AAC and AFAC Charity Happy Hour with Screwtop Wine Bar

The Arlington Arts Center is hosting a holiday happy hour and raffle on Wednesday, December 8 from 5:30-7:30pm. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. One raffle ticket for each event ticket purchased. Raffle prizes include an AAC membership, tickets to an upcoming AAC happy hour, and a bottle of wine from Screwtop Wine Bar.

They are also having a holiday food drive for Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC), so bring non-perishable goods to the event! AFAC especially needs low-sugar cereals, cooking oil, canned meats, and low-sodium canned soups. You will receive one additional raffle ticket per non-perishable item you bring for the food drive.

Gameday at Clarendon Grill

Ever since they remodeled and refreshed their menu, I've been pleasantly surprised with Clarendon Grill's brunch and lunch offerings. Pictured here is their delicious lump crab cake sandwich and potato crisps, which contained no filler at all!

The Grill was popular today as it made a good spot to watch the Redskins vs Titans game at 1pm with their multiple new flat screens and large projector screen filling in the stage. The new Grill's remodeled interior is much more comfortable and efficient than before, but there still wasn't enough seats to go around for all the Skins fans.

Deleted Scenes at Iota tonight

Looking forward to checking out Deleted Scenes playing at Iota tonight. The local band has a unique sound, and some interesting videos like this one shot on the Metro. They are opening for Modern Skirts around 9pm with a $12 cover.

Party Crashers Art Show at Arlington Arts Center Nov 19

Comic book influenced art is invading Arlington Arts Center this weekend as the Party Crashers show debuts Nov 19.  The show "mashes up comic art and contemporary gallery culture, and features artists who pass back and forth between the two worlds." Thanks to Andy Warhol for jump starting this trend.

The Arlington Arts Center is a private, nonprofit contemporary visual arts center just down the street from Clarendon past Mario's and Pio Pio. The show premiers to the public with an opening reception Friday Nov 19 from 7 to 9pm at 3550 Wilson Blvd Arlington. The art will be on display until Jan 16.

Live music this week

Lots of diverse typse of music this week live in Clarendon:

•Tuesday Nov 9 - One of Stephen King's favorite musicians Slaid Cleaves takes the stage
•Wednesday Nov 10 - Mike Leverone rocks the fresh faced Clarendon Grill
•Thursday Nov 11 - Maserati promises to mesmerize Iota with their ambient / crunk / psychedelic melodies

Matsutake in Ballston

On a random trip, stopped by Matsutake in Ballston, just across from the mall and Frontpage. The restaurant has a lot of competition in the area from the likes of Kabuki, Boru Asian Bistro, and Temple Lounge.

I liked the atmosphere, and there was much more room inside than I expected. The hibachi grill seating was loud, but I thought would be a good spot for a first or second date. That way you have something to talk about and helps avoid awkward pauses, since you are facing the cook and not each other. The other tables were friendly to dinner conversations.


The food is decent, as I enjoyed the shrimp and chicken combo but the sushi was nothing special. Despite the ratings online, I think this small asian chain is worth checking out once.

Halloween Eve at Eleventh

As expected, Clarendon was a hot bed of scandalous and creative costumes during this Halloween weekend. Although nowhere near as packed as the craziness that is the massive sea of people that hits Georgetown, the local dance floors of Spider Kelly's, Ballroom, Mister Days and the rest all had long lines of festive party goers at midnight.

I prefered Eleventh for this year's Halloween partying, as the often overlooked lounge is smaller and had a much shorter line and doesn't charge cover. Like everywhere else, it was full to capacity and people had to wait for some one to leave before they could enter. But its two floors had plenty of activity for great people watching, and our waitress was extremely nice and attentive for such a busy night.

BYT's guide to Fear and Sanity in DC

If you are hopping on the Orange Line this Saturday to attend the Stewart and Colbert rallies on the mall, check out Brightest Young Things first. They have created this handy info graphic of A Sane Person's Guide to DC for hanging out in the city after the events.

Also, thanks to Clarendon Culture for this schedule of the rally and events. The rallies are only from noon to 3pm, and its sure to be crowded!

Charity Happy Hour at Mister Days Thurs

Drop by Mister Days this Thursday Oct 21 for a charity happy hour to benefit child literacy. Local nonprofit group The Reading Connection will be holding a raffle with prizes such as a Kindle and gift cards to Arlington restaurants and stores.

The Reading Connection serves the at-risk and homeless children in our area by providing them fun, literacy-rich experiences. Volunteers visit their shelters or housing complexes on a weekly basis to read to them and provide them with new, free books to keep.

Must See Music in Clarendon

Lots of music to feed your soul coming up this month, including:

• Saturday Oct 16 - Official grand re-opening of Clarendon Grill with Toxic Mouse
• Sunday Oct 24 - Midnight Hike plays Iota with their catchy rock-folk tunes
• Tuesday Nov 9 - One of Stephen King's favorite musicians Slaid Cleaves takes the stage at Iota
• Thursday Nov 11 - Maserati promises to mesmerize Iota with their ambient / crunk / psychedelic melodies