to pay $5 to arrive before noon.  Doors open at 11:00 a.m.

New renderings of the Verizon Center jumbotrons

Monumental Sports & Entertainment has put out a report about their proposed Jumbotrons at the Verizon Center.   The report is mostly notable for its new renderings of the proposed electronic billboards.   You can check out the report here, but here are some of the better renderings:

Per the Downtown Neighborhood Association, the Verizon Center proposed changes to the billboards and "things have been scaled down significantly:"

"None of the billboards will have sound.  The existing electronic marquis sign on 7th Street, near McDonalds (the "Geico" sign), will be removed.  Smaller electronic billboards will be installed.  The wraparound billboard at 7th and H Streets, which would have covered some of the windows at Vida Fitness, has been reduced in size and will cover none of Vida's windows.  The non-electronic billboards on the 6th Street side of the Verizon Center would remain that way, with only some down-lighting installed to illuminate them.  No electronic billboards would be installed on 6th Street."

If you are still concerned (or a supporter), don't forget the hearing on these jumbotrons tonight.

Community Hearing set to consider Verizon Center billboards

The new Verizon Center jumbotrons are still on the agenda, despite a formerly canceled hearing to consider them.

A new hearing has been set for TONIGHT, January 31st at 7:00 p.m.  This meeting is not to reschedule the above hearing, but is instead a separate Advisory Neighborhood Commission public space hearing.

The meeting will take place at Calvary Baptist Church, at 755 8th Street N.W.

The Verizon Center will be present to discuss the jumbotrons and the audience will be given an opportunity to ask questions.

At its next meeting, the Advisory Neighborhood Commission will vote on a recommendation to the D.C. Council. 

To prep for the meeting, you can check out this summary of the Verizon Jumbotron Billboard Act and these renderings of the proposed digital billboards.

Whether you think the light pollution would be overwhelming or you like the urbanization and Times Square feel of Penn Quarter, tonight is the time to get your voice heard.  The Advisory Neighborhood Commission vote will be very persuasive to the D.C. Council.

Celebrity Sighting

It's no secret that Michelle Obama loves to eat in Penn Quarter.  This weekend, daughters Malia and Sasha were lucky enough to join.

The trio set out for The Hamilton for brunch on Saturday.  According to the Washington Examiner, they ordered fried chicken and biscuits, a bento box, edamame, white bean soup, and several other dishes.  The huge restaurant was able to accommodate the Obamas (they sat in a semiprivate room in the arboretum) while leaving the rest of the restaurant open (though Secret Service had to wand all customers and wait staff before the Obamas arrived).

Mike Isabella's Penn Quarter Pop Up

Mike Isabella's newest restaurant Bandolero is due to open in Georgetown in the spring, but Penn Quarter residents will get the opportunity to try out the Mexican eatery in just a few weeks.

The Bandolero pop-up site

Isabella has co-opted Living Social's newest space at 918 F Street for February 16-19.  You can be one of the first to taste Bandolero by hopping on to Living Social today for the tickets.  $119 gets you a five-course meal and a tequila cocktail pairing with each dish, as well as a Mike Isabella sighting - he will be perusing the pop-up's dining room each night of the special.

Armed Robbery in Penn Quarter

As a follow up to this week's story about rising crime here in Penn Quarter, we sadly have more to report about an armed robbery that occurred here last night.

At 6:35pm on Thursday evening, someone was robbed at knife point at 7th and H St NW.  No sketch is available, but police released a report describing the suspect as a medium-complected black male in his 30s on a bicycle.  Last night, he was wearing a dark jacket, a black cap, and jeans.

Like the other crimes we've reported on, these attacks occur around dinner time, and in highly trafficked areas: a time and place you might feel safe letting your guard down.  Stay safe.

As always, we remind anyone with information about the crime to call police at (202) 727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIME.  You can also text the tip line by messaging 50411.

Springtime for Walmart

For those that forgot, Walmart is coming to Penn Quarter (ish).  (OK, it's about half a mile away.)

Walmart will break ground in this lot on H Street between 1st and 2nd Streets, NW

Though the store won't be complete until mid-2013, JBG Development confirmed today that Walmart will be breaking ground in the Spring.

