FOOD + BEVERAGE
IMPORTED FROM ATHENS— MYKONOS RESTAURANT'S EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT CHEF MICHAEL ZACHARIS
DRINK & DINE TO CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE
GUY BRANDT BRINGS BROOKLYN’S DELI TO UKRAINE
TRAVEL
CHOOSE YOUR OWN MOROCCAN ADVENTURE
‘Astonishing’ is the word from our team of experts and buyers on the 2022 Bordeaux. That’s why we’re thrilled to offer you the first opportunity to purchase the extraordinary 2022 before it is released on the market and may become impossible to find.
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We take our time to answer all your questions and concerns and allow you to make informed decisions for your child’s healthcare in a stress-free, judgment-free way.
We love what we do, and we’re happy to be doing it. We treat everyone with the same level of compassion and positivity we would want from our healthcare professionals.
We’re attentive, welcoming, and patient. We know the little things matter when it comes to your overall experience, so we ensure that each visit is just as amazing as the last.
Better technology means faster, more efficient care. We’re dedicated to providing our community with the best pediatric dentistry, and constantly seek to raise our standards.
Our space has been carefully crafted to help put anxious children at ease, parents to feel comfortable, and for your experience from start to finish to be surprisingly amazing.
“I cannot say enough how awesome the staff is at the Potomac office. My son has anxiety going to the dentist. They were SUPER patient with him and used their positive vibes and expertise to alleviate any fears he had. The staff went above and beyond. Thank you!”
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Welcome fall!
With the changing seasons comes a change in what we are craving, and with fall that often means comfort food. October is our most delectable issue of the year, filled with some of our favorite dishes and beverages around town.
Our contributing writer Erica Moody had the pleasure of speaking with general manager Angelo Mitsotakis at Mykonos Restaurant, and learned about what their new menu will be boasting upon grand opening in Potomac —so get your tastebuds ready, you are in for a treat straight from Greece by Executive Consultant Chef Michael Zacharis.
You'll read highlights on local staples like Brookyln's Deli and how Guy Brandt gives back via his work with Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen.
We also included fun fall activities for you to try, whether you fancy flights with friends -- try feature Black Viking Brewing's flagship golden ale “Zingabier” -- for Oktoberfest or family outings to soak up the season and some German-American heritage in DC.
Speaking of culture, in honor of National Hispanic Heritage month, the PLM team enjoyed an outing together to Joy by Seven Reasons -- sharing the Latino way of warmth and kindness through food.
There is definitely an art to creating a flavorful dish that not only satisfies our taste buds but evokes memories. The aroma of certain spices and foods can bring us right back to our childhood, which can be incredibly powerful and comforting. Food brings us all together, and whether we are sharing a meal with loved ones or enjoying a night dining out, the time spent while enjoying food is invaluable.
As always, thanks for reading, and we’ll see you around town!
October 2023
PUBLISHER
KC Cole | KC.Cole@CityLifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Sarah Rezvani | Sarah.Rezvani@CityLifestyle.com
COPY EDITOR
Catherine Trifiletti | Catherine.Trifiletti@CityLifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Anicia Juarez | Anicia.Juarez@CityLifestyle.com
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Trina Cox | Trina.Cox@CityLifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Marie Robey Wood, Catherine Trifiletti, Rachel Erskine, Christy Matino, Stephanie Green
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
George Miriagos, Jack Hartzman, Sean Shanahan
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein
CONTROLLER Gary Johnson
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier
KC COLE, PUBLISHER @POTOMACLIFESTYLEDC
Where neighbors can see and be seen.
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Adam Greenberg, owner of Potomac Pizza, Bagels ‘n Grinds, and College Park Grill, has officially acquired Hunter’s Bar and Grill located in the Potomac Village. The restaurant will remain open during the transition, with Chef Tenille Middleton taking over kitchen operations and Dan Seaman transitioning into the role of General Manager and Partner. The acquisition adds a ninth restaurant to Greenberg’s resume and he is very excited to become a part of the long-standing Hunter’s family.
