Courtroom Baller, Espresso Shot Caller

It’s been a long week and thank goodness it’s finally Friday. Today, I had the joy of starting my morning by going to a D.C. city hearing about my “inappropriate use of a trash receptacle.” I won’t get into all the details, but to make a long story short, I was accused of littering because someone took mail sent to an address I lived at two years ago and put it in the trash. At the appeal hearing this morning, the prosecutors didn’t even show up. Case closed. They knew they didn’t stand a chance against my impeccable evidence. Oh, you better believe I was ready to go all Law & Order and plead my case to prove my innocence, but I didn’t even get the chance to.
Ever since I served on a jury a few years ago, I’ve realized that court isn’t as sexy as they portray it on tv. To be fair, my first impression of court was based on Ally McBeal. But I will say, it’s still pretty damn empowering to win a case, regardless of how it happens. I plan on telling people that I won my case AND that I did so, representing myself. Didn’t even need a lawyer. Booya!

It’s kind of a strange day when you’ve been to court before 10am. So what was my next logical step? Coffee of course, as a reward for my judicial prowess. As a prestigious Starbucks gold card holder, I got a free birthday drink certificate in the mail. I didn’t go so far as this guy, but I still got a fancier and more expensive drink than I usually get. Vindicated and caffeinated, I embarked on my brisk victory walk to work. It’s easy to lose some perspective in the daily grind of life, but today was a reminder of how important it is to appreciate all of life’s victories, whether big or small. After all, it’s not every day that we can say we won a court case. Unless it’s today…and you’re me.

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A Triumph over Listlessness

Have you ever come up with tricks for yourself when you need a little ego boost? Personally, I like making lists and then enjoying the feeling of crossing something off the list. It’s trivial yet satisfying. There’s never anything unattainable or difficult on the list, but sometimes it just feels good to have a concrete accomplishment (no matter how small).

A list like this can easily morph into a to-do list, but you must refrain from getting to that point. Sure, to-do lists can start out all innocent and well-intentioned, but they usually end up with things that we know we have to do but are avoiding because we don’t want to do them. No, the lists I’m talking about are fun lists, to-enjoy lists if you will; things that you actually WANT to do. The easiest fun lists to start out with usually involve food – a restaurants bucket list, recipes that you want to try, or finding the best chaipuccino. In my case, I’ve already started a list for coffee shops I want to check out, a quest to find the best dim sum (you’re going to have to suck it up and get out of D.C.), and my ever-growing list of Rebecca Black Friday covers.

Now I’m gathering ideas for my next to-enjoy list. I love lists so much that I usually start them before I even realize I’ve started them. For example, over the last month, I’ve tried out pretty much all the rice krispies treats in the vicinity of my office. My instincts were telling me that I must find the best rice krispies treat out there. Of course that’s what the internet is for. That’s where I found this mouth-watering gem of a recipe. I will fully admit that Smitten Kitchen recipes may be the start of a whole new list.

I miss the North End

Another list I’m determined to come up with is a D.C. pizza list. I’m from Boston, and call me a stubborn Masshole, but I don’t think anything could ever top a pizza from the North End (except maybe NYC – I still hate the Yankees though). But if I’m going to survive in this city, I have to find an acceptable substitute. No, Jumbo Slice did not make it on my list, but here’s what I’ve come up with so far:

Have Tried

• Upper Crust
• Pete’s New Haven Style Pizza
• Pizzeria Paradisio
• Ella’s Wood Fired Pizza
• Vapiano

Want to Try

• We the Pizza
• Seventh Hill
• District of Pi
• Mellow Mushroom
• Red Rocks
• Matchbox
• Two Amys

Any other recommendations? What will be on your next to-enjoy list?

Happy National Coffee Day!

As the caffeinated panda, I am a tiny bit embarrassed that I didn’t know today was national coffee day until the internet told me so this morning. After all, every day is coffee day for me. How would I know such random facts if it weren’t for the internet?

If you’re looking for a place to score a free cup of joe; Caribou Coffee, Thornton’s, Krispy Kreme, and 7-11 are all giving free hand outs. Unfortunately, coffee powerhouses Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts will not be participating. I guess they’re figuring people will still dish out a few bucks to buy their brews. Snobs. If you’re looking for something less corporate with a lot more character, be sure to check out my list of D.C. coffee shops. So go ahead, be a great American and drink yourself awake!

Sources:

Washington Post

The Pursuit of Coffeeness

As someone who drinks a lot of coffee, I appreciate a good cup of joe. Sure, you can find a Starbucks on every corner in the city, but it can get kind of old going to the same place over and over again. Rather than pumping my non-profit salary into big corporate coffee, I’ve found a lot of joy in discovering and supporting the local coffee houses of D.C. Here’s a rundown of my favorites and some places I have yet to try.

Tryst (Adams Morgan)

I’d love to have an apartment that looks like the inside of Tryst: shabby-chic furniture, farm tables, and funky artwork lining the walls. This place is part of why I love living in Adams Morgan; I’m far enough away from 18th street to avoid it on Saturday nights, but close enough to stroll through on Sunday morning with a latte from Tryst.

Open City (Woodley Park)

Sister establishment to Tryst, this D.C. brunchpowerhouse is always packed on the weekends. I try to take my parents here whenever they’re in town, and the first thing I order is an iced coffee. With patio seating and natural lighting, it’s just the perfect D.C. brunch.

M.E. Swing Co. (Downtown)

Located just a block away from the White House, this quality old-school coffeehouse dates back to 1916. It’ s only a short walk away from my office so I often stop by for an afternoon pick-me-up.

Jolt n’ Bolt (Adams Morgan/Dupont)

This place may be my absolute favorite place for coffee in D.C. Their cold-brew iced coffee and Vietnamese iced coffee are probably the best I’ve ever had.

Ebenezer’s Coffee (Capitol Hill) - I’m not usually in the neighborbood, but I make an exception for Ebenezer’s. In addition to having great coffee, they have a downstairs area where they are able to hold small concerts. I still go to 9:30 Club for the big shows, but there’s something about a coffeeshop gig that I absolutely love.

Tynan Coffee and Tea (Columbia Heights) – If making a trip to Target or Bed Bath & Beyond, I know where I’m stopping by to get my caffeine fix. I’m a fan of both their coffee and teas (iced and hot).

Places I haven’t tried yet (but want to)

Baked and Wired (Georgetown)

Big Bear Cafe (Bloomingdale)

Filter Coffeehouse and Espresso Bar (Dupont)

Java Green (Dupont and Downtown)

Peregrine Espresso (Eastern Market)

Coffee with an International Twist

Pretty much every Thai or Vietnamese restaurant I’ve been to in D.C. has excellent iced coffee. I would give you a list but I literally can’t remember them all. All you need to know is that these places clearly know how to do iced coffee. I’ve also recently become a fan of the sweet and hot Turkish version served in tiny espresso cups. I enjoyed a cup after dinner at both Cafe Divan (Georgetown) and Agora (Dupont).

What’s your favorite coffee shop in D.C.?