From Food Trucks to Wolfgang Pucks

If there is one thing DC lacks in terms of food it's good barbecue. Most recently, New York magazine listed DC as one of the new foodie cities; which I agree with because from food trucks to Wolfgang Puck's we've got 'em covered. But, sometimes when a studio-apartment bound girl (no grill) wants to get BBQ sauce all over her face, she is left with not a lot of options. However, there are a couple...

My go to for good barbecue is Old Glory's in Georgetown.
There are few things better in this world than cornbread with butter, fried green tomatoes, and some good ol bbq. Old Glory has something on the menu for everyone. So whether you're willing to get down and dirty with a rack of ribs or stay a little safer with chicken and waffles; Old Glory's will not disappoint.

Also- whatever you do, get the Graceland Nachos they will change your life. Crispy Tortillas with Rib & Brisket Chili, Onions, Jalapenos, Guacamole, Sour Cream & Pico de Gallo. Substitute Pulled Pork or Chicken for the Chili! Enough said.


Ok, I should also mention at this point that I do not consider chicken wings BBQ food which is why I am ignoring them in this post. Just because it's got barbecue sauce on it, doesn't make it BBQ. Granted, DC has tons of good chicken wing joints Duffy's and Stoney's included, it's not true barbecue food.

That being said, let's talk about what's on tonight's menu. Tonight the bf and I are going out with some of my high school friends who have moved to the DC area. We are going to Rockland's Barbecue and Grilling Company for dinner. I have never been but when it comes to hearty, messy, and filling foods, I will always trust the bf.

Rockland's is unique because they use only red oak and hickory to cook their food. No electricity or gas in the process. This allows the meat to really absorb the smokey and woody flavors that only cooking it in a pit can offer. Tonight I plan on having the Chicken and Ribs platter which is a quarter chicken and two pork ribs with two sides. Now I will be honest, after reading the reviews online things aren't lookin' so great for Rockland's sides; so I'm going to stick to a side I consider foolproof: mac and cheese. Oh, I know it says two sides...double the mac.


So, DC let's work on the good ol' barbecue dinner because sometimes you just want to eat with your hands.

It's Most Wonderful Announcement of the Year

Restaurant Week.
Oh my favorite. Four star restaurants and your usual Friday night dinner spots open their doors for a week in DC for 3 salivating courses of your choice, either lunch or dinner. Lunch is $20.10 and dinner is $35.10. Get your piggy banks out and start saving that change because a 3 course meal at a steakhouse in DC is definitely worth $35!!!

The one drawback of this holiday week is that some restaurants don't post their modified RW menu online. Not cool. Because the menus are slimmed down for RW you usually get a choice of three options per course, which is fine- but if I'm gettin' slim pickins I want to know what they are before I make a reservation and find out I get a choice of fish, tofu or cold soup (none of which I'm ok with).

So let's do a review of some of the places I think will have the best food and value for the money.


1789- Georgetown elegance meets all American gourmet.














Bibiana- Italian meets cool and trendy downtown.









Farmers and Fishers- Founding Farmers is one of my favorite easy and cool meals in DC; I can only imagine it with the sun setting on the Georgetown waterfront and a handmade unique cocktail in my hand that their new spot Farmers and Fisherman will be just as great.





Melting Pot- Ok don't judge me, I know it's a chain but Melting Pot is pretty spendy without a guaranteed $35 price tag. And, come on, who doesn't want that last course of molten chocolatey goodness to dip all of this in?







Ris- This little known eatery popped up last year in Foggy Bottom, and the best part is it does NOT take GWorld. And any place that refers to it's eating area as a "living room" is ok with me.

Brunch in the District

Washington, DC between 11am-3pm on a weekend; there are not a lot of options for food. But if you seek out the truly awesome brunches in this city, you will never need to wonder what to eat on a weekend afternoon again.

I come from the suburbs where IHOP, Denny's, and my mom's kick ass french toast ruled the weekends.