Photography: Arthur Malley
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to nourish our bodies, explore new worlds, and engage with the smiling faces across the table. At RASA, they serve healthful, delicious, and flavorful meals inspired by the Indian subcontinent. Serving at locations across the DMV, visit owners RAhul + SAhil's hometown location in Maryland, right on the Pike in the Montrose Crossing Shopping Center. They also offer catering and more at RASA.co.
Smiles
of Chevy Chase
S P EC IA LI ZIN G IN
Implants, Crowns, Veneers, TMJ, Invisalign and Teeth Whitening
A Washingtonian Top Dentist, Dr. Markogiannakis is providing new and existing patients the highest quality of comprehensive dental care with the safest environment possible during these uncertain times. She is continuously at the forefront of infection control and has incorporated the highest level of PPE, which includes:
Extra oral evacuation units in
As a Washingtonian Top Dentist and The Face of Smile Makeover, Dr. Markogiannakis and her practice, Smiles of Chevy Chase, is known to be the most innovative practice in the area providing Advanced General and Implant Dentistry to the world through technology, experience and artistic skill.
301.652.0656 | 5454 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 835, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Being at the leading edge of digital dentistry allows her to complete smile makeovers and full mouth reconstructions seamlessly while guiding you through the process towards an optimal result. In as little as two weeks, the years of hiding your smile because of misalignment, discoloration, and decay could be taken away and the confidence you deserve regained.
SMILESOFCHEVYCHASE.COM | Follow us on Facebook & Instagram: @SMILESOFCHEVYCHASE
South Korean flavor influences the healthy Asian menu at BIBIBOP. You don't have to choose between healthy and delicious. Fuel your guests’ physical and mental well-being with Catering by Bibibop. They bring together fresh ingredients and add bold, inspired Asian flavors to create a deliciously balanced and healthy meal. Locations include Pike & Rose, Silver Spring and Dupont Circle in DC. To learn more visit bibibop.com/catering .
Photography: @bibibopasiangrill
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Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Potomac
From technology guided dental procedures for crowns and fillings, to sophisticated implant and cosmetic treatments, the Smiles of Chevy Chase experience is unmatched. Just as technology is always changing, so are they; always pushing beyond the extra mile by using their minds and bodies to think outside the box and lead the way.
14
PLM LOVES to wine and dine and our community is brimming with incredible food and drinks to indulge in; we’ve selected some of our picks that you must experience for yourself. Bon Appétit and cheers!
THE 31ST ANNUAL TASTE OF BETHESDA : On Saturday, October 7 from 11am4pm featuring Bethesda's best restaurants, five stages of live entertainment, an activity area for kids and more. Norfolk Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland
LE SEL RESTAURANT AND THE WINE CONCIERGE: Enjoy a five-course dinner and wine pairing hosted by The Wine Concierge. Sip & Share owner and winemaker Nicole Kearney leads with her prized vegan wines. 1315 16th Street NW, Washington, DC
FEEDING HOPE FESTIVAL: A grand tasting event on October 15 that brings together the World Central Kitchen community to experience the rich diversity of cuisines and culinary techniques. Dock5 - 1309 5th Street NE, Washington, DC
J.J. MCDONNELL SEAFOOD CRAWL: Indulge all October long in Maryland's finest crab cakes. Join the tasty tour while giving back to the community supporting local culinary programs. 7010 Brookdale Drive, Elkridge, Maryland
TASTE IN POTOMAC: On November 4 at 6pm, join Adoptions Together for their annual event of auctions and delicious food from Potomac area restaurants to benefit children in foster care. Bethesda North Marriott, 5701 Marinelli Road, Rockville, Maryland
Osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage of the knee breaks down, causing bones to begin to rub together. This causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joint. What causes knee arthritis? The cartilage of the knee can be damaged over time from: Injuries to the knee over time Repetitive stress to the knee Excess weight on the knee from obesity A genetic tendency to lose cartilage in your family What can be done about knee osteoarthritis? Fortunately, there are a wide range of treatments we can offer for patients suffering from knee arthritis.
