Contest: Win Passes to See Bride Hard

** Please note: One entry per person/household. Multiple entries will be deleted.

Laredo Twitter/X Food Review

Crispy Chicken Wings at Laredo

A Mixed Bag

Beautiful night for eating outside at @laredo_dc. Disappointing start (paltry chips & salsa) but no complaints about food quality, starting with piping hot Empanadas Colombianas (beef) & glorious salsa verde ($10) B followed by a quartet of fluffy & delicious Fried Yucca ($6.99) A- and Crispy Chicken Wings (7 for $16.99) B- Great batter, average amount of meat + zesty buffalo sauce (for dipping only.) Annoyingly small water glasses, tacky charge for “extra” pico de gallo & a wobbly table to boot. 

Grade: C+ (Food > service)

Frankenstein Twitter/X Theatre Review

Rebecca S'manga Frank in Frankenstein at STC, Photo: DJ Corey Photography

The Truth Is...

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is one of the best novels of the past 200+ years. Emily Burns' version for @ShakespeareinDC is a refreshing reboot that honors the original, while placing less of an emphasis on the creature, and more on personal relationships. That may not sound like fun to horror fans, but thanks to Rebecca S'manga Frank's coruscating performance as Elizabeth, the end result is miles better. One can only hope Ms. Frank stays in the DMV, allowing a "star to be born" in our own backyard. Burns' direction is first rate also, especially a pair of dazzling intercutting scenes with Dr. Frankenstein. A bona fide must-see! 

Grade: A

Karate Kid: Legends Twitter/X Movie Review

Ralph Macchio, Ben Wang & Jackie Chan (r) star in Karate Kid: Legends

Bad Bait

Rotten Tomatoes Plot: Karate Kid: Legends unites the iconic martial arts masters of one of the most beloved film franchises of all time to tell a completely new story full of action and heart. When kung fu prodigy Li Fong (Ben Wang) relocates to New York City with his mother to attend a prestigious new school, he finds solace in a new friendship with a classmate and her father. But his newfound peace is short-lived after he attracts unwanted attention from a formidable local karate champion. Driven by a desire to defend himself, Li embarks on a journey to enter the ultimate karate competition. Guided by the wisdom of his kung fu teacher, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), and the legendary Karate Kid, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), Li merges their unique styles to prepare for an epic martial arts showdown.

Burger District Twitter/X Food Review

Bare Naked Burger at Burger District

Second Time's the Charm

Ordered from the wrong restaurant last week (oops) but I finally got to try @BurgerDistrict1 in Arlington. Fun buzz 🐝 inside & a super nice hostess, plus an on-time pickup order. Food didn’t disappoint with a Bare Naked Burger ($12.95) and Shoestring House Fries ($3.75) each earning a solid B. The fries needed salt, but they were hot and just the right size/texture. Not dirty or oily whatsoever. Burger was cooked perfectly (medium throughout) Angus beef with lettuce, tomato, red onions, ketchup & mustard. Great price for a bonafide half-pounder, but I wish the roll had been toasted. As Arnold would say, “I’ll be back!”

Overall Grade: B

Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza Twitter/X Food Review

Pepperoni Pizza at Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza

Late Night Perfect Toppings

Late Night Perfect Toppings at @GRStreetPizza. Great play at @ShakespeareinDC, followed by (hands down) the best tomato sauce ever put on a pizza. 12” Pepperoni ($20.50) has a nice char on top (but not on the base) so I had leftover crust, but the toppings (dynamite pepperoni, fresh mozzarella & spicy chorizo) are top-tier, bordering on sheer perfection. A- and I can’t wait to have it again. Sidewinder Fries ($7.50) fun, twisty shapes, nice & hot but meh flavor B- Nice atmosphere inside + great music (Escort, HNNY)

Overall Grade: B+

Signage Up at Yours Cafe in Woodley Park

Coming Soon: Yours Cafe Cafe + Kitchen

Locals still miss Woodley Cafe Restaurant & Bar, but life goes on in Woodley Park. The area's retail revival continues with Yours Cafe Cafe + Kitchen, as signage is (finally) up. The former home of (most recently) Maddy's Pizza should be open soon, with seating for (up to) 98 & 28 patrons inside and out. Menu looks like a little bit of everything, but neighbors and Zoo-goers alike should be happy. 

Krispy Kreme Twitter/X Food Review

Team Ghost, Strawberry Power Berry & PAC-MAN Party Doughnuts

Pac Man Fever
@krispykreme celebrates the 45th anniversary of PAC-MAN with a trio of tasty limited-edition doughnuts Tops amongst them, the Strawberry Power Berry Doughnut with a delicious strawberry Kreme filling. B+ Fingers crossed, it will join the everyday rotation. The PAC-MAN Party Doughnut is a party indeed, with a yummy yellow buttercreme icing on top. Solid B. Team Ghost packs a nice chocolate filling and is the prettiest of the bunch. B- Overall Grade: B

Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning Twitter/X Movie Review

Tom Cruise stars in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning

Run, Tom, Run

Rotten Tomatoes Plot: Our lives are the sum of our choices. Tom Cruise is Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie.

Fight or Flight Twitter/X Movie Review

Josh Hartnett stars in Fight or Flight

Cut-Throat

Rotten Tomatoes Plot: Exiled American agent Lucas Reyes (Josh Hartnett) is given one last chance to redeem himself - the assignment is to track down and identify a mysterious, international high-value asset known only as The Ghost on a flight from Bangkok to San Francisco. Complicating matters, the plane is filled with assassins from around the world who are assigned to kill them both. The pair must work together in a fight for their lives. At 37,000 feet, the stakes have never been higher. Directed by James Madigan.

Hurry Up Tomorrow Twitter/X Movie Review

Abel "the Weeknd" Tesfaye stars in Hurry Up Tomorrow

Bad Weekend

Rotten Tomatoes Plot: A musician plagued by insomnia is pulled into an odyssey with a stranger who begins to unravel the very core of his existence. Directed by Trey Edward Shults.

Nanny O'Brien's Twitter/X Food Review

Fried Cod Sandwich with Onion Rings at Nanny O'Briens

Rings Up

My brother insisted on @NannyOBriens for lunch. Good call Bro! First time trying their Onion 🧅 Rings. B+, crispy & hot. Nanny’s Fried Cod Sandwich ($16 with Rings) is solid but not spectacular. Fleshy cod, but the batter was overdone and the filet… on the small side. P.S. Wish the potato bun had been toasted. B-. 
Overall Grade: B