Bloomingdale Buzz

by
Ellen Boomer
Improving Through Improv
The Unified Scene Theater (TUST) is an improv and sketch comedy theater in the heart
of Bloomingdale. Founders Kathy Baird Westfall and Shawn Westfall are helping improv
students get out of their comfort zones, improve their communication skills, and build a
sense of community and collaboration.
A lot of students signing up for improv are looking to improve presentation skills,
become better listeners, learn team-building skills and be more comfortable on the spot
or without a script, Kathy said.
The Westfalls, Bloomingdale residents who met through improv, wanted to fill a niche in
DC and create a community for improv comedy, theater, storytelling, sketch, art, and
spoken word where the audience and performers can feed off each others energy.
Too much of our aesthetic experience these days is mediated by technologywhich
places significant distance between the performer and the audience, Shawn explained.
There simply is no substitute for the visceral experience of being right there with the
performers as they make discoveries in the moment, where you get the feeling that
absolutely anything can happen.
TUST offers several improv classes, including one for business leaders. Its all about
flowing with what jumps into your mind and responding with your wits, Danny Maiello, a
Senior Partner at Fleishman-Hillard International Communications, said.
You can't shut down ideas, explained David Connerty-Marin, who works as a director
of communications for an education nonprofit, but if you know they're not working, you
can positively move the scene - or the business meeting - in a different direction by
offering a yes, and solution.
In the six months since TUST opened, theyve already been involved in the
Bloomingdale House Tour and Art Show, hosted a Bloomingdale residents art exhibit,
set up a booth at the Farmers Market, and offered free improv workshops every month.
Looking ahead, TUST has three improv shows in February, and they may add
workshops and classes for kids.
Bloomingdale is one of the most engaging neighborhoods Ive experiencedPeople sit
on their porches and say hello to you on the street, you get to know the local baristas
and shop owners, and the community here is active and engaged to a level I dont see
everywhere, Kathy said. There really is no other place like us in this part of DC.
Visit The Unified Scene Theater at 80 T St. NW, at http://www.unifiedscenetheater.com,
or email info@unifiedscenetheater.com.

Bloomingdale Buzz
by
Ellen Boomer
Thats Amore
Every neighborhood needs a dedicated pizza place, and Bloomingdale has Bacio. With
their signature pizzas named after various DC neighborhoods, this pizzeria has found its
way into the hearts and stomachs of Bloomingdale residents.
Owners Atilla Suzer and his wife, Lisa Friedman, opened their restaurant in 2011. We
wanted to be focused on the neighborhood and create a chill environment, Suzer said.
Part of that vibe is making sure Bacio is family and neighborhood friendly, so they close
at 10:30 p.m. most nights. With nearly 50 seats indoors and 30 spots on the popular
patio, Bacio is a great destination in any weather.
When the weather is nice, their patio lights and greenery beckon you to enjoy a casual
meal on their deck, with or without a dog in tow, Bloomingdale resident Susan Seutter
said. When you can't eat outside, they have charming seating upstairs.
Bacio has nine pizzas, all with local names. The Eckington has pepperoni, ham,
sausage, onion, Bacio mozzarella, and tomato sauce while the signature Bloomingdale,
Bacios most popular pizza, is topped with prosciutto, cherry tomato, fresh mozzarella,
basil, and tomato sauce.
In addition to pizzas, Bacio also offers salads, calzones, beer, wine, sodas, and locally
made desserts from Moorenkos ice cream, Grassroots Gourmet, and Uncle Chips
Cookies. They also source ingredients from Common Good City Farm.
We like to keep the money local, Suzer explained. I make less money but my
customers are happy, and Im supporting local businesses.
Bacio is one of our Bloomingdale favorites, Alan Seutter said. The service is always
friendly and accommodating, the owners love dogs, and of course the pizza is
excellent!
Visit Bacio Pizzeria at 81 Seaton Pl. NW, at www.baciopizzeria.com, or call
202-232-2246.

Sweets For Your Sweet

NanBon Confectionery, owned by Aisha Bond, will have their annual Valentines pop-up
restaurant this year. Called Carnal-Valentines, the evening will feature a multi-course
gourmet meal, entertainment, music, and games.

Bloomingdale Buzz
by
Ellen Boomer
While this years menu is not set, it will be similar to last years menu, which included
several amuse bouche such as oyster shooters and savory egg custard with caviar
followed by butternut squash soup with crab and artichoke salad.
The entrees were Chicken and Spinach Roulade with Apricot glaze, Braised Short Ribs
with Tagliatelli and shaved Chocolate. Dessert featured Nipples of Venus, bread
pudding with lemon curd, and a fruit and cheese platter.
Each dinner ticket is $115 and includes two glasses of wine, a glass of champagne, and
a glass of passion punch. Diners can purchase a la carte cocktails such as a Dirty
Martini, Buttery Nipple, Sex on the Beach, and French Kiss.
Last year featured a Brazilian theme and included samba carnival dancers and masks,
Bond explained. This year will be slightly different but as always, we will embrace rich
culture and the forms in which they celebrate and show love.
In addition to the Valentines event, NanBon will host a pop-up brunch for Mothers Day,
frequent Sunday tea times, and tea parties or luncheons as a venue for children to learn
etiquette. NanBon also features a kids summer culinary academy and cooking birthday
parties for children.
The main focus of NanBon, however, is desserts. Bond sells her delicious desserts,
including her grandmothers bread pudding, at various farmers markets in DC including
the ones in Bloomingdale, 14th and U St., and H St. NanBons creations, such as her
buttermilk pecan pie, will soon be available in some local gourmet markets and are
always available via NanBons website.
NanBon Confection's menu is pretty consistent with that original menu from the farmers
market days: bread pudding, strawberry bread, pound cake, buttermilk pecan tarts,
sweet potato tarts as well as a raspberry almond tart and a few other treats like my dark
chocolate brownies topped with a layer of chocolate ganache.
Bond lives with Bloomingdale with her husband and their three children. We chose
Bloomingdale because it was diverse and developing yet very true to the native DC that
I love, Bond shared.
Bloomingdale in many ways is its own little Mayberry in that neighbors speak and care
for each other and many of our commercial establishments are run and operated by
those who live in Bloomingdale. When I walk the streets, people remember me for my
pies and desserts and often fondly offer me a memory they have which includes
something I've made. It just feels good to be a part of a great neighborhood.
Contact NanBon Confectionery at www.nanbon.com or call Info@nanbon.com.