Fitzy the golden doodle, who most certainly has his game face (and his Pats jersey) on.

The big day is almost here. Depending on your fondness for football, Super Bowl Sunday is either the biggest game of the year or you’re really looking forward to a day of eating snacks. And drinking a few beers. Or maybe you just like the commercials. No matter what, this day has something for everyone. Are you kicking back at a friend’s house or headed out on the Hill? There are plenty of places within walking distance where you can watch the game while expanding your waistline.

A go-to on a regular Sunday, so why not on Super Bowl Sunday? The Argonaut has plenty of seating and TVs to watch the big game.

Nearby, H Street Country Club will be offering food and drink specials during the game.

Union Pub’s heated patio and large projector screen make for another good option. Food and beer specials will be available.

Pour House will have specials, and no shortage of TV sets. The Ugly Mug will have $4 Coors Light drafts, $4 Blue Moon and $12 Coors Light pitchers. Wisdom will have pitchers of Fat Tire, DC BRAU and National Bohemian aka Natty Boh as well as homemade chili.

That should be enough to get you started. One final thing, I know I speak for the many DC by way of New England transplants when I say…Go PATS!

Originally uploaded to flickr by blue2likeyou

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]]> http://www.thehillishome.com/2012/02/its-survey-time/feed/ 0 http://www.thehillishome.com/2012/01/tv-alert-watch-the-sweet-lobby-on-cupcake-wars/ http://www.thehillishome.com/2012/01/tv-alert-watch-the-sweet-lobby-on-cupcake-wars/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:32:03 +0000 Jon Penndorf http://www.thehillishome.com/?p=24998 You’ve tasted their macarons.  You’ve sipped their hot cocoa (voted one of the best in DC, mind you). You may have even tasted their elegant madeleines.  Now it’s time for the owners of The Sweet Lobby to show what they are made of on the Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars.”

This Sunday after the Super Bowl, you can watch The Sweet Lobby’s Winnette McIntosh Ambrose and her brother Timothy at 10:00 p.m. EST as they battle for cupcake supremacy on “Cupcake Wars.”  Cupcakes have obviously swept the nation into a sugary frenzy, and this Food Network program pits baker against baker to see whose cupcake is crowned king.  Our hometown heroes (both engineers with degrees from MIT, by the way) opened their sweet shop on Barracks Row not long ago, but their reputation for creativity and unique flavors has spread quickly.

You’ll be stuffed from Super Bowl snacks on Sunday so top off your day with video dessert on “Cupcake Wars” and cheer on the Hill’s own!

Additional note: Winnette tells us that fans who would like to watch the episode in the company of other cupcake aficionados can do so at The Ugly Mug, Tunnicliff’s Tavern, and the Elephant & Castle (on Pennsylvania Avenue NW).  Cupcakes will be served at these establishments during the show, courtesy of The Sweet Lobby!

]]> http://www.thehillishome.com/2012/01/tv-alert-watch-the-sweet-lobby-on-cupcake-wars/feed/ 0 http://www.thehillishome.com/2012/01/hill-cooking-class-marathon/ http://www.thehillishome.com/2012/01/hill-cooking-class-marathon/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:00:28 +0000 Jon Penndorf http://www.thehillishome.com/?p=24678

originally uploaded to flickr.com by Michael JasonSmith

You know that one dish you love to order at your favorite Hill restaurant?  The one you wish you could make at home? You may just have the chance to pick up that coveted recipe on Sunday, January 29 on 8th Street SE when ten Barracks Row chefs participate in an all-day Culinary Education Crawl.  From 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. you can take your pick of 60- and 90-minute sessions covering appetizers, entrees, and desserts or set your stomach a-growling and take the whole day’s roster.

uploaded to flickr.com by Mr.T in DC

If you haven’t gotten your fill of indulgent eating from the recent holidays you are in luck.  The winter edition of DC Restaurant Week began yesterday — Monday, January 9th — and runs through Sunday, January 15th.  (A second DC Restaurant Week is held each year in August.)  Each year tens of restaurants and bars participate in the biannual event, when you can get a prix fixe three-course lunch for $20.12 and a three-course dinner for $35.12.  Prices exclude beverages, tax, and tip, but the fee is a pretty good bargain at many restaurants around town. 

