CarolJoynt.com

Rasika Opens in West End

DAVE GRIMALDI, YEBBIE WATKINS AND LARS HYDLE IN THE KITCHEN AT RASIKA

Good news for Georgetown and West End: we now have our own Rasika. The popular, delicious and award-winning Indian restaurant opened tonight with a festive party. The location is 1117 22nd Street, which is essentially New Hampshire and M. Owner Ashok Bajaj was at the entrance, greeting invited guests. The smart guests hung out in the kitchen, putting them closer to the food. Also delicious were the cocktails and wine. Anna Spiegel provided an early look on washingtonian.com. I'll have more on the party tomorrow.

DAVID ABSHIRE WITH SECRETARY PANETTA BEFORE DINNER

AT THE PANETTA DINNER, MY BROTHER DAVID, RIGHT, WITH THE AMBASSADOR FROM LITHUANIA

Before the Rasika party it was a dinner for Defense Secretary Leon Panetta across the street at the Ritz Carlton West End. This was a more somber and serious affair. It was organized by David Abshire and the master of ceremonies was David Gergen. 

My "date" for the evening was David Ross, my brother, visiting from Wisconsin.

Dinner at the Home Of The Italian Ambassador

THE AMBASSADOR WELCOMES HIS GUESTS

How's this for a lovely spring evening: dinner at Villa Firenze, the home of the Italian Ambassador, Claudio Bisogniero. The evening honored notable women and was hosted jointly by Elle Magazine and the design house of Giorgio Armani. The full story is here at washingtonian.com.  Villa Firenze, which once belonged to the Guggenheim family, is a special setting, especially the beautiful terrace. On a night like this, it was possibly the best venue in town.

 

Whisky In The Morning, Followed by an Evening with Wounded Warriors

MASTER DISTILLERS FROM SCOTLAND AT GEORGE WASHINGTON'S DISTILLERY AND GRIST MILL

Early this morning I drove out to Mount Vernon and then west to George Washington's restored distillery and grist mill. The purpose was "whisky camp." Our camp "counselors" are in the photo above, master distillers from Scotland who work for Glenmorangie, Cardhu, Laphroaig. Pretty cool, huh? Yes, in every way. The story is here at Washingtonian.com. We've been going a little slow this week as we tweak the new website, but keep visiting. 

THE ARMED FORCES FOUNDATION GALA
Also tomorrow I'll have a story about the gala this evening at the Reagan Building for the Armed Forces Foundation, where they honored the thousands of soldiers who have been wounded in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. I sat next to an incredible veteran, Mark Little, a double amputee, who has moved forward with his life. Uplifting.

PATRICIA DRISCOLL AND DARRELL ISSA SHARE A SMILE

My dinner partners also included AFF president Patricia Driscoll, Rep. Darrell Issa, NASCAR driver Kurt Busch, singer Margo Rey and her partner, comedian Ron White. 

On NYSD Today: A Getaway to Manhattan

MONDAY, MARCH 26: FALLEN CHERRY BLOSSOMS ON 31ST STREET

Last week I got out of town for a night. Took the train to NYC for food, wine, friends and shopping. Here's the story today on New York Social Diary. 

And at Washingtonian today, please check out my experience at a lovely Japanese Tea Ceremony. 

Up On The Roof

FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 23RD, GEORGETOWN (double click on photo to see large)

Rooftop dining is a secret, romantic treasure of Georgetown, especially at twilight, with a golden sun sinking into the western horizon. That was my Friday evening, with a delicious pasta dinner, rose wine, and conversation until well into darkness. We'd likely still be up there except for exhausting the wine supply, (though I did suggest an encore with a sleeping bag).

