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Kristi Green is the author of the blog DC Wineaux. She further indulges her love of wine in her work at a wine bar on U St NW.

Cork and Fork (1522 14th St NW) is a reasonably new addition to the network of wine shops that weaves its way across our fair city. This bright little boutique is run by the Landragin family who own two other shops by the same name; one in Bethesda, MD and one in Gainesville, VA. The founder and official owner/operator is Dominique Landragin.

Dominique Landragin was born in the heart of France’s Champagne region where his grandfather was once a manager at Veuve Cliquot Vineyards, a premier producer of Champagne. Before coming to Washington, Landragin made a lasting impression on the wine world by co-founding Yellowglen, the first Methode Champenoise producer in Australia. This means that the production followed the rules set by the French government for sparkling wine from the Champagne region to the letter–and largely to Landragin’s credit.

The staff, particularly Monsieur Landragin himself, are charming and knowledgeable. If you need a recommendation, don’t hesitate to ask–I’ve not been disappointed yet. The best and worst thing about being such a “wineaux” is that, by having so much knowledge, I have too much to consider when choosing a bottle.

Nearly each time I’ve gone to Cork and Fork I’ve asked for a recommendation. The only time I did not request a recommendation was my first time in the shop, a hot day last summer, and I picked up juicy, bright white Bordeaux and a six pack of some light variety of Eggenberg beer from Austria. On various recommendations I’ve purchased an organic Cotes du Rhone, an organic Pinot Noir from Austria, a bold Spanish Monastrell based blend from Jumilla, a very well priced Chateau-neuf-du-Pape and countless other delicious finds.

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Danny Harris is a DC-based photographer, DJ, and collector of stories. He launched People’s District, a blog that tells a people’s history of DC by sharing the stories and images of its residents. You can follow People’s District on Twitter @PeoplesDistrict, and can read his previous columns here.

“Until moving to the states, I never really thought much about my accent. I was born in Liverpool and raised in Bangalore. To me, it is just a typical convent-educated, urban Indian accent. It is the accent of my sisters and all of my friends.

“Here, a lot of people can’t quite place me because of my accent. A lot of people have told me their mental image of me before we met is tall with long hair and white. I have had times when I go out to meet someone for an interview, and we have trouble connecting because they are looking out for someone else. Now, I just tell people, I am short, brown, and have a nose ring. It’s funny, I was meeting a cop once and described myself, and he said, ‘Great, I am six foot four, in uniform, and I carry a gun.’ We joked that we would have no trouble finding each other.

“Before going into radio, my plan was to do television. I did my master’s degree in communications in India and then did a second degree in broadcast journalism at Urbana-Champaign. While in school there, I interned for a TV station and they let me do everything, but wouldn’t let me get on the air. They said that people wouldn’t understand my accent and the ratings would drop. The station encouraged me to learn an American accent if I wanted to get on television. I thought about it a long time, but I knew that people would eventually realize that who I really am was not matching my American accent. I felt like they wouldn’t trust what I was saying, and trust is the most important thing in this line of work.

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I wasn’t sure I was gonna post this one but then I read his bio. Wild. One day I’m gonna have to enter to win as well. As always, just let me know why you want to go and why and I’ll email the winner tomorrow afternoon.

The show is Sat. Feb. 26th at the 9:30 Club.

I’m sure most have heard by now that DC’s Borders bookstores (and many others) are closing. On Sat. I stopped by the one one on 18th and L St, NW and it felt like a funeral. While people were taking advantage of the 30% off deals, I constantly heard hushed conversations saying, “it’s so sad” and people talking to the employees saying, “I’m so sorry”. I know when I worked downtown I loved browsing this particular store. It was a lifesaver. Having said that, I did do more browsing than purchasing. Will others miss Borders?

And with Borders soon to be gone (an employee I spoke with said by April depending on supplies) who does this leave as best bookstore left (new not used) Kramerbooks in Dupont, Barnes & Nobles downtown by the E St. Cinema or Politics and Prose in Van Ness/Chevy Chase?

Of course in July we learned Politics and Prose was for sale…

Photo courtesy of Jake’s American Grille

Back in late Dec. we noted that Jake’s American Grille was coming to 5016 Connecticut Ave, NW. Jake’s is another venture from the folks behind the Ugly Mug and is located in the old Uptown Cathay space. You can see their menus here.

