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Happy Creepy Halloween

This is what happened the time my friend and colleague Melissa Romero and I spent a day at Markoff's Haunted Forest, shooting this video and writing a story. Hahahahahaha! Be prepared to be very scared.

A Baltimore Getaway: The Ivy Hotel and Lots to See and Do

For my New York Social Diary column today, I write about The Ivy Hotel, newly opened in Baltimore, a romantic luxury getaway that is within walking distance of museums, historic sites and interesting architecture. A Baltimore Social Diary seemed ideal for Halloween week, given that this is the city of Edgar Allan Poe and John Waters. 

Bob Woodward, Coming to The Q&A Cafe on Dec. 11

I'm pleased to announce that Bob Woodward will be the December guest at The Q&A Cafe, discussing his new book, The Last of the President's Men. It will be Bob's 4th time on the show, and like his previous appearances will of course be a fascinating conversation. The date is Friday, December 11. Seating begins at noon. For reservations please call 202-333-9330 at The George Town Club. We won't be selling books, so please buy it in advance and bring for Bob to sign. 

Also book now for the Friday, November 20 show with awesome morning drive time star Tommy McFly. This show will also be at the George Town Club at lunchtime with noon seating. 

Derek Brown - The Quintessential 21st Century Washingtonian, @ The Q&A Cafe 5pm This Evening

DEREK BROWN, CENTER, ON THURSDAY NIGHT AT JULIA CHILD AWARD DINNER WITH PATRICK O'CONNELL, LEFT, AND DANIEL BOULUD, RIGHT. 

A reminder that this evening, October 23, we welcome Derek Brown to The Q&A Cafe. He’s been called the “Godfather of Washington Mixology” but he calls himself a businessman, bartender, restaurant entrepreneur. He’s also a sought after lecturer and writer — here, across the country and around the world. Even the White House called Derek to create cocktails at a private party held by President and Mrs. Obama. He founded the Columbia Room speakeasy, the Passenger, Eat the Rich, Southern Efficiency and Mockingbird Hill. There's more here at Wiki. Check out some of his columns for The Atlantic.

I call him the quintessential 21st Century Washingtonian because of articles such as this one. 

Those lucky folks who are at this show will be privy to some very cool news, too. 

DEREK BROWN TALKING COCKTAIL PARTICULARS AT JULIA CHILD GALA THURSDAY NIGHT

Derek is fascinating and you’ll want to be at the George Town Club to hear our interview. We'll be talking drinks and mixing drinks, which is why the start time is 5pm, this allows for a couple of drinks for you, (or not, up to you) and some food, and for the all inclusive price of $35. For reservations, please call the GTC at 202-333-9330, or email GTC Reservations. Derek's bringing a bartender with him, who will whip up some new classics while we talk. 

Coming to the show on November 20, DC’s popular morning drive-time radio host, Tommy McFly. You’ll want to be there for that, too. Lunchtime. 

Georgetown Honors Gunther Stern On 25 Years of Work For The Homeless

A crowd of Georgetown's most charitable tonight gathered in a pretty garden to honor Gunther Stern for 25 years of service to the Georgetown Ministry Center as its Executive Director. He was praised for dedicating his professional career "to rebuilding and empowering the lives of people who are homeless," and for his "immense commitment, passion, and experience." Ward 2 City Council Member Jack Evans lauded Stern in off-the-cuff remarks, and then read an account of his accomplishments  before he presented him with a gold statue that looked quite like the Oscar. Not bad. "Best performance by a citizen looking out for those who have less or nothing." 

"Under Gunther's remarkable leadership, GMC has grown from a small outreach center to a warm and welcoming clubhouse that provides people with a sense of respect and community," said the program. "His work doesn't stop there. Gunther has used his expertise and passion to advocate for those without a voice." He graduated from George Washington University and the University of Maryland. 

When Gunther spoke he was gracious and humble and told stories about the people who inspire him: the individuals he helps. Its work that is never done. He received a lot of warm applause. 

