Dating and Suburbaphobia

Weekend date: attractive, 30-something man, intelligent, nicely dressed, great job. I know, you're thinking what's the problem? Geography.

Lives in Maryland, frequents the suburban hangouts, frat buddies and friends who live in those spooky suburban housing developments in the woods separated by acres of space. Yes, I am truly suburbaphobic. And? I live in a major city! The burbs are irrelevant.

The date started out well at Rasika. I had been hearing great things about bartender Gina Chersevani and she really is as good as they say. I took a picture of the beautiful drink she made me but my camera phone doesn't take good pictures in dim light. I really need a digital camera.

Anyway, all in all, a very nice guy. But just not used to parking in DC which means we didn't end up grabbing a bite at Annie's to continue dancing at Five after I'd endured a visit to the Bay Street nightclub in (gasp!) a Best Western in Lanham, Maryland.

And believe me when I say, there were guys in the parking lot drinking Grey Goose served from the hood of their car. This picture above says it all. So you can understand why I restrict my partying to the city.

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Zengo in 2008

As I await the New Year, I discovered that there's something to look forward to at Zengo in January. I was visiting my manager friend the other night and learned that this restaurant, which attempts to balance Latin and Asian flavors, will be having Feng Shui classes on the last Monday of each month form 7-9pm.
In addition to the classes, you get to mix your own margaritas and roll your own sushi rolls. While I'm not always happy with the attempt to balance flavors at Zengo, I'm all for balance in work, life, and food. And maybe the classes will help me to improve upon the haphazard placement of things in my apartment. I am so NOT Martha Stewart.

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Recognize: Dance Music in DC

Truth be told, I am a true Disco Queen. I did Donna Summer impersonations in the mirror as a child. Yeah, imagine that. Looks like the Washington Post has decided to give some recognition to us dance music fanatics in DC. A recent Sunday Source feature discussed the resurgence of disco in DC. Well, from the perspective of an East Coast born, Midwest raised person, DC was and always has been fertile ground for good dance music. It lives and thrives in various textures from go-go to house to punk. While I appreciated the article, I felt something was left out. Like maybe the real roots of dance music and interviews with the many people (loyal and consistent dancers, DJs, promoters) who have helped to keep dance music alive in DC over the years. But how mad can I be when legendary DC DJ Mandrill was rightfully spotlighted? I went to his Sunday Soiree party at the Fab Lounge last night and had mad fun. Much love to Mandrill. As always, last night a DJ saved my life!

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All I Want for Christmas...

A true city girl has got to have a great holiday party dress right? Well, I've found it.
However, I have yet to reach the point of fabulosity where I can spend over $3,000 on a dress and have yet to become a trophy wife. But, if I could buy myself a Christmas gift, this Michael Kors dress would be it - out of necessity of course. I love Net-A-Porter.com because it allows me to live out my shopping fantasies without having to spend the money. The good news is that this extravagantly expensive dress is sold out on their site. So, I don't have to feel as bad about it. Go figure.

I find it interesting though that this dress looks a lot like a Laura Bennett creation. As other Project Runway fans would know, she was a season three finalist and Kors, as a judge on the reality TV show, was very vocal in his complaints about her many sequined, feather-trimmed frocks. Interesting. All I know is that I need a good, much less-expensive dress to dance my ass off this holiday season. Any suggestions?

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Misadventures in Eating Out

As some of you already know and just by the mere title of this blog, I am not a fan of the suburbs. I try my best to stay in the city and for the most part, anything I want or need can be found in DC. However, when it comes to food, I will go slightly out of my comfort zone as long as I can hop on the train. So, when I had a craving for Pho recently, I was happy to see that Amanda at Metrocurean had just blogged about finding Pho in the DC area. Several commenters raved about Pho 75 in Arlington which happens to be metro accessible.
Unfortunately, as I have commented on Metrocurean, I went the other night and ended up leaving in disgust. While the Pho was good, all I have to say is YUCK!!! I was sitting in front of some of the kitchen staff and one of them was seriously picking his nose. Even after staring directly at him in shock for several minutes, he did not stop. I was halfway through my soup at that point, went to the counter to pay, and left in disbelief. I was totally pissed off as I walked the four blocks back to the metro. As far as I'm concerned, this was a sign that I need to stay in the city!

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