Post
by rogueintellectproductions » Tue Feb 14, 2006 5:53 pm
These are my neighborhood notes, as a longtime resident of the District.
Katsucon 2006
Neighborhood Notes from a DC Native
As a native of Washington, DC and someone who has worked and played in the Woodley Park/Adams Morgan area, I felt I should share my knowledge of the neighborhood with my fellow Katsucon attendees. I hope this guide is helpful.
Disclaimer: The opinions in this post are my own and do not reflect that of Katsucon, its staff or volunteers.
Woodley Park - This is the neighborhood immediately around the hotel. You’ll find almost anything you’ll need in the few blocks around the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Calvert Street. You’ve got fast food (McDonalds and Chipotle - Segment 1 on the map). You’ve got sit-down restaurants galore, including two sushi places (Tono and Sake Club - Segment 2). There’s a nice little coffee joint (Cafe International - Segment 2), a convenience store (Manhattan Market - Segment 2), a liquor store with an OK sake selection (21+ only, please!) (Sherry's - Segment 3), and a drug store (CVS - Segment 1). And if the ATM in the hotel runs out of money (and it will), there are two ATMs near the Metro (M & T - Segment 1 and Bank of America - Segment 2).
You should be aware that the Woodley Park neighborhood sees a lot of foot traffic on the weekends - the neighborhood’s very residential and the National Zoo (with our new baby panda!) is only a few blocks away. McDonalds is always packed on the weekend, and the CVS gets pretty busy, too. If you want to pick up a soda or a quick snack outside the hotel, the convenience store is the best way to go. For longer forays, I recommend going to Adams Morgan (during the day) or Cleveland Park, both of which are 10-15 minute walks.
Adams Morgan - Take Calvert Street across Connecticut Avenue, over the bridge, until you get to the intersection of 18th Street and Columbia Road. During the day, Adams Morgan is a quirky little artisan community with great shops and cafes; at night, the ‘Morg becomes the most well-known, rowdiest bar scene in the city.
WARNING: If you decide to go to Adams Morgan at night, be VERY careful. After 10, it is absolutely not a place for youngsters. You will see a lot of public drunkenness, and if you’re out around closing time (3 AM in DC), I guarantee you will see at least one fight. Trust me, I used to be a bouncer for one of the bars. Also, if you’re 21+ and you want to go to the bars, bring your ID. All the bars here card everybody, and with the extra police presence, you better not try to pass a fake!
However, Adams Morgan is worth a trip during the daylight hours. There’s a full grocery store (Safeway - Columbia Road), a Starbucks (at the intersection of Columbia and 18th), a McDonalds that’s open 24 hours on the weekend, a great breakfast place that’s also open 24 hours (the Diner - 18th Street), a good used book store (Idle Time Books - 18th Street), a good used CD store (CD/Game Exchange - 18th Street), etc., etc., …
Cleveland Park - Walk north on Connecticut Avenue, or take the Red Line one stop toward Grosvenor/Shady Grove. Cleveland Park is home to, among other things, a lot of nice restaurants, a liquor store with a killer sake collection, a 7-11, another CVS, and the Uptown Theatre, the biggest movie screen in DC (which right now is showing Good Night and Good Luck). Most everything is concentrated on Connecticut Avenue in the two blocks surrounding the Cleveland Park Metro station.
Dupont Circle - Take the Red Line one stop toward Silver Spring/Glenmont. Again, you have a ton of food and shopping options, and a 24 hour CVS. It is easier to get lost, though, as things are more spread out. If you do get lost, go toward the Circle and walk around the edge of it - you’ll eventually find the Metro station. This is another nice option, in case the Woodley Park area becomes too crowded to bear over the weekend.
Closest Drug Store: CVS, Segment 1
Closest Convenience Store (also closest place to buy beer): Manhattan Market, Segment 2
Closest Grocery Store: Safeway, Columbia Road, Adams Morgan
Closest Liquor Store: Sherry's, Segment 3
Closest Coffee: Cafe International, Segment 2
Closest Starbucks: 18th and Columbia, Adams Morgan
Closest 24-hour Restaurant: the Diner, 18th Street, Adams Morgan
Closest Sushi: Tono Sushi, Segment 2
Closest Pizza: Papa Joe’s, Segment 3
Pizza that delivers: Pizza Hut, Columbia Road (202) 986-1100
Domino’s, 14th Street (202) 232-8400
Papa John's, 14th Street (202) 986-2222
Pizza Boli's, 18th Street (202) 462-3100
Closest Chinese Restaurant: Mr. Chen's, Segment 1 (202) 797-9668
Chinese that Delivers: Mr. Chen's, Segment 1 (202) 797-9668
Violet Gardens, Segment 2
Chinese that Delivers (and also delivers beer & ice cream): North Sea, 18th Street (202) 332-7628
Closest Bookstore (used): Idle Time Books, 18th Street, Adams Morgan
Closest Bookstore (new): Books-a-Million, Dupont Circle
Closest CD Store (used): CD/Game Exchange, 18th Street, Adams Morgan
Closest CD Store (new): Melody Records, Connecticut Avenue, Dupont Circle
Closest Radio Shack: Columbia Road, Adams Morgan
If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer 'em.
Chris
To paraphrase one Mr. Cool James, please refrain from referring to it as a revival, I've been lurking for ages.