Come in for a consultation with Dr. Nadim Hallal, a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon. Diagnosing knee arthritis usually only requires a physical exam and x-ray. Though sometimes, further imaging is needed. Non-operative treatment includes physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medicines, and injections. These may include steroid, cartilagesupplementation, or regenerative injections. If non-operative treatments fail, Total Knee Replacement provides patients with excellent pain relief and return to function. Dr. Nadim Hallal is a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon who specializes in Sports Medicine and Joint Replacement. He has been in practice for 11 years.
Board-Certified
Orthopedic Surgeons, Sports Medicine Physicians, Physician Assistants, and Physical Therapists.
Many of Brooklyn’s Deli’s regular diners, who enjoy the restaurant’s matzoh ball soup or corned beef sandwiches, know that chef and owner Guy Brandt has long given back to the community. In addition to helping feed the homeless and supporting charities including Save the Children, he is very involved with José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen (WCK), the organization whose chefs and volunteers visit disaster sites across the world to provide food and other resources to those in dire need.
Brandt has worked as a chef for more than 30 years and his restaurant business combined with an outgoing personality garnered him a vast network of friends and acquaintances. Former Maryland State Delegate, Mark Shriver, connected him to WCK — Shriver says "Guy is a wonderful chef and the owner of one of my favorite restaurants in the world, Brooklyn's Deli" —
“Yesterday I walked through the streets of Poland…Today I went with the driver to drop off the food we made from World Central Kitchen. I could not control my emotions…I think we lose concept of how fortunate we are.”ARTICLE BY MARIE ROBEY WOOD | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
In May of 2022, Brandt spent 14 days in Przemyskl, Poland, as part of a volunteer team from around the world, including other trained chefs. Over the course of one week, they whipped up 750,000 meals, lunches, and dinners, working daily from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. They offered food to refugees streaming into Poland by car, but also to Ukrainians arriving by train with only their suitcases, children, and sometimes family pets.
On a free day, Brandt had the opportunity to walk over the border into Ukraine. For him, the visit was especially personal because he was able to visit a small riverside town called Stryj, where his grandparents lived as children. His grandmother had six siblings and although she and her husband left Ukraine for the United States, all of her siblings who stayed died in the Holocaust. He also visited Lviv, a town where WCK serves thousands of people from many shelters.
While in Poland, Brandt met a young woman who lived in the Netherlands but had saved money to buy a car and drive to her parents’ home in Ukraine. She waited in her car for six days until she was able to cross the border from Poland. Brandt and a fellow chef from Spain helped the woman with a twonight hotel stay until the Ukrainian border was reopened.
Brandt is a proud member of World Central Kitchen’s Chef Corps, a global network of prominent culinary leaders who champion the organization’s work. He hopes to return to Ukraine but will travel wherever Chef Corps need him most. Three months after his work in Poland he spent time in Hazard, Kentucky with his daughter Hailey, cooking and handing out food to the state’s flood victims.
Regarding the devastation in Ukraine, Brandt reflects, “You can’t really believe it until you see it with your own eyes.”
Co-founder Shaun Taylor talks community, branding, and his plan to take over the brewing business.
ARTICLE BY CHRISTY MATINO | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF BLACK VIKING BREWERY
Black Viking Brewing hasn’t been around for long, but they’ve made their mark in the brewing industry. The Montgomery County-based company has hit many milestones since its launch in 2021. For starters, it’s the first Black-owned beer brand, co-created by DMV native, Shaun Taylor. After just two years, Black Viking will soon become the first Black beer brand licensed in the entire DMV region. It was also named eighth Best New Brewery in the country by USA Today. Additionally, Taylor and team recently collaborated with iconic beer brand, Samuel Adams.
