Who Wants Pumpkin?

Image From Pixabay

It is starting to feel like fall in Washington D.C.. This means it is time for the leaves to change, sweaters to be worn and for us to eat everything pumpkin. We always crave pumpkin flavored foods, drinks and desserts around this time of the year. Lucky for us, D.C. has some of the best pumpkin flavored foods around the United States. We have found a few of our favorites that we will be tasting this fall. What is your favorite pumpkin flavor food? Share your favorites with your friends at The Louis.

Thai X-ing

Thai X-ng is located on Florida Avenue N.W. in Washington D.C.. You might not immediately think of a Thai restaurant when contemplating what pumpkin flavor food to try tonight. However, the Thai X-ing Pumpkin curry is amazing. Huge chunks of pumpkin are drowned in a sweet and spicy red curry along with other vegetables. We think this new take on a pumpkin dish is the perfect way to start our fall tastings.

Nage

Nage on Rhode Island Avenue may end up having the most popular pumpkin dish among residents. Nage is offering a pumpkin flatbread that we are so excited to eat for lunch. The flatbread is topped with roasted pumpkin, smoked mozzarella, creamy creme fraiche, sweet cipollini onions, wild arugula and toasted pumpkin seeds. This sounds like the perfect lunch for your work day. If you are still craving pumpkin, try their warm pumpkin salad with wild mushrooms and a brown butter sherry.

Sette Osteria

Connecticut Avenue is home to Sette Osteria. This is one of Dupont Circle's most popular Italian restaurants. This is the perfect place for your weekend dinner with friends or loved ones. Made daily in house, the ravioli stuffed with pumpkin is to die for. The ravioli is tossed in a savory sage and butter sauce then sprinkled with amaretti, an almond-flavored macaroon. The sweet pumpkin combined with the amaretti are the perfect contrast to the other flavors in the dish.

These are just a few of the amazing pumpkin dishes we are so excited to try in Washington D.C.. Go explore the city this fall and find out where you want to indulge your pumpkin cravings.

More Info:
CBS LOCAL

September 11th Memorials

Image From Wikimedia

14 years ago today the United States sat glued to their computers and televisions watching what happened in New York City, Washington D.C. and Shanksville. Every year there are many memorials and events to remember the victims of September 11th. This anniversary is no exception.

National Day of Service

September 11th is a National Day of Service. This is not only in Washington D.C., but this event happens all across the United States. Thousands of volunteers in over 50 organizations will do a variety of tasks for United We Serve. To give back you can: clean parks, serve the hungry, revitalize playgrounds and more as part of this annual day of giving.

The Pentagon

The Pentagon Memorial in Washington D.C. stands to help remember and honor the heroes of that day. There were 184 lives lost in the attack on the Pentagon. This memorial is free and open to the public 24 hours a day. Special services will be held for the families of the victims of 9/11 at the Memorial today.

5th Annual Police, Fire and Sheriff 9/11 Memorial 5K Run

This event will be held September 12th at 6pm. This commemorative run honors all the victims of September 11th. Proceeds go to public safety and military support organizations. The Fisher House Foundation, Wounded Warriors Project and the Survivors' Fund are just a few of the organizations that benefit from this event. You can run in this 5k for a $25.00 donation.

Patriot's Day Wreath Ceremony

A ceremony will be hosted by the Air Force Association and the United States Air Force. This memorial will include a wreath-laying ceremony, a United States Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team performance and an Air Force Birthday Concert featuring the United States Air Force Band. The event is at 7pm at the Air Force Memorial.

These are just a few of the many memorials happening in Washington D.C. and all over the nation. Do you have a memorial you are attending? Share the details with the residents of The Louis on our Facebook Page.

More Sources

About

Labor Day in D.C.

Image From Wikimedia

Labor Day weekend is here, which means it is the last farewell for summer. There are so many great events that happen throughout the nation's capital on this long weekend, that it can be hard to choose just one. We have found a few great events that we think you will love. Grab your friends at The Louis and experience the gorgeous D.C. summer one last time.

Labor Day Capital Concert

Sunday evening on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capital will be the annual Labor Day Capital Concert. Gates open at 3pm with a dress rehearsal at 3:30 pm. You can see the live show at 8pm. The National Symphony Orchestra will be performing your favorite songs as you sit back and enjoy a picnic on a gorgeous D.C. evening.

Free Shakespeare

There will be five Labor Day performances of Midsummer Night’s Dream as part of the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s annual Free For All Sept 1-13th. Tickets will be handed out two hours before the show. There are also a few other ways to win or acquire tickets. Check out their website to learn more. 

