D.C. on the cheap

First off, thank you to the people out there who have taken an interest in our blog. Even though we both (more or less) grew up with the internet, its ability to connect perfect strangers amazes us, and it is flattering to think that people not obligated by friendship or DNA have noticed our efforts.

We recently received an email from a young couple that is new to Alexandria. Like many of us at that stage in life, "bars don't have the same appeal they used to, mostly because in the real world its too hard to stay up past midnight, and going to the movies is just getting boring." With that in mind, here's a list of DC-based activities for our fans in Alexandria that we've enjoyed as a couple that are easy on the wallet (non-museum edition). We've also included some things that have been recommended to us, but that we've not had a chance to do ourselves.

Charity Work. Not surprisingly, D.C. is filled with people who want to make the world a better place. Perhaps not as obvious is that these events (see here and here) often double as social/networking events. Do a little good and meet some good people along the way.
Roadtrip. D.C. is great but sometimes you need a change of pace. In the time we've been here, we've enjoyed tips to Philly, Baltimore, Annapolis, New York, Atlanta, Indianapolis, West Virginia, Gettysburg, and Charlottesville, just to name a few. We like to drive but also consider the various luxury bus companies, like Bolt Bus and Mega Bus. We once snagged 2 roundtrips to NY for the grand total of $35. It probably would have cost that much in tolls, not to mention gas. Plus, our car doesn't have a bathroom or WiFi.
Cooking Classes. There are lots of options, and when you factor in the fact that you're learning something while also eating a top notch meal, it is a good deal too. Seek out classes at restaurants (we've had good experiences at Zola and Zengo), from private chefs (Chef Oliver Friendly), and cooking schools (L'Academie de Cuisine).
Scavenger Hunts. Appealing to everyone's geeky side (and most of us have one, especially in D.C.), you'd be surprised how many scavenger hunts you'll find in this city. In our experience (Post Hunt, Mr. Yogato sponsored hunt for the charity, A Plate for All), if you have a good team, a scavenger hunt can be one of the most goofy/fun times you'll have. And you'd be surprised what you can get away with when you tell a stranger on the street that you're doing a scavenger hunt...
Trivia/Game Night. What did we say about D.C. getting its geek on? When you go to a bar in most other cities, you'll find beer and bad pick-up lines. Here, you can find Trivial Pursuit tournaments.
The Great Outdoors. When surrounded by history and beautiful architecture, don't forget all the natural beauty that surrounds you. Ride your bike, visit Shenandoah, experience Great Falls, or explore Rock Creek Park.
Be a Tourist. There must be some reason millions of middle school kids flock to D.C. every year... Check out Mt. Vernon, the National Cathedral, any number of free downtown walking tours, jump on a Segway tour, see where fabulous lives, or join an embassy tour.
Eating Out. DC has its share of cheap eats, but to experience nicer restaurants when they are "on sale" check out Restaurant Week or try a food club such as Tastings Journal.
Smithsonian Resident Associates. You already know that the Smithsonian museums are free, but did you know that for a small membership fee you get access to a huge array of special events such as lectures, tours, and classes? They usually cost money but member discounts are available. We've been to some great events (An Evening With Tommy Lasorda) and a snoozer (Monet and Giverny) and encourage you to check out their extensive offerings.
Local Music. Since we were completely spoiled by the level of bar and coffeehouse musical talent in LA, this is something we have yet to experience in D.C. However, we've heard great things about the local music scene and it's one of our goals to get out their and listen. We'd love to hear about your favorite places.
Sport/Rec Leagues. Is sitting behind that computer all day making you crazy? Get outside and run around! Whether it is bocce ball, ultimate frisbee, or kickball, D.C. has a league for you.
Professional Sports Teams. It's true that tickets to the major sport teams aren't cheap but don't forget the secondary sports like MLS and lacrosse.
Blogging. Start a blog! Seriously. It is a great hobby to take up, and something you can do as a couple. And depending on your blog's theme, it tends to push you to explore things that you wouldn't otherwise pursue.
People Watching. D.C. has so many fantastic people watching places. Whether it's the American flag-shirted families that populate the National Mall or the frantic holiday shoppers at the shopping mall, there are plenty of interesting things to see if you just stop and look. Grab a cup of hot cocoa, find a bench, and let the games begin.

Anyone out there have any other good ideas for where to go when your bank account is as empty as a Washington Nationals game? New to the area and looking for some other suggestions? Contact us here.