It’s an impressive list of accomplishments and Potomac patrons have noticed, but Taylor says they’re just getting started. “There are 9,500 breweries in the country, and only 100 Black-owned,” he notes “None of us have national distribution,” he continues. “I have been very adamant in saying Black Viking will be the first Black-owned, nationally-distributed beer brand.”
It’s a big goal, but an attainable one. Black Viking has seen huge success with their flagship ginger golden ale called “Zingabier.” Taylor says it’s what makes his brand stand out from the pack. “It’s a very communal beer, and it can go anywhere,” he adds. “From your favorite bottle shop, to the ball game, to your backyard barbecue.”
The beer is a fan favorite in the DMV, which Taylor attributes to the local community’s support. “The public has been amazing. I’m a homegrown product, a MoCo guy…So there was a lot of momentum around Black Viking when we did launch,” he says. The brand’s launch exceeded expectations after they sold 43 cases of beer in one night.
As for next steps, the team plans to expand beyond the DMV with a strategic marketing plan in place –Taylor’s goal is to travel from state to state, sharing his beer, and listening to people’s stories. While Black Viking has many missions, community is at its core. “We are Black-owned, but we are not black only. I am all about bringing people together,” he says.
A list of all things Oktoberfest and how to celebrate this month.
ARTICLE BY RACHEL ERSKINE OF @RAYCHILLYCHOWS PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
07 THE 30TH ANNUAL OKTOBERFEST On October 8 from 12-5 p.m. at the Kentlands, you’ll find fall-themed activities for families along with artisans, entertainment, refreshments, and more. / 08 PUMPKIN PICKING Prepare for Halloween pumpkin carving by visiting Rock Hill Orchard or Homestead Farm.
09 FIELD OF SCREAMS Last year, it was ranked in USA Today’s top 10 best haunted houses and attractions, and for good reason. / 10 GERMAN AMERICAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION AND MUSEUM Free in DC, their mission is to spread awareness for German-American heritage and history.
11 GERMAN-AMERICAN DAY On October 6, celebrate for free on the National Mall with food, drinks, music, and more. / 12 GERMAN-AMERICAN CITIZEN’S ASSOCIATION OF MARYLAND hosts many events throughout the year, be sure to check out their calendar at md-germans.org
Hmmm, what do you get your daughter for her 30th when she’s a rockstar with 1.8M followers on Instagram?
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MYKONOS RESTAURANT WILL BRING UPSCALE GREEK CUISINE
TO POTOMAC — COMPLETE WITH A CHEF FROM ATHENS.
Longing for a trip to the Greek islands but can’t make time to get away? Don’t worry. Next spring, Angelo Mitsotakis and his wife Rodi Tzani will open the doors to a new hotspot that will transport you to the land of olive trees and Socrates — with all the succulent seafood, refreshing cocktails, breezy decor, and open-air festivities that entails. The aptly named Mykonos Restaurant will be located in Cabin John Village and will be the third Maryland restaurant from hospitality expert Mitsotakis, 55, who also owns beloved Mykonos Grill and Gyroland in Rockville. Mykonos Restaurant, though, will have a slightly different flavor to it.
“It’s going to be an upscale fine dining Greek restaurant,” Mitsotakis says. “It’s a little bit more contemporary. We’re going to have a big patio covered with pergolas, a fireplace, and an outdoor bar. We’ll have live music Fridays and
Saturdays in the summertime. We’ll have a U-shaped bar and people will be able to go from the outside to the inside.”
And the food? This is no gyros-and-fries joint. There will be “a lot of seafood, obviously.” similar to Mykonos Grill, where flaky whole fish branzino is the star. But there will also be “a lot of tapas, a lot of fresh salads, and vegan options. The idea is to cover all the dietary demands of our clientele,” Mitsotakis says. Consultant executive chef Michael Zacharis is flying in from Athens to lead the kitchen; the Piraeus-born chef and culinary instructor has worked in the kitchens of high-end hotels (like the Radisson Blu Park Hotel, Athens; Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens; and White Rocks Hotel Kefalonia) and restaurants, most recently MEZZE Athens.
