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All About The Bread

I don't eat a lot of bread because I am easily addicted to bread. Just the same I love bread, and so...  I've had bread on the mind these past few days and since Johnson's was out of their money tree seeds I headed instead to Bread Furst to get THAT bread. My first choice is the Pain Palladin, named after the late great Jean-Louis Palladin, whose restaurant at the long gone Watergate was a favorite and remains the high water mark of DC fine French restaurants (and you won't get an argument from the other French chefs). With this loaf of bread the crust alone is based on some brilliant standard of perfection. Hard on the outside, soft on the inside. Toast it and it is mesmerizing. Add good European butter and ... boom. 

A Candid Q&A With The New Coach of the Caps, Barry Trotz

We posed sixteen questions to Barry Trotz, the new coach of the Washington Capitals, and I think you'll agree his answers are interesting, candid and charming.  The Caps regular season begins in only a few weeks and then its off, hopefully this year, to a title. Washington also hosts the annual Winter Classic, which is the focus of an event today at Nats Park. 

So much going on with sports in DC that, if you want, you can completely ignore the football team (kidding ... sort of) at least until November 18, when Bruce Allen is the guest at The Q&A Cafe. 

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Jack Evans Honors Bluemercury On Its 15th Anniversary in Georgetown

Jack Evans this morning led a small crowd of well-wishers in marking the 15th anniversary of Bluemercury in Georgetown. He read a city proclamation and was joined by founders Barry and Marla Beck. The shop on M was the beauty chain's first. They've grown to 55 stores and make lots and lots of moolah. And here's one reason why: two dudes, baseball caps fashionably ass backwards, cruised by on their fixies. One says to the other: "Bluemercury is the real deal. I buy all my lotions there."

It's a candy store for people who love lotions, and scents, and oils, and hair stuff and maquillage. They also have an awesome Christmas season discount day. 

Daniel Boulud Opens His First Washington Restaurant: DBGBDC

It was a family occasion for chef Daniel Boulud on Friday night when he opened his first Washington restaurant -- DBGBDC at CityCenter. Above he is with his daughter, Alix, new son Julien and wife Katherine. They hosted a packed party at the restaurant, which opens to the public today.

Below are some other pics from the party: the food, with a reflection of the room; Daniel with Patrick O'Connell, Alix (who just moved to Washington) with friends, and Daniel again with a fan, the famous burgers, the view from H Street. Also, the two of us. Daniel and I -- and earlier, Howard -- have been friends for 30 years. He's been very thoughtful toward Spencer and me. Check out the restaurant.

The Hummingbird Series

There's a reason the U.S. military and aeronautics experts have studied  the magic flying powers of the Hummingbird. They can maneuver in ways not possible for any other bird. I was fortunate to spot a few of them this past weekend at a friend's home on the Chesapeake Bay. I shot these photos with the wonder camera, my Sony RX100, on full zoom. I was probably 15 feet away, sitting very still. Behind them is the screen on a window. You'll have to imagine the happy sounds they made as they sipped at sugar water. Their wings make a sound similar to a whistle or a buzz. They're so small you would think they are big bugs, but they are not. They are among the world's smallest birds.

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I Don't Know About You, But I'm Taking Today OFF

Is there a worse day to have to go to work than the day after Labor Day? No. So, for the first time in ages, I'm taking the day off.  This is the last week before the calendar fills up. I've got more than 20 invitations I've accepted between now and November. (Between us, I wish more charitable organizations switched to the ALS model. I'd rather get dunked by a bucket of ice water than go to a gala any day).

Just think, six months from now we'll be begging for this heatwave.

Above, some favorite photos of summer, shot in in and around the area.