A. Rocklands
2418 Wisconsin Ave.
Although Wiseys and Booeymongers are well-known as hot spots for hot sandwiches, students who are willing to walk a little further can find a good meal on the cheap at Rocklands Barbeque.
The cleavers hanging from every possible surface-and from a ceiling rack-are the first thing you notice. Three-quarters of the space is the kitchen, and the customers are relegated to a seating space in the front of the room that holds about 15 people. There is only one table, a many-sided asymmetrical butcher-block polygon with a stool at each edge. Since the lunch clientele is mostly single men and women on their lunch break, having a single table creates a lot of dialogue between strangers, beginning with “pass the sauce.”
The wide selection of sauces is the distinguishing feature at Rocklands. A box at the center of the table contains every spicy sauce a person could want, from Tabasco to Texas Green Chile to Jamaican Jerk sauce; trying a different sauce on each bite keeps your meal interesting.
The food itself is excellent and cheap, at $4.99 for a pork rib sandwich and $6.99 for the special and two side dishes. The Hot Italian Sausage ($3.99), topped with roasted onions, is just spicy enough to flush your cheeks, but not enough to make you sweat. For catering or multiple eaters they also sell racks of ribs or brisket at market price, or whole chickens for only $8.99. -Michael J. Bruns
B. Austin Grill
2404 Wisconsin Ave.
C. Margarita’s Mexican Caf?
2317 Wisconsin Ave.
Skeptical of the quality of Mexican restaurants so close to the Mason-Dixon line? Be pleasantly surprised by upper Wisconsin offerings. Don’t resign yourself to the dubious pleasures of Chipotle or Baja Fresh, give Margarita’s Mexican Caf? or Austin Grill a shot.
Margaritas, for instance, is about as authentic of Mexican food as you will find in D.C.; with tamales, enchiladas and carne asada on the menu, Margarita’s furnishings are practically indistinguishable from those of a restaurant out west: murals painted onto the walls, sombreros hanging from pegs and mariachi music squeaking out the speakers. At Margarita’s, the food was promptly served and still very hot from the kitchen, which is largely visible from the dining room. Unsurprisingly, Margarita’s also had a large selection of its namesake beverage, as well as some import beers.
Austin Grill, which has seven locations in the D.C area, feels more like a chain restaurant and the food tends toward Tex-Mex. The food is less authentically Mexican, as you can order up portabella mushroom fajitas, and the music is staple country. The service was very attentive, and the furniture-though slightly clich?d-was certainly more eye-catching, as much of the restaurant is painted in striking primary colors with the ductwork visible beneath the ceiling. -Austin Richardson
D. Elite for Hair Mini-Spa Salon
2315 Wisconsin Ave.
When I sat down in Silvio’s chair, swathed in a black robe and sweating profusely from the walk to the salon, I became extremely nervous, suddenly realizing that whatever color I chose for my hair would shape first impressions as I started classes and a new job. I had, in my rush to get out the door, forgotten the magazine shot I had pulled, but Silvio helped me find the shade of dark red I had in mind to liven up my normally dark brown hair. After 30 minutes looking like a poorly made-up transvestite, with dye all along my hairline, on my eyebrows and dripping down my neck, I was blown dry to reveal a fairly subtle tinge of burgundy. The color was perfect, but the blow dry and styling were more reminiscent of late 90s trends than the more mod looks of today. While polite, the staff was not particularly helpful or friendly, and I had to change in a closet beside several cardboard boxes. Still, Elite for Hair is worth its moderate price (about $70 for color and blow dry), and while I may opt next time to pay a few dollars more for a more enjoyable experience, I certainly do not regret my decision to color my hair here. -Perry Collins
E. Vespa
2233 Wisconsin Ave.
For those of you born to ride, the local Vespa dealership can get you scooting, Italian style. After checking out the scooters sitting outside, customers can learn everything they could possibly want to know about the vehicles from the knowledgeable staff. The store, no bigger than a two-car garage, is packed with a wide variety of models to look at. Salesman John Perry recommends the Piaggio Fly 150 for the best value. He explained the pros and cons of steel versus plastic, wider tires and engine sizes simply and truthfully. He spoke about the history of the brand and industry, which is more detailed than might be expected. And he describes a gas-mileage sure to impress-the powerful Granturismo tops out at about 80 (with a light rider on flat ground).
While prices range from about $3,400 to just over $6,000, expect to pay more for a steel-bodied Vespa than a Piaggio, which are generally plastic. You pay a lot for mileage and ease of parking when you buy a scooter-you can find plenty of full-sized used cars in the local classifieds for $3,000 or less. Also, for the more cash conscious, check out the line of Vespa-themed underwear and T-shirts.
Make sure you get a DC motorcycle license before you go visit the store, otherwise you can’t test drive the Vespas. If that’s too much trouble, just stop on in and start firing questions. They won’t mind. -Michael J. Bruns
M. Oak Hill Cemetery
30th & R St NW
Hidden behind iron gates on the corner of R St and 28th St NW lies some of Georgetown’s most solemn real estate. The Oak Hill Cemetery, now over 150 years old, has been the resting place of many notable historical figures. But it is perhaps best appreciated for its beautiful landscape and architecture, including a Gothic Revival chapel designed by James Renwick, the architect of the Smithsonian building on the National Mall. The cemetery is open to the public daily from 10 a.m. -4 p.m. The entrance is at the intersection of 30th and R St NW. -Will Mitchell
L. Dumbarton Oaks Park
In Dumbarton Oaks Park you can meditate on the hobbitesque earthworks that decorate the burbling creek, or just relax and picnic in the meadow. The park, which connects to Rock Creek, has a pleasantly secluded atmosphere. Not to be confused with the nearby Dumbarton Oaks Gardens, which are only open four hours a day and aren’t worth the price of admission. The entrance to the park is on R St, sandwiched between the gardens and Montrose Park. -Will Mitchell
K. Sugar
1633 Wisconsin Ave.
If you thought you couldn’t get C&C California or Citizen of Humanity in Georgetown, think again. Wisconsin Avenue’s Sugar has been bringing women (and a few men) the latest styles from New York and Los Angeles for three years.
