To Do: Hike Rock Creek Trail at Peirce Mill

How many times have you driven down Tilden towards Rock Creek and passed Peirce Mill without getting out of your car? If you're like me, oh, maybe hundreds. But with January days that seem like April, I couldn't pass it up today. I veered into the parking lot, leashed up the pup and went for a jaunt down the creek.

I'm also one of those people who stop and read all of the historical markers, so here's a mini-tour (though nothing can take the place of being out there in person.) This is the waterfall at Peirce Mill. It was constructed to look pretty and totally messed up the fishing in the creek in the process. Luckily, the Park Service has now built a path for the fish that bypasses the waterfall. so it is once again known as the "herring highway."

Our unseasonably warm January has understandably confused Mother Nature. These are gorgeous (but probably shouldn't be seeing the light of day for another 30 days.)

Ike didn't stay still enough long enough for photos, but he loved jumping around on the creekside rocks, meeting new people and dogs and sniffing every inch of the trail.

More photos after the jump...

Save the Date: Hunger Games Opening at Uptown Theater in Cleveland Park

Did you read The Hunger Games trilogy? I rolled my eyes at it as everyone suggested it for my reading list and then, with a long flight ahead downloaded book #1. As I neared the end of the final chapter, I broke out in hives hoping that I could download book #2 and #3 on my layover. It's a cliffhanger kinda story and I'm hoping the movie is that engrossing as well. 

Yesterday, I passed by the Uptown while walking Ike and saw the movie poster for The Hunger Games has gone up.

Premiere night is March 23rd, so save the date, make plans and book your tickets. It's definitely one worth seeing on the Uptown's epic screen with old-school balcony!

Connect to Fandango to reserve your tickets as soon as they become available.

The AMC Lowes Uptown Theatre is located at 3426 Connecticut Avenue NW in Washington, DC. It's right across Ordway Street from the Cleveland Park Metro.

First Visit: St. Arnolds of Cleveland Park

It's been a crazy couple of weeks, so I hadn't been to St. Arnold's Mussel Bar & Underground's new Cleveland Park outpost since it opened this month. But when pals Will & Rachel were headed up there tonight, I crashed their party.

St. Arnolds in Cleveland Park, Patio Side

I was rewarded with a cozy bar setting with communal tables, a great selection of Belgian and English beers and their specialty, mussels and frites a billion different ways (ok, maybe more like 20+ ways). I went with the house speciality which is made with beer sauce, caramelized shallots, garlic, thyme and duck fat. I got a huge steaming pot of mussels perfectly cooked with a side of crispy, flavorful french fries. 

Mussels & Frites at St. Arnolds, Cleveland Park

On the beer front, I'm no expert, but my server steered me to the Ommegang Witte beer and I liked it a lot.  The beer steins are big, hefty and satisfying! I can't wait for spring when the windows all open and it's a beer garden all around. (We wondered aloud if the menu would change? It's so cozy and winter warming!)

Bottom line: It's worth checking out while it's cozy in January. If nothing else, you'll want to be on first name status with the bartender by the time spring breaks and those windows roll up!

St. Arnolds is located at 3433 Connecticut Avenue, at the corner of Connecticut and Ordway Street NW in Washington, DC. It's just across Ordway from Cleveland Park Metro. Full menu is here. 

More after the jump!

Chipotle Coming "Soon" to Cleveland Park

Y'all know how I feel about this...

St. Arnold's Mussel Bar to Open January 11th in Cleveland Park

Fans of St. Arnold's Mussel Bar's Facebook page learned today that the new Cleveland Park outpost will open January 11, 2012 at 5pm.

For those of you who don't yet know, St. Arnold's Mussel Bar & Underground has taken over the old Sabores space on Ordway Street at Connecticut Avenue NW - right across the street from the metro stop. I've been to the Dupont Circle location and can tell you it's a cozy spot that has super nice owner (that are often the ones serving you.)

They have a huge selection of Belgian beers on draft. I'd recommend trying out one of their mussels and frites dishes (they serve em SEVEN ways!) for dinner or a Nutella Belgian waffle for brunch or dessert.  Read the full menu here.

St. Arnolds: The "Before" Picture

I love what they've done to the enclosed (for winter, but in summer it rolls up) patio - festive lights strung across the ceiling, huge TVs for game day, and tons of chairs to accomodate groups. What we'll all get to see on the 11th is the basement space they've redone (anyone remember Park Bench... well, hopefully we can forget that.)

St. Arnolds: 48 Hours Before Opening Night

Will you be one of the first ones at to try it out or will you give them a few weeks before you pull up your barstool?

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Houses I Love: The One With the Pink Door

Every time I pass the house with the pink door, it makes me smile. It's just the kind of place I'd swoon about in Lonny magazine, but it's just two blocks from my condo.

I'm pretty sure a family lives there and I'd like to think one day, I'll end up with a man secure enough be ok with me painting our front door hot pink.

What's your favorite house in Cleveland Park - or your neighborhood - and why?