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Five Years of "Behind The Scenes" @ Washingtonian Magazine

Here is the May issue of Washingtonian Magazine, with the latest episode of "Behind The Scenes," a feature I started doing for them back in 2011. It is one of the mag's most prominent photo features -- a two page spread of a single image. The premise is it has to be someplace the public cannot typically go, or that is off-limits in general, in some cases even top secret. In the process of producing the feature, we've been to some amazing places. Below is inside the private, appoint-only, "play house" of porcelain designer Anna Weatherley. It's in Roslyn!

There have been so many incredible BTS, and I've enjoyed working on each one. It is just about the best possible local media assignment in Washington. The places I've been, the things I've seen! Most often working with architectural photographer Dan Chung. We're a good team. Here he is, capturing some Maryland crabs.

The various BTS include the bowels of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, where the money is made; the conservation lab at the National Archives; the elaborate Smithsonian storage warehouse where artifacts were being collected for the new African American museum; the tiny studio at Fort Belvoir where the presidential seal is hand made and hand painted; the private dining room of Hillary Clinton when she was Secretary of State; the subterranean lab at NIH where the deadliest viruses are incubated; the lockers of the Washington Nationals and the Washington Redskins; a legal DC marijuana grow house; the sewing, linen and flower room at Susan Gage Caterers; inside Potomac Floral, the wholesale florist that provides the blooms for the White House; the secret FBI facility in Sterling VA, where deadly spent IED's are catalogued and stored; Joe Biden's ceremonial office at the EEOB; the vault of the Folger Shakespeare Library; the vault at Mount Vernon (wait till you see the June issue!), the Naval Warfare Research Center's amazing, underground canal where model warships are tested; the launch facility at Wallops Island; the fox hounds of the Potomac Hunt; a wholesale crab operation on the Eastern Shore. 

This image is Dan setting up for a photo we did of a party at the French ambassador's residence, capturing that moment "backstage" just before the guests arrive.

And here's our set up as we shot a photo of the new Dupont Underground, as its plans were just coming together.

Washingtonian has aggregated a lot of them at one link. So, give them a look. I think they should be a book or a calendar -- so many amazing places from around our local area. Here's the link: Behind The Scenes. Please let me know what you think, or if you have an idea for a BTS. We love good ideas. For every BTS that makes it into print, I scout about 4-5 contenders. It takes a lot of leg work, time, but most of all good ideas. 

Overall, though, I am very proud of this bit of work, and grateful for the agreeable collaboration I enjoy with Dan. 

What Georgetown Needs: A Restaurant Wrangler

ZANNCHI, THE NEWEST ADDITION TO GEORGETOWN'S RESTAURANT SCENE

This is an open letter to all the very nice and well-meaning people who have written to, stopped me on the street or otherwise contacted me regarding the lifting of the Georgetown liquor license moratorium, supposedly paving the way to a new era of fine food and wine.(And, they hope, a reopening of Nathans, but, sorry, not going to happen).  I would like, just as so many others, to see this development lead to Georgetown relcaiming its place in the Washington restaurant scene. It's not illogical. It was the restaurant go-to neighborhood and no so long ago. 

What's needed is for someone to be designated as a restaurant "wrangler," an individual connected to one of the village's many hierarchies -- and there are many -- who has a singular mandate to get immerse in what's happening with this vital industry that is thriving in other parts of town; to know the city's chefs, the city's culinary entrepreneurs, the developers, the money, and woo them to Georgetown. To also make landlords face reality and cut deals with the ABC board, the DCRA and the city city in general, (but most of all landlords). This person should know the culture, be involved.  It can be done. Maybe Council Member Jack Evans can orchestrate the position. Or CAG. Or the Georgetown BID.

The potential problem with the lifting of the moratorium is that liquor licenses appear to be up for grabs to just anyone, regardless of their plan, regardless of whether they even have a plan. That's why a lot of valuable licenses have sat in limbo. This "restaurant wrangler" could manage all of that, with benevolence and creativity -- and effectiveness.

We've witnessed some promising arrivals in the last few years: Fiola Mare, Chez Billy Sud, Chaia, Leopold's, Frank Ruta, Unum, and most recently  Via Umbria and Zannchi, joining stalwarts such as 1789, La Chaumiere, Cafe Milano, Cafe Bonaparte and Bourbon Steak, not to mention our legion of well known bars such as Martin's, Clyde's and The Tombs. (If I'm overlooking someone, please tell me).

Seriously, with the right vision and leadership, Georgetown could return to its former glory and be competitive with Petworth, Shaw, Bloomingdale, Yards Park, Barracks Row, Columbia Heights, Logan Circle, Blagden Alley, Brightwood -- neighborhoods that are successfully wooing the innovative culinary operators. There's no good reason -- from a village management point of view --  why Kinship, Convivial, Rose's Luxury, The Dabney,  DBGB, Masseria, El Campo, Bread Furst, and a few others ... aren't in Georgetown. 

I love traveling to other parts of town to dine. I don't need a reason to visit Union Market. But, still, I love to come home from work and walk to dinner. I know I'm not alone. Let's make the most of this next chapter in Georgetown's history of serving fine food and drink.