The finished product

Theater Specials

Heads up on some local theater deals and events:

• The code "PENNQ" gets you 20% off of Ford Theatre's Necessary Sacrifices if you order on Ticketmaster.  The play is a world premiere and explores the encounters between Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. You must show proof of residence for the area bordered by 15th St NW and 395 to the west and east, and between New York/Massachusetts Avenues and Pennsylvania Avenue to the north and south.

• You can also head over to Ford's Theatre free public open houses to celebrate the opening of the new Center for Education and Leadership and Abraham Lincoln's birthday on Sunday, February 12th and on Monday, February 20, starting at 9am.  Open house events include education workshops, author discussions, ranger programs, one-act performances and more.  Tickets are free and can be reserved day-of.  Check out a schedule of events here.

• Goldstar has half-off tickets for Two Gentlemen of Verona (a Rock Opera) at Sidney Harman Hall for this weekend.  

District Taco Sets Hours and Targets an Opening Date

District Taco, the newest venture to open in the old Funxion space at 1309 F Street reported to the Washingtonian today that they are targeting late March for their opening.  

They plan to be open from 7a-10p (great for those breakfast burritos and late night taco cravings!)

Valentine's Day in Penn Quarter

Earrings from Mia Gemma

Valentine's Day is still about three weeks away, but some neighborhood favorites (Co Co Sala, Rasika, Fiola, Central and Zaytinya) are already booked solid.

OpenTable is still showing some decent availability (may we suggest Sei, Zola, Cedar and 701 as pretty great, still available options?) but you had better get a move on.

And...if you're still stuck on a gift, LivingSocial is offering $150 at Mia Gemma today for just $75.  (That'll get you those earrings with an extra $25 to spare)

District Architecture Gallery To Showcase Penn Quarter

Surely you've passed the Independent Order of Odd Fellows building on 7th Street and wondered: who are these odd fellows, exactly?

According to the IOOF website: the "family of Oddfellowship" is "composed of Men, Women, and Youth, believing in a supreme being, the creator and preserver of the universe, ...and that Friendship, Love and Truth are the basic guidelines that we need to follow in our daily lives."  The worldwide fraternity is in 26 countries and is "striving to make the world a better place in which to live, seeking To Improve and Elevate the Character of Mankind."

If you want to know more about the IOOF and about the architectural shaping of Penn Quarter, the District Architecture Gallery opens an exhibition today exploring the "life and times of the Odd Fellows Temple Building," the historic home of Washington DC's IOOF and new home to the AIA|DC and the Washington Architectural Foundation.

"The exhibition will spotlight the I.O.O.F.'s Temple's architectural significance and highlight some of the building's recognized occupants who have helped shape the now-called Penn Quarter neighborhood during the last ninety-five years.  Illustrated by historical images and data, visitors will experience the historic building through a contemporary lens that reveals both the past and present in a unique and fun manner giving recognition to the new home of the District Architecture Center."

While you're at it, join the District Architecture Center for a walking tour of Penn Quarter on Saturday, January 28th at 10am:

"The tour of 'Washington's Oldest New Neighborhood' will begin at the Navy Memorial (701 Pennsylvania Ave NW) and end at the new District Architecture Center (421 7th Street).  

"Highlights of the tour will include the renovated Kogod Courtyard at the Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, which Conde Nast Traveler named as one of the seven architectural wonders; the plans for the new CityCenter a new 2.5 million sq. ft. mixed-use development; and the construction of the Convention Center Hotel, a 1,175-room Marriott Marquis." 

The tour costs $10.

Penn Quarter Crime

We like to think of Penn Quarter as a pretty safe neighborhood.  Yes, we've had some issues with gangs, but on the whole, we are find ourselves comfortable here. (It bears noting that our anecdotal evidence has been that the Gallery Place gang "Check It" has disbursed in recent months, potentially due to Check It's recent efforts to stage a fashion show).

Still, regardless of how safe we feel, Penn Quarter is certainly not impervious to crime.  This seems to be doubly true in the last month, when we've noticed a pretty serious uptick in the number of police reports coming from Penn Quarter.

On December 29th, a woman was kidnapped and assaulted and 7th and F Streets NW. To our knowledge, police are still seeking this suspect in connection with that case.