Also speaking at the party, hosted by Ellen Charles in her home and garden, were Georgetown Ministry Center board president Patricia Davies and benefit committee member Outerbridge Horsey. They gave flowers to Ellen to thank her for donating her home and also to the event's co-chairs, Jocelyn Dyer and Page Evans (in the photo just above). Everyone seemed to be enjoying the catering -- including crab cakes, spiced shrimp, ham biscuits -- from Broad Branch Market.

The weather was gorgeous. But in embracing the balmy air it was a reminder that it won't be this pleasant for long. When the winter comes with its brutal cold and biting winds, think of the people who have no home to go to and keep warm. That's when you go to this website, Georgetown Ministry Center, to see how you can help Gunther. Bookmark it!

 

About That Night in the Kitchen w/ Paul Prudhomme & Charlie Rose

Way back in the 80s I had the privilege of producing a live TV show about food and the star guest was Paul Prudhomme. Charlie Rose was the host. I recall the experience in my New York Social Diary column today. 

The Tadich Grill is Now Open on Pennsylvania Avenue

The Tadich Grill DC is now open for dinner and will open for lunch, also, in another couple of weeks. A longer version of this story, about the opening party for the San Francisco transplant, previously appeared on New York Social Diary.

TADICH GRILL OPENS  Please be my guest as we squeeze our way into the opening party for the Tadich Grill, which has been declared by the media to be the new DC power spot — without having yet opened for business. Clearly, Washington is eager for a new power spot, or was the mosh pit turnout the Trump effect?

Tadich, a landmark in San Francisco, planted its flag on Pennsylvania Avenue, in an empty office building space that last was an Asian restaurant. It is across the street from the looming, and under construction, Trump Hotel. By looming I mean as only the Trump name can loom. Whatever, the party was a ratings winner.  It was a sensation, too, even if at times it felt like a running take-off. What do you do if your VIP guests, such as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a San Franciscan, arrive at 6 PM and you just got your liquor license at 5 PM, which is what happened.  Or, the Chaplain of the House of Representatives, Father Patrick Conroy, shows up early to bless the establishment? You hustle. What if you don’t have any Champagne to pour for the VIP guests and the other 750 invited to arrive at 6:30? You head to Costco. Which is what the Tadich folks did.  The Champagne didn’t quite make it in time for the blessing and the first wave of celebrants, but when the cases did arrive through the back door the bottles were hastily pulled out, iced down and soon the empty flutes spilled over with bubbly as they were passed into outstretched hands. In addition to the Champagne, there was more — wine, beer and spirits. Oh, wait. An hour into the party, they ran dry of bourbon and vodka. No problem, a quick deployment for more supplies.

Waiting for the Champagne to get iced down.

Fresh supplies of booze after the first supply ran out.

Knowing that 800 were invited, we perched on a barstool near the front door, to not get lost in the crush, and it was an epic crush. A friend, who was game to venture to the back room, and into the main dining room, said, “If I’m not back soon send a search party.” When he returned, wide-eyed and thirsty, he could only gasp, “you need skills to get through that.” I’m not sure the barstool on which I was perched is the “David Rubenstein barstool,” but it provided the best view. Rubenstein is one of the founding partners of the elite private equity firm The Carlyle Group. Tadich is in Carlyle’s building, and it’s expected that when it officially opens on October 8 Tadich will also be Carlyle’s unofficial lunchroom. Thus, the owners said they plan to name a barstool after Rubenstein. He doesn’t strike me as the barstool type, but then David is a man of many fascinating parts.

Mike Buich greets Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.

If Rubenstein is concerned he’s being singled out. He’s not. A Tadich investor said Ivanka Trump, who is overseeing the hotel development, is getting a barstool, too. (Is this the next elite status symbol, comparable to a picture on the wall at The Palm?)  Will someone please let me know the day David and Ivanka are there at the same time, possibly on side-by-side barstools, so I can see this with my own eyes?  With its location in the hub of the lobby and legal swarm and in view of Capitol Hill, and close, too, to the White House, there will be many provocative pairings, no doubt. Politically, expect it to lean left. Why? Many of the investors are big D Democrats — Hunter Biden among them, and he was at the party — and the Pelosi factor. Besides, Republicans pull rank up the street at the Capital Grille, also on Pennsylvania, four blocks closer to the Capitol.

