07.29 - citi love
what’s going on in d.c.
Friday: Sixth and I hosts a Ballpark Shabbat, with a service inside Nats Park prior to the game (6 pm) | There’s a One Directions vs. 5 Seconds of Summer dance party at Union Stage (8 pm)
Saturday: The SAAM Arcade returns to the American Art Museum, featuring indie video games available to play (11:30 am - 7 pm) | Hypnotic singer The Weeknd performs at FedEx field (6:30 pm)
Sunday: An Elton John tribute band performs at City Winery (7:30 pm)
All weekend: The Citi Open, D.C.’s largest tennis tournament, begins this weekend with qualifying sessions, while the main draw kicks off on Monday. On Sunday, the Taste of Tennis event features celebrity chefs and top players | Otakon, a celebration of Asian art/pop culture, sponsors events throughout the weekend at the Convention Center.
ongoing: Cirque du Soleil opens its two-month run in the D.C. area with KURIOS, cabinet of curiosities. The performances are in a circus tent at Tysons | The Office Experience opens downtown with 17 recreated sets from the popular show.
let’s talk food and drinks
my weekly best bite: Burrata ravioli at Adams Morgan’s Osteria Al Volo
The RAMW awards, honoring local restaurants and chefs, were awarded this week, with Daru taking the win for new restaurant of the year and Oyster Oyster chef Rob Rubba winning chef of the year.
It’s Swiss National Day, and H St.’s Stable is hosting celebratory meals throughout the weekend — think, lots of cheese.
what’s on our minds?
Starbucks is leaving Union Station - a company press release noted safety concerns, while a Union rep notes that the closure happened as staff began to organize a union. With the closure of the popular coffee spot, Union Station will be increasingly bare: Metro ridership is at 25% of 2019 numbers, half the food options are vacant in the basement dining hall, and there’s a general sense of eeriness in other more vacant hallways.
Perhaps too popular to be known as a cult favorite, the popular millennial/Gen Z makeup brand Glossier opens a store in Georgetown today. The spot looks pretty cool - it’s themed like a retro airplane - and for the time being, is the only physical option to buy Glossier products. But, times are changing - Glossier announced their products will be available via Sephora starting in early 2023.
Washingtonian spotlighted a local company, grOH!, that creates custom and high-end play rooms and treehouses. Their portfolio is particularly fun to peruse (and may spur some decoration envy!).
Quick links to other weekly #goodreads:
Should DC’s Empty Office Buildings Get Turned Into Apartments?- per Washingtonian, “It’s clear workers will never return in full force. Developers and local officials see an opportunity.”
Welcome to Alphaland, the Disney World for Bodybuilders - per Texas Monthly, “Meatheads from around the country fly in to the 30,000-square-foot gym in the Houston suburbs where you're no one if you're not flexing, vlogging, or networking.”
Pickleball Is Booming. Not Everyone Is Happy About That - per GQ, “The rapidly-growing racket sport seems to be gaining haters almost as fast as players.” (there’s even a new, glow-in-the-dark, court at The Watergate hotel)