Washington-area commuters returned to work Monday morning with few problems, following the weekend storm that brought roughly 16 inches of snow to the region.

Most roads were cleared by Sunday, and the region's Metro subway system -- the second largest in the country -- was fully operational, ...
Publ.Date : Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:45:10 -0400

New garage for two-wheelers

Washington has opened its first parking garage for bicycles, an ultra-cool pavilion on the west side of Union Station near the Metro entrance.

Clad in steel and glass, the arcing structure injects a welcome dose of contemporary design into the space between architect Daniel Burnham's beaux-arts train ...
Publ.Date : Sun, 06 Dec 2009 05:45:00 -0400

ART: Contemporary artists inspired by the past

Eager to inject contemporary art into the Phillips Collection, museum director Dorothy Kosinski has launched an appealing enterprise to integrate new and old works within the galleries.

Called "Intersections," the series invites contemporary artists to create pieces based on their reactions to treasures from the Phillips' holdings. ...
Publ.Date : Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:45:00 -0400

Popular giant panda goes home to China

UPDATED:

The Smithsonian's National Zoo is returning beloved giant panda Tai Shan to China.

Zoo officials said Friday that Tai Shan will go in January or February for breeding.

The cuddly, black-and-white panda was born at the Washington zoo July 9, 2005, and ...
Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Dec 2009 09:13:26 -0400

D.C. museum wants to add rooftop 'bubble'

The Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C., wants to add to the building a temporary, inflatable bubble that squeezes through its rooftop -- a modern concept in a city known worldwide for its classical architecture.

Officials for the contemporary-art museum, on the National Mall between Capitol Hill and ...
Publ.Date : Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:43:48 -0400

Restaurant Week is fast approaching—it starts Monday—and we've got lots of new menus for you to peruse. Make reservations now!

This week on Top Chef, the dwindling contestants divided into two groups for a tag-team cook-off Quickfire, producing dishes for guest judge Nancy Pelosi. Kenny Gilbert organized his team for the win, with sautéed shrimp with angel-hair pasta and mustard-cream sauce. The self-proclaimed kitchen “beast” looked confident going into the Elimination Challenge—the show’s much anticipated Restaurant Wars—but his poise dissolved at the judges’ table. Acting as executive chef for his group’s restaurant, 2121, Kenny took the fall for unappealing food, including his beet salad, which guest judge Frank Bruni said was akin to “Hamburger Helper.” We spoke with Kenny about the rules of the show, his rivalry with Angelo, and creating the perfect bite of food.

>>For a recap of Episode 9, click here. 

Taking a sip from this Spanish-style wine pitcher is like a classy form of a college drinking game.

Where to find creamy frozen custard, tasty tacos, and excellent charcuterie

Pizzaiolo Café & Bar

Del Ray’s neighborhood pizza joint turns out the same pies that made a success of its older sibling, Café Pizzaiolo in Crystal City. There’s the thin but sturdy Neapolitan version, its crust infused with olive oil, and the more substantial New York style made with a whisper of sourdough. The options with fewer toppings keep the crusts from wilting; the basic Caprese and the Diavala with sausage and peppers are good bets. Families should stake out a table in the 60-seat dining room—stocked with a collection of board games—while other customers can take advantage of a smaller bar area with flat-screen TVs and a Tuesday two-for-one pizza deal.

3112 Mount Vernon Ave.; 703-837-0666. Pizzas $12.99 to $19.50, pasta and panini $7.99 to $14.95.