On January 11th, a woman was sexually assaulted inside a building at 5th and H Streets NW.  According to the police report, the assault took place around 6:50pm that Wednesday evening.  "The victim reported that she was approached by two male subjects who inquired about getting a massage.  One of the subjects then asked the victim where a bathroom was located and the victim escorted the subject to a bathroom.  The subject then forced the victim into a nearby room and sexually assaulted her."

Finally, just last night, two unrelated robberies occurred here in Penn Quarter:

All four of these crimes occurred in the early evening hours.  No matter the hour, stay vigilant and be safe.  Importantly, if you have any information about these cases, call the police at (202) 727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIME.  Alternatively, you can text the tip line by messaging 50411.

More Construction in the Neighborhood

The YWCA moved out if its building at 9th and G in December, and today we got news that by June, the building will be completely leveled to make way for a new "trophy office space."

"We will develop a dramatic building that visually captures the corner while creating an active and memorable street-level retail experience," said Bob Murphy, a managing partner of one of the real estate investment firms involved in the project.

There will be two penthouse levels, each expected to have views of the Capitol and the Washington monument.  No word yet on who the new tenants will be, or if we can expect new retail on the ground level.

Best of DC Party

The Washington City Paper needs help arbitrating its 100 Best of DC categories.  For your input, you'll get free appetizers and drink specials and - best of all - it's local.

The event is Thursday, January 26th from 6:30-8:30p at Carmine's.  You can RSVP here (but you must be over 21).

If you can't make the voting party, stop by the after party at Penn Quarter Sports Tavern (2nd floor) from 8:30-9:30p.  Free select beer and wine when you tell the bartenders "I'm voting Penn Quarter Sports Tavern as Best Sports Bar."

We'll let you know how Penn Quarter fares once the results are released, but feel free to slip us "exit polling" information...

F Street Gets a Pop Up

The Equitable Co-Operative Building Association  (the space which was once Platinum Nightclub, and for a few days was the Museum of Arts & Sciences) has been given the OK by the Historic Preservation Office to expand the building by two stories: but you may never notice it.

The "pop-up" will add 50 feet of height to the historic building, but will be hidden behind the facade of the building.  Per the Historic Preservation Office's recommendations, "demolition will be limited to non-historic, non-character defining elements, and the addition will have no impact on the designed front elevation or the designated interior banking hall.  The increased height of the rear addition will not be visible from any view along F or 9th Streets and will not obstruct the large skylight which allows natural light to bathe the banking hall in diffused natural light."

Douglas Development, the owners of the building, have indicated that they're looking for a high-end restaurant tenant for the now-burgeoning space.  "What it won't be is a nightclub.  That's not our vision, and that's not what belongs on that block of F Street," Douglas Jemal said.  "We're not a fan of something that's closed during the day."

We agree - and look forward to development in the space.  Douglas Development has said that the first step will be opening the building's shuttered windows to make the space seem more open and inviting.  No word on when the pop-up construction will begin.

DC Amnesties

We're not suggesting that any of our fine readers would have overdue library books or outstanding parking tickets, but... just in case:

• If you pay off old parking tickets (those assessed before January 1, 2010) before Friday (January 27th), DC will waive the penalties.  You'll still have to pay the original fine, but if your tickets are that old, this is a bargain.

• Stop in to the library with overdue or damaged books and all fees and fines will be waived.  This goes even for lost books.  You have until next Sunday (February 5th) to head over.  As a note: you can't simply drop the books in the book drop - you must speak with library personnel.  They don't judge. (We speak from experience.)

Freshii Gets Signage

Freshii will be opening its doors on E between 10th and 11th soon - their signage is up, the lights are on, and they're already hiring (see their listing here).

The menu poises it as a pretty good competitor to Chopt, though we note that Funxion, Mixt Greens and Organic To Go were all similar ideas - ideas that failed in and around that block.  We think Freshii will be a great addition, though: it was voted Canada's best new retail concept when it opened in Toronto back in 2005, and in its six years of existence has already expanded as far as Dubai.

When we get a firm open date, we'll let you know.

JANUARY 24TH UPDATE:  According to a Freshii spokesperson, they aim to open in the beginning of February - it's not long now!

VIDA at City Vista Opening

The newest outpost of VIDA Fitness will open its doors tomorrow (Tuesday) at 12:30p.

