Another DC weekend!

A 3-day weekend off from work yields yet another jaunt up I-85 and I-95 to DC and a visit by me and two canines to the Brannons. Work 8-4 Thursday and have Fri/Sat/Sun off? Looks like a prompt post-work drive up on Thursday is in order!

First off on Friday, a trip to my favorite art museum in DC: the Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Modern and contemporary art to make you think. Nifty stuff.

After a pretty cool morning at the Hirshhorn, it was meeting James and the kids in Arlington at Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery for a late lunch. James drove and I took the Metro out from the Hirshhorn. Planned to, anyway. One small snag: "apparent police activity at the McPherson Square stop" stopped ALL train traffic on the Orange and Blue lines. Seriously? So, I was stranded at Federal Triangle. Luckily, the boys weren't too far gone, and they were able to catch my phone call and pick me up on the street at Pennsylvania and 13th. Yikes. So Rock Bottom's delicious Asiago Cheese Dip and Beer Bread was on the menu. It ROCKS. And if you want the recipe, I have it. Got it from the Cleveland Rock Bottom YEARS ago after raving so much about it. Tasty stuff. Plus a couple pints of Hop Bomb IPA quenched the thirst nicely.

From there, we dropped the kids off at home and hit 14th and U Street in the, ahem, "gentrified" section for some bar hopping. Well, A bar anyway. Marvin, a Belgian beer bar. The skinny:

Inspired by the story of Marvin Gaye's infamous two years in self-imposed exile in the small Belgian town of Ostend, the creators of Marvin have combined the cafe society of Belgium, with the proud soul of Shaw. Belgian moulles-frites are served along side southern-style shrimp and grits. The classic steak-frites and fried chicken with Belgian waffles are just two of the many top dishes created by Chef James Claudio. Adding to the experience is a soundtrack of rare funk, soul, ska, and jazz created by Thievery Corporation's Eric Hilton.

Upstairs at Marvin you'll find one of DC's best lounges and rooftop decks. The turntables inside the lounge are manned by a collective of friends that have been digging for rare soul gems to create the right atmosphere. The roof deck, is heated, partially covered, and open year round.

Nice. Inspired by Marvin Gaye, but none of his music playing, and minimal photos of him anywhere. Aside from the name, I guess you'd never really know. Chatting with a friendly bartender and plenty of Allagash White and Corsendonk Brun flowed easily.

Finally, a walk up 14th and down U Street to a staple of my visits: Ben's Chili Bowl. Just absolutely cannot go wrong in a jazz-influenced African-American neighborhood eating delicious sloppy chili. A favorite of my trips to DC. And when random gregarious girlies agree to be photographed, it warms the heart...and strengthens the Marvin-induced buzz.

That was Friday.