Category Archives: The Daily Feed

Food and Drink, The Daily Feed
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Friday Happy Hour: Port City Tidings


One of my first Christmas beers of the season, Tidings from Alexandria’s Port City Brewing was a very pleasant welcome to this year’s winter warmers.

The strongest of all Port City’s offerings at 7.8%, Tidings is a Belgian Pale Ale with the addition of honey and seasonal spices. The honey was especially prominent in the glass I had at Rustico in Alexandria, tasting as if it might not have completely fermented out leaving a fair dose of residual sweetness and honey flavor. There are lots of flavors of coriander, clove, and pepper.

Tidings is not quite the super-high-ABV, syrupy wallop of a winter warmer like some breweries come out with around this time of year – more of a subtle toast to the season and one which seems like it would work well as a party tipple or paired with a holiday dinner.

The Daily Feed
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FBI, Treasury raid home of Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr.

Photo courtesy of
‘FBI Police’
courtesy of ‘cliff1066�’

According to several local sources, the home of Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. was raided this morning by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Treasury Department in connection to an on-going investigation. It’s not immediately clear if this is related to Thomas’ admission that he would return $300,000 of city money earmarked for youth sports goods, or if this is a new charge.

Agents impounded a motorcycle and an SUV at the Thomas house, but have not to date captured Thomas’ Audi that was purchased with that money.

As a Ward 5 resident, I hope that Thomas thinks long and hard before saying anything at Monday’s reading of the Ethics bill before the Council.

Downtown, The Daily Feed
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Celebrity Ornaments for the Parks on Display

Did you miss out on the lottery for tickets to this year’s National Christmas Tree lighting, held last night? Even if you did, it is not too late to take home a little piece of the celebration. All of the performers at the event have participated in creating Ornaments for the Parks.

Here at We Love DC, we love opportunities to incorporate a little bit of giving back into our holidays. The proceeds from the upcoming auction of the exclusive ornaments designed by local jewelers Tiny Jewel Box and autographed by the likes of Ellie Goulding and Carson Daly will go to benefit the National Park Federation.

Between now and December 11th, you can take a look at the special ornaments on display in the lobby “living room” of the W Hotel – and enjoy a tasty hot cocktail while you peruse.

Food and Drink, Foodie Roundup, The Daily Feed
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Give Back While Eating

Photo courtesy of
‘panettone inside’
courtesy of ‘willsfca’
The holiday season has arrived, and it’s the perfect time to start thinking about how to give back. It gets easier and easier every year – bring cans to work, send a text contribution, add an extra dollar to an online bill payment – you really have no excuse. Food lovers have a simple way to contribute as well. In the next few months many of my favorite restaurants are teaming up with local charities and coming up with creative ways to raise money. All you have to do is eat. Here are my top 3.

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The Daily Feed
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Rumors of Black Cat Bill’s death greatly exaggerated

Photo courtesy of
‘DC Streets: Your Mid-Afternoon Face-palm…’
courtesy of ‘pnzr242’

We are relieved to pass on the news that Black Cat Bill is alive and well.

Just about the worst thing you can do in publishing is report someone’s death when they’re still alive. We regret the error, and hope that we can atone for this in other ways. We will work to make sure this doesn’t happen again.

Thank you to the City Paper for tracking down the truth that Black Cat Bill is alive and well.

Food and Drink, Foodie Roundup, Penn Quarter, The Daily Feed, We Love Food
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We Love Food: Quick Update on Restaurant Happenings

Photo courtesy of
‘America Eats Tavern- Washington, DC’
courtesy of ‘Plantains & Kimchi’

For those of you who avidly follow the food scene, this all might be old news. But to those of you who don’t eat, sleep and drink DC food coverage, here’s a little roundup on some of the latest restaurant happenings around DC.

Have no fear about not getting to José Andrés’ America Eats Tavern in time before it closes. The restaurant announced that it will be staying open through July 4, 2012–closing exactly a year after it first opened this past summer. Don’t forget that the “What’s Cooking Uncle Sam?” exhibit, which served as inspiration for the restaurant concept and of which Andrés is the chief culinary advisor to, will close on January 3rd.

In “ancient” news by classic journalistic standards, Mike Isabella is opening a restaurant in the former Hook space in Georgetown. Hook and its sister restaurant, Tackle Box, had been closed since a fire in late June. Eater DC has a full recap of the drama behind how the story of Isabella’s new restaurant broke. All of that aside, Bandolero will be a “modern Mexican small-plates concept,” with dishes such as salsas, ceviches, tacos, and Isabella’s version of fajitas, according to a news release. Bandolero is set to open in early 2012.

Staying in the Georgetown area, PAUL Bakery has launched a second location in DC, which officially opened its doors on November 21st. The french bakery has enough seating for 30 to 40 patrons in Georgetown, or you can just grab a baguette to go seven days a week. PAUL had opened its first DC location in May 2011.

And lastly, unlike the other news about restaurant openings, The Washington Post reported that Ba Bay in Eastern Market closed its doors. As Tim Carman reported, Ba Bay closed “due to circumstances beyond our [the owner’s] control.” No word on whether owners and cousins Denise Nguyen and Khoa Nguyen will open another Vietnamese-style restaurant or another Ba Bay elsewhere.

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
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Caps Alumni Dale Hunter New Head Coach

Photo courtesy of
‘Hunter and Gartner Banners’
courtesy of ‘clydeorama’
Early this morning the Caps dropped a major post-holiday bombshell. (Not that we didn’t see it coming.) Former Caps captain Dale Hunter has been announced as the team’s new head coach, replacing Bruce Boudreau. The change comes on the heels of a horrific November for the team, including a 5-1 loss to an overly injured Buffalo Sabres team. (A game we didn’t recap because it was that bad.)

