Fireplaces and Happy Hours

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The weather is getting colder, and that means the days of outdoor happy hours are limited. However, in DC there are many bars and restaurants that bring the outdoor experience to the winter months. Cuddle up by a fire at these patio bars and restaurants for your work happy hour. You can stay warm while enjoying the outdoors. 

Biergarten Haus

It might not be Oktoberfest weather, but you can still enjoy the liter beers at the Biergarten Haus. This bar has a large fireplace in the back patio beer garden that keeps the outdoor space warm and cozy during the cold winter temperatures. Monday through Thursday enjoy the outdoors during their 4pm-7pm Happy Hour. They also have a Friday happy hour from 4pm-6pm. Happy hours will get you a $6.00 1/2 liter or a $10 liter. 

Barcelona 14th Street

This bar and restaurant is at the heart of Logan circle. The wine bar is a great place to join with friends and neighbors of The Louis for a few after work drinks. There outdoor area includes heat lamps, blankets and a massive outdoor fireplace for the chilly winter months. Make some time to enjoy the fire with a glass of wine and a gourmet dish this winter. 

Irongate

Irongate is located on the 1700 block of N Street NW. The warm and cozy courtyard is perfect for the chilly weather. Their indoor area includes an actual brick fireplace to keep the inside room at a perfect temperature. You can step into their courtyard for fire pits, heat lamps and candles to keep the temperature warm while enjoying the outdoors. Make sure to also sample their seasonal tasting menu that starts at $65 a person. 

Art and Soul

Come early and grab a table around Art and Soul’s large cauldron. Now that the leaves are starting to fall you will have a perfect view of the Capitol Dome. Art and Soul features a patio happy hour each weekday from 4pm-7pm. You can even get a drink or food item to go for your canine pet back home. 

National Nacho Day

1. Image From Pixabay

National Nacho Day is here and we are so excited to celebrate after work. We love the unique food combinations you can get with a nacho dish. Dessert nachos to breakfast nachos are all on our list of favorite foods. Washington DC has so many delicious nachos it can be hard to choose. Whether you are making nachos at The Louis or going out to eat, we hope you have a great National Nacho Day and a great weekend. 

American Ice Company

American Ice Company might not be the first restaurant you think of when looking for nachos, but we have a great surprise for you. The restaurant’s swachos are amazing. The swine nachos are tortilla chips covered with melted white cheese, pulled pork and jalapeños. You can find American Ice Company at 917 V Street NW. 

Black Jack

Black jack is not just for food. You can also enjoy two bocce courts and a plethora of snack foods. However, these nachos are not the cheap vending machine kind. The Black Jack nachos are double-decker tortilla chips loaded with slow-roasted duck in chipotle BBQ sauce, melted pepper jack and tomatillo-avocado salsa. This is not your average bar food.  Make sure to check out Black Jack at 1612 14th Street NW.

 Busboys and Poets

Busboys and Poets provide you nachos whether you are a carnivore or a vegan. The regular nachos come with pico de gallo, guac, black beans and sweet roasted corn. However for our vegan friends, you can get dairy-free cheese, sour cream, black-eyed peas and red pepper salsa. There are also many different ingredients you can add in for an extra cost. Busboys and Poets has four locations in DC, Virginia and Maryland. 

District Taco

District Taco is perfect for someone who wants to design their own nachos. At District Taco you have your choice of meat and toppings. This creative endeavor can leave you with an amazing nacho combination that you have never had before. The basic nachos involve tortilla chips, black beans, sour cream and queso. You can create your own nacho at 1309 F Street NW, 656 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, 1919 M Street NW or 5723 Lee Highway in Arlington, Va.

Candy in DC

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Boo! It is almost Halloween, and we are ready to inhale as much candy as possible. Chocolate, pixie sticks and gummy worms are plentiful on this spooky holiday. We are glad we have these classic treats, but Washington DC has many unique candy shops that we are also excited to try on this “cheat day” every year. Head out with some friends from The Louis and try this unique candy on Halloween this year. 

The Sugar Cube

1218 King St.

Alexandria, VA 22314

(703) 548-2868

Marshmallows, licorice, chocolate and more are all found within the walls of The Sugar Cube. This gourmet candy store features old and new candies alike with many options to choose from. If you want something that is unique, try their truffles and sea salt caramels for Halloween this year. The Sugar Cube also has unique twists on your favorites like pink grapefruit gummy bears. Make sure to sign up the kids for their own candy making classes or campus. 

