AS A SENIOR EDITOR at Roadside America, a travel Web site specializing in bizarre attractions, Ken Smith is a rare authority on strange landmarks. We asked him for his five D.C. favorites. (You can find locations at Roadsideamerica.com.)
» Obscure Monument to Lobsterdom: This statue of a man kneeling over a lobster was constructed in Maine for the 1939 World's Fair. After the fair, it moved from city to city for decades before it ended up in Washington (on Maine Avenue), donated by the Camp Fire Girls of Cundys Harbor, Maine, in 1981.
» Franklin Roosevelt Memorial Block: Although there is now a massive memorial to FDR, "he stipulated that when he died all he wanted was this block of granite the size of his desk," says Smith. It still sits, with his name engraved on it, outside the National Archives.
» The American Acropolis: The National Capitol Columns — originally part of the U.S Capitol — at the National Arboretum are "pretty offbeat," he says.
» The Last Temperance Fountain: "The Temperance Association was building these fountains all over the country to encourage water-drinking, and you've got the last surviving one in Washington," Smith says.
» The Sonny Bono Memorial Park: It's "one of our favorite places because it's tiny — it's really tiny," Smith says. (It's simply a triangle of land with a little plaque — seen at right — in the ground.) "We like Sonny Bono tributes wherever they are."
» Best Weird Landmark: The Awakening
» Explore a full list of the year's winners at the Best of 2009 index.
Photo by Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post
EXPRESS ASKED this Metro expert to pick his five favorite stations.
» Judiciary Square: "I think it's architecturally the most significant and quite beautiful in that way." He especially likes the National Building Museum exit, "where you get that magnificent vista framed in the escalator."
» Union Station: Historically notable because it "connects Metro to commuter rail and the inner-city rail."
» East Falls Church: "Because that's the one near my house, and it's always nice to have a Metro station near your house."
» Ronald Reagan National Airport: "There's something about getting off a plane when you've been far away, sort of sliding into that Metro space, and suddenly you feel at home."
» A Future Tysons Corner Station: Schrag's always thought a Tysons station should have been part of the original system. "It's good that there will be a Tysons station built within my lifetime," he says.
» Best Metro Station: Gallery Place/Chinatown
» Explore a full list of the year's winners at the Best of 2009 index.
Photo courtesy Evan Cantwell/GMU
» EXPRESS: What makes a great bartender?
» BARMAK: You have to cater to everyone's needs, but have fun and play around with them. You've got to be able to give it back when they give it to you. Entertain them a little bit.
» EXPRESS: What are your sports teams?
» BARMAK: Caps. I'm big on the Caps. And the Redskins, I guess. I work in a sports bar, and I love sports, so the conversation just flows.
» EXPRESS: Any other D.C. bartender who deserves a 'Best Of' nod? » BARMAK: Kevin at Caddies, my favorite! He's the best person to work with ever. We play off each other.
» EXPRESS: What was your first bartending job?
» BARMAK: I worked at [Bethesda's] Willie and Reeds as a waitress for a year, but when I went into bartending, it was really when I went to Caddies. I guess I never wanted to leave here.
» EXPRESS: What's your favorite cocktail to make?
» BARMAK: Long Island Iced Tea. It keeps people away from the bar for a little longer because it's strong.
» Best Bartender: Mara Barmak, Caddies on Cordell
» Explore a full list of the year's winners at the Best of 2009 index.
Written by Express contributor Robyn Mincher
Photo by Marge Ely/Express
» EXPRESS: What's your favorite shopping neighborhood?
» DONOHUE: Well, I'm biased: I live in Old Town, which, I think, has developed into a really neat shopping neighborhood in the past couple of years. The 14th and U streets corridor is similar, with independently owned, eclectic shops side by side.
» EXPRESS: What's the best way to shop in Old Town?
» DONOHUE: A lot of people just walk up and down King Street, but so many of the more interesting stores are on the side streets. You'll find a whole wealth of stuff — home goods, fashion, coffee shops.
» EXPRESS: Which stereotype about Washington fashion do you think is the most outdated?
» DONOHUE: The boxy, boring, stuffy suit. It's a cliche, but Michelle Obama is such a good example of how you can wear things that are still appropriate but a little more fashion-forward, too.
» EXPRESS: What one piece of fashion advice do you have for Washingtonians?
» DONOHUE: Don't be afraid to take more chances with what you wear, especially with color. You can completely transform an outfit with a chunky necklace or fun pair of shoes.
» Best Indie Women's Boutique: Treat
» Explore a full list of the year's winners at the Best of 2009 index.
Written by Express contributor Katie Knorovsky
Photo by Lawrence Luk for Express
» EXPRESS: How should I get my hair cut?
» FRAZIER: The long bob is in — it's a modern, polished, professional look. Long fringe bangs are quite current, too. Long curls are also big right now; I think hair has been so flat and straight for such a long time that more amplified curls are on the rise.
» EXPRESS: Is Washington hair too conservative?
» FRAZIER: I do think Washington's conservative, but in a modern, sophisticated way. Conservative doesn't necessarily lend itself to boring. I don't do a lot of super-funky avant-garde hair. People need to be able to translate from the Capitol Hill work environment and ... bring it up or tease it out for the weekend when you want to go out.
» EXPRESS: Who has D.C.'s best hair?
» FRAZIER: I have to say, Michelle Obama is kind of a hair leader. She came into the city and single-handedly made it feel like a fashionable place.
