Where do you drink? (Luis Gomez Photos)

From Alejandra Owens. You can find her at her food blog, One Bite At A Time. Alejandra also writes for City Eats DC, a Food Network site, where you can book dinner reservations. Email her at alejandra[AT]borderstan.com and follow her on Twitter at @frijolita.

When it comes to best/worst lists, DC always seems to find a place. In 2010 we were among the fittest cities in America thanks to all you crazy running people. We were also one of the happiest cities according to a Gallop pole. Not surprisingly, we were also among the most expensive cities to live! But last week we topped another list – this time coming in as the 9th Drunkest City In The US!

So here’s the break down: according to The Daily Beast, the average DC adult consumes 15.6 alcoholic beverages a month (rounding up, that’s four drinks a week, give or take), 14.5 percent of us are binge drinkers and 5 percent of us are considered heavy drinkers.

I mean, are we really surprised? DCers have a penchant for rooftop drinking, patio drinking and dirt-cheap-happy hour drinking. We bestow our finest bartenders with a demi-god like status. We even have classic cocktail death matches! Bottom line: cheap, neat, classic, it doesn’t matter, we like our booze!

So it got me thinking, where did I drink the most in DC this year? In no particular order:

• Fiola – I’ve lauded Jeff Faile’s manhattan for awhile now.
• 1905 – Lyn and Joel serve up cocktails with a friendly “in your living room” kind of vibe.
• Estadio – They serve my favorite rose in the whole city.
• Stoney’s – A favorite spot to meet friends and have a bourbon & ginger.
• Iron Horse Taproom – A regular after work spot, any bar with a $5 Makers Mark night is a bar I’ll like.
• Cork – Wine flights. Enough said.

Then there were dinner parties – many, many dinner parties. So that means weekly visits to Connecticut Avenue Wine & Spirits where I pick up a bottle or two for those “just in case” moments. So Borderstanis, where do you booze… or buy your booze? It’s really not hard to imagine how one might get to four drinks a week – at minimum. Or, dear lord, is it?

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On Wednesday, November 14, 1905 will uncork bottles of Beaujolais Nouveau. (Luis Gomez Photos)

From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com.

According to French law, every year’s harvest of  Beaujolais Nouveau cannot be uncorked until the third Thursday of November. Well that day is finally here, and 1905 is throwing a party to celebrate the occasion.

On Wednesday, November 14, 1905 is teaming up with Brightest Young Things for the fifth year in a row to uncork bottles of Beaujolais Nouveau  once the clock strikes midnight. The party starts at 10 pm and will include a D.J., a dance-a-thon and free Beaujolais Nouveau wine from midnight until 2 am. Tickets for the evening are $10 and can be purchased online.

1905 will host normal dinner service (with some additional French specials beforehand), but will stop seating tables around 8:30 pm to make room for the party. 1905 Bistro & Bar is located at 1905 9th Street NW.

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Rooftop: “The Garden” at 1905  Restaurant is open. Click above to see more images. (Luis Gomez Photos)

From Alejandra Owens.

You can find her at her food blog, One Bite At A Time. Alejandra also writes for City Eats DC, a Food Network site, where you can book dinner reservations. Follow her on Twitter at @frijolita and email her at alejandra[AT]borderstan.com.

Spring and summer practically beg for a rooftop high enough to enjoy a whisp of a breeze that can cool you down. A view of something other than the black top of another rooftop is a bonus, not necessary but a bonus!

So where’s a gal to go? Well, there’s no dearth of patios, rooftops and beautiful views in Borderstan, but something new, something special? That’s where 1905’s rooftop comes in.

I’m an unabashed fan of 1905 – especially the lamb sandwich – and their rooftop has only enhanced my love for the place. To the south you see the Washington monument. To the north you see dappled skies and the outline of apartment buildings. It’s up high enough for that breeze I mentioned earlier, and with a bar to service just the higher up crowd you won’t be lacking for a cocktail or glass of wine to go with it.

If I had to tell you one thing, it would be go, go now! And consider it your premier 4th of July spot because with views like this you won’t be missing a thing! Like the name says, the restaurant is at 1905 9th Street NW.

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The rooftop deck at 1905 Restaurant is scheduled to open before May 1. (Luis Gomez Photos)

From Luis Gomez. Catch his photos on Picplz and at One Photograph A Day. Follow him on Twitter @LuisGomezPhotos.

The soon-to-be rooftop deck at 1905 Restaurant is actually a garden, according to owner Tony Lucca. With views of the Washington Monument and the neighborhood, Lucca expects to open the rooftop deck-garden before May 1.

In line with the concept of 1905 as a comfortable space — like your living room—’the Garden,’ as it will be known, is a great outdoor space. It makes use of reclaimed wood and old metal sheets, and has details with lights and colorful glass. From the bar, windows allow a peek of the Washington Monument.

