Burgers and pubs.....

by contributor Brendan Kownacki

When a craving strikes, not just anything will suffice--but finding the best of the best from DC's restaurant scene just got a little easier thanks to the Washington City Paper.

Behind the avatars....

Tom Clancy

Photos by Neshan H. Naltchayan

Congressman Jerry Lewis and author Tom Clancy were honored at The 2012 For the Love of Sight Visionary Awards Dinner at The Ritz-Carlton.  The event was preceded by a book signing by Clancy.

That face, that beautiful face.

Brian Maillian Beverly Johnson Courtney Cohen

by Contributor Courtney Cohen

Photos by Neshan H. Naltchayan

Former ABC producer Courtney Cohen was thrilled to interview Beverly Johnson at Teatro Goldoni where Kimball Stroud (IMPACT Arts & Film Fund) and Michael Kosmides (Teatro proprietor) hosted a dinner in Beverly's honor two days prior to the launch of her new reality show  “Beverly’s Full House" on OWN, The Oprah Network.

On her OWN.......

 

Beverly Johnson took her name back and couldn't be happier. 

La Dolce Vita....

Robbie Myers, the editor-in-chief of Elle

Photo credit: Alfredo Flores

The gates of Villa Firenze opened to guests attending ELLE Magazine's "Capital Dames: 10 Powerful Women in DC" soiree at 7 PM.  From that moment on you were transported to Italy, sans Alitalia.

Hats off.....

Julia Saah and Chef Enzo Fargione - ELISIR

The RAMMY Awards Gala and fundraiser for the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) honors the exceptional ability and accomplishments of the Washington, DC area restaurant industry.  BizBash Magazine named the RAMMY Awards Gala the #1 Food & Restaurant event in DC on the Top 100 events list in 2011, 2010 & 2008.

It's always a good day to be Irish...get your passport ready!

The Prime Minister of Ireland, Enda Kenny & The Ambassador of Ireland, Michael Collins

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny will announce Tuesday a date for Ireland’s referendum on the European Union fiscal treaty.

At a recent St. Patrick's Day celebration in Washington he was enthusiastically introduced by Amb. Michael Collins. 

See for yourself..........

Bob Jenets UpFront band

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

The Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington (POB) held its
Night of Vision gala on Saturday, March 24 th at the Four Seasons in Georgetown. 

Guests were fed, watered and inspirationally satiated.

by contributor Wendy Gordon

Art for art’s sake?  Not so much.

In fact, Saturday evening not only was the town painted red, but also pink and blue and even black and white as O’Neill Studio Salon showcased the talents of a bevy of local artists. 

Happy Hunger Games!

Jennifer Lawrence as 'Katniss Everdeen'  Photo credit: Murray Close

"Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novel, the first in a trilogy published by Scholastic that has over 23.5 million copies in print in the United States alone, has developed a massive global following. 

STOP SHOUTING, START THINKING!

Eileen McMenamin and Senator John McCain

By contributor Donna Shor
Photos by Neshan H. Naltchayan

“A Century of Service’ was the title of last night’s gala honoring former senators Bob Dole and Howard Baker, referring to the combined total of their fifty years of public service. 

It takes a Village..

• Trey Hardin (VOX Global Senior Vice President)  Kate Bolduan (CNN reporter/anchor)
• White House Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske

N Street Village, the award-winning social services agency that provides shelter and support to homeless and low-income women in the Washington, DC metro area, hosted its annual gala at The Ritz Carlton to honor the clients, volunteers and supporters of the organization.

Like Jiro, You’ll be dreaming of Sushi too.

by contributor Courtney Cohen

Photos courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

As a sushi lover, the title of this film, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, ensured that the chances of me liking this movie were pretty strong. 

Color me pink....

by contributor Brendan Kownacki

Springtime was in full bloom on Tuesday when guests flooded the historic Mayflower Hotel for the sixth annual Pink Tie Party as a launch for the centennial National Cherry Blossom festival.  

Those Phoenicians got it right!

