Live Q&As

Amy Joyce has you covered. She wrote a pretty comprehensive article in 2009 that has some good tips.

Reasonable minds are free to disagree, but I think you're right. Black & Orange should be on there, for sure -- I said almost as much when I wrote about them back in February. The Curried Away burger is in that "no toppings required" category for me. 

It's likely that when it was actually written, the place was closed -- it was shuttered longer than it was open, I think, haha.

We really aren't seeing a lot on Friday for Cinco de Mayo (that's what happens when a holiday actually falls on a Saturday -- most people choose to celebrate on that day). But Ceiba is kicking off celebrations on Thursday, continuing through Saturday. And I'm betting that the Hispanic Bar Association/National Association of Hispanic MBAs party on Friday at Eden should keep it real; there will be a mariachi and drink specials.

A vacation in the Caribbean? Lucky you! If you want some more international experience, check out Passport DC (free!) or the Cinco De Mayo Festival on the Mall (free!).  If you want something more silly try the Kinetic Sculpture Race in Baltimore (also free!).

Bar 7 and Barcode are both showing the fight and are Red Line accessible, though you should expect more of a lounge feel than a sports bar at either of those, especially Bar 7, where you can book a table if that's what you're into. For something a bit more low-key, Public Bar's Cinco de Mayo Fight Night means $4 Coronas and Jose Cuervo and $5 Margaritas.  

Cheap, music, no room to dance. Sounds like a job for Sign of the Whale! You might also stop in at Cafe Citron, where the Citron de Mayo party means Corona and domestic beers are $4, while margaritas and shots are $5. And if you change your mind about the whole dancing thing, the bar promises prizes to those willing to cut a rug ... on the bar itself. 

I actually think you can get away with El Centro -- they're doing the big Cinco de Mayo party/1st anniversary on Saturday, and I haven't heard a peep about a Mother's Day event, so I think you'll be in the clear there. (I would avoid Two Amy's since it's such a families magnet, and these places that are definitely doing Mother's Day).  Other options are the ones that you might not take your moms to -- Passenger has its late brunch, with great cocktails (and I'm a sucker for the food). You might try the roof at Surfside for margaritas and Tex-mex - it can accommodate a bigger crowd. And why not grab a bunch of folks and go to Standard -- outdoors, picnic tables, always a scene. I have a theory that if you get there in the middle of the day, you can get a table, though I've never had a dozen people with me.

I have heard that Song 1 is best experienced in some solitude, so while the May 11 "Happening" should be fun, it probably isn't the best way to really see it anyway.  Part of that is because the film actually has audio, including music, so you want to be able to hear that. It opens at 8, but to really wait out the street noise, I'd head over at 7. Yes, you can absolutely picnic, and the sculpture garden also has some new Ai Weiwei sculptures to check out - but do not bring alcohol (it's not allowed on the Mall or any national park).

This is one of life's great conundrums for apartment dwellers, and one of the main reasons why I don't think I could ever live in an apartment again (if I'm lucky). Many of Rock Creek Park's picnic areas are equipped with fire grates, though expect those to be locked down early on nice weekend afternoons. You can also bring your own grill (Smokey Joe FTW) and set it up in designated "picnic groves" (see map) -- just be sure to douse your charcoal in water when you're finished cooking. 

More downtown, a good alternative that gets you about 70 percent of the way there are events like Helix Lounge's Backyard Bash, where from 5 to 7 every Wednesday, the lounge fires up the grill for a bit of a communal cookout. $7 gets you a beef, chicken, turkey or veggie burger, chips and fixins. 

Apartment-dwelling chatters: Where do you do your outdoor grilling these days?  

Because so many people are like you, there are a ton of groups around here, whatever your interest. I'd honestly start with Meetup -- we have a thriving community here (one of the biggest Meetup markets in the country, not far behind New York's). If you're trying to suss out the going-out scene, there's the 20 and 30-something Going Out Group; I really loved this running group I tried. I wrote about some of the most popular local Meetups for this story. I'd also add to that volunteer clearinghouses  such as One Brick DC and DC Cares -- more ideas in this story on volunteering from last year. 

Two things to consider:

For atmosphere, Uptown can't be beat. It truly a Washington gem for its historic value and its uber large screen. The people excited about a big film's opening weekend go there and that sense of comradery is unique.

On the other hand IMAX has more technical mumbo jumbo.

Obviously, my vote is for Uptown.

Fritz ducked out to do some "reporting" down at the beach this week, but I know he stands by the dark and stormies at The Islander on U Street. Gosling's is pretty much everwhere these days, particularly in that neighborhood. I've downed plenty of Gosling's at Dodge City within the past year, and the Jamaican-themed Patty Boom Boom offers them as one of their "special cocktails." 

The Queen Vic, and there's no doubt about it. 

"Five Little Monkeys" at Adventure Theatre MTC in Glen Echo got a pretty good review and afterwards your boys can take a ride on the recently-opened carousel. (Follow that link for some other fun parks to visit.) The Puppet Co. is also presenting "Pinocchio."

