DC Restaurant Week: Show me your "Deals" and "No Deals"

Washington's dining scene heats up as Restaurant Week comes back to the District August 16-22.

(Check out the Restaurant Round-up here).

"There's just a tremendous amount of excitement over D.C.'s restaurant scene right now with recent shows like Top Chef, DC Cupcakes and Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives shining a spotlight on Washington, D.C.," said Elliott Ferguson, president & CEO of Washington's tourism agency, Destination DC.

In addition to those oh-so popular "foodie" programs, D.C. restaurants are also the backdrop for the mother of all hit cable-reality programs -- The Real Housewives of DC.
The show premieres August 5 and the ladies of the popular Bravo franchise have already been spotted filming in several restaurants in and around Georgetown and downtown.

Restaurant Week prices are fixed at $20.10 for lunch or $35.10 for dinner (both come with three courses)... but is eating at the same steak house as the White House party crasher-turned-housewife really worth a dub and some change for lunch?

Ferguson seems to think so: "There's no better time than Restaurant Week to see what the D.C. culinary scene has to offer," said Ferguson.

What do you think? Is this a deal or no deal?

You Tell Me

For the past six months I've been going around to different restaurants taking pictures of the food in my ongoing series Deal or No Deal. But now, I'd like to flip the script and have you tell me.

Here's how to participate:

1. Go out during Restaurant Week and take pictures of your food.
   
2. Send the photos, along with the price of the meal to me at: dconheels@gmail.com.
   
3. Stay tuned to the DC on HEELS blog where I will post your food pics and discuss whether or not you got a deal.

So what are you waiting for? Check out the list of participating restaurants (www.restaurantweekdc.org) and send us your "DEAL or NO DEAL" submissions.

xoxo,


Markette

P.S. - Featured restaurants include the culinary creation of the former chef to Oprah Winfrey, Art & Soul; Acadiana, frequented by First Lady Michelle Obama; J&G Steakhouse, located inside the new W Hotel in downtown D.C.; and The Jockey Club, which is known to be a favorite of the political elite.

Become a sponsor of DC on HEELS! For more details, contact:
dconheels@gmail.com

Legg Mason Tennis Classic and the hottest tennis shoes on the planet

LEGG MASON TENNIS CLASSIC

If you saw last weeks post then you noticed that Markette interviewed Washington Kastles owner Mark Ein at the celebrity-studded Kastle tennis matches. Washington, DC is a premiere destination for tennis lovers and players.

DC on HEELS loves tennis! Markette has a killer forehand,was the captain of her high school team and plays on a league here in DC. I have been playing the sport since I was 8- years -old! I played at USTA tennis tournaments for the state of Texas and held a Super Championship ranking playing matches all over the country. I played in high school for a Doubles State Championship with my twin sister ,and went on to play for a scholarship at a D1 university.

Every year I get so inspired by these amazing tennis events and tournaments going on. Yesterday I attended the qualifiers matches at the annual Legg Mason Tennis Classic. I saw some great matches being played and I always get so nostalgic when I see the names blazoned on banners of the great tennis legends I watched growing up--Arthur Ashe, Stefan Edberg, and my all time favorite Andre Agassi.

I just finished reading Open: An Autobiography by Andre Kirk Agassi. This was truly a beautiful haunting biography that led you into the life of a tennis legend. I highly recommend this read for any of you tennis lovers. And remember: "Love means nothing to a tennis player, right?" Haha thats one of my favorite tennis quotes. Anyhow, I was fascinated to learn about the life of my tennis icon and hero Agassi, from his painful childhood to the love hate relationship he had with tennis. So get inspired and get out there now while you can to all of these amazing tennis events! The Legg Mason Tennis Classic will be running through August 8th.

Me and '90s Agassi

Tennis fans entering the tents

Vanessa with the boys--Roddick, Del Potro, and Blake to name a few

Taking it all in =)

Players warming up

Center Court--Oh no the clouds were rolling in!

I beat the rain and was able to watch some great matches before they halted play. Can't wait to watch the finals!

So I usually have my "Heel of the week" segment where I showcase the hottest heel-- I mean we are DC on HEELS. But since I have been so inspired with all of this great tennis going on and you can't play tennis in any sort of a heel, I decided to showcase the best tennis shoe on the planet right now.

TENNIS SHOE PICK OF THE WEEK:

Here are my picks: For the boys: These are Rafael Nadal's shoe of choice, the Air Maz Courtballistec 2.3.

A new DragOnX upper breathes better, keeping feet cooler and dryer while offering good support and protection. Without sacrificing support and stability, the Courtbalistic 2.3. improves mobility with a light and flexible upper. A fast feeling shoe and an ideal choice for the serious player seeking the ultimate in performance and durability.

For the girls:

Serena Williams shoe of choice the Lunarlite Speed 2.

These shoes maintain the feather weight speed feel of the first model while loosening up the fit. The the toe box is more generous in this second generation Lunarlite Speed, the shoe maintains a glove-like feel so competitive players will feel connected to the court and their feet. The upper material is also softer and more forgiving for a comfortable ride.

Both of these shoes are available at The Tennis Warehouse along with a more in-depth review and pricing from their Website. Ok think I'm going to go hit the courts now.

Become a DC on HEELS sponsor! E-mail us for details at dconheels@gmail.com

Ok ciao for now!!!

Vanessa xoxoxoxxo

Chelsea Clinton Wedding Picture... and My Ode to Awkward Teenage Girls

Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea! What a beautiful bride your are!

(Photo Credit: Barbara Kinney via FilmMagic / Getty Images)

Excuse me while I gush over the former first daughter. You see, I feel a special connection with Chelsea as we are exactly the same age. And while I watched her grow up during those awkward middle school years on television and in People magazine, I, too, was going through that same phase of being an awkward teenage girl with frizzy hair and unplucked eyebrows.

But look at Chelsea now! She is all grown up and has blossomed into an intelligent young woman (with degrees from Stanford, Oxford and Columbia) and a refined beauty in her own right.

Over the years, she's also been smart enough to stay out of her parents drama ("...and I think you know what I'm talkin' about") to create a path for her own life that is uniquely not in the shadow of her powerful mother and father.

I believe congratulations are in order. Not only for Chelsea being a beautiful bride and finding the guy of her dreams, but for serving as an example for and an inspiration to all of us former awkward teenage girls -- you did us proud!

xoxo,

Markette

P.S. -- The bride wore Vera Wang.