Washingtonian.com: Tabard Inn's Crab Tart

In this week's installment of Recipe Sleuth, I profile the Tabard Inn's famously delicious crab tart. Here's a preview:

Tabard Inn’s crab tart has an impressive record: In a restaurant with a rotating menu, the dish has never come off in more than 25 years. Its lengthy stay is thanks to a generation of indecisive diners; the dish was chosen, says restaurant manager Neidra Holmstrom, to “cater to those that wanted a little breakfast or brunch during our lunch hours.” Here’s how to make it at home.

Read the recipe here.

(Image via NYTimes.com)

Washingtonian.com: What to Do This Weekend

Looking for something to do this weekend? Look no further. Sarah Z. and I at Washingtonian have the down-low. Here's a sample:

Thursday, July 29

Get your fall jewelry fix tonight at Georgetown’s Puro Cafe. The Wisconsin Avenue coffee shop is hosting Stella & Dot, an online-only brand of adorably versatile jewelry, for a special trunk show. 5:30 to 8:30, with 20 percent of proceeds benefit Fashion Fights Poverty.

Film buffs get a history lesson at Tudor Place on Thursday. In honor of 100 years of film in Georgetown, the neighborhood estate hosts a special exhibition of early-1900s movie scores and antique film equipment. Admission ($15) includes a free movie ticket to any AMC theater. 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Drinks and light refreshments will be served.

Author and Washington Post journalist Dave Kindred discusses his book, Morning Miracle: Inside the Washington Post, at Politics and Prose Thursday. The book details the struggle of the Post—and other newspapers—to survive in the digital age. Free; 7:30.

Read on here for more events.

Washingtonian.com: Her Own Voice

Yesterday, I sat down with Jane Carrey, daughter of Jim Carrey, to talk about her music career and making her own way. Here's a snippet:

Jane Carrey, who opened last night for acoustic star Mat Kearney at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, has a story that isn’t exactly standard for an up-and-coming singer-songwriter. Sure, it has elements you’ve heard before: She just got her first big break (last night’s performance was part of her first national tour), and she’s getting a taste of life on the road. So far, Carrey has fanned herself in fetid, un-airconditioned dressing rooms, endured 12-hour bus rides, and boozed in grimy dive bars. Pretty normal for someone at the start of a musical career—except that Jane happens to be the daughter of Hollywood megastar Jim Carrey.

Click here to read more.

(Image courtesy of Jane Carrey)

115 Pounds of Marijuana Seized in Fairfax County

Think you're having a bad day? Think again. During a highway interdiction operation on July 21, police seized about 115 pounds of pot.

For those of you with poor quantity perception, that is a lot of weed. Just take a look at the below image:

That's not going to look good in court.

Of course, the men caught with the marijuana, Alexis Javier Paz, 38 and Felix V. Rodriguez, 45, both of Miami, Fl., were each charged with transporting controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute. Paz was also charged with possession of cocaine.

Were these men supplying all of suburban Virginia, or something? Also, why is the pot piled atop a pool table, in what I'm assuming must be police station. So many questions . . .

Not My Car

And thank goodness for that. This Nissan on Connecticut Avenue was a misfortunate casualty of yesterday's freak monsoon storm.

What should this owner file on his insurance claim? Global warming?

Washingtonian.com: What to Do This Weekend

Looking for something fun this weekend? Washingtonian has the answers. Here's a sample:

Friday, July 23

The District of Columbia Arts Center is holding an opening reception tonight in honor of its annual open exhibition, “1460 Wall Mountables.” The exhibit, which opened July 21 and runs through August 29, features two-foot-square spaces rented out by local artists. The event has taken place every summer since 1990. Free. 7 to 9.

Busboys and Poets at Fifth and K streets, Northwest and Split This Rock get into the beat spirit with Howl in the City, an evening of music and poetry in honor of the National Gallery of Art’s current exhibition, “Beat Memories: The Photographs of Allen Ginsberg.” Enjoy performances by poet Anne Waldman and musician Kyp Malone of the rock band TV on the Radio, both accompanied by a quartet led by the classically trained indie-violinist Matthew Hemerlein. Tickets ($10) are available here.

