What’s your favorite way to get around the city?
On my Road King Classic Harley-Davidson — it’s glacier white. I picked it up in 2004 and I’ve racked up 43,000 miles on it.
What’s your favorite local sporting event?
Anywhere my kids are playing soccer.
What’s the best place for live music?
The Dubliner (right across from Union Station in D.C.) I especially like it when John McGrath comes in town. His version of “Alice” is outstanding.
What’s the best place to take out-of-town visitors?
I definitely enjoy The National Zoo, but we always manage to end up at the corner bar at the Old Ebbitt Grill at the end of the night. I like a Guinness. We pour a great pint here. I won’t brag about the oven.
What’s your favorite museum?
The National Museum of Art, there’s an underground walkway that takes you to a great place for gelato.
Most romantic spot in the area:
Paddleboats in front of the Jefferson Memorial. Being married for 18 years, and with three kids, I haven’t done that for quite some time.
What’s your favorite way to spend a lazy Sunday?
I belong to a chef’s motorcycle group called D.C. Hogs. We do rides around town in Virginia or Maryland. Sometimes we’ll visit a goat cheese farm, oyster farms, anything restaurant-related. I ride with Robert Wiedmaier from Marcel’s and Brasserie Beck, Cliff Wharton [chef de cuisine] from TenPenh and David Guas, previously the pastry chef for Passion Foods, who is starting a new endeavor now.
Favorite Restaurant:
Capital Grilel — the porcini-rubbed Delmonico (steak).
What’s your favorite place to escape the madness of the D.C. area?
Skyline Drive. It’s a beautiful ride. When the leaves are turning it is outstanding, when they’re not turning it is not nearly as crowded.
Best inside-the-Beltway retreat?
The National Arboretum is one of the most peaceful places inside the city.
Best late-night eats?
Going back to the whole married with three kids thing, it has been quite some time since I had late-night eats.
Where do you go for a good breakfast near where you live?
My wife is from Thailand and we enjoy a good dim sum at both Mark’s Duck House and Fortune Restaurant on Saturdays and Sunday (Falls Church).
What’s the most D.C. moment you’ve had?
Probably Inauguration Day, working a block from the White House, stepping out from the front door of Old Ebbitt and watching the motorcade go by.
Most proud moment living here?
We did an event with the “Make A Wish” Foundation. A little boy’s dream was to be president for a day. He stayed at the Willard Hotel, had an 8-motorcycle unit Secret Service detail complete with vans, agents and a General escorting him. We closed off the area, the tourists went crazy, they thought it was the real deal. He wanted dinner here at Old Ebbitt Grill — that was a very proud moment for the whole staff. We greeted him as Mr. President. He had a hamburger.
What makes you embarrassed to say you live here?
Nothing makes me embarrassed, I just love it. On a personal note, there was a time I was out of chef coats so I borrowed a sous chef coat to get through the evening. She is 5’2, and I’m 6’4 — it didn’t rip, but it was a long night.
MY WASHINGTON
Personal stats
Occupation: Executive Chef for Old Ebbitt Grill
Age: 48
Years in Area: 14
Neighborhood: Fairfax Station, Va
