At Redskins Park. You'll have to wait for the particulars, but a real treat to meet Robert Griffin III, who is as real and charming (and tall and attractive) as you've heard. Continue reading

COL. RICHARD H. ROSS, THE PILOT, IN THE MIDDLE, BEFORE A MISSION, WWII CIRCA 1985: IN THE BACK, DAVID ROSS, HOWARD JOYNT, ROBERT ROSS. IN THE FRONT, OLGA ROSS, CAROL ROSS JOYNT, RICHARD ROSS SPENCER WITH GRANDPA ROSS, 1998 J. HOWARD JOYNT III WITH SPENCER, AT HOME ON THE BAY PRECIOUS TIME TOGETHER, 1992 FUN TIME AT BREAKFAST, 92 MY NEPHEWS CAMERON KUMAR, LEFT, AND ZAL KUMAR, RIGHT, WITH THEIR DAD, VIJAY KUMAR, ALSO MY BROTHER IN LAW, 2013 MY BROTHER DAVID, A DAD, WITH HIS NEPHEW, A TEENAGED SPENCER Wishing all dads a happy day. Continue reading

TABLE FOR TWO IN THE GARDEN, MA MAISON The menu tonight at Ma Maison, where dinner was with one person instead of 400: Martinis to start, with plates of saucisson, almonds and "fine" house potato chips Wine with dinner: Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé Classic Spinach Salad with Whitmore Farm eggs and dressing using Stachowski's bacon. Steamed and chilled lobster from Cannons; cut into chunks and tossed with homemade mayo, lemon, chervil, truffle oil, shallots and truffles, with spinach fettucini in a splash of truffle oil, plus grated parmesan. Strawberries au citron et sucre. Coconut Cookies. LOBSTER FETTUCINI CLASSIC SPINACH SALAD Continue reading

This interview with Shane Harris is from last August, but it seemed timely to re-post, as Shane has just joined the staff at Foreign Policy. Our conversation stays on that terrain, with focus on his book, "The Watchers." This is the full, 45-minute un-edited interview. Continue reading

Here's Stan Kasten being interviewed by me at The Q&A Cafe in 2008, when he was president of the Washington Nationals. This makes me laugh because just yesterday, when we taped a "sports talk" edition of The Q&A Cafe, the issue of "making the World Series" was still Topic A. My guests this time were Dan Steinberg of The Washington Post "Sports Bog," and Luke Mullins and Harry Jaffe of Washingtonian. The show airs this Friday at 8pm on Comcast channel 16. In the meantime, there's Stan. And there's more of Stan on The Q&A Cafe YouTube page. Continue reading

A really good job is open at Washingtonian -- to be the editor of Capital Comment and, in the bargain, work with me. I'm delighted to post the info here. The current CC editor is the magazine's editor Garrett Graff, the former editor was Chuck Conconi, and also Jack Limpert. Any questions? You know where and how to reach me, but I have no say in the selection. That's up to Garrett. All I ask is that you know who you are. Part of the job description detailed below, according to Garrett, is to be "smart, funny and a tad... Continue reading

AT THE HILLWOOD GALA The so-called spring social season is about to come to a close. It's been an active few months, which is good news if you view it as a measure of the Great Recession inching toward its end, and I do view it that way. On the other hand, a lot of parties can be wearying if for you, like me, parties are work. I think I have one more black tie gala on my calendar before July 4 -- and that's the National Geographic gala this week -- and then I will be ready for some... Continue reading

Couldn't resist this display at Morgan's Pharmacy on Monday morning. What a way to start the week, choosing between teas that offer a range of enticements, including "Get Charges," "Get Gorgeous," "Get Relaxed," "Get Smart," "Get Some ZZZ's," "Get Heart," and "Get Soothed." It's a new product from The Republic of Tea and in some smart packaging. Blending may be required, and for so many reasons. A shrink could make quite a lot out of who chooses what. I chose: "Get Happy," but with an eye also on "Get Lost." Continue reading

Outside Le Diplomate restaurant at 14th and Q Streets, Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans on Saturday announced he is a candidate for DC mayor. In his speech he hit on themes that included fiscal responsibility, high ethical standards, jobs, diversity, gay rights, statehood. He used the transformation of the 14th Street corridor from blight to fashionable as an example of the vision he has for neighborhoods throughout the city. One pol in the crowd said, "If the only requirement was being organized, Jack would be president. I've been to a lot of these candidate announcements in DC over the years.... Continue reading

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PHOTO I TOOK, WHEN I WAS 22, DURING AN EXTENDED SAILING VOYAGE, OF A "FRIEND" WHO WAS, WELL... HOT (AT 44) Last week I posted a list of what's not hot on men and this week I've countered with what's hot on men. The "not hot" list was more challenging to compose than the "hot." I don't recall all that I listed but here are some of the "not hot" items reprised with my random thoughts. You don't have to agree. It is an entirely arbitrary and personal list. And there are always exceptions to every rule --Facial Hair. This... Continue reading

It resonated with me today when radio host Tony Kornheiser described the IRS as the "lance edge" of the federal government. Perfectly put. When the IRS had me at the point of their lance there were no Electric Slide lessons being offered. No junkets, no fun. I was getting it in the gut, the defendent in a tax fraud case that was a complete surprise. I was innocent, but at the outset no one believed me or was on my side. I was utterly vulnerable; even my lawyers at Caplan & Drysdale did not have my back. Here's how I... Continue reading

PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE LONG LINE TO GET INTO FORD'S THEATRE Sunday night galas are a challenge -- it's Sunday night! -- but Ford's Theatre held theirs this past weekend and entertained with thoughtful talk on the theme of inspiration, some musical numbers and then a very nice buffet dinner at the National Portrait Gallery. Here's the full story of the Ford's Theatre Gala. Continue reading

Where was actor and Georgetown University alum Bradley Cooper on Sunday night? According to our sources, who were there, he was at The Tombs in Georgetown, in a corner booth, with a woman named "Alex." And he left a big tip. Here's the rest of the story, such as it is: washingtonian.com Continue reading

My darling, thoughtful Iranian friend, just back from Tehran, gave me this incredibly generous gift - fresh Iranian caviar. It's Osetra, which they call Asetra. Makes no difference to me. Whatever they want to call it I call it awesome. Such a treasure and a pleasure. Notice the grayish-silvery color. That's a hallmark of the finest caviar. The flavor is subtle, elegant and melts on the tongue with a resonance of the sea. Here's a true story that could make a caviar lover weep. When Neam's Market was in Georgetown, where we now have Marvelous Market, they were provisioners to... Continue reading

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ANGEL AT THE CAPELLA BAR, FRIDAY, JUNE 7 If you frequented Citronelle in Georgetown you will recall that one of the most popular members of the restaurant's staff was bartender Angel Cervantes. When Citronelle closed suddnely a year ago we lost Angel and that wonderful bar. But here's the good news: Angel, at least, has resurfaced. He starts work tonight at the new Capella hotel on 31st Street. This is a good move on the part of the Capella, which has earned a few grumbles from Georgetowners and other locals who find the service haughty, especially toward folks who walk... Continue reading

SOON TO PORTRAY JFK, ROB LOWE (photo: greektyrant) Well, here's your chance, because the Erica Arvold casting agency is filling roles for a NatGeo movie that will star Rob Lowe as JFK. The film begins shooting in Richmond next month. My Washingtonian magazine story has most of the details. I don't know about him as President Kennedy, but he was hilarious as Liberace's plastic surgeon in "Behind the Candelabra." Do not miss that film. Continue reading

FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND ... Continue reading

PEARL DIVE OYSTER PALACE FRIED CHICKEN - FROM THE BUCKET We put my foodie colleagues to the test this evening. In the new (June) issue of The Washingtonian magazine they declare that the best carry-out fried chicken in DC comes from Pearl Dive Oyster Palace. No argument from me. I've had the fried chicken in the restaurnat but this was my first time doing carry-out. We ordered it this evening, picked it up 20 minutes later. No credit card required to make the order, nor did they ask (since I called from a land line) for my cell phone number.... Continue reading

ROLLING THUNDER ROLLS TOWARD THE CORNER OF 23RD & CONSTITUTION (LOOK CLOSELY FOR UNIFORMED SOLDIER SALUTING) It's worth nothing right off the top that not ALL the rolling thunder motorcycles are louder than a fully loaded dump truck grinding its gears. One came up behind me today that was as quiet as a Prius. So, it can be done. Also, as they rolled across Memorial Bridge toward Constitution Avenue most of the bike drivers were moving slowly, and while it was noisy it wasn't ear-splitting. Right near where I stood at 23rd Street a man on a motorcycle was killed... Continue reading

THE BIRTHPLACE OF GOOD LOCAL BARBECUE: ALDIE COUNTRY STORE Locals will debate whether it was a good thing that The Washington Post discovered the wood smoker at the Aldie Country Store, but really, in truth, that's water under the barbecue bridge. Owner Surekha Desai has the Post story tacked over the register ... as it should be. He'll talk your ear off as he tempts your tastebuds with samples of his beef, chicken and pork barbecue. "TRY THIS, TRY THIS, TRY THIS..." AND IT'S NOT B.S. AT THE ALDIE COUNTRY STORE I go to the Virginia countryside often, and today... Continue reading

THIS, THE DARK GRAY HOUSE, IS WHERE JACK AND JACKIE KENNEDY LIVED AT THE TIME OF THE TV INTERVIEW BELOW Any Jackie Kennedy fan will enjoy watching this rare video, but it will have special meaning to residents of Georgetown. What it includes is B-roll of her walking around the neighborhood, including taking her dog to Rose Park (you'll recognize the steps and sandbox). Jack Kennedy appears in it, too, toward the end of the 9 minute clip. They both appear so young. Jackie has a stunning resemblance to the actress Rachel Weisz. (Here is an analysis of the video... Continue reading

SENIOR WRITER SHANE HARRIS WITH SENIOR EDITOR DENISE WILLS Our office closed early today and a group of us did what any group of writers would do -- we went out for a drink, to The Palm, just a short walk up 19th Street. Not the whole office, of course - most already had departed for the holiday weekend - but some of us. YES, THAT'S WOLF BLITZER ON THE WALL, NOSING IN ON THE PARTY Not sure if you remember Life magazine, but I always loved an occasional feature they ran -- "Life Goes to A Party." These photo... Continue reading

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