While many of the restaurants will be packed with bargain eaters and there are always tales of poor service because of busier-than-normal dining rooms, DCRW is a great opportunity to try a cafe or bistro you may not hav been to before, especially those in our neighborhood which are slightly off-the-beaten-path from the nightlife downtown.

At press time a number of Hill restaurants have signed up to participate in January DC Restaurant Week, including Belga Cafe, Bistro Cacao, Cafe Berlin, Lavagna, the Monocle, Montmatre, Sonoma Wine Bar, Art & Soul, B. Smith’s, Bistro Bis, Smith Commons, and Zest American Bistro.

More information and links to restaurant websites (and reservations) can be found here.  Make sure to check whether individual restaurants are offering lunch and/or dinner, and if you need to make a reservation.  Some restaurants offer a limited menu for the DCRW special, while others offer choices from their entire offering.  Finally, note that a few eateries extend the DCRW specials past January 15th, so you can try more than one location if you run low on time.

Bon appetit!

uploaded to Flickr by [paumelia

A number of recent robberies and car thefts have many in the neighborhood on edge and wondering when a recent spike in crime will end.

Council member Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6) is planning to meet with 1st District Metropolitan Police Department Commander Daniel Hickson tonight to discuss the crime trend. They also will answer questions from neighbors concerned about safety.

According to Wells’s office, crime remains low for Capitol Hill,  but in December police saw an increase in reported incidents, especially sidewalk robberies and theft. In recent weeks, there have also been robberies at local businesses, including an armed robbery early Monday morning at the 7-Eleven on Barracks Row.

The community meeting was called for, says Charles Allen, Wells’s chief of staff, because the crimes are being committed by a small number of individuals and, he says, there is a need to get more information to the public.

In a prepared email statement sent to THIH, Allen said:

Tommy is working very closely with MPD to track these trends and ensure they have the resources they need to respond quickly. Tommy met with Commander Hickson yesterday afternoon [Tuesday] to get a full briefing, and the Thursday meeting will provide an opportunity for MPD to describe the steps they’re taking. Please keep in mind that MPD won’t be able to describe in a public community meeting some of the details of the tactical and resource shifts they are making, but they will be able to address generally the changes they are making and demonstrate the responsiveness to this spike, as well as answer questions from neighbors.

Wells encourages all residents to attend the meeting, taking place tonight, 6:30 p.m. at the Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave, SE.

Originally uploaded to flickr by SarahInDisguise

Newsflash! New Year’s Eve is this weekend. That, coupled with what is arguably one of the slowest weeks in Washington (second only to the August mass exodus, perhaps?) makes this week’s To Do list all about the last night of the year. So, do you love it? Hate it? Is it just another (Saturday) night? Either way, the Hill has plenty of options for ushering in 2012. Unless your idea of an ideal NYE is takeout and a movie, in which case you already have the number of your favorite delivery place.

Little ones in tow? The Family Room will be having a modified ringing in of the new year at the child-friendly time of 6pm.

For those of you looking to ditch your kids, your inhibitions, etc…

H Street Country Club is having a party that will feature an open bar, including their award-winning margaritas, as well as appetizers, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $75 in advance, $89 at the door.

Matchbox is offering a special 3 course menu in addition to à la carte dining on the 31^st. Reservations accepted. You can check out the menu here.

Montmarte will have its regular menu this weekend, a good option for those who don’t want prix fixe choices.

Don’t feel like dressing up? There’s no dress code for Rock and Roll Hotel’s party. Admission is $50 for cash bar, $80 for open bar.

