Pair Natural Wines With Healthy Fare at The Girl and The Vine
Uncomplicated, crisp, and fresh — all words that come to mind when describing the newly opened The Girl and The Vine. This wine, snack, and sandwich shop is a model of simplicity, from the straightforward menu, to the modern interiors.
The food offering includes only salad and sandwiches, and although there aren’t pages and pages of options, you’ll still be stumped on what to try. The Gambino Italian-style sandwich is a popular choice, as is the Chip-wich mounded with turkey, smashed avocado, and kettle chips. Wash it all down with either coffee or a glass of wine; The Girl and The Vine has over 100 to choose from, and many are organic or sustainably farmed. There is casual indoor and outdoor seating where you can enjoy your meal, as well as an opportunity to do a bit of shopping for cheese, wine, or fancy pantry staples.
Find The Girl and The Vine in Takoma Park, right on Carroll Avenue. They are open Wednesday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
5 Home Trends You’re About to See Popping Up All Over
Just about every season, there's a new home trend that you see in every design magazine — and likely, all of your most stylish friends' apartments. From mid-century modern furniture pieces to antlers hanging on the wall, these trendy items are so universally beloved, they instantly add some extra style to any room. Here are just a few of the up-and-coming home trends that you're going to want to add to your own home.
1. Woven rattan. It was a trend decades ago, but rattan is back in a big way. From woven outdoor furniture to light fixtures made up of natural materials, these rattan decor items are perfect for adding an element of natural style to your home.
2. Mixed metals. Lately, designers have been mixing elements of brass, copper and silver in their designs, and the result couldn't be more stylish or unexpected. Try mixing metals in lamps, photo frames, side tables and other decorative knick knacks.
3. Millennial pink. While the "millennial pink" color has been trending in clothing and accessories for a bit, it's becoming more and more popular in the home decor world. Incorporate the color into your own home through throw pillows, rugs, or even upholstered furniture items.
4. Cacti. While the fiddle leaf fig was the trendy plant for the past couple years, larger-than-life cacti are the new designer favorite greenery options. Try adding a Southwestern vibe to your home by placing a tall cactus in an otherwise bare corner.
5. Jute rugs. Right on par with the natural element trend, jute rugs have an earthy look and a neutral color palette that's perfect in any area and any style of home. Whether you're looking to tie your living room furniture together, bring a calm and soothing vibe to the bedroom or even finish off your entryway with a rug that's equal parts stylish and durable, jute is a material that you're about to want in every room.
Find Casual Italian Fare at Angel’s Pizza & Pasta
Brick oven pizza from a certified pizzaiolo, handmade fresh spinach pasta, vegan and gluten free options… all from a food court? It’s hard to believe, but it’s the norm at Angel’s Pizza & Pasta.
You’ll be looking for excuses to get to Wheaton Mall just so you can have a slice of the chicken Alfredo pizza, charred brick oven wings, or pasta with vodka cream sauce. Other rare finds for a food court pizzeria include the oven-roasted meatballs, arancini rice balls and crispy fried calamari. Plus, there are rich desserts worthy of a much fancier eatery, like tiramisu, rum cake, and creamy chocolate mousse. Whether you're out running errands or just looking for some delicious Italian fare, Angel’s Pizza & Pasta is the place to go. The restaurant also caters and delivers all over the DMV area, so making them a part of your party table or office lunch meeting this summer is as easy as one quick call.
Enjoy Classic and Contemporary Music at “Songs I Never Get to Sing” This Weekend
The Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center puts on a new show every year, typically a music revue featuring hits from Broadway, Hollywood, and the world of modern pop. This year will be no different, as Songs I Never Get to Sing is coming to the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center on May 10th, 11th, and 12th.
Snag your tickets to a performance ($22) to enjoy an evening of familiar songs, sung by pros and occasionally accompanied by a dance number. Classic tunes like “I Could Have Danced All Night” and “Big Spender” mingle with more contemporary songs such as “Shape of You” during the musical revue. Kids are welcome at the family-friendly event, coming up this weekend at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center. Order your tickets online to ensure a spot in the audience.
10 Ways to Refresh Your Apartment for Spring
Spring is a season of renewal and rejuvenation, so it's a great time to apply these concepts to your home. You likely already have some ideas about spring cleaning, but there are lots of other ways that you can refresh your apartment just in time for spring. Here are a few great tips for cleaning out the winter mess, breathing new life into your space and getting organized for the warmer season.
1. Switch out your bedding. Instead of using the same bedding all year long, switch out your heavy down comforter with something lightweight and soft when it gets warm outside. Try linen sheets, a cooling mattress pad or a lightweight quilt instead of a comforter.
2. Let the light in. Replace any heavy drapes or curtains with window treatments that are sheer and breezy to maximize the natural light.
3. Place plants in your space. Both indoors and out, plants add a breath of fresh air (quite literally!) to any space. Invest in some plants to place in your windows and your home will instantly feel refreshed.
4. Change the color palette. If your space normally has a lot of neutrals, you might try adding some fun throw pillows, patterned rugs or other textiles in brighter pops of color.
5. Take out the trash. If you notice a lot of mail, magazines, toiletries or other junk accumulating in drawers and closets, now is the time to rid yourself of the clutter. Recycle or donate what you can, and take the rest out with the trash.
6. Clean out your clothing. Pack away the heavy winter garments that you won't wear until next year, and then go through the rest of your wardrobe to donate what you never reach for.
