Faves and raves by
Radley Balko
Senior editor at Reason magazine
PERSONAL STATS
AGE: 34
NUMBER OF YEARS IN THE D.C. REGION: Eight.
NEIGHBORHOOD: Del Ray
1. FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD HANGOUT
Rustico (827 Slaters Lane, Alexandria). Huge beer list, great atmosphere. The menu is a cut above your average gastropub.
2. BEST MODE OF TRANSPORTATION
My car. I can’t remember the last time I took Metro. I do much prefer Amtrak to flying. But don’t tell my employer.
3. FAVORITE LOCAL SPORTS EVENT
D.C. United games. Smoke bombs, Screaming Eagles crazies, chanting and singing — rowdy, like sports fans ought to be.
4. BEST PLACE FOR LIVE MUSIC
The Birchmere has tradition, hosts some great rock, blues and jazz acts, and you can sit and eat (or drink) during the show. But tickets are usually pretty [expensive]. Whoever does the booking for Iota in Clarendon shares my taste in music.
5. BEST PLACE FOR OUT-OF-TOWN VISITORS
Old Town Alexandria is my favorite neighborhood in the Washington area. All the benefits of Georgetown, few of the hassles.
6. FAVORITE MUSEUM
The Newseum, the Building Museum and the Hirshhorn are my favorites.
7. MOST ROMANTIC SPOT
Jazz at Bohemian Caverns (2001 11th St. NW). PX (728 King St., Alexandria) for drinks. Stroll around the Old Town waterfront.
8. BEN’S CHILI BOWL, OLD EBBITT GRILL OR CAFE MILANO?
None of the above! I know Ben’s is sacrosanct, but I’ve never thought the chili was very good. Sorry! And I’m not a lobbyist or politician, so I don’t frequent Old Ebbitt or Milano.
9. FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A LAZY SUNDAY
Taking my dogs to the Shirlington dog park. Only dog park I know of that includes a stream and a couple small waterfalls.
10. BEST RETREAT OUT-OF-TOWN
I just gave a talk in Charlottesville a couple of months ago and really liked the town. Hope to go back for a visit soon.
11. BEST Retreat INSIDE-THE-BELTWAY
I don’t know of one. I think you need to get on the far side of I-495 to really escape Washington.
12. BEST PLACE FOR LATE-NIGHT EATS
Bob and Edith’s diner on Columbia Pike (2310).
13. PROUDEST PART OF LIVING IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL
Eep. I’m a libertarian, so there’s not much about Washington I find inspiring. There are some very good restaurants, and lots of culture. I’ll go with that. The culture and restaurants.
14. EMBARRASSING PART OF LIVING IN D.C.
I don’t know about embarrassing, but the summers here are unbearably humid. It’s like spending three months in a fat man’s armpit.