Some dishes to look forward to include crawfish orzo with Thalassitis wine, freshly ground tomatoes, and Greek basil;
ARTICLE BY ERICA MOODY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE MIRIAGOS
cured seafood skewers with tuna, octopus, squid, and shrimp, served with basmati rice, chickpeas, and citrus; green salad with pomegranate sauce and Cretan gruyère; Black Angus steak with oven-baked potatoes, Greek herbs and handmade BBQ sauce; Greek-style scallops ceviche with tiger’s milk with lemon; Black Angus beef with marinated and smoked herbs, handmade pita bread and fermented tomato sauce; grilled octopus with split peas, lemon sauce emulsion, capers, and burnt onion; and deepfried codfish with a breadcrumb crust, aliada sauce, and glazed beetroot. Are you hungry yet?
Drinks, Mitsotakis says, will be no afterthought. A consulting bartender will create new cocktails based on Greek ingredients, using “liquors that are not well-known in America.” With that horseshoe-shaped bar set to stay open until midnight, a refined party atmosphere is encouraged (just like in Mykonos).
It all sounds divine, doesn’t it? But we’d expect nothing less from Mitsotakis and Tzani, who encourage each other to think big, when they’re not chasing after their two young kids. Tzani serves as marketing manager while Mitsotakis is the general manager. The latter’s impressive career has taken him all over the world and includes stints as a maitre’d in restaurants with three Michelin stars. He was restaurant director at the Astir Palace Hotel and Grand Resort Lagonissi. He’s consulted on scene-setting and food art on Hollywood productions including Mamma Mia! (the wedding scene), Top Chef, and The Real Housewives of Athens. He’s even catered events for presidents Obama and Biden. First Lady Jill Biden and CNN’s Wolf Blitzer are among the return guests to Mykonos Grill, he adds.
Crawfish Orzo Cured Seafood Skewers Green Salad
Another fan of Mykonos Grill? Perhaps the most important of all: Tom Sietsema, the Washington Post food critic who sang its praises in a 2021 story, “Seven Favorite Places to Eat Right Now.” “When Mitsotakis tells me some of his cooks have been around as long as the restaurant, which opened in 1998, I’m not surprised,” he wrote. “The moussaka — sliced eggplant layered with meat and mashed potatoes so satiny they resemble custard — tastes as before. Lamb chops with lemony roast potatoes are still a path to pursue.” This review provided a boost when the restaurant, like so many others, struggled to stay afloat during the height of Covid-19.
But Mitsotakis was prepared for the challenge. After all, he’d been working in restaurants since the age of 17. If 10,000 hours makes someone a master in a field, as Malcolm Gladwell wrote, Mitsotakis has certainly achieved that several times over. Not only did they survive during the pandemic, but they were able to operate seven days a week with a full menu. It helps, Mitsotakis says, to have a “passion for food and wine” that motivates him, and a partner who shares that passion. “My experience is that when you are consistent on your food quality and your service, people will support you,” he adds. “Basically, the consistency and the quality of your ingredients, and also cooking skills, will keep you alive in this industry.”
Greek-style Scallops Ceviche
Grilled Octopus
Deep-fried Codfish
"The idea is to cover all the dietary demands of our clientele...My experience is that when you are consistent on your food quality and your service, people will support you”
- Angelo Mitsotakis
“We
Kawai
October is National Hispanic Heritage Month, and nothing conveys Latin pride better than food.
“For me, the month represents a celebration of our culture, and an opportunity to share our traditions and what makes us unique,” says Paola Vargas, general manager of Joy by Seven Reasons, a Latin fusion restaurant in Chevy Chase.
Her favorite meal starts with the tequewños, fried buttered dough filled with cheese and served with a sugarcane mango sauce. “It takes me back to my childhood memories in Paraguay,” she explains.