Take On The Water

Get outdoors and explore the Potomac on kayak, canoe or stand-up paddle board this weekend. The Thompson Boat Center and the Key Bridge Boathouse offer rentals all weekend long. You could even grab some friends and take a sailboat out thanks to the Washington Sailing Marina. 

Cheer On The Nationals

It is one, two, three strikes you’re out at the old ball game. Head to Nationals Park to watch our Washington Nationals during this Labor Day home stretch against the Atlanta Braves. This state-of-the-art ball park will give you a great evening of fun and hometown pride!

Everyone Loves Brunch

Spend this weekend catching up on all of your favorite brunch places in Washington D.C. There are special Labor Day brunches all weekend long that will let you indulge in your pancake and mimosa cravings.

We hope that you can enjoy this weekend before the fall season starts in D.C. We hope you have a safe and happy Labor Day. 

Other Sources:

washington.org

Food Trucks Everywhere!

Image From Pixabay

Food Trucks are everywhere in D.C and we love to find our favorites for our lunch break. However, with so many food trucks how do you choose which one to visit during the week. We have found a few favorites that are worth finding on social media to see where they will be next. If you want to play Where’s Waldo with food trucks, check our list below to decide which ones you want to follow next.

PEPE

Pepe Food Truck is perfect when you are craving something simple but delicious. This food truck is full of sandwiches with the most amazing combinations of ingredients. Serrano ham, Manchebo and olive oil on a thin ficelle sounds so good right now we want to go find the PEPE truck immediately. Make sure to follow @pepefoodtruck to find out when they will be near you.

Brandon’s Little Truck

This truck might seem a little off-the-wall, but we promise you will not regret trying their food. This truck has a controlled menu where you can expect your favorites every visit. The delicious lamb burger with fennel salad and feta is so delicious you think it came from a 5-star bistro. This is just one of the many unique combinations you can find at Brandon’s Little Truck. If this food sounds like a lunch time specialty, find out their next location by following them at @bltfoodtruck.

BBQ Bus

There are many barbecue trucks all throughout the D.C area, but there is a reason we think you should try the BBQ Bus. They smoke all of their meats for 10-12 hours before being served, and you can taste the difference. The sides and breads of the meals are made from scratch daily before they start serving. We recommend coming up with your own combination of meats, bread and sauces. You can find the BBQ Bus on their twitter @bbqbusdc.

These are just three of the many food trucks in D.C! Can you not make it for lunch? Make sure to see when they will be close to your home at The Louis for dinner.

A Very Bike-Friendly Louis

Image courtesy Pixabay

If it seems like there are more cyclists than ever on D.C. streets, that's because there is, especially if you live at The Louis! According to a new study from real estate company Redfin, U Street is the most bike-friendly neighborhood in Washington D.C., with the neighboring Logan Circle neighborhood coming in at #2! What qualifies our area as "bike-friendly," and how can you start living a more bike-friendly life both at The Louis and beyond? Let us tell you!

What makes a neighborhood bike-friendly? Investments in trails, bike lanes and other aspects of biking infrastructure is the first step. If the weather is nice and we don't have to wait for the Metro or sit in traffic, wouldn't you rather enjoy the fresh air and exercise? While biking to work may be good for your health, it is also good for building businesses. According to Greg Billing, the executive director of the Washington Area Bicyclists Association (to Washington Business Journal), creating a cycling culture builds up a neighborhood's eco-system. Businesses and residences will be drawn to areas where there is more foot and/or bike traffic.

If you are interested incorporating more biking into your daily routine, there are some important things to know before you hit the streets. For example, you may want to ride with a local group first before venturing on to the streets by yourself. It's also important to make sure your bike is in proper riding condition, or that you purchase a new lightweight bike for your commute. You may even want to take a class or urban bike riding. Especially in a city like D.C., with such a high volume of drivers, you will want your commute to be as safe and easy as possible! For example, be sure you ride in the same direction as the traffic flow, give yourself a 3 foot cushion from parked cars, and yield to pedestrians. To view more rules on urban cycling or to request a workbook, click here.

Consider changing up your daily commute by incorporating cycling into your routine, especially since we reside in the District's most bike-friendly neighborhood! Do you regularly ride a bike to work? What tips do you have for new riders? Share your thoughts on The Louis' Facebook and Twitter pages!

Cheers! It's DC Beer Week!

Ale, lager or stout? No matter type of beer you prefer to drink, through Sunday, August 16, you have the perfect excuse to expand your craft beer horizons or to try new brews of your current favorite. How, you ask? August 9 through August 16 is Washington DC Beer Week, which aims to educate area citizens on all things "good beer, from conception to consumption!"

