 Home to President Obama himself, Washington DC offers a true cultural experience with a soulful twist. Divided into four adjacent quarters: northeast (NE), northwest (NW), southeast, (SE), and southwest (SW) --each reflecting distinct styles and flavors bringing to light the city’s complex personal demeanor. Visit during warm months, for discounted museum entry, free out door shows, and concerts—all nestled among iconic neighborhoods from Georgetown and Takoma Park to Chevy Chase and the revitalized U Street. With diverse communities, you’re sure to find ample occasions to eat, sleep and play.
Where To Stay
Hotel Rouge - A Kimpton Hotel
1215 16th Street NW
Washington DC, 20036-9
202.939.6400
www.rougehotel.com
Rouge Around the Edges
 A mere stroll from culture drenched boutiques, to include fashionable
Embassy Row, this upscale glam hotel allows shoppers and fitness
junkies to unite. This hip, urban hideout is the ideal choice for travelers looking to
work or play.
Round the clock robot equipped fitness elliptical
gear--take turns stocking up on ties while jogging in the Nikes. Novel
complimentary wine hours to unwind, cold pizza and beer awaiting the
late night munchies, feed every urge, then massage it out at Florian
Organic product stocked night and day spa.
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L’enfant Plaza Hotel
480 L’enfant Plaza SW
Washington D.C., 20024
www.lenfantplazahotel.com
Sleep like a L’enfant
Conveniently nestled nearby neighboring museums, theme parks and iconic monuments, this serene hotel rests between iconic backdrops. Dig deep into culture, then hike back to your awaiting fortress. Intense scents creep underneath doorways, while celebrity chefs tempt and tease delectable meat, sauce and fish entrees waiting to be guzzled.
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Where to Eat
Ben's Chili Bowl
1213 U Street NW
Washington DC, 20009
202.667.0909-0
www.benschilibowl.com
It's Chili Inside
 Reminiscent to Coney Island’s Nathan’s, DC’s famous Ben’s Chili Bowl, boasts a bright red and white painted store front, with savory hot dogs, burgers or golden crisp fries served up drenched in superstar chili. Worth the lengthy line packed inside--just prop elbows on the nearest counter and demolish your food fast.
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Ten Penh
1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington D.C., 20004
202.393.4500
www.tenpenh.com
Zen for the Palate
 Hong Kong inspired designs ornate this bistro style eatery overlooking bustling Tenth Street. Plan ahead of time, with an enforced upscale casual dress code and reservation requirement-- pre-set rules set the tone for this silk embedded high end dining location. Expensive taste may suffice: with 28 dollar dashi marinated Chilean sea bass embedded in nori somen noodles, shiitake mushrooms and anticusho sauces. Skip the chopsticks, and consume your entrée in grace, sipping on some warmed Geikkekan sake. Toast anyone?
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Meskerem
2434 18th street NW
Washington D.C.20009
202.462.4100
www.ethiopianrestaurant.com
Africa in DC
 Wash the hands---good. Discard etiquette for true African dining, with images of Mother Earth natives conjuring around in the mind. Brick stacked storefront windows allow plentiful sunshine to gleam and glow throughout this dainty two story eatery; with low stools and airy vibes to greet it’s diners. Yellow decorations, homegrown Ethiopian beats stream through speakers, providing a slice of life in the Congos, minus the thirty-hour flight. At least there are animals—from stewed beef, poultry, lamb perfect to scoop with sourdough crepes, and chomp the bit.
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Oya Lounge and Bar
Penn Quarter 777 9th Street, NW
Washington D.C. 20001
202.393.1400
www.oyadc.com
Sea food Disappear
 Raw fish, platters colorfully arrayed on china platters—though the cuisine is universal, menus faithfully remain Asian inspired, not to be confused with popular fast food counterparts populating every city block. Classic sophisticated burgundy walls envelop large aquamarine holding tanks, as graceful sea creatures glide from side to side. Great for dates, with an airy romantic disposition, Oya’s sure to soothe and enliven your subdued parts.
WHERE TO PLAY
FLY LOUNGE
1802 Jefferson Place NW
Washington D.C. 20036
202.828.4433
www.flyloungedc.com
Soar Into Luxury
 Maverick DJ turned pilot and partner combine to create this glossy aerodynamic, fully equipped space amid uniform flight attendant bartenders, velvet ropes and hi tech tables. Nightly blends of hip hop, house, ambient and funk soul rotate, while hips casually sway to ever-turbulent tempos. Conquer your fears and glide into nightlife with purpose.
Dress code: Trendy casual
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Ooh La Lounge/Bar Rouge
1315 16th street NW
Washington DC, 20036
202.232.8000
French Kiss
Ultramod posh red, black and white décor straight from ‘A Clockwork Orange’, pulsate and propel this bar hopping staple into happening 16th street notoriety. Live jazz show combos, eye catching choreographed numbers and tequila flows in loads at burlesque fun-filled musicals put on weekly. Steal the show, or just watch, whatever your fancy, ‘Ooh La’ will surely tickle it.
THE SPOTS
Pop
1803a 14th street NW
Washington DC 20009
202.332.3312
www.shoppop.com
This Ain’t Old School
 From designer threads and happening music to in-house rotating weekly parties, Pop shop remains the trend setting staple pumping sugar red blood through burgeoning DC artsy scene. Sexy, passionate products populate pimped out shelves, while egotistical happy-go-lucky shoppers point and dart toward their product of choice. Parked on the corner of 14th street with a sure fire edge of its own-- well worth the hike downtown.
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The Grooming Lounge
1745 L Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
202.466.8900
www.thegroominglounge.com
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Caramel
1603 U Street NW
Washington DC, 20009
202.265.1930
www.caramelfashion.com
Smooth Designer Threads
 Striped blue dragon collared shirts from noteworthy designers Pure, Wet Cement and Ami Sanzuri display belts, accessories and jeans for home, him or her respectively. Posing as a collective art gallery, weekly events showcase work by local artists, where food, fun and excitement spontaneously combust. Stare, share and care, Caramel’s suave creative blend of fusion never fails to stimulate.
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