Hunter played 19 seasons in the NHL, appearing in 1,407 games and tallying 1,020 points (323 goals). He is one of only four players to have their numbers retired by the Capitals. The new coach, recently of the London Knights in the Ontario Hockey League, will make his bench debut tomorrow night as the Caps host the St. Louis Blues.

Under his guidance, the Knights won their first Memorial Cup Championship in 2004-05. Hunter is the fastest head coach in OHL history to record 300 and 400 career bench wins; he also possesses the highest winning percentage in league history with a record of 451-189-23-24 (.691) in his 11 seasons with the team.

We wish the new coach well in jump-starting the Caps back to their winning ways; he definitely has his work cut out for him.

Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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Caps struggle on Black Friday, lose to Rangers 6-3

Photo courtesy of
‘washington capitals vs dallas stars at verizon center 11/08/2011’
courtesy of ‘jennifer.walters’

It might’ve been the tryptophan hangover, but the Capitals sure had a black Friday against the Rangers, dropping the matinee 6-3. Surrendering four goals in the 2nd period, and two more in the third did them no favors. The Caps got sloppy on Friday, and gave up some ugly goals, including getting stripped in their own zone. It’s no wonder that in the post-game press conference, Bruce Boudreau said that the Caps were lacking in confidence. Ruslan Fedotenko notched a pair for the Rangers, and Ryan Callahan picked up three assists as the Rangers picked apart the Capitals defense and made opportunities into goals.

The Caps’ Jekyll/Hyde inconsistency this season is something they’re going to have to sort out if they want a shot at the Cup, and while they made strides toward fixing a few of their problems tonight, they were struggling in others. As much as the Caps were making mistakes tonight, the Rangers were just as quick to strike while they had the opportunity, turning missed covers by Neuvirth and blue line turnovers into goals.

After the game, defenseman Karl Alzner was quick to identify their issue: “We’re getting too down. As soon as we get a goal scored against us it kind of feels like it’s the end of the world… we’re killing our momentum by having them score and the giving up another one.” The Caps put together such a strong first period, especially on the penalty kill where they were 3-for-3 in the first, that they were just waiting for their moment to strike as they headed out for the second.  John Carlson said after the game, “I don’t think too many things are going our way. We kind of sensed that we could get back in the game,” and he was spot on. The Caps struck back down 3-0 with goals by Troy Brouwer and Carlson to bring things near to even, but Brian Boyle fired one home toward the end of the period to let the air out of their rally, striking on a rebound that Neuvirth should have controlled.

It was disappointing to see such an unpolished performance from the Caps defense, especially given their Monday and Wednesday performances. The Caps head to Buffalo tomorrow night, and will face a tough Buffalo team looking to right their own ship, having lost two in a row. Confidence issues will be front and center as they head into one of the toughest visiting venues they face.


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The Daily Feed
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A few Black Friday deals for our readers

Photo courtesy of
‘Cupcake Row’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’

Don’t worry, none of us were actually up this morning at 5am to post this, thankfully, we could do this through a scheduled post. There are a whole bunch of great Living Social deals for today, though, and we wanted to get you in on it first thing. Clicking through on these deals will help us keep the lights on here, too, in case you needed a reason to buy them.

We’ll also be starting with our own brand new Holiday Gift Guide come Monday!

News, The Daily Feed
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Rest in Peace, Black Cat Bill (Updated: He’s Still Alive.)

Black Cat Bill by Erin Williams

Update (8:30am, 30 November 2011) Black Cat Bill is alive. Ryan Little from the City Paper was able to track down Bill in the Deanwood Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, and confirm he’s still with us. Sorry, Bill. We’re glad you’re alright.

Photo, with permission, by Erin Williams

Dave Stroup reported on Twitter last night that Black Cat Bill, unofficial doorman for the Black Cat on 14th street, has passed away. Bill was an institution on 14th street for years and years, panhandling in front of the rock club, his signature call of “Black Cat, Black Cat, how bout a little change for the homeless,” is familiar to anyone who ever caught a show at the Cat.

In 2009, Bill sat down for dinner with Erin Williams, who documented it for her blog, Journal of Rock Photographer, and the piece is too good to spoil with even a pull quote.

Peace, Bill. 14th won’t be the same without you.

There’s word brewing that there might be a benefit for homeless charities at the Cat in coming days, but no details are yet available.

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
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Capitals Ground Jets, 4-3 (OT)

Photo courtesy of
‘Caps/Flyers (January 17, 2010) – 5’
courtesy of ‘Garyisajoke’

It only took nineteen games, but the Capitals team that many pundits were calling the runaway favorite in the NHL has finally emerged. Although there were previous glimpses of that potential, with the seven game win streak to open the season and 7-0 drubbing of the Detroit Red Wings, even in their early season victories the Caps looked lackadaisical and lazy at times. Tonight, however, was not one of those efforts. The Caps came out hard, playing spirited hockey, and kept up the effort for the full sixty (two) minutes, earning their second victory in a row.
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The Daily Feed
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Blanket the Earth, Starting with DC

Photo courtesy of
‘tents’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

This Friday Blanket the Earth plans to donate blankets, coats, socks and other warm gifts to protestors all over the country.

If you’re interested in donating to the Occupy DC crowd to help them endure the coming winter, you should meet on the southeast corner of Freedom Plaza (that’s 13th and Pennsylvania) at 2 pm on Friday. Violetta Shekinah, Blanket the Earth’s local contact, will be there to lead the distribution.

Occupy DC keeps a wish list going by using the Twitter hashtag #occupydcneeds. So along with bringing warm clothes and blankets, you can check there for other items to donate. At the time of this posting the list includes everything from office space to sugar.