Travel guide to exploring Washington, DC
Eat, drink, and educate yourself on the racism history of this used tampon of a country (that's how the saying goes, right?)
This week’s newsletter will be a list of all of my recommended things to do, places to eat, and shows to see if you happen to be in or around Washington DC.
Shows to See:
The theater MFA in me couldn’t just let you leave the DC area uncultured by the arts. I strongly recommend watching Sanctuary City at the Arena stage. On a purely nepotistic note, one of my brilliant friends @mashainthetropics is starring in this production and she’s always a delight to watch. She always finds a way to bring a little bit of light into some of the heaviest theatrical material I’ve ever seen and this play is no exception. Sanctuary City is about the struggles of undocumented children turned undocumented adults, their loved ones, and what life was like for two high school students: one undocumented boy and the daughter of an undocumented woman in the 2000’s (I think that was the time period but I don’t quite remember). On a more personal note, some of you that have been reading my newsletter for a while might know that my stepfather was deported when I was in college. It was a super traumatic moment for my immediate family and the process of trying to get his papers has gone on for over 10 years, and he still isn’t back in the states. As someone who was/is personally affected by the mass deportations of the Obama administration, this play was filled with truths that I’ve only seen reflected in the stories of people who have lived through these hard times. I give this play a smooth 11/10. Just remember to breathe during the “second act” because it’s a doozy.
(EDIT: the show closed a recently but you should follow her in case it comes back to town!)
Things to Do:
The African American History Museum
To get the full experience of this historic and monumental Smithsonian museum you’ll need to visit at least twice. Entry is free (you just need to reserve tickets on online) but spots fill up quickly so try your best to get your tickets ahead of time. My friend, Adrienne, and I were fortunate in that we checked the morning of our visit and there happened to be over 100 open slots that were not available for the last 3 days of my stay. Personally, I don’t recommend waiting until the last time, just to be safe.
At the ground floor, you and a small group of other visitors are brought into an elevator and travel downward to the subfloors. You are brought down to the prelude of African-American history where, with each sublevel, you walk through the history of Black people in America from the moment the first European landed in Africa. There are countless artifacts, letters, stories of faceless enslaved Black people, there are pieces of slave ships, letters of emancipation, a whole cabin where enslaved Black people lived, and so so SO much more. From the ground floor, you literally walk up and rise through history until you return to the ground floor again. Other levels focus on other elements of Black American history (the Black church, the nation of Islam and Black Muslim Americans, our involvement in ever single war and battle on American soil, historic athletic accomplishments and struggles by Black athletes, etc.)
Not so fun, but important, fact I learned at the museum: The reason why US history repeats that most Northerners were against slavery around the time of the Civil War was because they (white Northerns) believed that the unpaid labor done forced upon enslaved African people was “stealing their jobs”...sound familiar?
Helpful tip when you visit: Bring tissues. Take deep breaths and stretch your body as you absorb our history. The unfiltered truth can make you unintentionally start holding tension in your body which can prevent you from fully engaging with what you’re seeing. Also, get the pecan pie when you visit the food court.
Places to Eat:
Rose Ave bakery
Address: 1110 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005 (but they’re moving to a new location in Woodley Park soon)
The food vibe: Re-imaged desserts and pastries inspired by the flavors of the Asian diaspora
Location specifics: Rose Ave is currently inside of The Block Food Court. It’s closer to the back but you can’t miss it.
Important info: Come. Early. They sell out very quickly so if you can be there when they open, definitely do that! Also Rose Ave is known for making delicious desserts that are sweet but not too sweet. Like if you want something that’s clearly a dessert but that doesn’t punch you between the teeth with sugar.
Shayna’s top picks:
Donut: The passionfruit and the strawberry milk donut
Savory pastry: SCALLION EGG, CHEESE & BACON SANDWICH. Made on the flakiest puff pastry I’ve ever seen, dusted with what I can only compare to an Asian-inspired everything bagel blend (sesame seeds, furikake, and something else that was salty and savory) and the Spam Musubi Croissant!
Astoria DC
Address: 1521 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
The visual vibe: Imagine a cute and quirky subway station with a gorgeous interior highlighted with deep rich blues. It’s small on the inside with not much seating but every seat is a good seat
The food vibe: Sichuan food and cocktails. Think noodles, wontons, braised pork, gong bao chicken, the stuff that warms you up and makes you wiggle in your chair.
Important info: Make a reservation! This place is popular and small. Also all the drinks are $16 flat. The DRINKS MENU can be a little-really confusing so THIS breakdown will help you. Also, the line that connects all the drinks on the drink is a range from strong drinks to not strong.
Shayna’s top picks:
The beef noodles. Nothing prepared me for just how perfect that dish was. My only critique: I wanted more.
Adrienne ordered the Beach Comber Punch, which is perfect for anyone who likes apricot, and I ordered a drink that wasn’t on the menu but was DELICIOUS! How did I do that? I talked to the bartender and told him the flavor palette I was looking for in a drink and he said “say less” so I did. When I tell you my drink was STRONG. Bruh. $16 well spent.
Grazie Nonna
Address: 1100 15th st NW, Washington, DC 20005
The visual vibe: The perfect second date spot. Think mood light, chandeliers, a place to wear that cute sweater and sexy dress you’ve been trying to get out of your closet since October
The food vibe: Italian, like your the favorite grandchild of a grandma from Rome
Important information: Make a reservation. You might still be able to get in on an off-day but you def want to reserve your spot on the weekends.
Shayna’s top pick:
The Drunken Love pizza. I have no idea what drugs they put in that vodka sauce because never in my life have I had a pizza make me want to slip into a coma so quickly. The crust was so thin but somehow held its shape under all that sweet sweet cheese. It’s also important to know that I’m not a crust girl but they had the PERFECT amount of salt in their dough and the ideal amount of singed outer rim…listen…just get the pizza.
Black Owned Businesses:
If you’re looking for Black Owned restaurants to support in DC, check out this video! This creator does a round up of their top 5 Black-owned DC restaurants in a concise, food-forward way. I didn’t have the time to check any of them out during my stay but they're on my list for next time. If you have a favorite place to eat in DC (especially if it’s Black-owned) let me know in the comments!
Food for Thought:
How do you feel when you see the physical history of the United States, either in pictures or in person? The White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the monuments, the Declaration of Independence; what do you feel when you look at these creations?
For Paid Subscribers:
I’m currently in the mountains of Colorado on my first luxury travel trip for a PR company!! I’ll share some of the good, bad, ugly, and oh so very boujee in your newsletter (which should be in your inbox tomorrow at this time). Full disclosure, I’m currently on my way to a hot springs spa adventure that I found out yesterday is known for having orgies afterhours…y’all…