Posts Tagged ‘Crystal City’
First Night Report: Good Stuff Eatery Opens in Crystal City
Posted by Sally Traynham / Thursday, May 10th, 2012
Chef Spike Mendelsohn outside Crystal City's Good Stuff Eatery. (Photo by Sally Traynham)
Last night, while the team at Good Stuff Eatery finished up last minute preparations, Spike Mendelsohn‘s dad was outside chatting up the crowd of about 20 anxiously awaiting burger lovers. Inside, Chef Spike Mendelsohn, former Top Chef contestant, joked with his staff and hung out with his mom and sister amid rolling cameras. Mendelsohn once again joins the cast for a BRAVO show, this time capitalizing on his growing restaurant empire in Life After Top Chef. (Projected 2013 air date.)
As the clock reached 5 p.m., this family operation opened the doors of its second location on the commercial strip of Crystal Drive.
Be Gentle! (Photo by Sally Traynham)
Regardless of the sign outside, or because of it—warning all Good Stuff eaters that they might be captured on film—there was a constant flow of hungry people on opening night. With new items like the Steakhouse burger, American Wedge salad and Salty Caramel Kiss milkshake, customers appeared eager and content waiting ten minutes for a burger and shake. (Perhaps the “Be Gentle With our Staff” signs helped calm the impatient.) Meanwhile, some scoured over the “dip bar,” which includes old bay mayo and mango mayo.
With his second GSE opened, and a third in Georgetown debuting this fall, Mendelsohn is all about expansion.
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Posted by Stefanie Gans / Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012
Just in time for the debut of Spike Mendelsohn‘s second Good Stuff Eatery location in Crystal City on May 9th, the former Top Chef contestant revealed he suffers from acid reflux disease. With this news Mendelsohn also announced a new campaign, “Don’t Let It Burn,” in partnership with Takeda Pharmaceuticals, the makers of the heartburn medicine DEXILANT (dexlansoprazole), to raise awareness for the disease and to provide heartburn-friendly recipes.
This is the second nationally-recognized chef this year to publicly announce a health-related problem while simultaneously becoming a spokesperson for prescription drug company. After hiding her Type 2 diabetes diagnosis for three years, Paula Deen, famous for her fatty recipes, came public with her news while also becoming the face of the diabetes drug Victoza, from the Danish company Novo Nordisk. Deen received a lashing from the press over the timing of her announcement, especially because the “Queen of Butter” had been selling the public a brand of food known to lead to obesity, while she had been hiding her own diabetes.
Endorsement deals are big money. And Big Pharma’s got some cash to spend on celebrities, especially now that the government is enforcing drug companies to disclose any gifts, payments or other swag pharmaceutical reps bestow upon doctors. Drug companies must find additional ways to promote pills. While celebrity prescription drug endorsements have been around for years, tapping into culinary heroes has become a trend.
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Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Thursday, April 26th, 2012
We're laughing because it's funny ... and Thursday. / Photo credit: Shutterstock/ StockLite
Celebrate the Caps’ big overtime playoff win vs. the Bruins, successfully sitting through three back-to-back meetings or the rainy weather (hey, if you can’t beat it …) with a happy hour on the town. Our pick for tonight: Bell20 Tavern. The Crystal City American tavern offers specials a’plenty – both drinks and grub. And t-r-i-v-i-a.
From 3:20 to 7:20 p.m.*, a Bud Light Draft is $3.20, Port City Optimum Wit and Port City Monumental IPA are $4.20, while a glass of the wine of the day is $5.20. Foodwise, order some garlic fries, wings, chips and salsa or pretzel rolls for $3.20 each. Spicy meatballs, fried chicken tenders, a bowl of turkey chili or juicy cheeseburgers are $6.20 a piece.
Happy hour runs Monday thru Friday each week. Thursday is extra special because you and your HH pals can enjoy a great round of thinking while drinking. Spotted on Bell20′s Twitter account from this past week:
Trivia starts at 6:30 but it’s wise to get there early to grab good seats. And speaking of being early, let’s hope no one has this traffic situation today. Poor Anne. We’ve been there, too.
Bell20 Tavern, Crystal City Marriott, 1999 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington; 703-314-6520; www.bell20.com; happy hour: 3:20 – 7:20 p.m.; food & drink specials: from $3.20.
*Bar only
– Lorin Drinkard
Posted by Lindsey Leake / Friday, April 6th, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Arlington to host pole dancing championship
Crystal City 5K Fridays kick off, close roads
Manassas Catholic school teacher charged with attempted indecent liberties with a student
‘Extreme’ yard sales upset Mason District residents
Former Arlington CIA official indicted in leak case
Autistic Fairfax resident builds on his strengths
Juvenile playing with lighter causes McLean house fire
Four arrested in Vienna massage parlor raid
(Compiled by Lindsey Leake; photo courtesy of Shutterstock/chaoss)
Cherry Blossom Festival Hits Critical Mass
Posted by Matt Basheda / Friday, March 23rd, 2012
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is in full swing.
Photo: Steve Heap / Shutterstock.com
In fact, peak bloom is estimated to end today, Friday, March 23, so get there while you can. Next week will still net tons of transcendent blossoms, but make it sooner, not later.
This year is actually the 100th anniversary of the cherry blossoms’ arrival, so the entire region is celebrating in ways as multitudinous as the blossoms themselves.
Cherry blossom trees typically live for a maximum of about 60 years. However, about 100 of the original trees, now a century old, still stand.
The festival actually begins this Sunday, March 25. But amidst the clamor, a couple quieter, but no less magnificent celebrations have sprouted.