Six Months at Washingtonian, and Here's the Result

Articles by Carol Ross Joynt:

1. Places You Can't Go: Pub Crawl On Embassy Row
2. Carol Ross Joynt: Excerpt From "Innocent Spouse"
3. Sarah Jessica Parker Heads to the White House

1. Washington Lets Its Hair Down, and Then Some
2. Penn Camera Files For Bankruptcy
3. Looking Back: The Anniversary of the Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
4. Local Casting Call for HGTV’s “All-American Handyman”
5. Book Party for Sally Bedell Smith’s New Queen Elizabeth Biography (Photos)
6. Our 10 Favorite Election-Themed Films
7. White House Source: President Will Have to Vacate Oval Office Next Year
8. A Q&A With “Game Change” Screenwriter Danny Strong
9. Where to Spot the Celebrities This Weekend
10. The Good, Bad, and Complicated Bill Clinton in a New PBS Documentary
11. Breaking Down Guest of a Guest’s Hot Hundred List
12. The Sackler Gallery Celebrates an Anniversary Gift (Photos)
13. A New Social Network Wants to Send You to Elton John’s Oscar Party
14. What’s Up With the Wacky Weather?
15. Seasons Begins a $1 Million Renovation
16. A Washingtonian Is Appointed French Social Secretary
17. Carl Colby Sought His Famous Father and Found Himself
18. A Q&A With Susan Eisenhower About the Fight Over Her Grandfather’s Memorial
19. Watergate Building Gets New Owners
20. Washington Makes List of USA’s “Gayest” Cities
21. Inside Juleanna Glover’s Holiday Party
22. Former Weiner Sexting Partner Postpones but Still Plans to Publish Tell-All
23. Drew Barrymore and Vinessa Shaw Stop in DC for “Big Miracle” Premiere
24. A Night in Vienna at the Kennedy Center (Pictures)
25. Uniquely Hawaiian Gifts at Asia-Pacific Summit
26. LivingSocial Expands Into the Real World
27. Air Jordans Release Leads to Long Lines
28. A Conversation With Rob Lowe
29. In Defense of Frank Gehry
30. A Conversation With Ivanka Trump About Winning the Old Post Office Bid
31. A Washington Party for Cristina Alger’s “The Darlings” (Pictures)
32. See Bob Dylan’s Jacket at the Smithsonian
33. Inside Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Movie Premiere Party
34. Why Movies and TV Shows Set in DC Aren’t Usually Filmed in DC
35. A Q&A with Dr. George Kolodner, an Expert on Substance Abuse and Addiction
36. Thanksgiving-Themed Highlights from Martha Stewart’s New Book
37. Seen at Lunch: LBJ, on the Wall at the Palm--at Last
38. Author Craig Shirley on the 70th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor
39. The Best of Craigslist’s Missed Connections
40. A Guide to Morning Sports Talk Radio
41. Behind the Scenes With Local Design House Durkl
42. Georgetown Boutiques Hit by Irish Travelers?
43. Metro Track Work Will Not Brake for (Early) Blossoms
44. DC, Maryland, and Virginia Residents Make the Forbes Billionaires List
45. Want to Be Hatin’ on DC? Bring It to the DC S**tList
46. The Opera Party Goes On, Even When the Opera Doesn’t
47. Simon Doonan’s Memories Of A White House Christmas
48. White House Dinner Menu for British PM David Cameron
49. A Conversation With Chris Matthews About His New JFK Book
50. Sunday Supper at the Nixons’: Feast for a Cause
51. Halcyon House Sold to Owners of Evermay
52. The Startling Truth About DC Parking Tickets
53. Accused Murderer Albrecht Muth Is Eating Again, But Will Go To St. Elizabeth’s For Full Competency Evaluation
54. Battle Brewing Between Uber And DC Taxi Commission
55. Who Ya Gonna Call? Joe Paterno Looks to Washington for Legal Counsel, PR Help
56. Meryl Streep Appears at Local Screening of “The Iron Lady”
