Going Out Gurus

Another week, another contest. We wanted to give away a pair of "Lost in Yonkers" tickets, so we asked you where you bring out-of-town visitors. You turned in some great, offbeat suggestions. We learned about barbecues at Gravelly Point, walking tours and trips to the National Building Museum. Check out the full transcript for more suggestions -- and, of course, our usual serving of advice and commentary. We dished about hanging at the Black Cat, watching sports at bars and dining at restaurants run by "Top Chef" contestants.

We're taking next week off -- Gurus need turkey, too! -- but we'll be back to chatting on Dec. 3. Ask away!

-- Julia Beizer

Who doesn't love a grilled cheese? Whether it's a classic rendition like the one at Stoney's . . . (Kathryn Norwood - For The Washington Post)

My mission for this week's Dinner Deals column: to find the best grilled cheeses in the area. I settled on five classic faves and three upscale twists. My picks'll be in tomorrow's paper, but you can check 'em out a day early.

When researching this story, I found people all over the city with really strong opinions about melted cheese on bread. The Hamilton's version of the sandwich kept popping up among Hill-dwelling sources, so I tried it. Twice. Not-quite-melted white cheddar with tomato and bacon didn't do it for me. The Saloon and the Vienna Inn have decent options, but thin bread turned me off in both cases. Probably more authentic that way -- just like your mama used to make! -- but if I'm paying $5 for a sandwich, it better be a step up.

I was sad to leave out a few faves. Bourbon's simple grilled cheese (and waffle fries!) go down easy. Tunnicliff's take is pretty tasty as well, but it was so similar to the one at Stoney's that I left my notes from that midday meal on the cutting room floor.

So let's kick this Cupcake Wars-style. I've listed the eight grilled cheeses from my story, plus some other popular favorites in the poll below. Vote for your fave and add your write-in nominations in the comments below.

-- Julia Beizer

. . . or an upscale twist like the grilled halloumi slider at Cava. (James M. Thresher for The Washington Post)

Chowhounds might already know there's a diner planned for the long-vacant McDonald's in Cleveland Park. Discerning types should be thrilled to hear that the owners of the popular Nooshi and Spices, chef Jessie Yan and Vanessa Lim, are behind the replacement. Unlike their pan-Asian eateries, the future venue, tentatively called DC Diner, will have a more American focus.

Think omelets and sandwiches, some sort of steak and long hours: DC Diner may serve as early as 6 a.m. and on weekends, as late as 2 a.m., says Lim. She's hired Beltran Design Group in Washington to turn the space at 3407 Connecticut Ave. NW into a bucolic 140-seat dining room.

Look for barn wood inside. A note from the architect, read by Lim, suggests the interior will "reflect the beauty and simplicity of the farm."

The restaurateurs hope to open the diner in April, but "you know construction," says Lim. Yan will serve as executive chef. Pitching in: Spices' in-house pastry chef, Hong Kong native Sammy Chong, and a crew of cooks yet to be identified. The American menu will fit in some Asian accents, promises Lim. "We can't resist some Asian sandwiches."

Meanwhile, Yan has begun testing pancakes. "She's good at it!" reports her business partner.

-- Tom Sietsema

It's Thursday, and we're ready to chat at 1 p.m. Looking at the dozens of questions that are already in the Got Plans? queue, people are anxious to talk about holiday parties, Thanksgiving eve destinations and places to take visitors. Of course, we're ready and willing to talk about more than that -- all you have to do is ask.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, we also have a prize to give away this week: a pair of tickets to see "Lost in Yonkers" at Theatre J on Tuesday night. All you have to do is suggest your favorite off-the-beaten-path place to take holiday visitors. Everybody goes to the Air and Space Museum or the World War II Memorial -- we're looking for something different.

So as you're hanging out with your family next week, just think: you could go watch a family that's even nuttier.

Get ready to play tour guide, and we'll see you in an hour.

-- Fritz Hahn

Tickets are on sale now at Tickets.com (800-955-5566) for these shows at the 9:30 club:
• Wale and Remy, Jan. 1 ($25)
• Thievery Corporation, Jan. 21-23 ($40-$50).

Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster for Moody Blues, March 26 at DAR Constitution Hall ($48-$68).

Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. through Live Nation for these shows at the Warner Theatre:
• Steven Wright, Jan. 23 ($39.50-$119)
&bull: Jimmy Fallon, Feb. 5 ($35)

Tickets go on sale Friday at noon through Ticketmaster for the Magnetic Fields, Feb. 4 at Lisner Auditorium ($35).

Tickets go on sale Friday at noon through Ticketmaster for these shows at the Birchmere:
• Justin Townes Earle and Joe Pug, March 7 ($22.50)
• Crooked Still and Chatham County Line, March 14 ($25).

Tickets go on sale Friday at 4:20 p.m. through Live Nation for Cheech & Chong, April 10 at Warner Theatre ($39.50-$49.50). 877-598-8696.

Tickets go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster for John Mayer and Michael Franti & Spearhead, Feb. 20 at Verizon Center ($42.50-$78).

Tickets for the summer 2010 performances at Wolf Trap's Filene Center go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. through the Wolf Trap box office. 877-965-3872.

-- Amy Orndorff

If you're tired of the same-old nightlife destinations, take heart -- it's a big week for bar openings and reopenings in D.C.

Probably the most welcome is the rebirth of the Black Rooster, the downtown pub that closed in October after losing its lease in a downtown office building. After a public outcry (and help from D.C. council member Jack Evans), owner Jody Taylor quietly reopened the bar Monday. Regulars will also be celebrating on L Street on Friday, when Evans presides at a 6 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony that Taylor called "the quote-unquote unofficial-official grand reopening." A DJ will spin from 6 p.m. on, and there will be food and wine specials in addition to the usual "$1.50 off all draft beers" deal that's offered at its weekday happy hours. It won't be hard to miss the party; Taylor says there will be searchlights outside.

We mentioned the Peroni Blue Ribbon party at Recess in this week's Nightlife Agenda, but I just wanted reiterate that this Friday will be the public's only chance to check out the new basement-level lounge at 727 15th St. NW until sometime next month. "This is it," owner Fisayo Esconsay says. "The grand opening's going to be in December. We're going to have some private events between now and then," but nothing else that everyone can attend. RSVP by the end of today to RSVPDC@modernluxury.com for admission to the happy hour, which runs from 8 to 10.

And finally, contrary to what I wrote earlier this week, the new cocktail bar the Passenger is going to open tonight, not tomorrow. The Passenger, which is taking the place of the bar at the Warehouse Theater north of Chinatown, is very much a work in progress. The dining room, which will be styled to look like a dining car, is little more than an arched ceiling and a couple of booths at this point, and the intimate Columbia Room, where mixologist Derek Brown (formerly of the Gibson) plans to whip up drinks for small groups of cocktail aficionados, is still not ready. But the Brown brothers are chomping at the bit to get going, so they're opening, regardless.

And they're not taking any chances with the new place: A Catholic priest is coming in to bless the bar on Thursday afternoon.

-- Fritz Hahn

Cinemaphiles, let me direct your attention to the (computer) screen. We just launched a new look for movies in the Going Out Guide, and we'd love to get your feedback.

Our new main movies page features what's opening this week and our holiday movie guide, along with quick lists of critics' picks, recent releases and other easy-to-scan suggestions about what's in theaters and what's coming soon. There and on our trailers page, you'll can find the newest trailers available so you can keep up with the buzzed-about flicks. And for all those who love to watch the numbers, we added a revamped version of the weekend box office stats.

Take a tour of our new pages and let us know what you think, because we're planning even more movie-related improvements for you in the future. You can e-mail us at goingoutguide@washingtonpost.com, or leave comments below.

-- Anne Kenderdine

It's worth staying up late for the Beaujolais nouveau party at Bistrot du Coin -- especially if you like free wine. (Courtesy of Bistrot du Coin)

A hectic week starts with Beaujolais nouveau parties and a fundraiser hosted by hip-hop icons Public Enemy, but also includes a hip-hop history lesson from a cavalcade of local artists, Texas-style two-stepping with Gary P. Nunn at the Clarendon Ballroom, a tribute to the daiquiri, an appearance by highly rated DJ David Guetta, fonk from the Pimps of Joytime, a CD release party for the Jet Age and a new beer night.