Trader Joe's opens this Friday

Trader Joe's is almost ready to open

This Friday Nov 18 will mark a new era for Clarendon: Trader Joe's grocery store will open on the corner of Highland and Clarendon Blvd. This should be nothing new to any one living in Arlington, as everyone, and everyone and everyone, has been talking about it for a while. The store will have it's grand opening at 8 am, and it will be so popular that I'm wondering if there will be anything left on the shelves by the time I check it out Friday night!

American Tap Room: Not worth it

Lobster Roll Sandwitch and fries with
Heavy Seas Loose Cannon beer

I finally got around to trying out American Tap Room on Highland Street for dinner, and since they have been open since for a while I figured all the kinks would be worked out. Sadly, I was disappointed throughout the night and concluded it isn't a worthy replacement for Sette Bello which used to accupy the space.

Despite the promise of a tasty dinner by the backlite glowing menu and salads with local Clarendon themed names, nothing I tried was worth the price. The crab spinach dip was difficult to eat and wasn't nearly creamy enough. The jerk chick spring rolls were ok, but not worth ordering again. The toasted lobster roll was cold, and the only thing decent was the Old Bay seasoned circular cut fries. Their beer selection was rather sparse, and our waitress was virtually unknowledgable of our menu.

At least the extra large leather chairs were comfortable. Sorry Tap Room, but I'm going to agree with Yelp and say you deserve two stars.

Spotted in Clarendon: Hello Kitty SLK

I'm pretty certain that is not the original color.

This past weekend was a great exotic car spotting time in Clarendon. I caught glimpses of toy cars like a Ferrari 458, Lamborgini, and a SLS. But nothing was as eye catching as the bright pink Mercedes SLK 230 on display at Best Auto Sales. It was sitting prominately at the corner of Wilson and 10th Street, but I can't find it on their website. Did they already find a buyer that wanted to complete their life size Barbie dreamhouse collection?

I would much rather ride in the 850 sitting close by though...

Great show by Katie Herzig & Butterfly Boucher

Katie Herzig, center, plays at IOTA with her band
and Butterfly Boucher (right)

I had a great time at IOTA last Saturday with the dual talents Butterfly Boucher and Katie Herzig. I was happy that Butterfly stayed on after her set and plyed backup guitar for most of Katie's songs. Can't wait for the next time they tour in the area, as I liked Katie's soulfoul lyrics but enjoyed Butterfly's more rockish beat the most.

Katie Herzig & Butterfly Boucher at IOTA tonight



Butterfly Boucher with Katie Herzig, via MySpace

Don't miss a back to back show of two of my favorite female musicians tonight at IOTA. The beautiful guitarist Butterfly Boucher takes the stage tonight to open up for Katie Herzig, and I last saw both women play together when the supergroup Ten Out of Tenn visited Clarendon last September. Katie Herzig's voice and guitar mesmerized me when I heard the song "Hologram", which has become my favorite track of hers. The show starts around 9pm and the $12 cover is a steal for seeing these two musicians live in one night.

Blondes vs Brunettes Alzheimer’s fundraiser Sat

Photo via Indymojo.com

Who has more fun, blondes or brunettes? Or better question: Who hits the hardest in powderpuff football?

This Saturday Nov 12 at noon an epic battle will unfold at GWU to determine who is superior: Blondes or Brunettes. This massive football game featuring over seventy ladies is for charity and raises funds and awareness for the Alzheimer's Association. Since 2005, BvB has raised nearly $700,000 for the chairty and inspired similar events in other cities. Tickets are $25 for the game at 2100 Foxhall Road, NW, or you can donate online here.

There will be an after party at Town Hall at 7pm, and thanks to FamousDC and City Girls for the info.

I wonder how well the redheads would do in this fight...



Blondes vs. Brunettes: Tackling Alzheimer’s from Toy Box Productions on Vimeo.

Arlington Arts Center Happy Hour Nov 17

The Arlington Arts Center is hosting a wine tasting happy hour next week on Thursday Novemebr 17. From 5:30 to 7:30pm local restaurant ScrewTop Wine Bar will provide three French wines to compliment their new exhibit Fall Solos 2011. Tickets are $10 in advance online, and $15 at the door.

Ray's Steak & Cheese is delicious

Steak & Cheese loaded with tots and Dominion Root Beer

Last night I tried out the brand new Ray's Steak & Cheese in Courthouse after reading reviews of the sandwich shop from ArlNow and ClarendonCulture. The steak and cheese was absolutely delicious, and was perfectly accompanied by a side order of tots. I perfer the more "plain" steak, without pepers and mushrooms, which costs a hefty $10.99. But it is well worth the price as it is filled with quality meat and is very filling. The staff was extremely friendly and I look forward to more trips to Courthouse just for this sandwich.

Mechanical Bull at Whitlow's Wed

Thanks to ARLNow.com for the heads up on Whitlow's benefit for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) on Wednesday. The fundraiser features a mechanical bull riding contest at $10 per try and starts 6 p.m. with food and drink specials all night. It's a great cause, and not only can you support our veterans but also watch people being thrown from the bull!

Central Library Puzzle Festival on Saturday

The first ever Arlington Puzzle Festival will be held this Saturday Nov 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Central Library Auditorium, 1015 N. Quincy St. The day will include speakers in the morning, followed by puzzle competitions in the afternoon. Puzzles are provided by Will Shortz, from the New York Times and NPR, and world sudoku champion Thomas Snyder.