The “journey of treats” continues with her beloved short rib sandwich served on ciabatta bread with bib lettuce, tomato, shallots, pickled onions, plantain butter, and veal demi. Oh, and let’s not forget the conchitas a la parmesana, the branzino, or the seafood coconut rice.
But what Vargas finds the most delicious are the memories made around the table. “Something very important about our food is that it truly brings us together, is something that you share with others because you enjoy it with the family, with friends, or even someone that you just met. A lot of the warmth and kindness that Latinos are known for comes from that.”
In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we’ve highlighted several restaurants in the surrounding area of the Potomac community exemplifying the Latin gift of blending friendship and food. Fair warning – do not read on an empty stomach.
A Chevy Chase concept restaurant encouraging guests to “get crazy and be sexy.” In addition to a wide-ranging menu of Latin-inspired dishes, Joy offers delectable spirits like The Seven Reasons Old Fashioned, Poma de Los Andes, and Mangifera, which are some of their most requested cocktails. Their patio is the perfect place for your pup as it is dog friendly, and Joy has even created a special menu for Fido. Yappy Hours will allow your furry friends to join the month-long celebrations.
Liliana Orozco and German Noriega launched Aroma Cafe in 2014 to bring a slice of their native Colombia to their Latin community in Northern Virginia, with specialty offerings like empanadas and Bandeja Paisa. After a successful five years, they opened a full-service restaurant to further promote the gastronomy of South America. Chefs Antonio and Jean Paul Poggi of Peru mix their backgrounds in haute cuisine and tourism to bring their guests the best of the Latin world at Aroma Latin Fusion.
Culinary director Iris Veronica Jimenez is a first generation Salvadoran American and learned the art of good cooking by observing her parents run their grocery store in Adams Morgan. Today the family affair continues at her eateries around town, including Gaithersburg, Northeast DC, Nationals Park, a roaming food truck and more. Diners can indulge in fried dumplings made from yuca and cheese, rich hen and vegetable soup, and tender flap steak with sauteed tomato, among other South American treasures.
Renowned chef José Andrés brings the success of his Mercado Little Spain in New York City to Bethesda. The location is literally close to the heart of the philanthropic Andres because the town happens to be his home – although his mind and stomach will always pine for Spain. The menu features Andrés homeland favorites like Serrano ham, Spanish tuna, and bocatas, Spanishstyle sandwiches. For breakfast and brunch, diners can delight in the multiple—and utterly original—ways the Spaniards prepare eggs.
There are endless ways to tackle a trip to Morocco, with its dynamic natural wonders—from the sweeping desert, to rugged coastline, to snow-capped mountains. As you plan, keep in mind that you won’t be able to do it all. On a recent visit, I chose to sandwich high-octane exploration in Marrakech between a mountain adventure and a relaxing coastal retreat.
A four-hour drive from Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc offers nonstop flights from Dulles), the Imlil Valley will help you combat jet lag. For lodging, I recommend the no-frills, family owned Riad Atlas 4 Seasons for unencumbered mountain views, star gazing, and authentic Moroccan fare. The hotel will arrange a guide for hiking trails and waterfalls in the High Atlas Mountains and traditional Berber villages.
On the two-hour drive to Marrakech, embrace the calm from lush valleys dotted with olive, walnut, and juniper trees before entering the sensory-busting experience of the city—think vibrant souks, Moorish
architecture, verdant gardens, and intricate mosques.
The five-star Les Jardins De La Koutoubia hotel nicely counters the energy coursing through Jemaa el-Fnaa square, located steps away. The marketplace comes alive at dusk with rows of food stalls and myriad street vendors. For dinner, walk a few blocks to El Fenn, a hotel also boasting an Instagram-worthy rooftop. The lamb shank confit won’t disappoint either.
Head to La Sultana Oualidia to end your journey. The 12-suite ecologically-minded hotel was delicately built into a fragile ecosystem on the Atlantic coast, overlooking a lagoon that fills and recedes with the tide.