The Candy Store

7002 Reisterstown Rd.

Baltimore, MD 21215

(410) 653-9900

Colors, patterns, and candies are all typical elements of your classical candy store. The Candy Shop is not just for little kids. Adults can enjoy the variety of sweets that will make your sweet tooth happy for a very long time. This store has all of the classics like dummies, chocolate and gum. It either has specialty candies such as: kosher candy, sugar-free candy, dries fruits and nuts and other specialty items. 

Sweet Spot

2228 Old Brick Rd.

Glen Allen, VA 23060

(804) 360-7768

Transport yourself back a few decades to when candy stores and soda shops were the most popular places in your town. The Sweet Spot has over 70 glass bottles sodas for you try in your quest for something sweet. You can even find some candies from your childhood that you believed were gone for good. Do you remember Bazooka gum or Astro Pops? You can still purchase them and relive your childhood at the Sweet Spot. 

Do you have a sweet tooth? Here are a few stores that your sweet tooth should be very excited to try out on Halloween.

Halloween in DC

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Are you excited for Halloween? Whether you are dressing up as a devil, a witch or a celebrity, Washington DC has some amazing events for you to celebrate the night of the living dead. The Louis is in a great location to be able to get to all of these local events. Check them out and have a great Halloween in DC.

Haunting the District

Do you think you are incapable of being scared? Haunting the District is the perfect place to test this theory. Scream City is designed by the 2014 winners of A&E's "Haunted House Design/Build Competition". This event is sure to have you screaming for days after. This indoor fright event includes Exorcism Estate. The estate is a demon-themed haunted house adventure. You can also make your way to the Slaughter Factory. Explore the lair of a crazed slaughterhouse owner. These events are only appropriate for ages 13 and up. 

Halloween Fun Before the 31st

This DC tradition is in its 29th year. The 17th street high heel race turns Dupont Circle into a crazy Halloween themed spectacle. Participants decked out in costumes are cheered on by fans as they run a quarter-mile in heels. Cheer the competitors on as they try to reach victory in the most difficult shoes possible. 

Night at the Living Zoo

This is the 21-and-over component to Boo at the Zoo. Night of the Living Zoo transforms the animal haven into a devil's playground. You first receive after-hours access to the zoo attractions. You also get to enjoy live music from Black Masala and Dj Squirrel. There is a costume contest and live entertainment from Cheeky Monkey Sideshow.  Quench your thirst and hunger with local food trucks and craft brews. 

Nightmare on M Street

A costume party of epic proportions is always something to look forward to on Halloween. Get decked out in your costumes and travel to more than 30 participating bars and restaurants in the DC area. These locations are within the Gallery Place and Dupont Circle areas. There are food and drink specials at each stop for you to enjoy with your friends. This is the 17th year for this Halloween bar and restaurant crawl. 

Don't Miss These DC Restaurants

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Washington D.C. is filled with restaurants that come and go. This makes it hard to figure out when a place is worthwhile to spend your time and money. To cut through the confusion, here are five places in D.C. that won’t let you or your tastebuds down. Grab your friends from The Louis and try these places this weekend.

Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken

1308 G Street NW

Washington DC 20005

Hours: Monday-Friday: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM, Saturday/Sunday: 9 AM - 3 PM

The name says it all. If you haven’t already, you have to try Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken. It can handle your meaty and sweet cravings all at once. The menu changes frequently because they use local and seasonal ingredients, which is great for variety and quality.

Pepita Cantina

4000 Wilson Blvd.

Arlington, VA 22203

Hours: M-Th 11:30am - 11pm, Fr 11:30am - 12am, Sa 11am - 12am, Su 11am - 11pm

If Mexican food is your style, Pepita Cantina is a must try. They also take pride in offering creative drinks that are sure to compliment your mexican dish. To top it all off, the atmosphere is fun and inviting.

