On Our Radar: Inaugural Weekend

Wine bars are creeping up all over D.C.; but our favorite is Proof (pictured above) in Penn Quarter. We were there recently with our girlfriends and spent the evening grazing over the extra large charcuterie platter and many glasses of wine. They get credit for offering daily $12 lunches that include a generous glass of wine for those of us that don't want to sacrifice quality while doing right by our wallet.

Proof is celebrating the inauguration with a trifecta of events. Their Inaugural Eve dinner show on Monday, 1/19 features a 4 course tasting menu and performance by the talented young jazz singer Melody Gardot (at left); their Inaugural brunch at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 1/20 includes unlimited champagne and you can watch the parade and ceremony (in warmth!) on 4 flats screens; lastly the Inaugural After-Party starts at 11:30 p.m., with Dom, Krug, Christal and caviar and a repeat performance by Gardot.

Looking for something worthwhile in the afternoon? Go to the National Gallery of Art to see the "Oceans, Rivers and Skies: Ansel Adams, Robert Adams, and Alfred Stieglitz"; or the American History Museum to see the renovated flag and the first ladies' dresses; or the brand new Newseum (above) to see the "First Dogs: American Presidents and the Their Pets." While you're there vote on which breed the Obamas should adopt. Our money is on a labradoodle, because, well, everyone's getting one these days.

When you're done taking this mini-museum tour, head around the corner to Wolfgang Puck's restaurant, The Source, where you can sit downstairs in the lounge and snack on Prime Beef Sliders and chicken satay (skip the cheese tray). Here we are with our forever friend Amy on our first visit to The Source.

Be sure to check the museum and restaurant websites before you go for times and closings (all are open through the weekend, some may close on the 20th, updates are daily).