In Town

Whether you live here or you’re visiting,
here’s how to do DC right now.

By Stefanie Gans

FIRST THING

Last month, Riggs relaunched breakfast and lunch during the week, a nod to our crawl back to normalcy. We love the idea of waking up (spring for one of the precious First Lady suites!) and taking the elevator down for a breakfast of lush soft scrambles, radish-topped avocado toast and, of course, the in-house baked cardamom bun. For sips, we love to go naughty and nice: a Riggs spritz (vodka, peach, rose and bubbles) and the Detox elixir (turmeric, ginger, honey and lemon). With the Portrait Gallery nearly across the street (at 8th and G streets NW), it’s best to pop in for a look at the exhibit Her Story: A Century of Women Writers, a commemoration of some of the country’s most influential writers, in conjunction with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920. >> Riggs Washington DC: 900 F St., NW, Washington, DC

CULTURE VENTURE

The Hirshhorn’s iconic rounded exterior will be dramatically wrapped in artwork by Swiss-born Nicolas Party, now through spring 2022. Party plays with color and form, using vibrant, jewel-toned curtains to drape slyly over faces seemingly carved from stone. See Laurie Anderson: The Weather, a sprawling new sensory adventure created by the Grammy-winning multimedia artist.  We love the idea of strolling around one of DC’s most highbrow museums and then dipping across the street to order a chocolate-vanilla swirl soft serve from one of the seemingly hundreds of ice cream trucks lining the mall. You’ll hear their choral call blocks away. >>Hirshhorn: Independence Ave. SW & 7th St. SW, Washington, DC

Mock-up rendering for the installation Draw the Curtain (2021) by Nicolas Party

RETAIL THERAPY

Sign us up for Virginie Viard’s dreamy aprés ski escape with the fun, winter sports inspired collection of tailored cropped jackets, oversized tweed slacks, layers-shaggy moon boots—and did we spy a floral embroidered jumpsuit?!—at the Chanel flagship, now open at CityCenterDC. The iconic brand’s DC flagship is flush with all things Chanel, including beauty, shoes and rare accessories. While you’re popping in and out of the shops into Palmer Alley all decked out this season in autumnal hues with a canopy of leaves, grab an espresso and cookie at Amy Brandwein’s Piccolina to keep you going. P.S. >>Chanel at CityCenterDC: 825 10th St NW, Washington, DC

CityCenterDC

BOOK A TABLE

Almost 25 years later, and we’re still following Sharon Stone’s lead in pairing couture with the corner (Gap) store. Food is no exception. We can barely stand the brilliance of matching crispy, spicy fried chicken with—gasp!—caviar service. Daikaya Group’s Katsuya Fukushima, who helped grow Jose Andres empire, now has one of his own, which includes the quirky Bantam King. Playing homage to the former tenant, Burger King, Bantam King serves pristine chicken ramens and some of the city’s best fried chicken. New this fall is the option to elevate it with an espuma of cream cheese and briny caviar. It’s the mind-bending spin on surf and turf that makes 2021 bearable. Of course, there’s also Champagne.

Veronika Sabiridrissi

EXTRAS

Stroll around Georgetown, and grab a seat at CUT DCs outside patio to take in the picturesque canal, it’s now refilled with water. >> We know. Of course you’re in Tysons Galleria building a fall wardrobe. Now in addition to Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, the new expansion offers more great options from the home with Arhaus now open, Restoration Hardware and Crate and Barrel all coming.  While you’re there, try a cheese slice from Andy’s Pizza. Owner Andy Brown just won a trophy from the International Pizza Challenge. Stay longer and grab tickets to Washington West Film Festival, Waitress with music by Sara Bareiless or Little Big Town’s Nightfall Tour at Capital One Hall inside the brand new Capital One Center. >> Feel like playing a tourist didn’t give you enough of a sweat? We’re fans of the intense reformer workout at [solidcore]. With locations scattered across the city, it’s always easy to find that good burn.

Tysons Galleria. Photo by Albert Ting for Brookfield Property. 
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