04.01 - no fools
what’s going on in d.c.
Friday: City-State Brewing hosts Colosseum Comedy, a stand up comedy battle with a number of local comics (8 pm)
Saturday: There’s a Spring Book Sale at the Petworth Library (10:30 am - 4 pm) | Sonny’s Pizza in Park View hosts Abbondanza!, a natural wine and pizza tasting party (1 - 4 pm) | The Wharf hosts Bloomaroo , a spring-inspired celebration with skating, music, a boat parade, and fireworks (2 - 9 pm) | Another spring event, Petals in the Park, celebrates the opening of Franklin Park with music and entertainment (2 - 9 pm)
Sunday: Sakura Sunday at the National Harbor features Japanese performances and vendors (12 - 6 pm)
All weekend: The U.S. Botanic Garden fully reopens this weekend after closing its indoor areas since early 2020 | One with Eternity, the new Yayoi Kusama exhibit at the Hirshorn opens today (expect long lines)
let’s talk food and drinks
my weekly best bite: Potato tortilla at Barcelona
Brookland adds a ‘70s-style bar, The Runaway. The bar, developed by the owners of Slash Run, is a relatively large space with a couple of floors and a black patio.
Eater compiled some of the best patios in the region - including mainstays Barcelona and Le Diplomate, but also some newer options.
looking ahead: Compass Coffee is planning its first drive-thru location. The spot, in Arlington near North Glebe Road and Langston Boulevard, should open this summer.
This week, we caught up with Abigail Smith, founder of City Girls Who Walk DC, a new group taking weekly walks around the city.
On what inspired her to create a D.C. walk club: I was scrolling through Tik Tok when I saw a video talking about a walking club in New York! It was started by fitness influencer Brianna Joye. Her first walk had almost 100 people there, and it looked like so much fun. I went to the comments and underneath there were so many people commenting about wanting a group to do this with in DC! I had recently began going on long walks myself, and during those walk I thought it would be fun to have a group to walk with. So, I thought "I'll start it!" Brianna had named the group City Girls Who Walk, so I then created an Instagram account and named it City Girls Who Walk DC!
On her favorite walk in D.C.: Currently, I really love walking along the National Mall at sunset. I know it sounds touristy, but when the sun is setting behind the Washington Monument and then behind the Capitol is beautiful blue/purple skies...I think that's hard to beat!
On a time a walk didn’t go as planned: With our first walk, I was hopeful to have a large group turn out. There ended up only being 8 people including myself, but it was honestly such a fun time! We had a blast walking around the Mall, and then we ended up getting drinks together after. I did discover on that walk that Penn Quarter Sports Tavern has great drinks and an even better salmon salad!
On the best bagel in D.C.: Ah, I know this might sound basic, but.... I do really love Call Your Mother. I always order to-go because the line is out the door every time!! My favorite bagel sandwich from there is the King's Point. It has nacho jalapeño cream cheese, bacon, crispy shallots, and it's on a cheddar bagel. The most perfect savory bagel ever created.
On what’s coming next: The account really blew up over night! I think in 24 hours I gained 700-800 followers. I am really excited for what’s to come! I am planning walks every Sunday, and with each walk I try to plan an opportunity to eat/drink before or after. In May I am planning to rent out a space to bring everyone together! So, stay tuned everyone! I think the next couple months will be really fun and exciting to bring so many people together.
Quick links to other weekly #goodreads:
How an Ivy League School Turned Against a Student - per The New Yorker, “Mackenzie Fierceton was championed as a former foster youth who had overcome an abusive childhood and won a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. Then the University of Pennsylvania accused her of lying.”
Pete Buttigieg Is Living His Best Life - per NY Mag, “How billions of dollars in infrastructure funds turned the Transportation secretary into a D.C. power broker.”
what are we watching/reading?
If you’ve been devouring all scam-related content, take a look at this list of 17 scam-inspired movies and shows.