Evans Camp puts on the Ris for Fundraiser
Councilmember Jack Evans was greeted by dozens of loyal supporters at a fundraiser for his constituent services account at Ris, the chic, almost New York hotspot in the West End. City poo-bahs from superlawyer David Wilmot to Georgetown fixture (turned Fenty administration assistant attorney general) Pat Allen mingled in the comfortable salon off the dining room,
sipping good wine and nibbling splendid hors d'oeuvres.
It was a reunion of steadfast stalwarts (Barbara Kahlow of Foggy Bottom) to up-and-coming leaders (Alex Padro, Shaw) to Georgetown celebs like Nancy Taylor Bubes and Alan Bubes, CAG President Jennifer Altemus (making the rounds after touring brand new M29 via Bourbon Steak) and Peter Calafiura. (Pictured: Susan Frost, Robert Maffin of Logan Circle Community Association, and Foggy Bottom honcho Barbara Kahlow)
Altemus found out late about the event but traveled east of Georgetown in heavy traffic to say hello. "Somehow emails from Jack's office have been getting stuck in my spam folder," she said. "Isn't
that terrible?" Despite a heavy schedule ahead including the the Georgetown Campus Plan and a full calendar of CAG-sponsored community events, Altemus, a Washington native and Georgetown Univ. alum holding an important role at the Library of Congress, is not slowed down by technology -- or anything else.
(Pictured: Asher Corson, Lindsey Fell, Peter Calafiura and CAG President Jennifer Altemus)
Other power women at the event included founder and chef Ris Lacoste with Jackie Ludden, events and marketing director, of the packed, eponymous West End bistro (pictured below right).
Ris (rhymes with "kiss," short for Doris) will be honored next month by the National Restaurant Association as a "D.C. Restaurant Star!" the first time the awards have been bestowed. Other honorees will include Michel Richard
of Citronelle, Todd and Ellen Gray of Equinox, and Mike Curtin of D.C. Central Kitchen.
"It's really a test to open a new restaurant," said the longtime 1789 chef who conceived and is managing the jumping new venue. "I'm glad I didn't open a year ago, but we've created a space that suits the economy -- it's a great escape at a reasonable price. Plates are coming back clean. It's fabulous."
A different kind of culinary center is under construction across town -- developers of the historic O Street Market in Shaw expect a September opening, just in time for the Giant Food at 8th & O to close down for 18 months for a renovation. "You won't recognize it when it's
finished," said Armond Spikell of Roadside Development, describing a concept that bore a resemblance to Georgetown's Dean & Deluca, at least aesthetically. (At left: Susan Vener Linsky and Armond Spikell flank Shaw booster Alex Padro.)
Asher Corson, President of the Foggy Bottom Association, and Lindsey Fell of Shaw were doing double civic duty. In addition to their after-hours appearance at Evans' fundraisier, they are fulltime staffers for Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh.
Jack Evans legislative aide Ruth Werner, with Rob Harlow and JoElla Straley of Petworth, self-described "fans of Jack."