Ben's Chili Bowl

Like 2Amys, we've written a lot (see our favorite restaurants, Nationals Park, and our tribute to Ben Ali) about Ben's Chili Bowl, but haven't gotten around to doing an official TwoDC-style review. You've probably heard about Ben's being a DC institution and surviving in its current location for over 50 years through riots and Metro construction. What you might be wondering is whether the food is actually any good. With some "landmark" restaurants, you pay for the atmosphere and suffer through the food. While some may disagree (including my culinary hero Tom Sietsema), I think the food at Ben's is great. By great I mean tummy-warming, comfort food great not Voltaggio brothers fancy pants great.

When you arrive at Ben's you're likely to see this:

Yes, be ready to wait in line. Usually, the line goes really quickly and you'll be scarfing down your half smoke in no time. On our last visit, we arrived just before shift change time (7:00 pm) and the service was slooooooooow. The staff leaving at 7pm basically stopped working at 6:55pm and the 7pm staff didn't start really moving until about 7:05pm. But if you have to wait in line, Ben's is a pretty fun place to wait. The atmosphere is joyful and the music is rockin'.

Ben's has a pretty extensive menu (including breakfast on the weekend), but when you go for the first time, you should order the half smoke "all the way." That means you'll be getting a half smoke (half pork/half beef sausage) topped with mustard, onions, and Ben's famous chili. It's served with a side of potato chips that I usually skip over in favor of the chili cheese fries (more on those later). If you don't eat pork, they have all-beef hot dogs. If you don't eat hot dogs, they have burgers. If you're a vegetarian, they have veggie chili. If you still can't find something to eat, go somewhere else.

Ben's isn't the place for sticking to your diet or your quest to eat naturally. Ben's is the place for good old fashioned comfort food. Speaking of comfort food . . . I present Ben's chili cheese fries. I can hear the angels singing every time I look at this photo. You won't believe this after reading our blog, but B and I tend to eat very healthfully most of the time (we don't post about the stuff we eat when we're not eating out). We're both fairly thin and healthy people, BUT we have a serious weakness for Ben's chili cheese fries. If you're looking to splurge, this is the way to go.

Speaking of weakness, I also love Ben's cake. I've been told that they don't make it in-house, but I don't care whose house it is made in... it's tasty! I usually take the cake home and eat it later because after a half smoke and chili cheese fries I can barely move. The cake is awesome even when eaten the next day.

In closing, here's an open letter to D.C.'s most beloved establishment:

Dear Ben's,

Sometimes you make my tummy hurt and you make my favorite jeans a little too tight, but I love you.

Love, J.

Second Thoughts from B

Whether you like greasy spoons or not, whether you like hot dogs and chili or not, whether you like happiness or not, you have to experience Ben's Chili Bowl before you can consider your time in D.C. complete. Period. End of story.

I would say that a visit to Ben's is a must simply based on the history and cultural relevance of the place (read more here). But the reason we keep coming back is not the atmosphere and the experience, it's the food.

As J alluded to, sometimes you experience a place in spite of the food. Not at Ben's. I've eaten my fair share of hot dogs in my lifetime and this one is the best. Thick, juicy, and packed with flavor, a naked half-smoke would be worth a trip. Then you add the famous chili. Rich and thick (and happily without beans), it adds just enough kick to make it interesting. Add chili cheese fries, cake, creamy milkshakes, and you've found caloric nirvana.

2Amys

It's no secret that we adore 2Amys pizza (see our favorite restaurants post), especially since we've probably referred to it in every pizza post we've written. To us, it's the gold standard for DC pizza. While I've read complaints that the pizza quality has slipped, they are still serving up delicious pies.

If you want to experience the pizza without waiting a really long time for a table, we recommend going on a weekend for lunch and arriving about 10 minutes before they open. A line starts to form outside, but when the doors open they seat the crowd quickly. On our last visit, we had a group of 7 and were seated right away.

If you come when there is a wait (which is pretty much all the time), head to the bar at the back of the restaurant and grab a drink while you wait.

We like to start with the mixed greens salad with lemon, red wine vinegar, and olive oil. It is the most simple salad you'll find on a restaurant menu, but the simplicity is why we like it. It's a fresh and light way to start your meal before you begin chowing down on cheesy pizza goodness.

