Not hard to have fun in a budget in Borderstan. (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.

Borderstan certainly has options when it comes to an expensive night out. From wining and dining at the latest restaurants, to evenings filled with theatre and live music, Borderstan offers a little bit of everything for a top-shelf experience. Hell, even parking (or a parking ticket) will cost you a chunk of your wallet.

However, just because the price tags on some of the neighborhood’s items are higher than you’d like to pay, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a great night out at a moderate price.

Often, I put myself on a budget of $20 – but that doesn’t stop me from going to some of the area’s best spots. Here’s what $20 will get you in Borderstan.

• Floriana: Crepes with Meyer lemon, housemade ricotta and mission fig glaze AND a glass of pinot noir. Nothing beats Floriana (1602 17th Street NW) for fantastic Italian food in an intimate setting. And the best news: You don’t need a Benjamin to experience it all. My secret is to order a starter and a good glass of wine. That way, you can enjoy a delicious and seasonal taste (and wine!) for under $20.
• 9:30 Club: An evening with Best Coast. The 9:30 Club (815 V Street NW) is one of the best venues on the East Coast to see the nation’s best bands. And thankfully, most tickets are right around (or less than) $20. On June 4, California-based indie band Best Coast is bringing its Los Angeles-inspried rock to (what I like to call) the best coast. Tickets are $20 and include two opening bands.
• Local 16: One personal pizza and three drinks. Local 16 (1602 U Street NW) has one of the best happy hours in the neighborhood – and it lasts until 8 pm, which is arguably the best part. For $20, you can get a pizza (tomato, mozzarella and basil) for $5 and three glasses of wine or three featured cocktails ($5 each), like the mojito.
• Local galleries and The Pig: An evening of art, plus lentil and bacon stew and a cocktail. Exposing yourself to culture doesn’t mean you need to expose your bank account to the negative sign. The best thing about having so many art galleries around is that you can browse various exhibits for free. Check out Contemporary Wing (1412 14th Street NW), Gallery plan b (1530 14th Street NW) and Hamiltonian Gallery (1353 U Street NW) for their latest exhibits. Then, head over to The Pig (1320 14th Street NW) for a Lentil and bacon stew with pomegranate reduction and herbed crème fraiche ($10) and the Wilbur cocktail (redemption rye and pineapple-rosemary syrup for $9.50).
• Black Cat: Titus Andronicus and a beer. On Sunday, May 19, catch favorite band Titus Andronicus at the Black Cat (1811 14th Street NW) for $15 and score a beer before the show for $5. Opening band is So So Glos. Enjoy your night!
• Masa 14: Two appetizers and two cocktails. The happy hour at Masa 14 (1825 14th Street NW) is very friendly toward the $20 budget. For less than $20, you can score two mojitos (or margaritas) and two appetizers (like a crunchy shrimp handroll or marinated portobello pao buns). Everything on the happy hour menu is $4 each.

Of course there are many other $20 combinations in and around the neighborhood. What are some of your favorites?

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Parcel 42 is at the corner of 7th and R / 7th and Rhode Island NW. (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.

The deputy mayor for Planning and Economic Development (PED) has selected the developer for Parcel 42 — a plot of land in Shaw at 7th Street NW and Rhode Island Avenue NW, and a rectangular lot at 7th and R Streets.

Several bidders met the qualifications of the previously solicited Request for Expressions of Interest, but PED selected Shaw 42 Developers, LLC, a joint venture between TenSquare and the Chapman Development Group.

The planned development includes a 105-unit residential building with ground floor retail, according to a previous profile from Urban Turf. The development will consist of studio, one-and-two-bedroom units, with room for retail.

ANC 6E-02 Commissioner Kevin Chapple says the proposal from Shaw 42 Developers was most attractive to the city because the group offers the city a 99-year ground lease. This means that after 99 years, the land and the building on Parcel 42 will revert back to the ownership and control of the city government, unless otherwise negotiated.

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

Ross Elementary School at 1730 R Street NW. (Luis Gomez Photos)

Ross Elementary School‘s annual Mother’s and Father’s Day “Buy-a-Book-for-Kids” event will take place April 26-29 at two locations: The Safeway on 17th Street NW and the Dupont Farmers Market.

The fundraiser — which is the third largest for the school— helps Ross buy appropriate and updated books for its classrooms and library.