Centrolina

974 Palmer Alley

Washington, D.C. 20001

Hours: Lunch Monday-Friday 11:30am-2:30pm,

Dinner Monday-Thursday 5-10pm

Friday-Saturday 5pm-12am

Sunday, 5pm-10pm

Brunch Sunday, 10:00am-2:00pm

Market Hours:

Monday-Friday, 7am-9pm

Saturday & Sunday, 8am-9pm

Centrolina doubles as a market and a restaurant. The most noteworthy choices are the fresh pastas and other authentic Italian cooking. Ingredients are also seasonal and local, which ensures quality and freshness.

Buredo

825 14th Street NW

Washington, DC 20005

Hours:

Monday-Friday: 11am-8pm

Saturday: 11am-6pm

Buredo is owned by two D.C. natives. They offer a unique product for anyone looking to step out of the box for their lunch break. Their creation is a combination of sushi and a burrito. These are fresh and perfect for someone who is on the go. It is also perfect for anyone who is passionate about healthy eating.  

L'Hommage Bistro

450 K Street NW

Washington, DC 20001

Hours

M - TH: 11:00 AM TO 12:00 AM

Friday: 11:00 AM TO 1:00 AM

Sat: 10:00 AM TO 1:00 AM

Sun: 10:00 AM TO 12:00 AM

French cuisine is the name of the game at L'Hommage Bistro. They make their own homemade bread and of course have a fantastic wine selection. The atmosphere is also charmingly French, but still casual enough to be a relaxed environment.

Best Cookies in DC

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October is National Cookie Month. This means it is the perfect time of year to indulge in our favorite desserts. Washington D.C. has some amazing bakeries and restaurants with unique cookies that you must try. We are so excited to try these amazing cookies throughout October.











Ted's Bulletin

This restaurant has some delicious food for lunch or dinner. However, their food is not why we are planing to eat there this month. You can try their delicious giant chocolate chip cookie after your meal for a few dollars. This mouth watering cookie is one dessert that you will always remember to get after your lunch or dinner.

Blind Dog Cafe

Blind Dog Cafe is a cute little diner that is worthy of our cookie list. They are known for their chocolate chunk cookies that are so good we would eat them all day long. They have just the right amount of saltiness which makes this the perfect dessert at any point int he day.

Larry's Ice Cream and Cookies

Larry's might give you a sugar high, but it is worth it in the long run. Their giant rich fudge, coconut, pecan and caramel ice cream topped with a chocolate chip cookie layer is something your taste buds will never forget.

Firehook Bakery

This cookie might be a little bigger than you imagine. Would like to eat a cookie that is the size of your face? That is the challenge at Firehook Bakery. They have many giant cookies you can buy from peanut butter to chocolate chip. You will never be bored of the flavors they have.

Sticky Fingers Bakery

If you are looking for something different other than regular cookies, Sticky Fingers Bakery is the place to go. They have many different delicious treats for you to try, but we are excited to try their cookie sandwiches and whoopie pies. They also have various flavors of regular cookies that are ready for you throughout the day.

These are just a few of the delicious cookies we want to try in the D.C. Area. Do you have a favorite cookie? Share yours with your friends at The Louis and on The Louis Facebook Page. 

Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month all across the nation. There are hundreds of events designated to raise money for the research and treatment of breast cancer. There are many things you can do to help prevent breast cancer and help people see a few more birthdays each year. The Making Strides Foundation is focused on raising money for that cause.

Sunday October 18th at the Washington Monument is a walk to raise money for breast cancer research in hopes to make breast cancer eradicated in this century.  These Making Strides walks are the largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the nation. You can sign up for a three to five mile walk and start to raise money for this cause. Your contributions will be helping those who are currently dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis, people who may face them in the future and research in hopes to find a cure.

Check in starts at 9am with the walk beginning at 10am. However, due to the number of participants please make sure your group is at the starting line by 10am. Opening ceremonies start at 9am and they are held to symbolize the commitment each of us makes to eradicate breast cancer.

If you are a survivor, make sure to check in at the tent to receive American Cancer Society information and a pink t-shirt. There is also entertainment throughout the day on the main stage starting at 8:30am.  Since the walk is not a race, the walk will be completed when the final person crosses the finish line. You do not need to finish the walk if you are unable. After the walk, come to the Washington Monument for refreshments, entertainment and snacks.

This event takes place rain or shine, so make sure to check the weather and dress appropriately. There is parking available, but public transportation is highly recommended for all participants.

This is just one of the many events that are held to raise money for breast cancer. Get a team together with your friends at The Louis and go support this amazing cause.