 Wasfi Skaff   Monica Bhide  Kababji Grill COO Philippe Chamoun  Kate Michael.

by contributor Donna Shor

The Newest Version of the World’s Oldest Wine

Those Phoenicians got it right, and in many cases got it first.

O'Neill, O'Donnell, oh Quinn...you get the picture

Nancy Pelosi  The Prime Minister of Ireland  Amb. Michael Collins

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

"The Ireland Funds remain a resource of incomparable benefit to Ireland..."
Enda Kenny, An Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland. 

We get it....

Former Amb. to Ireland Margaret Heckler with The Prime Minister

It's good to be Irish.  You can celebrate St. Patrick's Day anytime you want to.

The Ambassador of Ireland and Mrs. Michael Collins had good reason to celebrate three days after the fact.

Buzzworthy.....

Allison with mini-me Cynthia McClain Brooks

Photos courtesy of Allison Priebe Brooks

localKICKS'  "Buzzworthy" columnist Allison Priebe Brooks hosted a semi surprise dinner in honor of Stephanie Green at The National Press Club with a St. Patrick's Day theme. 

Top of the Mornin' to ya!

Tim Burger and Kiki Ryan

Photo credit: Jessica via Politico

Lafayette Square had their hands full when Kiki Ryan and Tim Burger showed up with friends in tow at The Hay-Adams Off the Record Bar to celebrate "Burger Go Bragh".........an ode to Burger's birthday.  We are fairly certain the above photo was taken close to the midnight countdown after a few green beers; otherwise we are happy to provide a shrink for fun couple.

Global tour-de-taste

Lauren DeSantis

by contributor Brendan Kownacki

It was a global tour-de-taste on Wednesday at the House of Sweden when the doors opened to celebrate the latest on-air adventures of Lauren DeSantis, host of WETA's "Capital Cooking". 

What would Andy Rooney say?

Andrea Mitchell  David Gregory  Chuck Todd

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

RTDNF honored the memory of longtime “60 Minutes” commentator Andy Rooney by presenting Rooney’s family with the RTDNF Lifetime Achievement Award for Journalism Excellence at a media heavy Black Tie affair at the Ritz Carlton. 

ONE FABULOUS FEAST

by contributor Donna Shor
Photos courtesy of Taberna del Alabardero

An extravaganza of fine Castilian wine and elegant, carefully paired dishes was served up last night at the Taberna del Alabardero, Washington’s award-winning Spanish restaurant.

The Bucket list - do it!

by contributor Wendy Gordon

“I’m not dead yet….”......  and good thing - because the Mike Nichols/Monty Python multi-Tony Award winning musical SPAMALOT should be on everyone’s bucket list—but you only have about a week to accomplish that—SPAMALOT plays at the Warner theater from March 13-18.  You better hurry while you still have breath in your body. Hint: Watch out for those bunnies if you want to make it. 

Paul Revere would love this.

David Cameron

Photo credit: PA

Pomp and Circumstances arrived at 9 AM today at The White House as President Barack Obama welcomed British Prime Minster David Cameron with a 19 gun salute.  

OK. So what do you want from me?

by contributor Brendan Kownacki

It was a rock-star reception on Monday evening when American Idol alum Adam Lambert hit the stage at brand new hot spot, The Hamilton, for a short private concert for the listeners of 94.7 Fresh FM. 

Where the secrets are buried.

by contributor Donna Shor

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

The Secret in the Steaks...

Spring fever on a plate.

by contributor Brendan Kownacki

The weather was warm, the drinks were cool and refreshing, and every plate inspired.......Japanese inspired that is, as a tribute to the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. 

The Prince’s Speech

Britain's Prince Charles at GT University

by contributor Donna Shor

The Future of Food

Like a modern Paul Revere, Britain’s Prince Charles has long been warning the world that our food supply―threatened by contamination, adverse production methods and increasing scarcity―is in more danger than we realize. Now, in part spurred by a compelling speech he gave last year in Washington, the world is listening.

AND.....there was pizza.

by contributor Wendy Gordon

What’s black and white and read all over?  OK.......let’s try this:  What’s got 10 or more legs, plays music (or a reasonable facsimile) and is read all over? 