57. Redskins Players Talk Grad School and the Peyton Manning Question
58. Remembering Richard Holbrooke at an A-List Georgetown Book Party
59. A Q&A With Sally Bedell Smith, Author Of “Elizabeth the Queen”
60. “Game Change” Premiere Is a Family Affair For Julianne Moore (Pictures)
61. What They Wore—to the Jeté Society Dance Party
62. CIA Family Support Group Celebrates Tenth Anniversary
63. The Gonzaga Board Defends the Firing of Mike Davis (Updated)
64. Brendan Sullivan Says “Thank You” With Flowers
65. DC Government Will Step In to Prevent Muth Starvation
66. Barack and Michelle Obama Celebrate the First Lady’s Birthday at BLT Steak
67. Holiday Party Season Is in Full Swing
68. The State of the Union of DC: An Interview With Mayor Vincent Gray
69. DCRTV: The Rumor Blogger Local Broadcasters Love to Hate (And Hate to Love)
70. The FDA Is Cracking Down on Fish Fraud
71. Pete Snyder Steps Down From New Media Strategies to Start up Disruptor Capital
72. A Sympathetic Portrayal of Sarah Palin in HBO’s “Game Change”
73. The Firing of a Gonzaga Teacher Raises Questions
74. A Subjective List of Washington’s Best Parties of 2011
75. Attention, Powerball Players: Sticker Shock Awaits
76. Sex Charges Heat Up for Dominique Strauss-Kahn
77. Albrecht Muth Sent Back to St. Elizabeths for Another 30 Days
78. George Huguely: The Fatal Combination of Youth and Alcohol
79. Technology News Site The Verge Launches in DC
80. Clint Eastwood and Patrick Leahy’s Bromance
81. Lady Gaga May Be Partnering With Local Chef
82. ESPN Zone Auction: A Bounty of Vintage Goods
83. The Four Seasons to Resume “Power Breakfast” Tomorrow
84. Heard at Lunch: The Redskins Have Chosen a New Quarterback
85. Susanna Quinn Announces She’s Pregnant—on Facebook
86. What Is a Mental Competency Evaluation?
87. Alex Trebek Talks “Jeopardy,” Washington, War, and Politics
88. Simon Doonan’s “Gay Men Don’t Get Fat” Book Party at the W
89. Avoiding the Perils of Thanksgiving Travel
90. DC Reports Cite the Most Dangerous Metro Stations and Intersections
91. A Conversation With Bill Marriott
92. Donald Trump Talks the Post Office, a Possible DC “Apprentice,” and the WHCA Dinner
93. DC’s New Singing Sensation: Jim Kimsey?
94. A Local Web Site Lets the Community Decide Which Business Should Appear Next on H Street
95. Saunders Out With the Wizards
96. Congressman Peter King Wants to Crack Down on Hollywood
97. Elaine Sciolino Talks Obama, Strauss-Kahn, and the Art of Seduction
98. FEMA Calls 2011 an “Unprecedented” Year of Disasters for Washington Area
99. A Q&A With John Laytham, CEO of Clyde’s Restaurant Group
100. Grassroots Effort to Recall Mayor Gray and Council Chairman Brown Launches Monday
101. The Recently Fired Gonzaga College High School Teacher Responds to Allegations
102. Valerie Plame Wilson: From Spy to Spy Novelist
103. The National Building Museum Holds Its 2012 Gala
104. More Random Romance and Missed Connections
105. Former White House Pastry Chef Recalls Bill Clinton’s “Scary” Appetite
106. Jim Farley Explains the Mark Plotkin Firing at WTOP
107. Martha Washington Gets the Birthday Party Started at Mount Vernon
108. George Stevens Jr.: The Man Behind the Kennedy Center Honors
109. Inside the Annual Sasha Bruce Youthwork Fundraiser
110. Trump Gets His Name On Pennsylvania Avenue, After All
111. The Wilson Ramos Kidnapping: An Expert Breaks It Down
112. A Q&A With Travis Kalanick, CEO of Uber
113. An Inside Look at Opening Night of the Washington Winter Show
114. Upon Reflection: Albrecht Muth and Viola Drath