Smith Commons will have two seatings for their $60 NYE menu (6-7:30pm and 9-10:30pm) The Public House on levels two and three will have live music from the Bob Butta Quartet. Complimentary champagne will be handed out at midnight.

Sonoma is throwing a Prohibition Party with options to fit your price point. $65 will get you the first seating from 5-6:30p and its $95 after 7pm.

There are other things going on in the city of course. But stay close to home, where you can travel on foot. I know I’m not the only one with their mother’s voice in their head reminding them that New Year’s Eve can be “amateur night” for drinkers and drivers on the roads.  Be safe!

uploaded to flickr.com by "clairity"

What an eventful year on Capitol Hill – and I’m not even talking about the warped and wishy-washy politics that went on in the big white domed building.  We here at The Hill Is Home attempted to bring you timely coverage of our neighborhood politics, cultural events, developing stories and (probably more than anything else) food options. So we realized as a staff we like to eat. And drink. Judging by the number of restaurants opening in our area the whole neighborhood likes to eat too. And drink.

So let’s take a look back at some of the highlights of food and drink in 2011 on Capitol Hill. 

H Street NE has blossomed into a destination where you can easily find a lovely dinner, head out to a bar and dance the night away, and then find an eatery for fourth meal.  The year opened with the opening of Church and State, the cheeky second floor bar from the owners of Fruit Bat and Wisdom.  Toki Underground opened a few months later.  Who knew a tiny second-floor eatery calling itself “underground” would become one of the hottest tables to snag in DC?  We also welcomed Shawafel, The Big Board, Khan’s Bar & Grill, the Queen Vic, and TruOrleans to the diverse array of restaurants already calling H Street home.

Over in Southeast we gained Senart’s Oyster & Chophouse and Lavagna as night-out dinner options, and many specialty food shops including 32 Below, the Sweet Lobby, Spring Mill Bakery, and Pitango Gelato. Do Hill residents have an addiction to baked goods?  Or just a more acute sweet tooth?  We added to our coffee options with Pound (and were introduced to the sinfully delightful Nutella latte), while teas and juices now abound at the B Spot.

The Tune Inn reopened in 2011 after a massive fire damaged or destroyed most of the interior.  I’m not sure if a completely remodeled and fully-sprinklered bar counts as a dive anymore, but I am sure the Tune Inn will do its best to live up to its reputation.

And near the Southeast Riverfront options are starting to multiply.  Justin’s Café and Lot 38 Espresso opened for the hungry masses heading to ball games or moving into new high-rises.

Also in Southeast, the DC food truck frenzy created a cult phenomenon known as Truckeroo.  One Friday a month the food trucks circle up in “Das Bullpen” right by Nationals Park like some sort of technicolor, aroma-ed caravan making camp.  Live music and beer added to the festive atmosphere, and urban foodies could sample the wares of many mobile kitchens.  I would imagine this tradition will continue in the warmer months of 2012.

We lost a few establishments along the way too.  Sadly we said bye-bye to Ba Bay; whatever the reasons for its closure, we lost our Vietnamese option on the Hill.  We also said so-long to the Hawk & Dove, though with major renovations already underway we may be able to say hello to it in a different reincarnation next year.

Speaking of next year, 2012 brings us even more options for dining and drinking on the Hill.  We expect Boxcar to open across the street from Eastern Market, and construction is moving swiftly on Chipotle on Barracks Row.  We also expect Ima Pizza to open on 8^th Street SE in the spring.  I know multiple dining and drinking options are in the works on H Street, including Sweet Charleston’s restaurant/lounge/bar/live entertainment venue (wondering if they might have a gift shop too?).  Maybe, just maybe, Crepes on the Corner will open on 15^th Street SE (a neighbor can dream, can’t he?).

Originally uploaded to flickr by Voxtheory

With just days to go, let’s cut right to the chase. Here are some suggestions for those left on your list. All to be found within the comfy confines of Capitol Hill!