» EXPRESS: Who needs a new 'do?
» FRAZIER: Carol Schwartz is somebody that I feel like, year after year, I've always seen her with the same hair, but I'd love to see her update her look.
» Best Women's Haircut & Best Wax: Bang Salon
» Explore a full list of the year's winners at the Best of 2009 index.
Written by Express contributor Rachel Kaufman
Photo by Kevin Dietsch for Express
LAST SEASON, after scoring a particularly unbelievable goal against the Montreal Canadiens that saw him stealing the puck at center ice, falling on his back, and somehow poking the puck past the Canadiens' net minder as he fell, Ovechkin looked to the stands and cupped his hand to one ear, as if to say, "I can't hear you," to the capacity crowd. The Verizon Center erupted, giving Ovechkin a hockey equivalent of a curtain call. He smiled, flashing the toothless grin that's become an iconic D.C. image since he joined the team in 2005.
When he's not egging the fans on, Ovechkin's crashing into the boards, grabbing his teammates or dropping his stick as if it's too hot to handle. Sure, his antics are a bit ridiculous, but it's why we love him. You voted him Best D.C. Athlete, so we asked the Great 8 for his Best of 2009.
» Restaurant: Ovechkin couldn't decide, but he says he likes to go to Chopsticks in Georgetown for sushi and Russia House for a little taste of home.
» Bar: "My basement," Ovechkin says, where he indulges in beer, wine and vodka.
» D.C. Athlete: Gilbert Arenas of the Wizards, who also calls Verizon Center home. "I love watching the way he plays," Ovechkin says.
» Place to Drive: Ovechkin's a big car aficionado — he's boasted about his Mercedes-Benz going 180 miles per hour. "The road is the best spot to drive — just anywhere," he says.
» Best Local Athlete: Alex Ovechkin
» Explore a full list of the year's winners at the Best of 2009 index.
Photo by Lawrence Luk for Express
» EXPRESS: Why are you our favorite film fest?
» SITNEY: We are honored to be voted Washington's favorite festival. I believe that Silverdocs proves the old adage correct: Truth is indeed stranger than fiction. We travel around the world and scour through nearly 2,000 submissions to bring together a wonderfully eclectic program of the year's most compelling, surprising, provocative and entertaining nonfiction films, all presented within our beautiful state-of-the-art theater amongst a highly engaged audience.
» EXPRESS: What was the most exciting part of SILVERDOCS 2009?
» SITNEY: Perhaps the most exciting moment of 2009 was welcoming basketball icon LeBron James, fresh off his spectacular season with the Cavaliers, to our opening night gala screening.
» EXPRESS: When do you start planning the 2010 festival?
» SITNEY: The day after the prior festival ends.
» EXPRESS: What's your favorite movie about D.C.?
» SITNEY: "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," of course.
» Best Film Festival: Silverdocs
» Explore a full list of the year's winners at the Best of 2009 index.
Photo courtesy Silverdocs
WHATEVER YOU DO, don't call it "fro-yo." "It doesn't deserve a short, goofy name," says Tangysweet owner Aaron Gordon.
Tangysweet's Penn Quarter location serves six flavors of the trendy new twist on the frozen dessert — it tastes like real yogurt, not ice cream — plus all sorts of toppings. Both locations now offer crumbled cake from sister company and next-door neighbor Red Velvet Cupcakes.
The Next Big Thing: "I'd like to do a specialty Korean barbecue taco truck," Gordon says.
» Tangysweet, 2029 P St. NW; 202-822-2066; Tangysweet.com. (Dupont Circle)
» Explore a full list of the year's winners at the Best of 2009 index.
Written by Express contributor Rachel Kaufman
Photo courtesy Paul Burk
THE STAFF SWEARS it's the special knife — the crescent-shaped mezzaluna — that makes the salad so tasty, but customers might say it's the thousands of topping combinations. Lines are usually out the door at lunchtime, but Kevin Hood, who manages the Chinatown location, says the queues move faster than they appear to. If you're counting calories, stay away from the fried chicken, nuts, cheese and salami, and ask for any of the 39 toppings that are less than 100 calories. Chop't's grilled shrimp topping adds just 69 calories, and edamame just 59, and all the veggies are an obvious choice for dieters. Customer Favorite: "We don't know why, but people will add Craisins to any salad. By far, it's the most popular add-in," Hood says.
» Chop't, Multiple locations; Choptsalad.com.
» Explore a full list of the year's winners at the Best of 2009 index.
Written by Express contributor Rachel Kaufman
Photo by The Washington Post
LIKE RAIDING YOUR best friend's closet in high school, shopping at this classic department store always means uncovering something special for gussying up, whether your style is boardroom-sophisticated or night-out glam.
At each of the area's three outposts, a fleet of friendly-but-not-pushy sales clerks help navigate the huge on-trend selection of designer and affordable handbags, jewelry and other wardrobe-updating accents (think sparkly cocktail rings, bold ikat scarves and cheery yellow aviators).
Best-Sellers: Drapey cashmere wraps, stacked bangles, cross-body totes and bags.
» 1400 South Hayes St., Arlington; 703-415-1121. (Pentagon City)
» 8075 Tysons Corner Center, McLean; 703-761-1121.
» 7111 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda; 301-365-4111.
» Explore a full list of the year's winners at the Best of 2009 index.
Written by Express contributor Katie Knorovsky
Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images
Addison Road