$500,000 went in to renovating the 25,000 square foot space, so patrons should expect a big change from the old gym that was there.  Classes in City Vista's studios (spinning, group fitness, inner fitness and abdominal stretch) will begin February 4th.  They will start with 12 classes a day, eventually ramping to 21 based on member input.

If you're looking for spa treatments, you'll have to stick to Verizon Center or Metropole -- the Aura Spa at City Vista won't open until 2013.

VIDA hasn't said what its rates will be, but they promise "special grand opening rates," which you can get from their sales office Mon-Fri between 10am-7pm and weekends between 10am-3pm.

Happy Lunar New Year!

To celebrate, Chop't is giving away free salads and free choppings:

All of the locations (Chinatown, Metro Center, Union Station and downtown locations included) are offering this special, so make sure you wish your chopper a Happy Lunar New Year!

Rally for Life Next Monday

Next Monday (January 23rd), the Rally for Life will be in DC.  The event will take place between 11am and 12:30pm along F Street, NW between 6th and 12th, and along 12th Street NW between F and Constitution.

If you're planning on getting in or out of Penn Quarter next Monday, particularly by car or bus, you may run into problems.  For specific bus re-routes, see this WMATA press release.

New Plans for the Verizon Center

Mike DeBonis at the Washington Post has a great article on the reworking of the signs at the Verizon Center.  Per the article, it was the folks at Monumental Sports and Entertainment (the group that owns the Verizon Center) that requested next week's hearing be postponed, so that they could take community concerns into new renderings.  DeBonis' interview with Randall Boe, Monumental's executive vice president, confirms the following:

"The new plans call for fewer signs than initially contemplated, Boe said -- two digital animated signs would replace larger vinyl signs now hanging on the 7th Street NW face of the arena; another sign would wrap around the arena's fourth floor at the corner of 7th and F streets.

These plans seem to alleviate David von Storch's concerns that VIDA Fitness members would be affected.

Boe said that renderings would be made available shortly, but in the mean time you can take a look at our rendering of how we interpret Boe's comments:

This wraparound banner will be made of mesh to allow light
 to go into the Monumental Sports executive offices
(VIDA windows will be left unaffected)

Vinyl signs like this GI Joe ad will be replaced with a digitally animated sign

Verizon Center Jumbotron Hearing: CANCELED

Many thanks to a helpful tipster, who forwarded this email from Councilmember Jack Evans' Legislative Aide.  It confirms that the Jumbotron hearing scheduled for next Monday has been canceled:

I am responding on behalf of Councilmember Evans.

Thank you for your email and sharing your thoughts on this issue.  The Councilmember will keep your comments in mind should this bill come before the full council for review.  I encourage you to share your thoughts with Councilmember Alexander and the members of the Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs, if you have not done so already.

Additionally, the hearing on this bill was scheduled for Monday, January 23rd @ 2:00 p.m. in room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building is now CANCELED.  However, I encourage to contact Melanie Williamson, Legislative Counsel for Committee on Public Services Consumer Affairs (202) 741-2112 or via email at mwilliamson@dccouncil.us to share your thoughts. 

We've followed up with Councilmember Evans' office to see if they plan on rescheduling.

You can see the Downtown Neighborhood Association's release after the jump:

Rats cannot be killed or captured by glue in the District

You may have noticed an increased number of rats around Penn Quarter lately and now the State of Virginia is worried they are headed their way.

The D.C. Wildlife Protection Act does not allow exterminators to kill rats.  In fact, they cannot even be caught using glue.  Instead, they must be captured and released somewhere else.  The law even specifies that they should be captured in families.

There have been increased rats at Occupy D.C. and it is unclear where exterminators are supposed to actually relocate them, though some may be required to go to a "wildlife rehabilitator."

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has now publicly stated he is afraid everyone is just going to dump them in Virginia.

District street signs are changing

New street sign with lower-case letters

Mike Debonis of the Washington Post reports that street signs in the District are changing.

Thanks to a federal mandate, all street signs have to be changed from all capital letters to a mix of capital and lowercase letters by the end of 2018. 

Cities have complained because of the incredible cost, but the federal government maintains the new signs are easier to read from a distance.