Hill’s Kitchen has a wide variety of gifts for the homemaker. Kudos if you can actually go there and not end up buying something for yourself as well. The cookie cutters in the shapes of each state are a favorite of mine.

Dog owners will surely appreciate a toy or treat for their pup. No matter which side of the Hill you’re on, you’ll find something at Metro Mutts on H Street or 8th St SE or Chateau Animaux. Even in chilly weather, I’ve found my pup adores the frozen treat cups at Metro Mutts. And a sturdy Kong toy will withstand abuse from even the most aggressive chewer.

The coffee lover in your life will enjoy complimentary coffee courtesy of Peregrine or Pound.  Who doesn’t love not having to pay for that morning cup of joe?

There isn’t anyone who couldn’t use a gift card or something from Frager’s. And if you are that someone please let me in on your secret because you must be the proud owner of the perfect Hill home.

You can’t ever go wrong by buying someone dinner or a sweet treat. A dozen cupcakes from Hello Cupcake? A gift card to Acqua al 2 or Matchbox or Senart’s?

For the little elves, head to Labyrinth. From puzzles to board games, there’s something for every tiny tot.

A nice bottle of champagne or wine is a great hostess gift and the fine folks at Schneider’s are always willing to help you find something that’s fits your bubbly budget.

uploaded to flickr.com by antijoe

Tis the season to fill our schedules, and the weekends on Capitol Hill are full of fun and festive events to get you in the holiday spirit, or just enjoy a spirited evening with friends. Need a break for all the holiday merriment? We’ve got diversions for you all over the ‘hood. Saturday in particular is packed with things to do that get you away from the tangled strings of lights and lumps of cookie dough.

Thursday night is Open Mike Night at the Star & Shamrock on H Street NE. Musicians and poets are welcome from 8:30 until 11:00 p.m.

The 13th Street Community Garden celebrates a year of accomplishments (and vegetables?) on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help ready the space for the next growing season. If you have time to lend a hand, please bring gardening and pruning tools. Holiday treats and hot cocoa will be provided.

Prepare for sugary holiday fun on Barracks Row this Saturday. Have you been naughty or nice? Tell Santa on Barracks Row from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. He’ll arrive courtesy of the Fire Department’s Engine 18, and will hang out at the corner of G and 8th Streets SE. Snacks will be provided by the newly-opened Spring Mill Bakery, and free photos courtesy of MotoPhoto. You can share the holiday spirit by bringing an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. Prior to his arrival, grab some sprinkles and decorate a gingerbread cookie at Spring Mill Bakery across the street, starting at 12:00 noon. After you deliver your list to the Big Guy, head to Hello Cupcake and decorate your own cupcake from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., complete with a fondant figurine.

Saturday afternoon Capitol Hill Village hosts an open house at the new Hill Center from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Village residents, volunteers, and friends are welcome. RSVP by Friday, December 9 to the Village main office. More information can be found here.

Need to work off some pre-holiday energy? Spend some time cheering on the DC Rollergirls as they take on the DC DemoCats and the Cherry Blossom Bombshells in a double header at the DC Armory. Tickets are $12 in advance through Ticketmaster or at the door. First face-off is at 4:00 p.m. Nothing says the holiday like a little friendly body-checking, right?

This is your last weekend to catch “Beertown” at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop. The play with audience participation has gotten great reviews, and tickets are only $15. Shows are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. nightly through Saturday. If you’re heading to the play on Saturday, get there early for the Adult Student Art Exhibition. Admission to the exhibit is free, and is open from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Saturday evening brings us more theatrical options with the Young Playwrights Dinner Theatre Showcase at 7:00 p.m. at St. Marks Episcopal Church. Eight short plays written by 12th grade students from the Duke Ellington School for the Arts will be performed by actors from the St. Mark’s Players and Art For Life. Tickets are just $20 for dinner and the show, or $15 for the show alone. Student tickets are $10, but note some themes may not be suitable for audience members under 14. More information and tickets can be found here.

Enjoy your weekend!