Miss Representation

Maureen Orth and Jennifer Siebel Newsom

Photo credit: Alfredo Flores

Fresh on the heels of the Limbaugh debacle, writer/director and producer Jennifer Siebel Newsom held a private screening of Miss Representation at The World Bank.   

Game Change, fact or fiction?

Julianne Moore

by Janet Donovan

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

It's a matter of 'he said, she said' in the Palin/McCain camp vs. the authors/producers camp.

Over 500 guests showed up at the Washington premiere of HBO's Game Change at The Newseum to decide for themselves.  

In Wonderland with Ali

Ali Wentworth  Pamela Sorensen  Jason Kampf at

by contributor Courtney Cohen
Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

So, here’s a disclaimer: I worked for Ali Wentworth’s husband George Stephanopoulos for three years from 2007 to 2010. As a political junkie since childhood, moving to Washington to work for him at ABC News was literally a dream come true.  

Making a splash.....

by contributor Wendy Gordon

Take some cocktails and snacks, mix in artists’ materials, imagination and a canvas or two and what do you have?  No, not a Picasso, Latrec or Gauguin, but maybe a budding one. 

Pre-Pink...whatever that is.

by contributor Brendan Kownacki

Spring was in the air and the trees were just waiting to bloom on Wednesday when celebrants gathered in the garden of Georgetown's Betsey Johnson store to kick-off  the National Cherry Blossom Festival with a pre-celebration for the annual Pink Tie Party. 

Game Change

The Players

Photo credit: Neshan H.Naltchayan

The D.C. premiere of "Game Change" at The Newseum resembled a night at the RNC convention.

The new black.......

by contributor Brendan Kownacki

Forget the elephant or the 300 pound gorilla ..... there was a long necked, long legged Giraffe sharing space with onlookers at the Newseum yesterday. 

Friends with Kids and er....benefits?

by contributor Courtney Cohen 

Photo Credit: JoJo Whilden

Jennifer Westfeldt is one neat lady.  She’s written, directed and stars in this spring’s cutest romantic comedy making her one heck of a triple threat, but wait- there’s more.

Our cup of tea.

Nobody fell down a rabbit hole that we know of at ELLE’s book party for Ali Wentworth at The Four Seasons, but getting stuck on the peanut brittle is another story. 

Siri, it's me.....Fran here.....

Fran Drescher with Senator Alan Spector

Big week for our favorite TV star Fran Drescher who is a frequent visitor to Washington. 

Whether testifying before Congress on women's health issues or celebrating her 50th birthday at Teatro Goldoni we applaud Fran for both making us take care of ourselves and making us laugh.   

Busy fun at the WPA Art Gala

Suzy Hand and art collector Richard Reamy

by contributor Donna Shor

It was a three-ring circus at the SELECT Art Auction WPA Gala co-chaired by Robert Shields and Sarah Valente. 

Courage and Compassion

Wolf Blitzer  Marlene and Fred Malek

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates was honored at The Courage and Compassion Award Dinner Held in Support of U.S. Navy SEALs at Cafe Milano.

Black November

Vivica Fox

Photo credit: Paul Morigi, Getty Images

On site commentary: Dannia Hakki

The Library of Congress celebrated the final day of Black History Month with a powerful screening of Jeta Amata's political film, Black November. 

The Lorax....just because.

We think the Lorax is cute, so he's getting a spin on HoP.

Fitz and Tantrums

Tommy Lee

by contributor Brendan Kownacki

The house was rocking for all who came knocking at the W Hotel on Thursday night.

What's wrong with this picture?

by contributor Brendan Kownacki 

It comes along but once every four years, so naturally there are few better reasons to celebrate. 

Ah....The Thong Song

Photo credit: Dave Phillipich

The action shot above was not taken at a "Y.M.C.A"  reunion of The Village People, but rather at DC hotspot Eden.  

No drive bys.......

Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, Allison Priebe Brooks, and Jill Collins

Photo credit: Daniel Swartz/REVAMP

No drive-bys, no bunny dips, no texting.  If you went to Allison Priebe Brooks' dinner at The City Tavern Club, your type A personality was parked at the door.