The DC Traveler

Nine cities, nine city-themed rooms, and a couple thousand people celebrating New Year’s Eve in Washington, DC.
City themes include music and food representing:

New York City – hip and trends DJs keep the vibe live, and enjoy one of the local food items, Manhattan Clam Chowder.
Chicago in the Roaring 1920s – No Prohibition here, with a fun swing band and of course pizza.
Miami and Havana – a live Salsa band and a Cuban menu fills this room.
Spirit of the Caribbean delivers the island feel with Reggae and Calypso.
Boston boasts a live Irish band and New England Clam Chowder.
Become a star at …read more

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Enjoy the company of 3,500 of Washington, DC’s 20s and 30s crowd for the annual New Year’s Eve Downtown Countdown.
Hosted by DC101’s Elliot in the Morning radio host, partygoers get to enjoy an open bar, a heavy hors d’oeuvres buffet, karaoke, live bands (Cowboy Mouth, Pat McGee Band, Gonzo’s Nose), dancing and a comedy club.
The Downtown Countdown    
Grand Hyatt Washington
1000 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001  (map it)
Dates and Times – Wednesday, December 31, 2008, 8:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
Tickets – $109.00 and are available online or by phone at 202-397-SEAT. This event is 21 years old and over only.
Nearest Metro …read more

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Enjoy a traditional colonial plantation holiday dinner at Gunston Hall, the home of founding father, George Mason.
Dine tavern-style, by candlelight, on items such as traditional   turkey and dressing, Virginia ham, dressing, and of course, home made pie.
For more about Gunston Hall, check out my Oct. 12, 2007 post.
Plantation Christmas Yuletide Dinner at Gunston Hall
Gunston Hall Plantation
10709 Gunston Road 
Mason Neck, Virginia 22079  (map it)
703-550-9220
Dates and Times – Friday, December 12, 2008 at 6:30 and 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 13  at 4:30, 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.
Tickets – Adults – $39.95 , children 10 and under – $19.95. Beer and wine is …read more

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On December 5, 1933, the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution outlawed the manufacturing, sale and transport of alcoholic beverages was repealed.
The "Volstead Act", which defined the rules of alcohol production and sales, also established what an “intoxicating” beverage actually was – any beverage with 0.5% of alcohol. The act did not however prohibit the purchase or use of liquor.
The law lasted 13 years and had numerous unintended consequences, including fueling the rise of organized crime.  During prohibition, alcohol consumption actually increased per capita, the exact opposite intent of the legislation.  Illegal speakeasies flourished across the country, with a …read more

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The Executive Pastry ,Chef Aron Weber, of the five-star Fairmont Hotel in Washington, DC, will be teaching a children’s class on how to decorate their own Gingerbread House.

All materials and refreshments are included, plus you get to take your completed gingerbread house home with you.
The class is intended for  children.
 
Fairmont’s Gingerbread House Class The Fairmont Washington, DC 2401 M Street, NW Washington, DC  20037  (map it) 202-429-2400
Dates and Times -  Thursday, December 13, 2008, at 10:30 a.m
Tickets – $45.00 per student. Reservations …read more

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One of my favorite television cooking shows is America’s Test Kitchen on PBS.  The show, in its eight season, is not only the most watched cooking show on PBS, but also very informative and instructive.  Plus it lacks all the personalities and “bam” of the other cooking shows.

The test kitchen chefs select a couple dishes to perfect, then try dozens, and sometimes over a hundred versions of the dish until its perfect, easy for the home cook and as easy as possible.
The resident chefs show step-by-step instructions making recreating their dishes simple and stress free.
The show also tests cooking equipment …read more

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“Ballot 4 Beer“, what’s being called the biggest roaming election night party in Washington, DC, lets you cheer on your candidate to victory or drown your sorrows when your candidate throws in the towel.  
The roving party will be held at four different bars and restaurants in the heart of Washington’s political scene – Capital Hill. 
At each stop, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a highlighted drink and food specials, many with the red/blue theme, plus non-stop to-wall election coverage. Plus, there’ll be election-themed polls, games and raffles for great prizes.
Participating bars and restaurants include:

Tortilla Coast – 400 1st Street, SE
Bullfeathers …read more

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This weekend is time again for the always popular Metropolitan Cooking & Entertainment Show in Washington, DC.
Join over 40 of DC’s finest chefs and foodies, along with special cooking presentations by well-known Food TV celebrity chefs, Paula Dean, Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis. 
Enjoy cooking demonstrations and head-to-head cooking competitions, food and wine tastings, tips on entertaining and cooking, along with workshops on everything from holiday cooking to knife and plating skills. 
With over 170 food related companies displaying and selling everything from exotic weekend cooking retreats, wine storage, and kitchen gadgets, the show is not just …read more

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With the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains as a back drop, enjoy a sampling of wines from one of 17 Virginia wineries along with enjoy festival foods while watching hot air balloons (and even a few lawnmower races).
In it’s 12 year, the Hot Air Balloon and Wine Festival at Historic Longbranch had lots of fun activities throughout the day, including:

Live entertainment
Mansion tours
Antique cars and the ld Dominion Fire Society antique fire engine display
Kids activities
Monster Truck rides
Crafts and area artisans
Radio-controlled planes
Lawnmower races

Hot Air Balloon and Wine Festival at Historic Longbranch 
Longbranch Historic House
1830 Longbranch Lane 
Millwood, Virginia 22646 (map it)
540-837-1856
Dates and Times – …read more

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I grew up in a German neighborhood in Chicago.  When I say German neighborhood, the majority of the shops within a couple blocks of home required all of their employees to speak at least some German. 

But my favorite place in the old neighborhood was Meyer Delicatessen. It was an old world German deli filled with countless types of German sausages, cold cuts and food products. After I moved from Chicago, every trip back would require a stop at Meyer’s to fill a cooler to bring home.  Just walking in the door and smelling the rich flavors that permeated the walls …read more

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