A day in the classic Dupont Circle neighborhood deserves a classic breakfast: Order up a coffee and avocado toast or crab omelet at Kramers. The popular hangout has long been a standby for its expert selection of books and all-day bites, but in late 2020, a renovation made room for a 26-seat bar. Later on, you can settle in with a novel and a craft cocktail, like the Murakami, which features cherry blossom aperitif.
For your next adventure, stroll around the circle to The Mansion on O Street, a museum like no other that challenges you to find more than 70 secret doors, some disguised as bookcases and mirrors. See how many you can find as you wander through as many as 100 historic rooms that brim with quirky collectibles, like autographed baseballs and vinyl albums, as well as flea market finds of all kinds. Don’t miss the Rosa Parks room or the John Lennon suite.
For lunch, pick up a sub at Compliments Only; with creative options like Marisa Tomei Eats Free (capicola, Genoa, fresh mozzarella, basil and arugula salad, and honey chile aioli), you’re guaranteed to find something to excite your palate. During the Diet Coke Happy Hour from 2 to 3 p.m. daily, you can get any Coke for just $1. Add a Fruity Pebbles–dipped mini cannoli for something sweet.
Follow lunchtime with culture at The Phillips Collection, which features, on permanent display, nearly 3,000 works by impressionist and modern artists. A new abstract exhibition called Intersections features brightly colored works inspired by the “emotions of music” by Linling Lu (on display through April 30). Timed tickets are required for general admission. On Sundays, take in an afternoon concert with an espresso or latte from Lost Sock Roasters.
When it’s dinnertime, try Mi Casa, a Tex-Mex restaurant that opened in July 2021. If the weather is warm, opt for outside seating to people-watch on Connecticut Avenue as you sample carne asada, ceviche, and quesadillas. Cocktail lovers, take note: Mi Casa just launched a bottomless dinner, where you can try house creations like Ponche de Mi Casa, made with mango-infused vodka, tequila, prickly pear, and ginger.
After the museum, let loose a bit at Swingers Crazy Golf, an indoor mini golf course. This underground hot spot replaced longtime pool hall Buffalo Billiards when it opened in June 2021. There are two nine-hole courses: the Clocktower Course and the Waterwheel Course. You’ll also find street food vendors and curated cocktails. Don’t forget to make a reservation on weekends: It gets busy!
Feature photo by Paul Winch
This story originally ran in our March issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