1905′s Chef Matthew Richardson is still working on a small plates menu based on comfort food for the outdoor space. As for the drinks, in the Garden, you will be able to enjoy the Hot Kentucky, which is a combination of 1905′s house-made Cayenne ginger lemonade and bourbon, as well as the rest of their cocktail menu.  Lucca also expects the Garden will have a few specialty drinks of its own soon after opening.

The Garden will have the same hours as the restaurant. Eventually, Lucca hopes to open both the restaurant and deck on Sundays, and to begin offering Saturday brunch as well.

For Lucca, creating a space that is enjoyable for his neighbors is a must: “It should show how much 1905 values its relationship with the community,” he says.

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Related Posts

• Two Best Things I Ate Last Week: 1905 Edition
• Chef Profile: Matthew Richardson of 1905
• An Entrepreneur Wannabe? Talk to 1905′s Tony Lucca

The second best thing Alejandra ate last week was the escargot at 1905 Restaurant. (Alejandra Owens)

The following story originally ran on Alejandra Owens’ food blog, One Bite At A Time.

From Alejandra Owens. You can find her at her food blog, One Bite At A Time. Alejandra also writes for City Eats DC, a Food Network site, where you can book dinner reservations. Email her at alejandra@borderstan.com and follow her on Twitter at @frijolita. 

So, as you can assume, I’ve been eating out a lot lately. I mean, like, four days a week a lot. I know, I know, it’s not healthy. For me or for my wallet. But I swear it’s pretty awesome.

I’ve been eating some insanely good food. It’s impossible to name my all-time favorites so I’ve decided to check in with you weekly and report back on the best thing I ate the week before.

Braised Lamb Sandwich. Last week’s winner clocked in at the 11th hour. Literally, I ate it around 11 pm on Saturday night at 1905 Restaurant on 9th Streets NW (just south of U Street) here in DC. The braised Colorado lamb sandwich on Asiago bread with gruyère which is served with red wine demi-glace is blo-ho-ho-w your mind amazing. Tender, juicy, pull-apart hunks of meat doused in that demi-glace had my eyes rolling in pure bliss.

I don’t have a pic of that sandwich. It lasted about 10 seconds.

Escargot. I do however have a pic of my second most favorite thing I ate this week: the escargot at 1905. I don’t eat a lot of snail, so I wouldn’t call myself an expert. But this escargot was better than the escargot I had at Bistro Du Coin. Yeah. I said it. 1905 does snail better than the iconic French restaurant in town. They’re jam packed with garlic and butter and… parmesan! You just reach right in there with the little fork and yank ‘em out. It’s perfect. More perfect than you would think.

So there you have it. Get your butt to 1905 for some snails and lamb and brag about it all to your friends. Cause you will totally have bragging rights. Totally.

Chef Matthew Richardson of 1905  Restaurant. (Luis Gomez Photos)

From Alejandra Owens. You can find her on Twitter at @frijolita or at her food blog, One Bite At A Time. Email her at alejandra@borderstan.com.

You know his lobster meat balls and tuna tartar with wasabi whip. He’s the man who makes steak melt in your mouth at 1905 on 9th Street NW.

Name: Matthew Richardson
Age: 36
Hometown: Mathews County, Virginia
Current Residence (neighborhood): Columbia Heights
Tattoo Count: 0

Borderstan: What brought you to DC?  How long have you been here?
Matthew Richardson: To play guitar in a band and get out of the restaurant biz.

B: Favorite dish on your menu?
MR: Toss up. Lobster Meatballs and Spanakopita

B: Favorite dish on someone you admire’s menu?
MR: I love squash blossoms at Tabard Inn. I love Chef Daniel’s Frisée aux Lardons at Bistrot La Bonne

B: First thing you cooked that made you be like, “damn, I could be a chef”?
MR: Crispy cod in Duvel batter with crispy leeks. Came up with that about 17 years ago when I first discovered Belgian beer.

B: Favorite season to cook during? What ingredient gets you fired up?
MR: Late spring : soft shell crabs and shad roe.  Summer: tomatoes.  Autumn:  oyster stews

B: Advice for home cooks or folks who are afraid to get into the kitchen?
MR: Loosen up. Have a drink and experiment after reading an inspiring recipe. Use recipes for inspiration and go on your own.

B: Worst injury-still have a scar? Pics welcome.
MR: No scar anymore but stupidly decided to dip my finger into boiling butterscotch when I was about 21.

B: Are you a yeller in the kitchen?
MR: No. That’s such a sign of weakness to me. Have to keep things in perspective. Its food, not heart surgery.

B: Favorite place to eat in Borderstan (other than your own restaurant)?
MR: Bistrot La Bonne is my regular eat spot and hangout.

