Live Q&As

How about Maple Ave Restaurant? Our most recent review -- from just last year -- describes it as "tiny" and "terrific," which sounds right for an anniversary, don't you think? Click on the link to read the review.

Hi! I've seen a lot of great cocktail dresses at Current Boutique (four locations, two of which are in VA). Now that inauguration season is over, you might have an even better selection, if people have already started to consign those dresses. If you think you'll only wear the dress once, you can also Rent the Runway.

I think you should be fine (says the Guru in her 30s, who still likes H Street....). Because H Street is so close to the Hill, you see a pretty mixed crowd of folks, so long as you're at the right places.  So, I'd stay away from Rock and Roll Hotel, which feels really young lately. Here's what I'd suggest: Dinner at Granville Moore's (renowned mussels and great beer selection) or, if you're looking for something a bit fancier, possibly the new Le Grenier or Atlas Room, where you can get a great classic cocktail (try the Pisco Sour, it's amazing). After dinner, you could head to Biergarten Haus for beers, but I'll throw out a couple more: You could see jazz at HR-57, or sip cocktails at Church and State. Or play a round of video games at Atlas Arcade. And end the night with a piece of pie at Dangerously Delicious, which stays open late.

It's a few blocks away on 13th and Mass, but I've taken clothing to Georgetown Valet for alterations, and had great results. I'll let chatters chime in with any other suggestions!

Fritz is on vacation this week, but we're sure he's salivating from afar. For any other readers who might have missed the story: Check it out here. Exciting, yes?

Well, look outside of your area just a bit, and there's a great one. In Arlington, the Salsa Room is a huge scene -- it's very popular, and they have events (with lessons, or come later) on Fridays and Saturdays. I think the way to find out the most about what's going on is to join their Meetup. For women, I really think you can't beat salsa dancing -- there's always a ready partner, and I've found they're always respectful, and just there to dance.

You could probably make it happen at a place like Hill Country or Carmine's in Penn Quarter -- both are pretty spacious restaurants, but I'd call ahead. I'd also check with your original reservation to see if they can add a few additional seats; it's still a week's notice, and I can't imagine they want to lose a booking that large.

The Intersections festival on H Street has a bunch of kid-friendly performances -- Mr. Skip, the Zip Zap Circus, All Around Me (especially good for toddlers) and Tosin are all on Saturday -- and you guys can all eat at Dangerously Delicious Pies afterwards.

The reader is talking about the Snuggle With Stars Oscar watch party, if anyone is wondering. Nearby, you could try Oyamel. It's Mexican, but surely guacamole and tacos will not offend him. They even have fries (they're just covered in mole...). Also in the area is Cedar, though if you ventured up Seventh a little, you'll find Hill Country,  or Poste, which got a fine review last time around. The environs are a little cooler than say, District Chophouse, but the food should please your brother.

Our Jess Righthand is writing a blog post about this right now, but I'll preempt her with a few suggestions: An Oscars happy hour at the Helix Lounge, the annual watch party at the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse, a super-fancy watch party at the Ritz, and a decidedly less fancy pajama party at the Navy Memorial.

Hmm, I think you're going to find a bit of crowd no matter where you go, because of the game, but also because you'll hit a weeknight happy hour crowd.  But I think you'll have better luck at maybe at Penn Social, since it's GIANT and underground, it might not see as much foot traffic.  That's your absolute best bet, but I'll throw in a couple of other options: Avoid the direct area around Verizon Center by going to Capital City Brewing near Metro Center (still just a few blocks' walk), or head to RFD, and get there a little early. Avoid at all costs: Gordon Biersch, Greene Turtle.

I checked in with the Post's Janet Bennett Kelly, who knows all things fashion in D.C., and here are her suggestions:

"Mustard Seed in Bethesda accepts vintage, but I’m not sure if these dresses fit into that category... Try Inga’s Once is Not Enough on MacArthur Blvd."

Since you're going to the craft show, I'll assume you like art: The American Visionary Art Museum, the Walters, and the Baltimore Museum of Art (with new contemporary wing) would be nice if you have the time (they're not in the Inner Harbor, but a short drive away). Fells Point is a charming neighborhood for a walk with waterside views and some window shopping. Station North is another neighborhood to check out for its galleries, cafes and plenty of murals.

You guys could try Pearl Dive, which is pretty straightforward seafood, and very popular. The caveat with many of the restaurants on 14th street is the interminable wait, so I might also point you to a couple of places that have been around a little longer, and so aren't quite as slammed. I love Cafe Saint-Ex's cooking right now, and Bar Pilar is also cooking well, particularly if you stick with some of the dishes that have been around longest (like the fried chicken, burger or their stellar roasted beet salad or malt-roasted potatoes). The reason I steer you in that direction is because it sounds like you probably haven't been to Tropicalia, which is one of the best places to be out dancing right now, with live music frequently and a great space and crowd. It's really unpretentious.

Hahah, sorry. That bad, huh? Poste on a Sunday night really shouldn't be that fancy (and I was thinking it would fill your need for something foodie-ish) -- I always just drop in. Hill Country is barbecue -- that might be your best bet, in addition to Carmine's.  There's also a Luke's Lobster in the neighborhood (I'd check and make sure they're open on Sunday, though.)

This weekend, you might consider visiting Arlington -- Artisphere has a pretty cool show of industrial design with cutting-edge objects from around the world that's opening tonight (you can see one of the objects from the show on our Weekend's Best blog post).  Also, if you haven't seen the Ai Wei Wei show at the Hirshhorn, this is your last week to do so; it should be pretty crowded, but is the first major exhibition of his work in the U.S., and therefore totally worth seeing.

If you can get a reservation at the Tabard Inn, it's one of the city's must-try brunches (get the doughnuts, for sure). Masa 14's prix-fixe brunch is another decadent one -- in addition to the bottomless cocktails, you can try as many menu items as you'd like. If you liked Vinoteca, you might also like brunch at The Pig.

There's Forever Dancing ballroom in Falls Church you could try. Also a lot of fun  when they have a live band is Artisphere, because it's an arts space, not a club.  I'd sign up for the e-mails and you can see when they've booked a Latin act, which is frequently. Readers, any other suggestions for dancing without the drinking?

In a pinch, I'd try Barcode. It's a big happy hour crowd, and you can get a great deal even on chichi drinks like cucumber cocktails. Bonus points for being a block from the Metro.

Thanks. If you're willing to do pizza again, here's an option!

Another suggestion for the dress-consigner!

Check out this week's guide to the best of the weekend: You could see the new exhibit at the Corcoran, or sip barleywine (which is actually beer), at Mad Fox, or watch like 13 hours of Oscar-nominated movies in a row. Your call. You might also consider getting some seats in the splash zone at Synetic Theater's new show "The Tempest" or head to the Kennedy Center to see some of the exhibits around the new Nordic Cool festival.

Not strictly a Jewish bakery, but they've got it at the Heidelberg Bakery! Poppyseed, prune, apricot and raspberry.