The U.S. Postal Service unveiled a stamp set immortalizing the famous flowers. The new “forever” stamps were designed in part by Falls Church resident Phil Jordan, who has flourished in his unique medium–stamps–for over 20 years.
Arlington is getting on board with the district’s festivities, too. They don’t have any cherry blossoms of their own, but they’ll display dozens of photographs straight from locals’ cameras.
FotoDC sponsors the photo contest, which runs until April 15. The best photos will be displayed in Crystal City’s interior concourse walkways. Contest finalists and judges’ favorites comprise the 150 pictures that will line the halls through November, ensuring this year’s glorious spring will live on for a while to come.
To enter the contest, visit FotoDC’s website and shell out a modest entry fee. The contest even accepts mobile phone photos, so get snapping!
Don’t delay for the biggest cherry blossom festival ever. Use this weekend’s sweet weather to bask in floral glow.
–Matt Basheda
Pssst. We’ve Got Your Spring Fashion Sneak Peeks!
Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
Hello, runway. / Photo credit: Lorin Drinkard
Like they say, fourth time’s the charm.
This week, Crystal City hosts the returning fashion frenzy of an event – Crystal Couture. Through Friday night, more than 40 designers from NoVA, D.C. and Maryland are strutting their latest and greatest spring lines on the runway for our viewing pleasure.
The Sound of Music: Melody Tavern’s Jazz and Blues
Posted by Sally Traynham / Tuesday, February 7th, 2012
Hidden within the Eclipse Condo Complex on the edge of Crystal City, Melody Tavern, made its debut Friday as a live-music venue (after initially opening in 2011) offering premier jazz and blues and a menu of (mostly) American fare with a hint of creole.
During last Friday’s party celebrating its recently acquired live music permit, I was able to snag a high-top table among the reasonably crowded room. Between segments of Lena Seikaly’s soothing jazz set, I sampled simple skirt steak sliders, each topped with a scant helping of caramelized onions on a bun overwhelmed with butter on its exterior.
Luckily, crispy pieces of fried yucca overshadowed the overcooked beef. Unfortunately, an accompanying sauce was not provided for these perfectly golden nuggets.
Open late night for most of the week, Melody Tavern features plenty of seating with a bar that spans almost the length of the room, ensuring that you can see all of the entertainment in action.
Check out Melody Tavern’s line up for this weekend, which includes jazz and pop vocals, a New Orleans-style band and a jazz saxophonist.
Photo by: Sally Traynham
[tips for the food desk]
Posted by Hilary Adleberg / Monday, January 30th, 2012
Hello, shoppers!
More than 40 of the D.C. area's best boutiques and designers are available at one convenient venue. (Courtesy of crystalcity.org)
It’s that time of year again. The fourth annual Crystal Couture — trunk sale and fashion show will soon return to the Crystal City Shops for a five-day fashion event. The show and sale is open to the public, free of charge from Feb. 7 -11, 2012, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. each night, accentuating all the amenities that Arlington’s largest downtown district has to offer.
The Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) presents the jam-packed fashion event, which brings together more than 40 of the D.C.-Metro area’s most impressive boutiques and designers under one roof. Think art exhibition, trendy nightclub, fashion show and hip retail store all in one free, local and exciting event!
Located at 1750 Crystal Drive, the Crystal City Shops are transformed into the ultimate shopping experience offering guests discounts up to 50 percent off retail. And if the amazing sales weren’t enough incentive, there’s always the entertaining runway shows, live DJ, open bar, free snacks, free makeovers from makeup artists and hair stylists, and fashion advice from experienced wardrobe stylists.
Cohost of last year's Crystal Couture event, America’s Next Top Model contestant Bianca Chardei prepares to strut her stuff down the runway. (Courtesy of facebook.com)
Visit facebook to view photos from last year’s Crystal Couture event and to see all that this year has in store. Be sure you don’t miss out on this fashionable affair!
-Hilary Adleberg
When You Want to Work Out and Drink: Sips & Sneakers
Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Thursday, January 19th, 2012
Pre-race. / Photo credit: Lorin Drinkard
Have you ever walked through a shopping mall and thought, “Why not be drinking adult beverages while doing this?” Meet Washington Wine Academy (WWA), the brains behind making that notion a reality.
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, December 15th, 2011
Rockefeller, Shmockefeller.
Okay, I can’t deny that New York’s quintessential Christmas tree is big and beautiful, shining ever so brightly each year in Rockefeller Center as tourists are overcharged to freeze their butts off while ice skating in the sunken garden below.
But D.C.’s National Christmas Tree is pretty magnificent, too.
Image: Svetlana Larina/Shutterstock
Tonight’s your night to relish in the cold, wintry, 10-days-to-Christmas wine tasting and limousine trip into D.C. to see the National Tree.
Washington Wine Academy will start you off with a reception of light, wintry snacks and wine before picking you up from the Washington Wine Academy in Crystal City and transporting you via limo to the National Christmas Tree and back again. There are two available times for tonight:
Group One — 6-7 p.m. (Holiday Wine Reception); 7-8:15 p.m. (trip to National Christmas Tree); arrive back in Crystal City by 8:30 p.m.
Group Two — 7:30-8:30 p.m. (Holiday Wine Reception); 8:35-10 p.m. (trip to National Christmas Tree); arrive back in Crystal City by 10:15 p.m.
The event begins and ends at the Washington Wine Academy, located at 1201 South Eads St., Suite 400, in Crystal City. Tickets are $36 per person and advanced registration is required via PayPal here.
For more information, visit the Washington Wine Academy website.
-Julia Harbo