It Is Chili Day!

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Yum! We love a good chili. From a great traditional chili to a five-alarm bowl at a chili cook-off, you can never have enough of this great dish. Did you know that February 24th is National Chili Day? This is the perfect day to make your own traditional chili, or you can get out and explore some of the great restaurants with chili in Washington DC. We hope you and your stomach have a great National Chili Day.

If you are looking for classic chili with a twist, head to Ben’s Chili Bowl on U Street. This neighborhood joint is a favorite of DC residents. You can get your chill with many different options and styles of serving. From bowls to fries, you will never get bored of Ben’s Chili Bowl. 

If you want chili for lunch tomorrow, you need to find the BBQ Bus Food Truck. Their bowl of chili includes an earthy blend of black beans, kidney beans, white beans, corn, onions, peppers, chilies and tomatoes. It has just the right amount of spice, and it can be served with a delicious buttermilk cornbread biscuit. 

If you want some Mexican food with your chili, you can head to Peacock Cafe. This DC staple is known for their robust and flavorful chili with nutty cheese, creamy sour cream and more served over fresh crunchy tortilla chips. You can also add guacamole or fresh tomato salsa to your chili dish. 

Hard Times has a few locations throughout the DC Area. We love Hard Times because of their many options for the chili fanatics in your life. From vegetarian chili to Cincinnati chili, there is a dish on this menu that everyone can like. You can even try their crowd favorite chili mac and cheese with various add-ins and toppings. 

These are just a few of the many chili options you have close to your home at The Louis. What is your favorite chili recipe? Share with us in the comments underneath this post on our Facebook Page. We hope everyone has a great and delicious National Chili Day.

Get Away This Weekend

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We could all use a little vacation. Even if it is only for a few days, the ability to fly away from home is a great escape. Lucky for you, there are some great getaways from Washington DC that will not break the bank. Do you need some ideas on where to start? We have researched some of the best quick vacations from Washington DC. Keep reading and decide where you will make your escape.

Spontaneous Weekend Getaways

Groupon has great deals on hotels, but they also have great deals on vacation packages. Maybe you have a few more vacation days and a little extra money to spend. You can head to the Tropical Princess Beach Resort & Spa with airfare for as little as $599 a person. This all-inclusive resort has many days to choose from. However, these specials always sell out fast, so make sure to check everyday to find the best trip for you.

New York, New York

The city that never sleeps is waiting for you to visit. There are so many places to go in NYC that you will fully understand “The City That Never Sleeps” mentality. Whether you want to see a Broadway show or climb the Empire State Building, NYC is a perfect getaway from DC. You can get a BestBus from DC to NYC for $60 dollars round trip. The short five hour drive will give you time to relax, surf the internet and chat with your travel companion. Once you get to NYC, you can use Groupon to find some great deals on NYC Hotels. Groupon has hotels for as low as $75 dollars a night!

The City of Champions

You have so many options to travel from DC to Pittsburgh that it is almost impossible to not find a cheap option. Pittsburgh has three sports teams, but also a thriving arts and foodie scene. No matter what your interest, Pittsburgh has something for everyone on a short weekend trip. 

We hope this blog gave you a few ideas for your next vacation. No matter where you go, we will be happy to see you once you get home to The Louis.

Valentine's Day in DC

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Did you read our last blog? If you did, we hope you found the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your loved one. If you have not found the perfect gift yet, you still have a few days. Read our past blog for help with your Valentine's Day presents. 

Now that you have the gift, it is time to start planning the perfect date. Valentine’s Day can have a lot of high expectations associated with the holiday. However, the key to any great date is planning it with your loved one in mind. What is something you both love in the relationship, or does your person have a favorite place or restaurant? This previous knowledge will help you create a Valentine’s Day that they will never forget.

We have researched and found a few Valentine’s Day local date ideas that we think your special someone would love. These ideas are all within a close distance of The Louis and Washington DC.

Do you want the classic Valentine's Day date? A romantic dinner for two with candlelight and champagne? Lucky for you, Washington DC has many options for that exact idea. Make a reservation at Zatinya for the couples who loves tapas. This restaurant located in Chinatown also has a great section of wine and dessert. 

Central Michel Richard has won the James Beard award multiple times. This American bistro with a french accent offers everything from macaroni & cheese to duck leg confit. The Valentine's Day menu gives you three courses for $100 per couple. 

Bistro Cacao is a small French restaurant located on Capital Hill. This romantic spot will let you try Chef Deger's tasting menu with options for everyone including vegetarians and meat eaters. You will feel like you went to Paris in this French modern bistro. 

If you are looking for something a little out-of-the-box, The Black Cat will be hosting it's annual Rock-N-Roll Dance Party. This dance party starts at 10pm on Valentine's Day. You will hear all music from Doo-Wop to 60s Rock. Dance the night away with your loved one at this Valentine's Day Party. 

We hope you have a great Valentine's Day with a loved one, family or friends. The best part about Valentine's Day is spending time with the people you love.

Perfect Valentine's Day Gifts in DC

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Valentine’s Day is almost here, and that means it is time to surprise your loved one with presents and gifts. However, are you one of those people that gets completely overwhelmed with shopping for presents? We completely understand, we have been there too. Lucky for you, Washington DC has a wide variety of shops and stores to find the perfect gift. We have gathered some of the best gifts near our home at The Louis. So grab your wallet and take a walk to find your perfect gift for this Valentine’s Day.

Chocolate and flowers are always a great gift to start your Valentine’s Day date. However, there is more to chocolate than the pre-made boxes in your local grocery store. You can head to Co. Co. Sala to get the perfect sweet gift.  Shop their Valentine’s Day collection to find a great variety for each person’s unique tastes. They have everything from your classic chocolate heart to Aphrodisi-Bark.

Maybe you want your gift to be a little more adventurous than chocolate and flowers. There are many Valentine's weekend cruises to choose from the DC area. From a champagne brunch to a delicious dinner cruise, you have your choices for your perfect Valentine's Day weekend. Make sure to book these cruises well in advance because they do sell quickly. There are still plenty of dates and types of cruises available so book today. 

If you want this Valentine’s Day to stand out from the others, head to Brilliant Earth's website to find the perfect piece of jewelry. This store was founded by two Stanford Grads. They sell conflict-free jewelry using recycled previous metals. You can choose from custom made rings, earrings and other pieces. There is no showroom in DC, but you can still order many of their gorgeous designs online. 

These are just three of the many great creative gifts throughout the Washington DC area. Valentine’s Day can be stressful, but thinking about your loved ones' tastes makes the process just a little simpler. Do you have the perfect go-to Valentine’s Day gift? Share it with us on our Facebook Page.