I love it. We're actually seeing a number of new brunches around town. Here are a few ideas -- Bourbon in Adams Morgan is a staff fave; consistently great food, and a patio in back to catch a little sun. Of course, Tabard Inn is a good option (though maybe not the best for picky eaters?), if you can snare a reservation; and Justin recommends Kafe Leopold in Georgetown, too.

I haven't been inside Jaleo's redesigned space, but I would feel confident recommending it to you ahead of La Tasca. It's Jose Andres -- he's a brand unto himself these days, but he still keeps close watch on what's happening in his kitchens. Jaleo got a three-star rating in Tom Sietsema's most recent dining guide, and that was for the food rather than the decor, which hadn't been updated yet. So I say give it a try.

Of course, D.C.'s just crawling with tapas these days, so those are far from your only options. Estadio gets high marks, while it's too early to tell for Boqueria. Tom also reported on the opening of yet another tapas bar, Pulpo, coming to Cleveland Park. 

Butlers is great and it is also pretty darn hard to beat in terms of closeness. Larriland Farm also came to mind, but that is probably just as far as Butlers. I am also drawing a blank on pick-your-owns in NoVa that would be any closer. Chatters, any ideas?

There are a lot of ideas these days -- both Cuba Libre and El Centro have been shedding the whole restaurant thing at night, and have been bringing in DJs for a more Latin-inspired dance night (Fritz is really high on El Centro's parties lately) ; Eden is a more conventional dance club that could be a fun way to celebrate ... You might also have a blast at Eighteenth Street Lounge, which has just the right amount of sophistication for ringing in 30.

(Brunch + Cocktails) + (Plenty of Room + Near Freedom Plaza) - Dress Code = The Hamilton. 

I guess that depends on what your definition of "intriguing" is. I've never gone out to watch a fight, but if I was going to, my main preoccupation would be finding a bar showing the fight with sound. Drink specials would probably be the second most important factor in my decision. What's your most important factor, other than MD or DC? 

Fritz has you covered, he made a pretty comprehensive list of all the places to check out. No surprise, Bourbon earned a nod for its frosted metal cups.

I'd start with Green Pig Bistro, which just received a warm welcome from Tom Sietsema;  those who still miss Roberta Donna might like the Italian at La Forchetta. Been around a little longer but worth a try -- Mintwood Place or Graffiato, which on a Sunday night, might be a little less crowded.  Actually, the latter might be my top choice -- the cocktails are great too. 

This wouldn't normally be something we'd answer, but it just so happens I'm a regular visitor to Toronto so let me try to be of some assistance. If you must fly direct, you might want to hurry with your booking: Air Canada and Porter Airlines both have sales on right now out of Dulles (DCA is going to be way more expensive). But if you're looking to save $ and have some flexibility, the way to go is to fly BWI to Buffalo and then hop the Megabus, which goes from the Buffalo Airport to downtown Toronto in about 3 hours. If you're renting a car for the week, it's an even faster trip. 

Not arguing, but Bluemont isn't any closer to the district.

Laughing out loud at "The Hipster Jail." The food is pretty excellent though, IMO. 

With no OTBs in the area, Laurel Park is your best bet if you don't feel like making the drive to West Virginia. They're opening early on Saturday, FWIW. 

I might steer you a little further down M Street, closer to Foggy Bottom; Bayou, with its live music and New Orleans-inspired food and cocktails (which aren't so easy to come by in Georgetown), sounds like it's totally right for you. There's also the Ritz Carlton's bar at Farenheit for drinks; and better, Bourbon Steak. Honestly, a very short walk from the Wisconsin and M madness, but totally worth it.

Sorry, I could use a coffee right now -- sunset is around 8, hence, it turns on at around 8.  Sorry for the confusion.

Again, Fritz has you covered with Cinco de Mayo specials.

More on this as the match -- which isn't until May 19 --approaches, but any of D.C.'s soccer bars will have you covered. Biergarten Haus was an understandably popular viewing spot for Germany matches during the 2010 World Cup and I'd imagine they'll wrap themselves in Bayern colors for this one, too. 

You didn't say how debaucherous of a birthday you were hoping for, so I'm choosing an extreme: Nothing could be crazier than what H Street Country Club is doing -- cockfighting. Not real cockfighting, but wrestlers dressed up like roosters, well...fighting. There are also $2 tacos and margarita specials; it sounds like a good way to start a memorable birthday, plus you can head to any number of other bars afterward to keep it going (like heading to Fruit Bat for birthday shots of their de-cocainized coca liquor?)

I asked Justin Rude, staff dad (with an infant himself), and he says you can get away with a little one at several  places, particularly at 5:30 p.m., before they get too busy. He recommends Columbia Firehouse, the Majestic, Lyon Hall in Arlington, and even the new Green Pig (though they don't  reservations, so that just sounds punishing with a baby).