However, this book sale isn’t like most. Here’s how it works:

1. Participants donate $25 to buy a book for the Ross library in honor of a loved one. 
2. The Ross PTA sends the honoree a letter informing them of the gift in their name. Letters are timed to arrive on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, depending on the request of the buyer. 
3. Then, the PTA inserts a book-plate inscribed with the donor and honoree’s names in the book purchased.
4. Ross students enjoy quality literature for years to come, and loved ones are honored!
   

Here’s when you can take part in ”Buy-a-Book-for-Kids.”

Dates and Places

• Friday, April 26: 8 am to 9 am in front of Ross Elementary; 3 to 4 pm in front of Ross Elementary School, 1730 R Street NW.
• Saturday, April 27: 9 am to 4 pm in front of the 17th Street Safeway, Church and 17th Street NW.
• Sunday, April 28: 9 am to 1 pm at Dupont Farmers Market, Massachusetts Avenue and 20th Street NW.
• Monday, April 29: 8 am to 9 am in front of Ross Elementary; 3 to 4 pm in front of Ross Elementary.

Can’t make it to one of the sales? Donations are also welcome online or by mail.

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Glen’s Garden Market to open Sunday, April 21. Click above to see pictures of the space. (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.

Glen’s Garden Market is opening this weekend, Sunday, April 21 at 20th and S Streets NW. Check out the photos of the interior of the new store.

Sunday may seem odd for an opening day, but owner Danielle Vogel planned to open the hyper-local focused specialty food store in conjunction with Earth Day.

Vogel, a self-described fourth generation grocer, decided to open her own store after several years of working on environmental policy on the Hill.  After experiencing frustration with the job — and more specifically frustration with the climate bill — Vogel decided to take the climate’s destiny in her own hands, with a store that minimizes environmentally harmful practices.

What to Expect at Glen’s

Here’s what you can expect to see/taste at Glen’s:

• A bar/beverage area with local draft beers, bottled draft beers, a wide selection of local wines (lots of Virginia wines) and a wine dispensing machine.
• A fully-stocked specialty meat and cheese counter. Think: spicy bison pastrami, beef pastrami and other hand-sliced local meats.
• Locally-sourced chocolates. No need to say more.
• Recycled interiors, such as wood that was used at a cattle fence at one of the locally-sourced farms.

The 5,000-square-foot space focuses on food and drink from the states of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which includes DC, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and New York.

Vogel, who has been working to open the space for two years says she chose the location because she feels the neighborhood will “welcome a concept like ours.”

Glen’s is opening in the former site of a Townhouse Safeway grocery store, which closed in 2010.

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

ScratchDC is expanding its service area. (Ashley Lusk)

ScratchDC — a local company that plans, measures and delivers organic and locally-sourced ingredients for a home cooked meal — is expanding its services to include Georgetown, Glover Park, Arlington and Alexandria starting Monday, April 15.

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

Dupont, Logan and the West End DC’s most walkable neighborhood. (Luis Gomez Photos)

Overall, the Dupont Circle neighborhood pulled in a Walk Score of 98, followed by the West End and downtown.

The area’s mix of homes, apartment buildings, restaurants and stores — plus its proximity to downtown offices and buildings — makes Dupont an incredibly convenient and walkable neighborhood.

According to the article, America’s number one walkable city is New York, followed by San Francisco, Boston and Chicago.

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Your Borderstan Weekend in Dupont-Logan-U Street. (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.

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, then look no further. We have your list of the food, music and cultural events going on in (and around) Borderstan April 5, 6 and 7.

Friday, April 5

• Wilmer Wilson IV: the FOREVER Aftermath: This exhibit at Artisphere focuses on the aftermath of performance art. It runs through June 30 and is free.
• Cherry Blossom Lantern Walk: It’s still Cherry Blossom Festival time, and since the blossoms are not past their peak, it’s not too late to hit up the lantern tour. The walk runs from 8 to 10 pm. For more information, visit the website.
• DC House Showcase at U Street Music Hall: The evening includes Sam Burns, Dimitri Max, AGFA and Smudge. The event is $10 and begins at 10 pm.