The Pink Line Project opens the pop-up boutique Temporium, which features the modern creations of local designers. In place through August 15, the transformed lounge highlights local entertainment, has refreshments, and includes free wifi internet. Tonight, take in tunes provided by DJ Obeyah from 6 to 10. The site is located at the former R.L. Christian Library at 1300 H Street, Northeast. Free.

The Textile Museum hosts the first of two evenings in performance for “Interwoven,” a look at textile-focused film screenings and performance art. Sponsored in part by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, tonight features a performance by the fashion collective ThreesAsFour, which spotlights its delicate and sculptural approach to textiles. Afterward, KnitKnit magazine founder Sabrina Gschwandtner moderates a discussion with the artists. Tickets ($20) are available here.

Click here for more fun things to keep you entertained this weekend.

Washingtonian.com: MTV's Capital Tweets

I profile LiLu from LivitLuvit, who is currently in the running to become a TJ, or Twitter Jockey, for MTV. Here's a snippet:

Leading the pack of 25 hopefuls is Rachael King, better known as @LivitLuvit, a 26-year-old Washingtonian who runs the popular and notoriously unapologetic comedy blog—Livit, Luvit—for the past three years. After a series of Twitter-based challenges—including getting celebrity followers and publicizing an unknown band—contestants are judged by their TweetLevel, a specially designed system measuring one’s influence on Twitter. Four Tweeters are selected by an MTV panel to go to New York City for the finale, and the fifth spot is given to the person with the best TweetLevel. So far, King has the highest score.

Read more about her journey here.

Baltimore's Artscape

Baltimore, Washington's wacky neighbor to the north, this past weekend hosted Artscape, a three-day extravaganza of art, music, and the some of the city's quirkiest residents. Despite the heat, people came out in droves to celebrate—myself included. Here are a few snapshots from my time there:

It wouldn't be Baltimore without crabs. The feast before heading over.

The decorated cars are a time-honored tradition at Artscape. The owner of this vehicle decided to adorn it with dental molds and false teeth. One can only hope they were sanitized. I still didn't touch it, though.

Did someone find this stuff in a dumpster behind a dentist's office?

Not exactly sure what this car is supposed to be, but it has wings and that's cool in my book.

In the middle of the street, there was a box set up that shot out a steady stream of bubbles. Some people got really into it—literally.

Including Jon. I unsuspectingly draw close to take a picture, and . . .

Bubbles in my face!

Afterwards, we took in a free concert by DC rapper Wale. Who, as we learned, is all about Wale and Wale's plight to become the best rapper of all time.

Abridged version of Wale quote: "I see you, guy in the white T-shirt! I see you, girl with the bandana! I see you, person starting a brawl in the front row! Love me! Love me!"

It was a fun time. A hot, sweaty, fun time. Baltimore, we're cool.

Washingtonian.com: What to Do This Week

An artistic romance, musical power-houses, and African film keep you entertained this week. Here's a snippet:

Monday, July 19
The Arlington Arts Center and the Pink Line Project team up for Artist Speed Dating, which gives attendees three minutes each with a panel of six local modern artists at Poste Moderne Brasserie. You might not get anyone’s phone number, but you’ll have the opportunity to learn about different disciplines, including drawing, sculpture, video, and more. 6.

Urbana celebrates its fourth birthday with a weeklong celebration through July 25. Enjoy $4 bar specials including crab beignets, duck meatballs, and falafel. Beer, wine, and cocktails are also be available for $4.

Click here to find out about other events going on this week.

Facebook Movie Trailer Hits the Web

The Social Network, the story behind the social networking site that effectively changed college experiences around the world—including my own—was released on Thursday.

The film, which stars Jesse Eisenberg as a slightly sexed-up version of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, chronicles the social network's origins, pitfalls, and ultimate ascent to digital ubiquity.

I joined Facebook in 2004, a year after it's founding in Zuckerberg's Harvard dorm room. As with most of my peers, Facebook became an essential party-finding tool, a way to keep in touch with friends from home, and the source of perhaps too much information. Facebook continues to be the target of privacy violation allegations, and, on a personal level, has led me to question how much of my own life should be lived online.

The debate continues. I'm intrigued, and plan on shelling out $11 for a screening. Who else plans on seeing The Social Network?