From a press release:

Jake’s American Grille announces its grand opening on February 25th, providing the Chevy Chase, DC, neighborhood a dining experience like none other in the area. The latest concept of the District Restaurant Group (DRG), Jake’s American Grille will offer an upscale menu to be complimented by an extensive craft cocktail menu as well as sixteen domestic and imported beers on draft. The ambiance is a loose interpretation of that of the interior of a naval aircraft carrier.

“I have never been one to come up with a gimmick for a restaurant concept,” says DRG founder, Gaynor Jablonski, who also brought The Ugly Mug, Maddy’s Bar & Grille and District 2 Bar & Grille to the District. “The gimmick should always just be great food, great service and a great atmosphere,” Jablonski added. “This spot is a little different. It is special because it honors the memory of my grandfather, Jake.”

Jake’s namesake, Edwin “Jake” Jablonski, was a retired Naval Chief Petty Officer whose accomplished career earned him numerous awards for his patented fire extinguishing material used aboard U.S. Aircraft Carriers. The walls of Jake’s American Grille are adorned with old photographs that pay tribute to Jake’s professional career and family. Also displayed are a few of Jake’s awards and old newspaper clippings that document his many achievements.

Photo courtesy of Jake’s American Grille

WBJ’s Missy Frederick first broke the news on Friday saying Rasika’s:

“Bajaj will occupy 5,600 square foot of space, for a split level restaurant and cafe at 1190 New Hampshire NW.”

and yesterday the Post’s Tom Sietsema reveals a few more details:

The prolific restaurateur, who just signed a lease for a seventh establishment at 1177 22nd St. NW, hopes to fill it with Rasika West End by February 2012.

The major difference between the two: “A bigger kitchen will allow us to experiment” more in the West End, says Bajaj, who expects to find a dedicated chef in Bombay or London.”

We previously judged the original Rasika located at 633 D Street, NW.

This home is located at 1219 I St, NE:

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The flier says:

“Fully reno, meticulously maintained 2bdr, 2.5ba. Open floor; tons of lvr/drm space. Hrdwds throughout, exposed brick, huge kit w/ SS & granite, fireplace, patio, large MBR w/ double spa, sep shwr, 12ft ceiling. 2nd bdr easily fits queen bed set. Heart of Atlas District & H St trolley, very close to best Cap Hill parks, easy downtown access.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

It was originally on the market for $480,000 but is now going for $458,000. What do you think of the reno? What do you think this 2 bed/2.5 bath will go for?

This home is located at 3810 Fulton St, NW:

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The flier says:

“Wonderful light filled home. Walking distance to Whole Foods and restaurants. Just a stones throw to all of downtown DC. Offering four spectacular finished levels, stunning chef’s kitchen overlooking the great room and outdoor entertainment areas. (Approx. 4,000 sq. ft. of living space) Oversized garage with tons of storage. Walk-out lower level to private entertainment area.”

You can find more info here and a virtual tour here.

I think we once judged the outside of this home before so, again, very cool to get a peek inside. What do you think? This 4 bed/3.5 bath is yours for $1,795,000.

At first it just looks like a sketching. But here’s where it comes from:

Photo by PoPville flickr user Faucetini

Kristi Green grew up in Frederick, Maryland and loves above all else art, writing, and wine (and her dog, Ginger). She works at a Wine bar on U St and is the author of the blog DC Wineaux.

I KNOW YOU’RE “AFRAID OF VIRGINIA” BUT THESE WINERIES ARE WORTH THE TRIP

As an employee of the U St/Shaw Neighborhood, I am highly familiar with the Virginia-phobes ’round these parts. These people avoid traveling to Virginia at all costs, as if the world suddenly ends when you cross the borders of DC–well, ladies and gentleman, there’s a reason to be brave–great Virginia wineries.

Until more recent years “good” Virginia wine was thought to be sort of a joke–thanks to some really talented, well educated winemakers this is no longer the case. Not only are Virginia producers making great wines but they offer the urban public a nearby opportunity to experience winemaking first hand.

Vint Hill Winery in Vint Hill, Virginia (between Gainesville and Warrenton) is a reasonably young winery that produces wines using hand selected grapes from Washington State, California, and Virginia. The winemakers at Vint Hill, Chris Pearmund, DJ Leffin, and Seth Chambers are one of the most decorated teams in the business–between the three of them there’s well over thirty years of experience and education.

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