Image courtesy Pixabay

From special happy hours, to beer and food pairings, to special brew releases, these events will have beer lovers "hopped up!" However, with such a wide variety of daily events for the week, it can be difficult to select which events to attend. Is it best to narrow down by events close to The Louis or by the type of event? See what we mean? The options can be overwhelming. To view a recommended list of Beer Week events broken down by day, click here.

Today's marquee event is the Coast to Coast Tap Takeover at RFD. This event features more than 40 beers on tap, each at $5 a pour. There is a $5 cover charge, which will benefit St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. The event runs from 3 - 11 p.m.

One event garnering buzz from both Washington City Paper and Washingtonian magazine is Thursday's D.C. Total Tap Takeover at Church Key. All of ChurchKey's 55 taps will pour brews made in the Washington DC area. This special event takes place from 4 - 11 p.m. Washingtonian recommends tasting the Alpine Beer Company Nelson, which is made with a fruity type of hop called "Nelson Sauvin." This is the first time that ChurchKey will devote all of its taps to DC-produced beer, so if you only have room in your schedule to attend one Beer Week event, this one will certainly be well worth it!

What is "on tap" for the weekend? On Friday, the marquee event is DC Beer Week Takeover at High Velocity. Located inside the Washington Marriott Marquis, top tier breweries including Atlas Brew Works, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, 21st Amendment, Schlafly, Heavy Seas, Sam Adams, Flying Dog and North Coast, will be pouring both flagships and rarities! On Saturday, the DC Homebrewers Club will be performing demonstrations at Meridian Pint from 3 - 6 p.m. On Sunday, the final day of Beer Week, team up with some of your friends for a Beer Scavenger Hunt in Dupont Circle!

What brews are you hoping to taste or events do you plan to attend? Let The Louis know on Facebook and Twitter!

Our 14th & U Restaurant Tour

Image courtesy Pixabay

Regardless of whether or not you consider yourself a "foodie," anyone can appreciate a perfectly prepared meal. Definitely one of the biggest draws of The Louis' location is its proximity to some of the District's, probably even the country's, best restaurants. Whether you want to tackle some of the area's best restaurants all in one day, or over time, if you live at The Louis, you need to experience these restaurants' cuisine:

Le Diplomate | 1601 14th St., NW
Step into Le Diplomate and you will feel like you have entered a Parisian bistro. The sidewalk cafe is a beautiful setting in which to sip a cappuccino and read the newspaper in the morning. Their extensive cocktail menu offers drinks you won't typically find anywhere else in Washington DC, including the Il Fait Beau, which combines Edinburgh gin, Elderflower-peach Shrub, and fresh lemon.

Visit Le Diplomate for BRUNCH.

Tico DC | 1926 14th St., NW
It's easy to begin your food tour at Tico DC, located just downstairs! Tico's Chef Michael Schlow has been featured on The Today Show, Top Chef Masters and other national television shows, in addition to being named "Best Chef in the Northeast" by the James Beard Foundation. Tico's American-based cuisine has elements of Spanish, Mexican and South American cuisines, too.

Visit Tico DC for DRINKS. Their menu features more than 140 types of tequila!

Lupo Verde | 14th & T Streets
Rustic Italian, in both decor and menu, describes Lupo Verde perfectly. The cheese and salumi menu offers allows you to mix and match the perfect charcuterie plate. All of Lupo Verde's cheeses are imported from Italy, so you know they have to be good!

Visit Lupo Verde for CHARCUTERIE.

Vinoteca | 1940 11th St., NW
The food served at Vinoteca's Happy Hour will probably be the most sophisticated happy hour selection you have ever seen! Choices include Barbecue Duck Roll, Chilled Pea Soup, and Charcuterie, just to name a few. If you would like to broaden your knowledge of wines, Vinoteca frequently offers Tuesday night classes in its upstairs lounge.

Visit Vinoteca for HAPPY HOUR.

Kapnos | 2201 14th St., NW
While Kapnos may be a younger restaurant, it opened in July 2013, it certainly has made quite an impact since then. The restaurant, a concept by Chef Mike Isabella, has two wood-fire grills with spits, and serves both classic and contemporary Greek dishes. Main courses include Moussaka, Kapama and Soutzoukakia, among many others.

Visit Kapnos for DINNER.

While there are dozens of delicious restaurants in our immediate area, there are a few key highlights that any U Street resident needs to try! If you have some free time over the weekend, pay one of these eateries a visit!

Additional sources consulted:
Capitol File
Thrillist DC
Zagat