B: Favorite joint to get a drink?
MR: L’Enfant.

B: You have a whole day off-what do you do?
MR: Poetry and falconry.

B: What’s your comfort food?
MR: Braised falcon.

Artfully Chocolate Salon, formerly ACKC, is now running a 50 percent discount on select chocolates to commemorate Lucille Ball’s birthday. Discounted chocolates not doing it? What about the chance to stretch your vocal cords? Artfully Chocolate will be hosting an open-mic night. Check out details below. (Luis Gomez Photos)

By Michelle Lancaster. You can follow her and  tell her your news on Twitter @MichLancaster.

Lanier Responds to Columbia Heights Hate Crime

According to DCist, D.C. Police Chief recently responded to the allegations that some of D.C.’s finest disregarded two women’s reports of  verbal and physical assault near the Columbia Heights Metro station last weekend. A group of five lesbians say the officers refused to take a report; no action was taken until these women went to the Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit. Chief Lanier says the officers in question could be fired. This is not the first time that the force has come under fire for its handling of GLBT hate crimes — even though no more than a month ago the The Washington Blade ran a story in which Chief Lanier reinforced the force’s commitment to fighting hate crimes.

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Laura’s Weekend Picks include brunch specials for Father’s Day on Sunday. (Luis Gomez Photos)

From Laura Herman of LauraLikesThis. Laura is also a contributor over at Brightest Young Things; you can find her on Twitter @Lmhhabs.

It’s great to finally be back in D.C. for a weekend! This weekend’s going to be PACKED, due to a high volume of awesomeness happening all weekend. Here are your best bets for eating, drinking, and dancing in and around Borderstan this weekend. Enjoy!

Thursday, June 16

1905 just announced a new addition to their “Neighborhood Nights” (which include Taco Tuesday [$3 lamb tacos, $4 Pilsener Ace beer and $6 taco/Pilsener combos] and Burger Wednesday [half-priced burgers]) called Thursday Nights Nines. Every Thursday they’ll offer off-menu, seasonal small plates at the bar for $9 each. They change every week so you won’t get bored!

After dinner, do NOT miss Moombahton Massive IV at U St Music Hall tonight, hosted by Dave Nada and featuring sets from Nadastrom, Sabo, Jen Lasher and more. Come celebrate DC’s OWN Moombahton at it’s best; Nada pretty much created the genre, which is best described as a combination of house, dubstep, and reggaeton, right here in DC so it’s gonna be legit.  Here’s a preview of Nada’s latest Moombahton mix, Blow Your Head Vol. 2. The best part is that entry is FREE if you sign up in advance. Doors at 9.

Orrrr, you may have snagged a ticket to the sold out Yeasayer show at 9:30 Club. Lucky duck.

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1905 Restaurant on 9th Street NW. (Luis Gomez Photos)

From Alejandra Owens at One Bite At A Time

Sometimes you hear of a place, but for whatever reason — maybe it’s too far from home, maybe no one has told you it’s worth going — you just never make it over to try it. That would be the case for me and 1905. I’d heard about their Taco Tuesdays. I’d heard about their dark, New Orleans-inspired dining room. But no one I knew had gone lately… until Matt and Luis (co-founders of Borderstan) insisted I try the place out. Not long after that, @FloridaGirlInDC told me it was worth the trip to the far side of U Street.

Read the full story

Saturday morning at Vastu on 14th Street NW: Trainer Jonathan Ross launches his book, “Abs Revealed.” (Luis Gomez Photos)

From Berrak Sarikaya

Here’s an event a day, starting tonight through Saturday.

Wednesday, Nov. 17: Join 1905 for a Beaujolais Nouveau Party, a night of food and festivities including a $50 prix fixe, three-course French dinner (tax or gratuity not included). There are still reservations available for two-seatings: 7:00 and 7:30 p.m. Doors open to the public at 10 pm.

Thursday, Nov. 18: Loaves and Fishes, a local meal program serving low-income and homeless individuals in the Mount Pleasant and Columbia Heights communities, will be holding a fundraiser at Caramel from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on silent auction items and purchase the work of local artists and photographers throughout the space. No cost to attend.

Friday, Nov. 19: You’re invited to the opening reception for Bodyscapes, the Art of Bill Travis, at The DC Center for the LGBT Community from 6 to 8 p.m. The exhibit will be on display through Jan. 5, 2011.

Saturday, Nov. 20: Celebrate award-winning personal trainer, Jonathan Ross, and the launch of his new book, Abs Revealed, at Vastu. Chat with the author, enjoy a healthy bite to eat and get some great fitness tips from 9:30 to 11 am. Please RSVP to rsvp@vastudc.com, and mention if you’d like to attend the fitness workshop.