In addition to a menu full of pizzas with creative toppings (grana or cockles anyone?) 2Amys offers a few special pizzas that rotate periodically. B ordered a special pizza that featured cockles (clams) and artichoke hearts.

While I am the first to admit that their fancy pizzas are great, I have a huge soft spot for the Two Amys, which is simply tomato and fresh mozzarella cheese. It's the best cheese pizza I've had outside of Brooklyn, and I'm in love with the chewy crust. However, on some days, the wood burning oven is a little overzealous and scorches the crust a bit too much. Usually, it's cooked perfectly and I have no problem polishing off the whole thing.

Because of its popularity, 2Amys isn't the most relaxing place to dine. You usually have to wait for a table, and it's noisy and full of little kids. But, if you're willing to deal with these minor inconveniences, you're in for a real treat. My mom (a native New Yorker) called it one of the best pizzas she's ever had. You know what they say about mothers always being right.

Second Thoughts from B

For all you Top Chef fans out there, you know that the current season features a finale that pits a Southern chef that expertly prepares "simple" food against a pair of brothers who specialize in more sophisticated dishes.

At 2Amys, you don't have to make such a choice. On one hand you've got simple pizzas made perfectly. On the other hand, you'll find a menu full of ingredients and combinations that are completely foreign to most diners. Sure, you can make a custom pizza with pepperoni and meatballs, and I'm sure it'll be great. But my advice is this; trust the geniuses in the kitchen and allow them to make their magic. You won't be sorry.

Posto

Recently, we met two of our favorite people for dinner at Posto on 14th Street. This "modern Italian" restaurant opened in the old Viridian restaurant space in December of last year. The dining room is large and airy, but the wide open spaces and concrete floors means that you'll have to crank up the hearing aide a notch to hear your dining companions.

We started things off with the Bufalina Salad (romaine salad, buffalo mozzarella, grape tomatoes, pioppini mushrooms, basil breadcrumbs, balsamic dressing). It was similar to a caprese salad with grilled romaine substituted for the tomatoes. An interesting twist on an Italian favorite.

I was about to write "B took the waiter's advice and ordered _____" but loyal readers (reader? Hi Mom!) know that he does that at every restaurant. So, I'll cut to the chase and say that he really loved the ravioli special with mushrooms and butter cream sauce.

I took advantage of Posto's wood-burning pizza oven and ordered the "calzone of the day," which happened to be spicy salami with a mix of mozzarella and ricotta cheeses. The chewy calzone dough was great, but this might not be an ideal dish for those who don't like a lot of bread. The filling was plentiful, but the massive amount of dough overwhelmed it. No complaints from me though. I loved taking pieces of the dough and dipping it into the side of marinara sauce. I added crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce to jazz things up.

We were too stuffed from the carb overload to try the dessert menu, so maybe next time. Overall, we had a very nice time at Posto even if it had as much to do with the great company as the food. While solid, the food was nothing terribly inventive. With so many unique options on 14th street and in the surrounding Logan Circle neighborhood, it might be awhile before we get back to Posto. So much to eat, so little time!

Second Thoughts from B

Yes, it is true, I took the waiter's advice... again. But seriously, who knows the menu better: a first time diner or someone who has tasted every dish? It isn't as if I'd accept something that sounded horrible, but I've grown up to be willing to try things that are out of my box and have been, more often than not, pleasantly surprised.

Two other things about my ordering strategy. First, I only take this approach at nicer places. You don't go to McDonald's and ask for their opinion. But if I'm spending good money for creative, high quality food and service to match, then why not give these talented and informed people a chance to impress? You wouldn't tell a talented artist to make you a paint-by-numbers painting, would you? Secondly, I'm shocked when I find out that a waiter/waitress has not had an opportunity to taste all the dishes on the menu. How can you expect someone to talk about food that they've not sampled? Thankfully, chefs who keep their staff in the dark seem to be a dying breed.

After all that, how did our waiter at Posto do? Let's just say that the menu should have listed the "butter" part of the butter sauce in all CAPS. This dish would make Paula Dean proud and your cardiologist cringe. For better or worse, depending on your perspective, it was a luscious flavor that I won't soon forget.

J didn't disclose this, but the waiter also recommended the calzone, and I can rave about it without reservation. The thing was so big it looked like it could be used for a pick-up game of football, but the dough was so flavorful and fluffy that it belied its mass. Next thing we knew, we were filled with calzone, and sadly, had to pass on dessert.