DC Summer Restaurant Week - August 11th through 17th

Hey Washington!  ‘Tis that time of the year again. You got it - it’s finally DC Summer Restaurant Week. Thank you to the nearly 200 participating establishments who are offering special menus (Lunch at $20.08 and Dinner at $30.08) just to get you in to try, taste and hopefully entice you to come back for more.  Also, thank you to Destination DC and the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington for continuing to present the metro area with this week.  

Celebrate this time honored tradition by checking out which places you’ve never tried yet have always wanted to, by going to this link: http://www.washington.org/restaurantwk/.  Take advantage of the talented chefs this market continues to acquire and groom.  Make your reservations today!

Please remember that Punch supporters Hudson Restaurant & Lounge and Skye Lounge will be participating in Restaurant Week as well. 

Save the Date - 2008 Key to the Cure Kick-Off

Mark your calendars for Wednesday October 15th (6pm) for the 2008 Key to the Cure Kick-Off which will be held at Saks Fifth Avenue, Chevy Chase. 

As usual, the evening will provide opportunity for shopping, a wide selection of fine cuisine from local restaurants, entertainment, and the always fun "Key to the Treasure Raffle" which benefits Suburban Hospital’s Women Cancer Programs.

This year’s Event Co-Chairs are: Margaret Auger, Ardis Eby, Sally Freeman, Catherine Jones, Mary Marinelli, Karen Natelli, Belle O’Brien, Ginger Pickle and Liz Underhill. 

This years Honorary Chairs are: Laura Evans (FOX 5), Barbara Harrison (NBC 4), Allison Starling (ABC 7) and Andrea Roane (CBS 9).

For more information on the event, Key to the Cure, or Suburban Hospital, please contact Faith Micallef at 301.896.3405 or fmicallef@suburbanhospital.org or click on this link:  http://www.suburbanhospital.org/CharitableGiving/KeytoCure.aspx

Luke’s Wings Fundraiser - August 21st

Please grab a friend or five and come to The Rookery on Thursday August 21st for the "Red White & Blue Summer Closer" fundraiser benefiting Luke’s Wings.  Only a $10 door donation is suggested.  These dollars will go to help fly another family (hopefully two) to visit its injured loved ones at Army Medical Center.

Time: 8pm-Midnight

Location: The Rookery, 2519 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

Attire: Patriotic attire is encouraged, free admission with a military ID

No RSVP is required. Hope to see you there to close up the summer in honor of those serving our country!

Say hello to a little friend …

Seems like it was just yesterday that DC’s haute society scene felt their jaws drop when Mr. Ashlee Simpson (aka Pete Wentz of the band Fall Out Boy) peppered guests’ ears with "strong profanity" at the White House Correspondents Dinner Capitol File After Party.  Pete may have forgotten he was in one of the more conservative cities in the U.S, but we will certainly will never forget him (nor some of the frightening things he said into the mic before someone decided to cut him off). 

Meanwhile, the soon to be father has been busy hard at work and touring.  He and his band stopped in the Windy City for his Lollapalooza Wrap Party which was held at the Angels & Kings Night Club (founded by Wentz) on August 3rd.  Thanks to local photog Paul Morigi for sharing.  Check out more pix on this link: http://wireimage.com/SearchResults.aspx?igi=327998&s=peter%20Wentz&sfld=C&vwmd=e

Photo by Paul Morigi

Extended weekend

As usual, the Punch will be off for the weekend, but this weekend is a bit more special (and extended) for a birthday celebration. 

Next up, the Washington Ballet’s Jete’ Society leaps gracefully into L2 with Capitol File Magazine, plus how you can give back in more ways than one, and few birthday celebrations … remember, August is not only all about vacations, its about birthdays. 

Thanks again for reading, enjoy the Olympics and have a gorgeous weekend!

Welcome April and Bianca!

Dear Loyal Punch Readers, please let us introduce to you two wonderful young ladies who have recently been added to the Punch team (besides the brilliant, talented and hard working guys over at Viget Labs).

Meet April Black:   April graduated from The George Washington University in 2007 where she earned her degree in Communications (with a minor in Psychology).  She was a member of Delta Gamma, served as 2006 Panhellenic President, and shook her pom-poms on The First Ladies Dance Team.  April is currently the Legal Recruitment Administrator for Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP where she handles both law student and lateral attorney recruiting for the DC office.  Originally from Massachusetts, she’ll only get her "red on" for the Sox and bleeds Patriot red, white and blue.

Meet Bianca Meira-Penna:  Born in Brazil, Bianca moved with her family here to the States when she was 11 years old.  She is fluent in English and Portuguese.  Bianca is set to graduate from The George Washington University this year and is majoring in Psychology with a Minor in Communications.  She aspires to work in the ever growing field of Public Relations once out of school.  Always on the Internet, Bianca continues to expand her extensive knowledge of networking sites, web 2.0, and blogging and is an expert on the cumbersome world of Facebook.