They also include the suffix on the numbers - for example, it says "14th Street" not "14 Street" and "3rd Street" instead of "3 Street."

Old street sign with all capital letters

Some street signs, of course, will never change:

Jumbotron Follow up for Vida Members

Lots of attention has been given to the light pollution that the new Verizon Center signage may bring.  But here's a perspective we didn't consider: those who work out within the Verizon Center.  VIDA Fitness sent an email today with the following message:

"As a VIDA Member, you need to be aware that one of Verizon Center's planned Jumbotrons would literally cover the vast majority of VIDA's leased space.  One of the important amenities that we offer is floor-to-ceiling glass windows and the natural light is very much a part of what makes VIDA so enjoyable.  Many of you value the scenic views of downtown DC you enjoy while utilizing our cardio equipment of simply walking the 3rd Floor during your weight lifting routine.  This visual reinforces that this is truly a neighborhood where people work, live and work out."

Indeed, the legislation explicitly considers signage at the Verizon Center, "including the Metro entrance on the corner of 7th and F Streets, N.W.," which is what's pictured below.  Vida Fitness is housed just behind the glass there.

Vida members: what's your take? 

Fuel Pizza Reminder

You may be reading that Fuel Pizza opens tomorrow (and is giving the first 50 people free food for a year!).

Just as a reminder: the Fuel Pizza opening tomorrow is their downtown location (16th and K); the Penn Quarter location doesn't open for another 6 weeks or so.  If you head over to try the pizza in anticipation of the late February opening here, let us know what you think in the comments.

Jose Andres' Food Truck

Jose Andres is a huge staple in Penn Quarter, but according to Eater, he might be taking it on the road, unbeknownst to the general public.

When asked about plans for a food truck, Andres said:

"I bought one and have been running tests in Washington.  No one knows."

Well, now you do.  Andres says that the truck is fully equipped and named Pepe's.  Keep your eye out for it - and send us a picture if you spot the elusive Andres-mobile!

Verizon Center Jumbotrons

The additional digital signage at the Verizon Center is still working its way through the legislative process.  Regardless of where you stand on the issue, the City Council wants to hear from you.

Legislation will be heard next Monday, on January 23rd, at 2pm in Room 123 of the John A. Wilson Building at 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. If you want to speak at the hearing, contact Melanie Williamson before this Friday.  If you can't get to the hearing but want to voice your opposition, you can sign this petition.

January 19th UPDATE:  The hearing has been canceled.  See our coverage here.


You can see one concerned Penn Quarter resident's views after the jump.

Update on Sixth Engine

It had been awhile since we had heard about 4th and Massachusetts' forthcoming American bistro and bar, Sixth Engine, so we decided to reach out for a progress report.  We are so glad we did, because one of the owners reports they are opening soon!

"Realistically," he said, "sometime in early Feb.  Probably the second week."

We hope to get some pictures of the space soon, and will let you know of the firm date when we hear of one.

Check out our February 2nd post on their menu here.

Neighborhood Deals

Lots of local deals for you today:

• $45 on Groupon will get you 6 bottles of Spanish & Argentinian wine (4 whites and 2 reds) at Central Liquors (a $90 value).
• You already know that the Chinese New Year parade has big plans for this year - and so should you:  $5 at KGB Deals will get you a ticket to the Chinatown bar crawl, scheduled for the same day as the parade (Jan 29th at 1pm) (a $10 value).
• $15 at KGB Deals will get you $30 to spend at Asia Nine.
• $29 at LivingSocial will get you a three hour walking food tour through a DC neighborhood (and of course, Penn Quarter is an option) (a $59 value).
• $30 at LivingSocial will get you $60 to spend at Kushi.

Seeing the Wizards on Just Three Dimes

Dan Steinberg did a profile at DC Sports Bog of a Wizards fan that caught our eye this week.  The fan, Kevin Walsh, was considering seeing a movie when he stumbled into Wizards-Raptors tickets on StubHub.  Their price?  A measly 30¢.  His evening just got 97% cheaper.

"Even with the instant download fees, it was cheaper to go to the Wizards game with four people than for myself to sit and watch a movie I didn't really want to see," said Walsh.

Indeed - at those prices, you could go to 38 Wizards games before you topped the price of an $11.50 movie ticket.