 

Back From NYC; Bummer & Joy

A FAVE NYC BOUTIQUE, NORMA KAMALI

Just back from an overnight visit to New York. Train up, train back, Surrey Hotel, wonderful weather, dining, browsing and shopping. Lunch today with my former bosses at New York Social Diary, David Patrick Columbia and Jeff Hirsch.

LUNCH AT MICHAELS: JEFF HIRSCH, ELLEN CHARLES, DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA, ME

One of the great perks of DC is that NY is such an easy getaway. Back home here, Washingtonian launched our new website. Check it out. My stuff, if you want to find it specifically. will ususally be filed under "Capital Comment." 

It's a bummer to leave NY, but a joy to be home. 

The DC Palm At Long Last Welcomes LBJ

LYNDON BOOZER ET MOI AT THE PALM TODAY 

Today I had lunch at The Palm with my pal Lyndon Boozer. He's close to the family of President Lyndon Johnson and certainly is among LBJ's biggest advocates. He orchestrated getting the Education Department named after Johnson, for example.

THE EXCEPTIONAL OPEN WINDOW VIEW FROM OUR TABLE

What irked him, though, was that LBJ's picture was not on up on the wall at The Palm, where Presidents Ford, Clinton, Bush and others are featured. Well, today was a happy day for Lyndon. Read about it here: washingtonian.com.  

Stranded (Updated) (Back In the USSA)

 

STRANDED ON A BEACHED BUOY, LONG BEFORE BEING STRANDED IN MEXICO

My son is stranded in Mexico City tonight, due to an Aeromar flight from Manzanillo that departed almost two hours late, causing him to miss a connection back to the U.S. Remember being 20 years old and out in the world? It's the best. Stranding, under the right circumstances, is an adventure. At least back in my day. I hope it's the same for him. 

There were so many times in my life when I was "stranded," in one form or another, out in the world, in various countries and cities, at airports, at train stations, at boat docks, whatever, not sure what was next or how I'd get there, but figuring it out, and here I am.

Maybe I'm envious, missing my vagabond days, but I'll also be happy when he texts to report he's home in Texas.

UPDATE SATURDAY MORNING: My son's group, four of them, hung at the Aeromar counter for three hours last night to try to set things right. Aeromar said they had booked them on the United flight to Houston this morning. The kids were at United just after dawn, but there's no such reservations. 

UPDATE: They are being told by United that they can't fly out until Sunday evening, but I see open seats online!

UPDATE: Just spent the last hour on the phone, actually two phones. On one phone I had an agent at United, on the other my son at the airport with a United ticket agent. Both ends of United had different information. United on the phone showed available seats for 3 different flights today, United at the gate did not. Back and forth, back and forth. At one moment they were offered free seats, the next the same seats were $898 each. Chaos. 

UPDATE: My son just said, "we'll fly to anywhere in the U.S. Just get us out of this airport." Ha. 

UPDATE NOON: Three of the four of them have made it onto a scheduled flight that departs in two hours; one is on standby but at the top of the list. They were given access to a club lounge and provided with breakfast. 

UPDATE: Thanks to phone calls to United, getting (politely) up in their grills at the Mexico City ticket counter, and patience, my son and his three friends got on a flight late this afternoon. They have arrived in Houston. Back in the USSA.

Doctors Say Albrecht Muth "Currently Incompetent" To Proceed With Case

 

THE DOOR AT THE DRATH HOUSE, WITH RED POLICE TAPE

As ordered by DC Superior Court Judge Russell F. Canan, accused murderer Albrecht Muth has spent the last month undergoing a mental competency evaluation at St. Elizabeths Hospital. Today the doctors sent Canan their letter of assessment. In my earlier Washingtonian article on what is a competency evaluation, it was explained that the determining measure is three pronged. A patient has to meet these measures to be found competent. On that basis, the medical team wrote: "At present, Mr. Muth appears to have a factual understanding of the court proceedings. At this time, of concern is his ability to rationally understand the proceedings against him, or consult with his attorneys to a reasonable degree of rational understanding. Thus, it is opined that Mr. Muth is currently incompetent to proceed with his case." The underlining is mine, to emphasize the measures. 