These two bright young women are assisting in building the Punch from all angles.  Thank you to Marlene Hall and Professor Scott Talan (GW) for introducing me to both April and Bianca.  They have been huge assets and we look forward to many great things from them in the future. 

Skye Lounge Patio Party - Thursday evening

The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer. Well, perhaps what I mean to say is that it’s getting darker earlier now. 

Take advantage of the waning sun on the extensive patio of Skye Lounge Thursday evening from 7pm-10pm.  Feel like partying into the night?  Apparently, the “Boomerang Bus” (don’t ask!) will be on hand to take those who left their cab money at home over to Tattoo Bar for a nightcap and some booty shaking.

(**Skye Lounge is a Special Highlighted Partner of Pamela’s Punch**)

Are you having a laugh?

The Punch has made it to another Pamela’s blog site.  That’s right, Pamela Nash of the improv troupe 5-6-7-8 wrote a post to thank the Punch and a not so Capitol Idea for promoting the troupe’s last performance.  Along those lines, DJ/comedian/actor Tommy McFly from Mix 107.3  (who is only 22, I had no idea!) is on the cover of On Tap Magazine in a cool little article written by Marlene Hall.  Pick up your copy today and don’t be scared by the rubber chicken.

If you want to see what talents this production team has and get many a laugh as well, come watch them as they put on "Things That Happen in Attics" on Friday, August 22nd, 8pm and Saturday, August 23rd, 7:30pm at The Comedy Spot which is on the 3rd floor of the Ballston Common Mall.  It’s an hour of pure fun and only $15.  http://www.comedyindc.com/5678.htm

Ballston Common Mall is located at 4238 Wilson Boulevard in Arlington, VA.

Mi Chiamo Impressed

Post and Photos by Guest Blogger April Black

Yesterday evening, a proud Ebong Eka showed off his ready-to-wear menswear line, Mi Chiamo Eka, at K Street Lounge. Guests not only witnessed Ebong’s talent and eye for design at this debut, but also his big heart as a portion of the proceeds directly benefited the Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund (HDSF). Some of DC’s most eligible bachelors helped Ebong’s line make a splash by modeling his pieces on the catwalk.

(Pictured above: Ebong Eka and April Black)

While the event technically started at 7:30 p.m., the fashion show portion didn’t begin until just past 9 p.m…. ensuring there was a full house by the time the guys took to the floor.  No one seemed to mind the wait as we scoped out the scene and enjoyed the open wine bar and delicious light fare, with tunes spun by DJ Dirty Hands. A cool – and always fashionable – Ebong Eka made the rounds and greeted those who came out to support his big night.

Everyone crowded around the red carpet runway to catch a glimpse of Ebong’s impeccable men’s suits, shirts, and slacks – and maybe also a close-up of the steamy models (who, by the way, were loving every second of the attention). Cameras were flashing and ladies were hollering as each model did his thing, and a very gracious Ebong closed the show with his finale.

Susie Kay, founder of HDSF, was all smiles last night – especially after a super generous Dominique Alexander of City Style Interiors made an announcement that his company planned to match 100% of the total donations from the evening. It was hard to believe it was only Tuesday as the crowds held strong well past 10 p.m., and then several trotted off to Tattoo Bar to cap off the night.

Congratulations, Ebong, on a hugely successful show!

Hudson Restaurant & Lounge Makes it to the Travel Channel

How often we (as residents) forget how great our own city is as a true “destination”, when absorbing all of the exotic and far away cities to where the Travel Channel, Food Network, and Discovery Channel take us.  To the rest of the country (and world for that matter), Washington, DC is very much a real place to experience as a visitor.  And monuments, museums, and historic venues aside, the TV foodie world is honing in on DC … finally.

Rebel with a cause Anthony Bourdain was recently spotted all over town as he was taping for his show “No Reservations”, as was celeb Chef Emeril “Bam!” Lagasse - he was even as far out as Fairfax, VA.  Now let’s hear it for the girl. Travel Channel’s Samantha Brown just swept through with her perky and entertaining self to check out Hudson Restaurant & Lounge in the city’s Dupont Circle area. 

You can watch what she has to say about Hudson this Thursday evening, the 7th at 10pm on the Travel Channel.  Click on the link for Samantha’s Top 5 (non-Monument) Things to Do in Washington.  Congrats to Hudson for making the big time (and to Mixologist John Hogan too)!

http://www.travelchannel.com/Video_&_Photos/Video_Detail?playerId=1388782660&lineupId=1641831842