7. Create a soundtrack for your home. Do you have a way to play music in your home? If not, now's the time to get one! Having a bluetooth speaker, a stereo or a record player is a great way to create a good vibe throughout your space.
8. Set yourself up for entertaining. If you've often wished that you could entertain more, spring is a great time to set your space up with the essential supplies for hosting guests. Invest in extra sets of dinnerware and glasses, round out the seating in your living area or even spruce up the guest bedroom for out-of-towners.
9. Create a workspace. Whether you work from home every day or just occasionally, having a reliable desk or other workspace is essential. Take an afternoon to organize your work area and watch as your productivity increases.
10. Rearrange your furniture. Your furniture might not be working as well as it could be, and you might not even realize it. Take stock of the rooms in your home and rearrange anything that feels too cluttered or like it's just not functioning how you'd like it to.
Have Brunch on the Patio at Matchbox Silver Spring
If you’re getting a little tired of your go-to pizza joint, there’s good news: the beloved Matchbox restaurant just opened a new location right in the Downtown Silver Spring Shopping Center. Matchbox is known for their perfectly baked brick oven pizza, but there's so much more to this chain that you have yet to try.
The restaurant has an industrial vibe, with vibrant brick walls, rustic wood furniture and vintage decor you’ll want to snap a photo of. There’s even a large patio with seating that’s perfect for Matchbox's summertime happy hours, which run from Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. The menu here has a little bit of everything for every occasion. Whether you’re looking for a casual meal with a simple cheese pizza for two or a bit of a splurge on a gourmet filet mignon with crispy potatoes, Matchbox is your spot. One highlight you won’t want to miss is their weekend bottomless brunch, deemed Brunchbox, when they serve up an unlimited number of small plates, mimosas, and bloody marys on Saturdays and Sundays. Once you go the first time, you won’t be able to wait to go back for more.
Grab a Pint at Silver Branch Brewing Company
The head brewers at Silver Branch Brewing Company don’t favor any one approach to beer-making over another. They draw inspiration from the brewers of Belgium, Britain, Ireland, Central Europe, and the Americas, all in equal measure. That much should be obvious the second you see their list of house-made beers.
The flagship brews include a Czech pilsner, an American IPA, a witbier, and a tropical stout. The lineup represents the four major brewing cultures that inspire the team at Silver Branch Brewing Company. Come and grab a pint of one of the flagship beers in the open, airy tasting room, filled with high-topped tables and ample amounts of light. You can also savor a seasonal beer or a collaboration with another brewery. Chips, beef jerky, and popcorn are a few of the snacks Silver Branch serves, along with non-alcoholic beverages such as house-made soda, coffee, and tea.
Share a Bottle of Vino During Half-Priced Wine Night at Olazzo
If wine and pasta sound like the building blocks for a perfect evening, head to Olazzo on a Monday night. That’s half-price wine night at the Italian eatery. Order a bottle to share with your dining companion — or come on Tuesdays for $6 martinis — and enjoy Italian cuisine along with it.
Start with a few appetizers (which are conveniently $2 off during happy hour), such as the fried calamari, the bruschetta, or the mozzarella garlic bread. Then, devour penne smothered with marinara sauce and crowned with house-made meatballs or spaghettini tossed with olive oil, garlic, Roma tomatoes, and fresh basil. Try the gnocchi duck bolognese, house-made ricotta gnocchi with duck ragu, or the saffron risotto alla mare with shrimp, clams, mussels, and squid. You can also enjoy a fully loaded salad at Olazzo, like one topped with meatballs or chicken parm.
Enjoy Old School Italian Fare at Family-Run Olazzo
You'll feel like family when you dine at Olazzo. This family-run restaurant serves authentic Italian cuisine in a comfortable, old-world style atmosphere. The menu reads like a "best of" list of Italian cooking; from lasagna and pasta to signature dishes like Chicken Cardinale and Gnocchi Duck Bolognese, Olazzo has classic favorites and modern takes on Italian fare.
There are certainly plenty of rich dishes and creamy pastas that are the ultimate comfort food, but they also have light salads and low-carb items that won’t leave you feeling so guilty. And because Olazzo prides itself on being a neighborhood restaurant, they have crowd-pleasing happy hour deals and weekly specials like half priced bottles of wine on Mondays or six-dollar martinis on Tuesdays. Have an important event on the horizon? Catering from Olazzo is what everyone wants to eat, and they make it easy with their full service offering and years of experience catering for large and small parties.
The Food and Culture of West Africa is the Focus at Mansa Kunda
With chairs built from custom-made drums from Gambia, hand-woven light fixtures hanging from above, and authentic Senegalese art adorning the walls, Mansa Kunda makes diners feel like they’ve been transported to West Africa. That feeling continues as you read the menu and try some of owner Hatiib Joof’s dishes, which are native to his home country, Gambia.
Joof opened Mansa Kunda in January in Takoma Park with the goal of introducing the DC area to the cuisine his family has been cooking and eating for generations. While regular cutlery is available, he encourages diners to step outside their comfort zone and eat with their hands as West Africans do. If you’re new to the food from this region of the world, those who’ve already eaten here suggest starting your meal with the abala, a Gambian street snack consisting of black-eyed pea tamales wrapped in a banana leaf. Move onto the main course, which traditionally focuses on meat, like a tangy, spicy chicken dish known as yassa, or a traditional fish stew. But if you don’t eat meat, no worries — the kitchen is happy to make just about any dish a meat-free one.