 

The doctors say Muth's condition as presented "could be the result of several factors to include psychosis or feigned psychological processes in order to avoid prosecution." (Again, my underline)

Regardless, they recommend he stay at St. Elizabeths "to further clarify this issue....but also to explore the possibility of feigned psychological problems as part of his clinical presentation." His diagnosis, according to the letter, is "Pyschotic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified," and he is receiving medication as part of the treatment. 

Tomorrow Wednesday Judge Canan held a hearing to discuss the letter. I was there and here's the story of what happened: washingtonian.com. 

Last week Muth was indicted for first-degree murder in the August beating death of his wife, Viola Drath. 

Alex Trebek And I Have a Chat About Things

ALEX TREBEK ON THE SET OF "JEOPARDY"

Host Alex Trebek will bring his hit game show, "Jeopardy," to Washington April 20 and 21 to tape at least a week's worth of shows. Today we talked about that and so much more. Read it here: washingtonian.com.

Donald Trump and I Have a Quick Chat About Things

I had a phone appointment with Donald Trump today. I called him at his New York office and we talked for 15 minutes or so. It was very friendly. He was peppy and engaging. We discussed his plans for the Old Post Office Building, but I also had an "Apprentice" question and a WHCA dinner question. He answered both. Here's the chat: www.washingtonian.com.

Rumors That Citronelle Will Close .... and Reopen

THE SIGNATURE MOJITO AT CITRONELLE BAR

There have been rumors that Citronelle will close. I hadn't thought too much about it until last night, when someone with knowledge of Michel Richard's plans said Citronelle at the Latham Hotel will close, but Citronelle - or some version of it - will reopen at a larger location in Georgetown. Also, the concept might be closer to Richard's downtown hit, Central. This source was certain it will happen.

For those of us who love Citronelle bar this is good news. I hope the new venture also includes outdoor seating, because sitting outside at Citronelle bar is one of the great pleasures of Georgetown in the warm weather months. No word on when this change is to happen. I'll try to find out. And if you know, please let me know.

btw, if you see Michel, wish him Happy Birthday. He just celebrated the occasion this past week. 

UPDATE FROM CITRONELLE GM JEAN-JACQUES RETOURNE: "Hi Carol, I know that there was some discussions a while back; but nothing came of it."

CRJ at TEDx

 

Cristophe Is In Town!

And this is the result. Lucky me. Happy hair. If you have the time, I recommend a visit to his salon. 202.785.2222.

Society Fair: A Saturday Morning Indulgence

EARLY SATURDAY MORNING, THERE IS A LOVELY PLACE TO GO IN OLD TOWN

For whatever reason, I woke early this morning and, with no real plans, decided it would be interesting to go someplace out of Georgetown. I headed to the new Society Fair market on Washington Street in Old Town Alexandria. It's next door to the Lyceum, and owned by the chef of Restaurant Eve. Also, on Saturdays it opens at 7am and on Sundays at 8am (for those of us who start early). It's an emporium of all kinds of foods, condiments, bakery and bread items, cheeses and charcuterie, dry goods, wine, and quite an impressive selection of quality cocktail mixers and accessories. I resisted the seductive sticky buns and opted for a delicious and buttery croissant, plus a good cup of coffee. The restaurant has a full bar. In the best way, it reminded me of my favorite market in New York, EAT on Madison Avenue. Here are some iPhone photos:

THE DINING ROOM

THE BAR

SALADS, SAUCES, SOUPS, MIXES, ETC., IN THE MARKET

THE SANDWICH MENU

STICKY BUNS!!!

A FRESH, BUTTERY CROISSANT

IMAGINE THESE BISCUITS WITH APRICOT JAM OR COUNTRY HAM (OR BOTH) 

AND I GAVE UP CHOCOLATE FOR LENT. SIGH.

CLOSE-UP ON THE CANDY COUNTER

ADORABLE GIFT BOXES; SIZED FOR PASTRY, CAKE & OTHER SWEETS

PARTING SHOT: "WELCOME TO THE FAIR"