Rachel Zardus It has been a fast and furious end of summer and start to fall, but not too busy for me to step out and experience one of DC’s newest restaurants, Taffer’s Tavern. (Like Nycci says, The List Associates really do have all the fun 😉) Nestled between Penn Quarter and Mount Vernon Triangle and just a short walk from the Chinatown Metro Stop, Taffer’s Tavern is sure to become a frequented neighborhood spot. Its warm and welcoming atmosphere, creative cocktails, and delicious menu made for the perfect casual night out—a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the work week.      Of course, I had to start with one of their infamous cocktails. A sweet and spicy twist on a classic favorite – I went with the Mangorita, and it did not disappoint! Their Crafted Cocktail menu is a must-try, and perfect for a cozy night of drinks with friends.      The menu was expansive and everything sounded delicious. We started with the coconut-crusted shrimp served with their own Asian sweet chili dipping sauce and the strawberry almond salad tossed in balsamic vinaigrette and topped with ricotta cheese, toasted almonds, and quartered strawberries. Is your mouth watering yet?  Next up was the parmesan-crusted flatbread with roasted mushrooms, fresh ricotta, and parmesan cheeses, topped with fresh arugula, honey, and smoked sea salt. This one lit up all the right taste buds. Yes, it was as good as it sounds. Honorable mention goes to the hush puppies – not something I would typically order, but I am SO glad I did.   The sweet finish came not only in the form of dessert (I mean come on, look at that raspberry drizzle) but also in the gracious hospitality of everyone at Taffer’s Tavern. I felt so comfortable and welcomed by all staff, who really made this experience what it was! Needless to say, I will definitely be back, with friends and family in tow. . .  Check them out here.

Abbee Lapen The sights, sounds, and curiosities of the circus are in town, and in true Cirque du Soleil fashion they've brought along with them high-flying adventures and endless talent. Set in a world of steam-punk wonder, Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities follows an ambitious inventor defying the laws of space, time, and dimension with his experiments and inventions.  We were amazed as the inventor bent time, was quite literally flipped upside-down, and even swam with the fishes. Acrobats, contortionists and superb acts of balance restored in us our child-like sense of wonder and bewilderment of what the human body is capable of. Without revealing all the tricks up their sleeve: keep your eyes peeled for trampoline heights of epic scale, underwater dreams that are sure to feel like they're reaching out to grab you and pull you beneath the waves, and of course, the charisma and charm of the ringmaster... no matter how invisible he may seem.  Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities will is under the big top at Tysons Corner Center July 29th through September 25th; get your tickets here today!   

Anna-Alexandra Rojo Wildman Summertime has arrived, and you know what that means -- we Washingtonians Want. To. Be. Outside. Yes, we may complain about the humidity or the heat, but the reality is, we want that summer air, and we want things to do outdoors!  Enter Mandarin Oriental's Summer x MO: they have put together a full lineup of outdoor activations for the duration of the summer in their lovely Empress Garden (and yes, it's by the water, so you can catch a breeze there, too). We got to sample some of the fun, and it certainly was delicious~ Think family-friendly movies on Mondays, ceviche and tequila tastings on Tuesdays, Thursday night pig roasts, Friday night fried chicken & bubbles, Fish Market tours, family staycation packages, plus plenty of activities with their Kids Stay & Play at the Panda Club.

Gemma Menges Downtown DC has a new spot for puzzle-lovers of all ages: The Escape Game. So, I grabbed a few friends and decided to check it out! With a 9/10 difficulty rating, we must have been feeling ambitious when we chose the Prison Break room.  We may have used an embarrassing number of hints, but the shrieks of excitement when a door opened, or a code got cracked never got old. The hands-on approach to storytelling really immersed us into the game, and the hour rushed by so quickly. The staff were also so helpful and friendly! The game itself was very fun, and full of “AHA!” moments that made it all the more satisfying to play. This was my first time playing an escape room, and there’s a definite learning curve involved with these types of puzzles. Now is the part where I have to admit that we ALMOST escaped (but didn’t). As my mom says though, “close only counts in horseshoes”. I’d love to give The Escape Game another try…maybe in an easier room this time 

Anna-Alexandra Rojo Wildman Growing up in DC, you could always count on one of your extra-fancy family meals being in a downtown steakhouse. The city has grown and evolved deliciously, but deep down, I think we're still a steakhouse-for-a-special-occasion kind of town.  We had a delicious sneak-peak of the revamped BLT Steak last week, and it certainly lived up to my special occasion meal memories - albeit with a much more modern ambiance (courtesy of a head-to-toe redesign by Studio Saint). Be ready to loosen your belt from the get-go: the meal began with BLT's signature big, warm, fluffy popovers - we wanted to just dive into them facefirst - along with pate and crostini to go with our cocktails off the new drinks menu.  Next from executive chef Michael Bonk's menu, we shared thick-cut smoked bacon and the wedge (we had to eat something green, right?). A small detail but always so appreciated - our server realized we would be splitting our starters, so she brought them out pre-split on separate dishes. No awkward passing the salad back and forth across the table on this night! Finally, the moment we were all waiting for: ribeyes, perfectly cooked (medium rare, natch), along with truffle mashed potatoes and crispy fries with cilantro mayo - which, as a no-cilantro-please-person, I must note was actually *fabulous*.  All washed down with some full-bodied California reds, we left this meal thoroughly satisfied - and ready for a nap!  Check it out yourself at 1625 I Street NW; bltrestaurants.com