Lyndon Boozer and friends (clockwise from top left): Lyndon with Gerry Harrington; Lyndon with Mike Gallagher and Shane Harris; Lyndon with Bob Crowe; Lyndon with Manuel Roig-Franzia of The Washington Post.

It has been a long time coming for Tadich in Washington. It was first announced in the spring of 2013, and then months of delays followed.  There were rumors of architect, builder and permit approvals complications, which are not unusual for DC. Also, this is the first expansion of Tadich in its 165 years. Owners Gerard Centioli and Mike Buich, familiar with longevity, could take their time to get it right.  As the party reached its peak, I was thankful for a solid seat near the front door. Otherwise, the current of human bodies might have carried me away. Who was there?  Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy and his wife, who were greeted by Centioli and Buich; that reluctant party goer, ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser, with his son Michael Kornheiser, a high school English teacher, and daughter-in-law Elizabeth Hardwick, and best friend Alan Bubes; Christopher Ullman, managing director of communications for Carlyle, investors Gerry Harrington and James Beaty; Erik Huey, musician and SVP of the Entertainment Software Association; Dave Grimaldi, head of public affairs for Pandora, and Washington veteran Bob Crowe; also, taking in the scene, Lyndon Boozer and The Washington Post’s Manuel Roig-Franzia, author of The Rise of Marco Rubio.

Tony Kornheiser and Alan Bubes.

Mike Gallagher and Erik Huey.

We asked one of the investors if Vice President Joe Biden might make an appearance. He has been known to drop in at DC parties, and this one seemed a natural since it involved his son. “Probably not, not with the campaign,” he said, with a wink. “The campaign?” I shot back. “Yes, the campaign.”  The party was hot, steamy and a mosh pit but no one seemed to mind. We’ll be craving warmth soon enough as winter creeps in. It was a “hail fellow” reunion, the first big party of the city’s influence set since getting back to business after the summer holidays. A crowd not big on bold face names, but then this is a city where in certain jobs it’s better to be lower case in public and bold face behind the scenes.

They swarmed the food buffets, resplendent with oysters, clams and shrimp, or lobster, shrimp or crab rolls, or hand carved beef, and helpings of the restaurant’s signature cioppino, a classic San Francisco fish stew. In their crisp white jackets, the newly recruited waiters and bartenders, some from here, some from San Francisco, some from New York, were as busy greeting friends as they were passing food and pouring drinks.  Still, in a crowd of VIPs, the dude who pulled rank as MVP was the young air-conditioning repair man, hard at work, trying to ice down the room at the same rate as the servers tried to ice down the Champagne and replenish the booze. Work gloves on, tools at the ready, he was a busy man.

Tadich staff were recruited from DC, San Francisco and New York.

MVP, the air-conditioning repair dude, busy at it.

For the record, Tadich has a great look, clean and bright, with just enough old-school touches (private booths in the back) to appeal to many tastes, and while the look conjures a steakhouse, don’t make that mistake. Boozer, a friend of the house, was still miffed that Politico would call Tadich a “steakhouse,” and admonished me to steer clear of the meat route. “It is a seafood restaurant. Make that clear, please — a seafood restaurant.” Okay. Got it.  I have not tried the food, yet, but a check of the online menu confirms it is heavy with fish and shellfish. It does have a small section offering red meat, however.  Boozer had another observation, too. He pointed to the Trump hotel across the street, which recently suffered the loss of its signature restaurant, when Chef Jose Andrés pulled out of the deal in protest of Trump’s rantings on immigration. Lyndon said, “Tadich will be Trump’s restaurant, too, since they don’t have one.”