Long and skinny, Sugar is an inviting little boutique. Colorful, slightly funky clothes from designers like Nanette Lepore line the walls, and a table in back holds essentials. Also in the back you’ll find their sales rack, with great finds at up to 75 percent off. And if your friends aren’t into helping you choose between a ballet neck and a scoop neck, the store’s comfy bench will hold about three people, with magazines to entertain them.
The store’s staff is competent-their understanding of fashion is evident in the way they dress. Sugar is constantly updating its selection, with two more denim lines on the way. They also carry jewelry and some accessories. ??-Shanthi Manian
J. Le Petit Corner Store
1643 34th St
Le Petit Corner Store (literally: “The Little Corner Store”) is an aptly named establishment on the corner of 34th St and Dent Place NW. This place radiates charm, often in the form of Panini sandwiches and turkish groceries. Also available are a variety of beers and wines, as well as standard convenience store goods. Open Tuesday through Thursday 8-6:30, Sat/Sun 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. -Will Mitchell
I. Starbucks rooftop
1810 Wisconsin Ave.
Starbucks, inexplicably, beat out Tryst and Caribou in the 2005 Washington Post Readers’ Choice awards. The best of the three Starbucks in the four-block stretch of Wisconsin is the 1810 Wisconsin location. Slink past the people cradling their laptops in the requisite overstuffed suede armchairs up to the Mezzanine level and out onto the rooftop patio, where surprisingly comfortable steel-and-wood chairs await you. Overlooking Wisconsin Ave., this patio provides a suitable perch for spying unsuspecting shoppers as they make the trek up to Social Safeway across the street. A mural of a female wood spirit, painted by young participants of the Fillmore Arts Summer Camp, lends a local touch to the international coffee chain atmosphere. Unfortunately, the coffeeshop’s hours (6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.) do not allow for late-night rooftop “study sessions,” but it’s a great spot to do some early morning reading or socializing. If a rooftop haven is not enough to lure you, the seasonal addition of Pumpkin Spice beverages and baked goods provide an enticing treat. -Sonia Smith
H. Caf? Divan
1834 Wisconsin Ave.
Visiting Caf? Divan during my only free time of the day, at 5:30 in the evening, my friend and I walked in on a restaurant completely devoid of other guests. Once through the narrow entryway, though, the quiet atmosphere became much more alluring. D?cor is simple but creative, with wood and tile floors, spotless linen tablecloths and metal flower centerpieces. If a little small for the number of tables, the building does offer some nice spots, especially for couples, such as the cushioned corner booths facing windows for a view of Wisconsin. There is a wide selection of Turkish entrees, including vegetarian options, and pizzas include such toppings as lamb and eggplant. I had a medium chicken and black olive pizza, which is about a foot in diameter, making a perfect single dinner portion with possibly a piece or two left over to take home. While the chicken and thin crust made the pizza enjoyable, the black olives were actually Greek olives, making the meal a little salty, and there was some excess grease. Still, though not exceptional, the food was moderately priced and certainly edible, while the ambience of even the empty restaurant made for a pleasant hour. Also, for added convenience, Caf? Divan offers carryout in the building next door. -Perry Collins
G. Georgetown Market
Hardy School Parking Lot
A motley assortment of tents and tarps graces the Hardy Middle School Parking lot every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Do not be fooled-this is no refugee camp, but one of D.C.’s best flea markets. While most students lack the funds and desire to purchase many of the market’s antique furniture and art offerings, many vendors sell basic housewares and quirky vintage jewelry and clothing. The sellers come from all over the world-on a recent visit, the Voice met a master Jeweler from Irkutsk whose large selection of silver goods included a berry-draining spoon, complete with star-shaped holes. Wind your way through this tent city next Sunday and pick up some elaborate margarita glasses or a mother-of-pearl ring. -Sonia Smith
F. Soma Fit
2121 Wisconsin Ave.
If you would prefer to skip the elliptical lines at Yates to take a pilates class, you should head to Soma Fit. After all, if it’s good enough for Paris Hilton, it’s good enough for you: on a recent visit to Washington, Hilton and her film crew entourage visited the gym, and the princess even got a pedicure in the gym’s Spa. Soma Fit is a non-membership gym, which means you don’t need to shell out any monthly fees or joining costs. Offering everything form Muscle Integrity, a class that focuses on core strength, to an extensive range of Yoga and both mat- and machine-based pilates, the classes range in price, but are usually on par with other area dance and yoga studios.
It may be difficult to justify paying a fee to work out when Yates is free, but, with its frosted windows, ultra modern architecture and sparkling new equipment, Soma Fit is certainly worth the occasional workout.
The line of spa services set the tone for Soma Fit’s Zen-like gym. They offer massages and facial and reasonable prices that make a wonderful gift to the girlfriend or a fun outing when the parents come to visit. Even if you don’t stay for a Hot Stone Massage, you will no doubt leave the gym relaxed and ready to run back to campus. -Kathryn Brand