We considered how local businesses would be affected when the NBA lockout was looming, but we'll admit we never assessed the effect of 30¢ tickets.  So, are crowds being drawn away from movie theaters and art galleries and instead spending a few dimes on the Wizards?  You tell us:

Ironically, that 30¢ got that lucky Wizards fan a seat to the first win all season.

Mass Court For Sale

CBRE Global Investors is putting Mass Court up for sale, and expecting a pretty hefty return on their recent investment.

Mass Court is expected to sell for over $160 million, or $431,000 per unit.  CBRE bought the building (once occupied by then-Senator Obama) less than two years ago for $105.5 million or $284,000 per unit.

Needless to say, this speaks well for the increasing value of property in that "not quite Chinatown not quite Mt. Vernon Triangle not quite Capitol Hill" area (technically the area might be closer to Swampoodle).   Perhaps this upswing will allow Mass Court's new owners to attract a viable option for the retail space within the building.   (It was being prepared for use as Caldo, an Italian restaurant, but those plans have since fallen through.)

Penn Quarter Odds & Ends

PQ Mug image from this store

Some odds and ends this Thursday:

• Red Velvet moves to winter hours on Monday.  Monday-Friday they'll be open 9am-11pm, and Saturday and Sunday they'll be open 10am-11pm.
• We loved this article about Maria Trabocchi's menu at Fiola.  "Maria's Light Menu" is a three-course lunch ($19) which is usually salad, grilled fish, and sorbet.  "I like sweetness at the end of my meal.  I just love my clothes more, and I don't want to buy a new wardrobe."
• We've had great service at Austin Grill, and we've had less than great service at Austin Grill: but there's no reason to write "I make more than you do.  My time is worth more than yours" like this guy did on the tip line.
• It was announced that Central's Michel Richard will be joining the Foodie and the Beast event at Carmine's (see our post on it here) this Sunday.

Celebrity Sightings

It's hard to think of a higher-profile couple than Brangelina - and we're happy to report that they graced DC with their presence last night.  Angelina premiered In the Land of Blood and Honey (which she wrote and directed) at the Holocaust Museum, and MyFoxDC has video:

The movie premieres at E Street Cinema on Friday.

Afterwards, she, Brad, and others came across the Mall to Charlie Palmer's.  We can't imagine that cost is much of an issue to the power couple, but they partook in Restaurant Week - Brad had the romaine and endive chopped salad, the grilled coulotte steak and the dark chocolate pave; Angelina also had the chopped salad and the roasted chicken breast (no dessert - she's got to keep that famous figure!)

Yoga and Spin Coming to Penn Quarter

A lot of the buildings (residential and offices included) already have gyms in them, which is why it comes as no surprise that "boutique" gyms with special offerings are starting to pop up.  The latest to announce its arrival is The Art of Spyn, which will be at 950 F Street beginning March 2012.

The Art of Spyn will be DC's first cycle and yoga studio, and their Facebook page says the studio will offer "a unique combination of high-intensity cycling and yoga that ranges from restorative to challenging."  By the looks of this job listing, classes will hold upwards of 30 people.

If you can't wait until March, check our post on gym specials being offered in Penn Quarter now.

Downtown District Taco

Ooooh, do we have some great news for you all.

But first, some less great news: Funxion has officially moved from "temporarily closed" to closed for good.

How do we know?  District Taco has announced it's moving into the space at 13th and F and should be operational by Spring.  ¡Orale!

District Taco currently has an outpost in Arlington but is also well known for its food truck.  You can check out their menu here. Their breakfast burritos are served all day (and are delicious), and, we feel it necessary to point out that bacon is an optional topping on any tacos you get.  Well, optional for some people.  A necessity for us.

Mayor Gray "Opens" The Hamilton

Even though The Hamilton opened before the holidays, Mayor Vince Gray was on hand today to "officially" open Penn Quarter's 24/7 music and culinary destination.

According to Gray, The Hamilton brought 380 jobs to the District through Gray's "One City One Hire" initiative.  The initiative provides wage subsidies, tax-incentives and job training to DC businesses when they add DC residents to their personnel rosters.

The ribbon cutting took place in The Hamilton's downstairs music venue:

Image via @mayorvincegray