As many of you know, I've been working on opening a restaurant with my partners Chef Skip and Ju'Nor Tucker.  Chef Skip started as a food truck in 2016 and has since expanded to 2 locations in Virginia Beach and Portsmouth. We've been talking about opening a DC location for years.  In March, we reached out to an agent, Kimberlee Randall of the Kimberlee Randall Group to help us find a location.  We instantly fell in love with a former carryout location on Euclid St in Northwest.  Our agent reached out to get the ball rolling.  After 45 days of lease negotiations, we signed the lease.  On June 1, we received the keys and it's been non-stop ever since.  I set a goal to be open by August 1.  After some hurdles and road blocks, I am pleased to announce that we will finally be soft opening next week.  The exact day is TBA.  Follow us on IG @chefskip202 or Facebook.com/chefskip202 for additional information on our soft opening and grand opening celebration.

The Wells, a gin bar on Capitol Hill was a dope experience.  I call it an experience because it's super exclusive.  They are currently only open on Wednesdays and Thursdays. They open reservations for the upcoming month towards the end of the month which are usually booked up quickly.  August reservations are open NOW! They require a $15 per person deposit, but this goes towards your bill.  

Our reservations were a few nights ago.  I received a text about 15 minutes before my reservation to text back when I arrive to the green door.  There is an inconspicuous green door nestled between The Duck & the Peach and La Collina which are sister restaurants of The Wells. The hostess met us outside and showed us to our table.  After seating us, the hostess locked the door behind us which definitely made me feel like I was in a speak easy.

The bar is immaculately decorated but also super chill and laid back.  The service was great.  Our waitress was attentive.  The gin craft cocktails were all amazing.  I'm not usually a gin fan, but I enjoyed the Patio and the Bee's Knees.

I highly recommend for a date night or girls night.

Across from Tiger Fork is a hidden speakeasy called Never Looked Better. Enter through the gray door into a dark cocktail bar decorated with swanky decor and neon lights. The venue and vibe I’m definitely for. The bar menu was just ok. I expected more craft cocktails, especially since they were $12-16. They do have happy hour 4pm-7pm which is $2 off. Definitely worth the experience. It would make a fun girls night or before dinner drinks with bae. Unlike most of DC, reservations are not required. I went on a weeknight and it wasn’t packed but I heard there’s a line on weekends.

​📍130 Blagden Alley NW, WDC

Tiger Fork in Blagden Alley has been on my list for a minute. If you’ve never been to Blagden Alley, search my site for the previous post I did a few months ago. Tiger Fork is an Asian themed restaurant with beautiful decor and an outdoor patio. Although their menu is limited compared to previously, I was pleased with my choices. I had the mushroom & broccoli dumplings as an app and the salt and pepper fish as my entree. The dessert was the finisher though. The Chinese S’more was a deconstructed s’more with house-made ice cream that was amazing! I strongly recommend reservations as this place gets packed in the evenings.
Would I go again? Yes.
Do I need to go regularly? No.

If you’ve been, let me know what you think.

​📍922 Blagden Alley NW, WDC

Ok, so these selfie museums are becoming a real thing.  They are literally popping up all over the DMV.  Selfie Wrld NOVA was super dope and I can attest to that, but here are a few more to check out.

Vybe Selfie Museum
​📍2700 Potomac Mills Circle, Woodbridge, VA
📍13895 Hedgewood Dr, Woodbridge, VA
​www.vybeselfiemuseum.com

Lights Camera Selfie Gallery
📍 11110 Mall Circle, Waldorf, MD
​www.lightscameraselfiegallery.com

The Muse Box Selfie Museum
📍 6800 Oxon Hill Rd, Oxon Hill, MD
​www.themuseboxmd.com

I’ve been dying to check out the sunflower maze and it is finally open for the season. My cousin Britt’s favorite flower was sunflowers and I’ve become a fan of them since she passed away. Gold Petal Farms has 2 locations in Southern Maryland. Not sure which one I’m going to yet but I’m probably going to also visit a winery down there to make a day of it. Gold Petal Farms also have a Virginia Beach location for my 757 folks to pick your own 🌻 . For deets, check out www.goldpetalfarms.com

📍 37260 Manor Road, Chaptico, MD
📍25120 Colton Point Road, Morganza, MD
​📍2655 Seaboard Rd, Virginia Beach, VA

Yesterday while I was the National Harbor, I went to Pose for their 80’s themed pop-up Replay. Pose is the rooftop bar in the Gaylord National Harbor. I felt like I stepped into the Max on an episode of Saved by the Bell. The retro decor definitely takes you back to the good old days. They feature specialty themed cocktails. I had the frosé which was really good and the views from the rooftop are amazing! Highly recommend stopping in soon. I’m not sure how long this theme will last.

Inside the Wardrobe is a fashion funhouse pop-up in Georgetown with over 20 themed rooms. This place is definitely instaworthy. I was able to cop tickets right before it closed last week 😩. I’m mad I wasn’t able to go sooner so I could tell you all about it. The space was actually larger and had more exhibits than I anticipated. The exhibits were creative and unique. I appreciated the photo booth stations. The kaleidoscope and runway were my favorite. After going to Selfie Wrld with the Selfie stands, I just feel like all Selfie Museums or pop-ups should provide these. I’ve been spoiled 🤷🏽‍♀️. Lol. Either way, I enjoyed it. Hopefully you were able to go before it closed on Sunday.
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