Saturday, April 6

• Pearl Dive’s Crawfish Boil: Crawfish, cornbread and Louisiana beer — plus much, much more. Tickets are $65 and are available online.
• The Vagina Monologues: The sixth annual community performance of ” The Vagina Monologues” will take place April 6-7 at the GALA Hispanic Theatre (3333 14th Street NW). Saturday’s performance will take place from 3 to 4:30 pm.
• DC MEET Market: DC’s local vedor market kicks off its season this Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm at 15th and P streets NW.

Sunday, April 7

• A new list of brunch spots: Borderstan recently re-vamped its brunch list to account for all of the great, new places in the neighborhood. Check it out and bottoms up.
• Poetry in Bloom: Learn how to write poetry this Sunday from 5 to 6 pm with a lesson at BloomBars (3222 11th Street NW). The monthly poetry writing group facilitated by local teaching artists.

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

The best places in Borderstan to brunch. (HarrisQ from the Borderstan flickr pool)

A few years ago, we polled our contributors to find out where they loved to spend a leisurely Saturday or Sunday morning brunching with friends.

Since then, several more restaurants have joined the neighborhood, so we thought it was time to update the Borderstan Brunch List. Of course there are other great places to brunch in the neighborhood — tell us your favorites!

Oldies, but Goodies 

• Cafe Saint-Ex, 1847 14th Street NW. On the menu: Fried Green Tomato and Ham Benedict.
• Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe, 1517 Connecticut Avenue NW. On the menu: Filet ‘Oscar’ & Eggs Benedict, Berry Berry Berry Pancakes.
• Bar Pilar, 1833 14th Street NW. On the menu:  Bulls-Eye Toast.
• Commissary, 1443 P Street NW. On the menu: Potato Pancakes w/ Eggs, Smoked Salmon, Sour Cream & Toast.
• Darlington House, 1610 20th Street NW. On the menu: Red Flannel Hash.
• Scion, 2100 P Street NW. On the menu: Bottomless Beermosa. Need we say more?
• Florida Avenue Grill, 1100 Florida Avenue NW. On the menu: World Famous Hot Cakes.

Newish Spots 

• Maddy’s Taproom, 1100 13th Street NW. On the menu: Huevos Rancheros with Refried Beans.
• Drafting Table, 1529 14th Street NW. On the menu: Sexy Egg Sandwich.
• Matchbox, 1901 14th Street NW. On the menu: Bloody Mary Burger.
• The Pig, 1320 14th Street NW. On the menu: Gruyère & Smoked Ham Waffle.
• DGS Delicatessen, 1317 Connecticut Avenue, NW. On the menu: DGS Pastrami Hash.
• Brixton, 901 U Street NW. On the menu: Indian Papaya Curry

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

Bier Baron will offer more than just beer. (Photo credit: Brian Hussein Stanton)

Bier Baron (1523 22nd Street NW) is well-known throughout the area for its impressive collection of beer. But now the Dupont Circle watering hole is adding another accomplishment to its list: live entertainment.

Bier Baron’s entertainment section seats 240 customers and has a stage that can accommodate a variety of acts, such as live music, theater and burlesque.

However, the new venue especially hopes to “fill a gap in DC metro area by offering a priority for local bands,” and the tavern plans to book a variety of musical acts, including americana, acoustic, latino alternative, jazz, blues and rock.

For a list of already scheduled events, visit the Bier Baron website.

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

GBD expected to open Friday at 1323 Connecticut Avenue NW. (Rachel Nania)

On Tuesday night, GBD gave a little preview of things to come. And let me just tell you: Dupont, it was worth the wait. The Luther, alone, people… The Luther, alone.

Opening this Friday at 1323 Connecticut Avenue NW, GBD will offer doughnuts and Mad Cap coffee in the morning, fried chicken for lunch and and additional appetizers, paired with a bar menu, in the evening. (And since GBD is affiliated with Neighborhood Restaurant Group, you know the bar menu will be stellar.)

The place is being run by Chef Kyle Bailey and Pastry Chef Tiffany MacIssac, both from Logan Circle’s Birch & Barley. And the team is bringing in the expertise of DC beer guru Greg Engert.

Don’t miss:

• The chocolate filled brioche doughnut  (with milk chocolate glaze with Cocoa Krispies)
• The coffee cake doughnut (with spice glaze, oatmeal streusel and vanilla icing)
• The Luther (doughnut buns, fried chicken in the middle, bacon)
• Any of the fried chicken selections

GBD is expected to open on Friday, April 5. See you there.

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