Whiskey Creek GC
Ijamsville, MD (near Frederick, MD)
Golf Magazine Review: Named after a creek which is in play on the back 9 formerly used by Prohibition-era smugglers to float whiskey barrels downstream. A rugged mountain layout with dramatic elevation changes, impressive rock outcroppings, and 30-mile views of the Catoctin Mountains.
Best Bar Nearby: Per the Washington Post, "Styled as a Western hunting lodge, Whiskey Creek's clubhouse takes pride in -- what else? -- its selection of Scotch and bourbon whiskeys, from Makers Mark and Johnnie Walker to rarefied selections like Elijah Craig, a smooth, 18-year-old single-barrel bourbon, and several aged varieties of Wild Turkey. Drink in hand, you've got two options: the airy lounge, with large leather armchairs grouped in front of a stone fireplace and deer heads mounted on high wooden walls, or the wide outdoor veranda. Given nice weather, I'd take the latter -- rattan chairs are arranged for a good view of the Ernie Els-designed course, including the ruined stone house and pond that mark the 18th fairway."
Or head into nearby Frederick, MD (www.downtownfrederick.org ) and follow your nose along Market & Patrick streets, a lively quarter of town noted for it's pubs and taverns. Golf Magazine likes the Brown Pelican (E Church St), a candlelit rathskellar featuring superb veal and seafood dishes. OR, Brewer's Alley (N Market St) is set in the former town hall and opera house, a lively spot with good pub grub, and beers brewed on-premisis.
Where To Grub: Per Golf Magazine, head west of Frederick near Boonsboro for dinner at Old South Inn (circa 1732). Superb continental cuisine, traditional dining rooms with fireplaces, and a garden area with mountain views. Southwest Airlines Spirit Mag likes Firestone's for second floor tables with street views.
Where To Stay: Frederick, MD is a convenient hub to area courses. Golf Magazine says Fairfield Inn by Marriott (301-695-2881, $74/night) is newly renovated; Holiday Inn Express (301-695-2881) is next to I-70, I-270, and Francis Scott Key Mall. OR, Stone Manor Inn (301-473-5454, Middletown, $150-$275), a historic manor house circa 1760, with an elegant restaurant.
Best Bar Nearby, Washington DC:
For a good place to catch a major or a Tour event on TV, T&L Golf likes HAWK 'N' DOVE (329 Pennsylvania Avenue Southeast; 202-543-3300, www.hawkanddoveonline.com). Finding a prime perch for viewing is easy as shepherd's pie with sixteen TVs, including a vast pull-down screen. The American menu (bacon-and-eggs brunch; burgers-and-fries lunch) has one old-world standby: crunchy, well-seasoned fish-and-chips.
10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Fat Guy says you gotta hit Continental Modern Pool Lounge (Rosslyn VA, 703-465-7675, www.modernpoollounge.com ). The coolest pool hall I've ever seen, this club-cum-billiards-hall oozes a mid-century, almost-South-Beach vibe. Check out the pix on the website. Maximum Golf (a short-lived golf mag by the guys at Maxim) liked Black Cat, 1831 14th St NW, noirish warehouse space part-owned by Foo Fighter Dave Grohl, with live music and a 12 tap 'red room'. OR, Madam's Organ, 2461 18th St NW, ultra-trendy, blues & jazz, garage sale decor, soul food and bar grub. OR, The Raven, 3125 Mt Pleasant St NW, bohemian late night crowd, serious drinking, no food. OR, Iota Club, 2832 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, intimate setting, live alt rock, side cafe, $10 cover.
For DC eateries, MG says try Ben's Chili Bowl, 1213 "U" St NW, secret recipe chili and cheese fries, longtime local haven with celebrity following. OR, Georgia Brown's, 950 15th St NW, Southern soul food, elegant, try the She-Crab soup and the Peach Martini. OR, Moby Dick House Of Kabob, 1070 31st St NW, chicken kabobs, gyros, low key Persian diner. OR, A.V. Ristorante Italiano, 607 NY Ave NW, white garlic pizza, old brick Art Deco building. OR, Pho 75, 1711 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, Vietnamese noodle soup, minimalist cafeteria decor. OR, Amtrak's Arrive magazine says there's no place like Home (9th & F St NW, www.homenightclub.com). "Pillow-talk-reclining dining" in a witty downtown club, housed in a circa-1920 bank building. Casual intimacy marked by warm wood and fabric-textured walls, including a living room, basement, kitchen, and--you guessed it--a master bedroom featuring "boidoir chic" private dining beds with canopy veils, bottle service, and catered cuisine.
Where To Stay, Washington D.C.: Philadelphia Magazine likes D.C.'s new lush boutique Hotel Monaco (700 F St NW, www.monaco-dc.com, $199- $825/night) for its polished floors, vaulted ceilings, and Corinthian columns from its original 1842 General Post Office building, but compliments them with contemporary furnishings and fixtures, such as lacquer benches, red chrome chandaliers, black-and- white polka dotted headboards, orange damask cushions, and checked carpets. The decor has a whimsical feel--as do the leopard-print bathrobes and "complimentary goldfish companion" upon request. Grub at the hotel's hip French bistro Poste (dinner for 2 w/ cocktails, $70), set in the former mail sorting room overlooking the leafy courtyard. The food is simple: tuna tartare, lamb chops, risotto. OR, check out Hotel George (15 E St NW, www.hotelgeorge.com, $185-$875/ night). Modernist and excessively hip in all stone & black-and-white, more starkly minimal than lush and cozy. The Philly Inquirer likes the newly remodeled W Hotel, with balcony views looking over the White House lawn.
Non-Traditional D.C. Fun: Per Philly Magazine, check out Spy School at the International Spy Museum (800 F St NW, www.spy-museum.org, $11 Adult $8 Kids) for Bond fantasy and gadgets galore.