The property excels at tiny touches of unfussy luxury including coffee and pastries delivered to your door each morning. Activities include surfing, horseback riding, bird watching, biking, and more. Indulge in fresh local oysters and rose on the terrace at sunset to bookend the day. No visit to Morocco is complete without a hammam, a traditional bathing ritual, which La Sultana’s spa has perfected.
Leaving Morocco isn’t easy. Back in Potomac, after a quick seven-hour flight home, you’ll already be thinking about your return trip.
My recommendation for shopping in Marrakech is not to buy anything on day one. Take it all in, make a game plan, and embrace the chaos. Having a strict agenda early on can derail the other-worldly experience of getting lost in the maze like medinas.
Diverse landscapes and ancient cities make up this dynamic African destination.
TOP: A balcony at La Sultana
Oualidia complete with a private hot tub.
(Photo provided by La Sultana)
RIGHT: Jemma el-Fnaa square at dusk
(Photo by Signe Bay Billede)
A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.
OCTOBER 12TH
BETHESDA NORTH MARRIOTT HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER 5701 MARINELLI RD, ROCKVILLE, MD 20852 | 6:00 PM
Every year the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce recognizes inspiring Latino leaders in Montgomery County. The gala serves as the main fundraiser event to support internships and scholarships as well as a celebration of Hispanic culture and heritage. For an incredible opportunity to celebrate and immerse yourself in the vibrant and rich heritage of the Hispanic culture, visit hccmc.org/hlag .
OCTOBER 14TH
BETHESDA BLUES & JAZZ 7719 WISCONSIN AVE, BETHESDA, MD 20814 | 6:00 PM
The 2023 National Center for Children and Families (NCCF) community gala will be hosted by Emmy award-winning anchor, Allison Seymour, and rising Hollywood star, Drew Olivia Tillman. Come in festive cocktail attire for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live music featuring Billboard-ranked Jazz Pianist Marcus Johnson. Awards recognize the achievements and contributions of NCCF’s extended member network, including youth performances and auction. Text NCCFCONNECTED to 41444.
OCTOBER 20TH
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY 1340 WEST RD, WASHINGTON, DC 20007 | 5:00 PM
BellRinger is a bike ride and community movement raising funds for innovative cancer research breakthroughs at Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. By choosing between 25, 50, or 100 mile routes, Riders make a commitment to raise funds to end cancer. BellRinger 2023 Opening Ceremony is followed by the ride at 7:30am the next day. To learn more, check out BellRinger.org .
In short, colleges are only supposed to consider “achievement-based” elements of a student’s profile, like GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation when making admissions decisions. However, some schools are trying to get more information about a student’s background by including supplements in their applications asking students about a personal or family history with its institution; others are asking students to explain a time they had to work with someone with different beliefs than they or if they faced a situation in which they wished they acted differently. All of this points to the fact that schools want diversity, and not just in the typical sense. Diversity in geography, ideology, leadership, personality, and research interests count big time, too! So our best advice: diversify your academic, extracurricular, and social profiles as much as possible. Take advantage of research and internship opportunities that go beyond what your friends are doing. Highlight what makes you quirky in your essays. Focus on what you can control, and make it hard for colleges to say no to your
Contrary to the name, the cupcakes and cakes are actually very appealing! A small family business out of DC founded by Shauntise Weeks.
The Ugly Cake Factory (TUCF) is known for its soft "melt in your mouth" cupcakes. They specialize in cupcakes that are topped with fresh berries, cookies, or premium candies like Ghirardelli, Godiva, and Lancaster Caramel. TUCF prides itself on flavor, texture and presentation.
ARTICLE PROVIDED PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE UGLY CAKE FACTORY
Their mission at The Ugly Cake Factory is to give cake lovers a full experience and to be a household favorite in Potomac and beyond. They keep the factory all in the family, so great customer service is guaranteed. Treat yourself and visit their Instagram @theuglycakefactoryllc or online theuglycakefactorydc.com