Gemma Menges Last week, I got the chance to preview the new Smoke & Mirrors rooftop bar! Located on the 11th floor of the new AC Capitol Hill Hotel, this spot offers a birds-eye view of downtown DC and the US Capitol Building.  The best part: you don’t have to swap a good view for good food. Smoke & Mirrors offers a menu with plates that are perfect for sharing (or not ). Potatoes 71 is to DIE for with tater tots, Gouda, toasted hemp seed, and shaved black truffle. However, the Baked Crab Fondue wins honorable mention because I’m totally biased towards anything that comes with a pretzel braid. For people that are “always cold” like me, the bar features a fireplace, fire pits, and outdoor heat lights. The rooftop is also equipped with a  retractable canopy, so bar goers will stay dry come rain or shine. Finished wood and blue accents give the space a really polished and modern look, but the specialty cocktail menu steals the show. I started the evening off with the refreshing smoked paloma with mezcal, fresh lime, and grapefruit soda, and let’s just say that it wasn’t my only cocktail of the night… 

Rachel Zardus Nothing quite gets you in the holiday spirit like a visit to Enchant Christmas at Nats Park. You could spend hours shopping for gifts in the holiday market, finding the elves toys in the Christmas light maze scavenger hunt, snacking on holiday treats and sipping on festive cocktails, meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus, listening to Christmas carolers, and more. Perfect for families, couples, or friends looking for a fun evening outdoors and with other members of the DC community. The Christmas light maze features millions of lights, and my favorite part, a one hundred foot completely lit Christmas tree with a view of the Nationals score board in the background. This was the perfect holiday themed date night that really got us in the Christmas spirit. Needless to say, we will definitely be back next year to experience more of the magic of Enchant.

Gemma Menges I’m not going to lie…I don’t usually reach for a beer, and I definitely wouldn’t consider myself a beer-drinker. So, when Snallygaster festivalgoers began pouring in with printed, sorted, AND highlighted beer lists, I was seriously questioning what I had gotten myself into. However, I was very pleasantly surprised! There were 450+ brews from 200+ international brewers (including some very familiar DC names) which incorporated flavors for every palate featuring seasonal brews, special imports, exotic ales, and so much more. My personal favorites were Angry Chair’s “Strawberry Electric Chair” – a fruited sour ale with strawberry and lemon – and Drekker’s PLOP: Oops! All Berries – a hard seltzer smoothie with mixed berries. Don’t even get me started on the food trucks. Grilled cheese, lobster rolls, empanadas, poutine; you name it, they had it. All this excitement was accompanied by a live music from two different stages whose genres ranged anywhere from Go-Go to House. The best part is that Snallygaster additionally operates as the largest fundraiser for a DC non-profit, Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture, who are committed to creating a more stable food system for all DC residents.  Even though the festival is named after a mythical creature that terrified DC residents in the 18th century, luckily there were no Snallygaster sightings that day (although I’m not sure I would have stayed if there was a massive reptile-bird hybrid with sharp metal teeth flying around), the festival truly lived up to its name as a beastly salute to craft beer.

Anna- Alexandra Rojo Wildman This spring, we spent an afternoon in Dupont, and stopped by the Dupont Circle Hotel for the then-newly launched brunch at The Pembroke. It did not disappoint. Bright, airy, full of plants and marble and gold touches, it felt like a little European cafe off of New Hampshire Avenue.  Not just a pretty face, the menu from executive chef Taylor Burlingame offered something for everyone - you know, not just "Eggs. Six Ways." (Don't get me wrong, I love eggs. But when your mamma doesn't do eggs, it makes it hard to find a brunch spot to go to. Makes one appreciate the extra thought that goes in to a more extensive brunch menu.)   Don't worry - there are egg dishes, too! There are plenty of classic brunch sips, including the build-your-own mimosas with Taittinger Brut and bloody Mary for the table with Kettel One. My bloody Mary was single-serve, but the presentation was adorable all the same...and as an absolute wimp, I can attest that it was peppery and tasty, but not crazy spicy, so, perfect for this girl here.

Gemma Menges Looking for a refreshing swim AND drink? Deck 11 has you covered. Inside DC’s new YOTEL, Deck 11 is a rooftop bar featuring an 800-square-foot pool and lined with lounge chairs perfect for relaxing (or sipping on a specialty cocktail). Speaking of, the Watermelon Frosé was my personal favorite. The drink is light and sweet, and it is garnished with a slice of lime. Other ‘must try’ drinks include the Piña Colada and the Amalfi Spritz. The venue features some fire pits that are surrounded by comfortable couches and chairs for those who want a Deck 11 experience without necessarily donning a bathing suit. It also houses large, cushioned cabanas with curtains that can be closed to provide some privacy during your pool day. Complimentary to guests, the fun atmosphere of Deck 11 is a hidden DC gem. However, the best part of the night was the spectacular sunset view from the rooftop which offers the perfect place to watch the sun go down over the city.