Now when I wake up at 10 or 11 or ok maybe 1pm I'm starving and I don't want cereal. So here's what I've found to satisfy my brunch needs.

The Heights- This neighborhood eatery is owned by EatWellDC which also owns Commissary, Logan Tavern, and Grill Fish. I like The Heights because it's well-price food, great staff and AMAZING bloody mary's and mimosas. Does your diner put crab meat and wasabi in your bloody mary? I didn't think so.

Disco Brunch at Level One-because who doesn't want a little gay with their food? Level one is more commonly known as the restaurant underneath the bumpin' gay club that is Cobalt. Located at 17th & R it is the best bottomless mimosa brunch you could ever want. If it's nice out, good luck getting a table outside- but if you do, enjoy the people watching on the most fabulous street in town and relish the never ending champagne. I seriously had to put my hand on top of my glass to make them stop refilling it. The servers are either adorable skinny gay men who love you even more if you bring a small dog, or my favorite, Carrie. Carrie will take care of you, your stomach, and your liver- in all of the best ways possible. Prices are very reasonable and it goes until 4pm every Saturday and Sunday. Oh and the disco? Diana Ross' greatest hits or KC and the Sunshine band will be blasting through the speakers while you attempt to decide between the Studio 54 eggs or the Ahhhhh, Freak out! French Toast.

Before we move on to our last spot, I think I need to give a bit of full disclosure: the following may not be a classic brunch menu item, however if there is one thing you should know about me it's the following:There I said it. My weakness is grilled cheese. Nachos come in close second but if you want to know anything about me it is that I live for grilled cheese. Think about it: what could be better than butter, bread, and cheese. I don't need any of that lettuce and tomato business, that just takes up space. Give me the greasy goodness of a grilled cheese any day.

But I digress. Our last spot for brunch AND lunch is Stoney's. Stoney's is a hole in the wall bar and restaurant on P St where the locals enjoys great beer on tap, a neighborhood atmosphere and good food. Stoney's has a delicious brunch. The BF's favorite is the corn beef and hash, whereas I tend to enjoy either the Western omelet or as you may have guessed, the grilled cheese. Stoney's grilled cheese is legendary. They use bread that has to be baked by gods because it's softer than texas toast but just as thick and crispy. They use good ol' American cheese because if you want provolone or some other fancy crap you might as well get out. It.is.so.good.

So there you have it. Three great options for the mid-afternoon eat.

The No Pressure Post

This is the inaugural post of The Capitol Hill Barbie. This is the OMG who is this girl and who does she think she is post? Well I'll tell you. No, I don't work on Capitol Hill but I am involved in politics on a professional level and while I don't have to suffer through the metro escalator lines at Capitol South during tourist season, I still like to think I am pretty aware of Hill life.

This blog isn't going to just be about the Hill because there are plenty of great blogs about that: my absolute favorite being the Capitol Hill Style Blog and also the original Capitol Barbie neither of which I am trying to replace because they are FAR superior in witty writing and fabulous ideas. I'm hoping this blog will take more of the preppy-girl-in-the-kinda-big-city style. I plan to write about food, local bars, fashion, tourism, style, etc on a budget. That is key. About a month ago I was living on a VERY entry-level salary but it seems I have paid my dues to move up the ranks just a little bit. So I know how to stretch a dollar but I also know when I can splurge my hard earned dough on a pair of Cole Haan heels on sale or a J Crew cardigan also on sale (seeing a pattern? Don't pay full price ladies, you never have to).

A little about me. I live in downtown DC in a studio apartment. Yes my bed is in my kitchen which is in my closet, but hey, I don't have a roommate and if I want to sit at home and watch Say Yes to the Dress in my sweats I can. I work in public relations- more specifically media relations. I come from a broadcast media background and I think that's because I love knowing things before other people and then telling them about it. I want a dog more than life itself, preferably an English bulldog but due to the BFs allergies it's looking more like a coton de tulear .

What else. Questions? Suggestions? Enjoy!