Shop For Your Founding Father: Last-Minute Gift Ideas in Georgetown, D.C.
Bobbleheads at Georgetown Tee’s (All Photos: Allison Weiss Brady)
Still stuck on a gift for Dad? Find yourself in Washington, D.C. this weekend? Head to Georgetown and get Pop something worthy of the Founding Fathers. And if you get yourself a nice meal while you’re at it, too, all the better — we’re sure he’d be happy you’re well fed.
Sure it’s a tourist joint, but who doesn’t love a little kitsch? Shop for bobbleheads of DC’s finest figureheads including presidents from Obama down to good ol’ Georgie Wash, as well as famous First Ladies Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton. Thirsty dads will appreciate a bottle opener in the shape of President Obama’s mouth, while fashionable ones may hoot at a Mix N’ Match magnetic wardrobe set where you can change the clothes of the Obamas at your whim. Think fun laugh-worthy gifts at cheap prices.
Goorin Bros. hat shop
Whether he’s sportin’ a head of grey or none at all, every dad should have a jaunty hat — and this super-friendly throwback-meets-hipster hideout is the perfect place to get a top-quality topper. Brat Pack style hats made in the US and Ecuador come in various fabrics and materials (from felt to straw) and in shades like oatmeal, greyish-brown and a full range of creams, blues, tans, and even faded pink. (Real men aren’t afraid of a bold hue.)
Rest your feet and sidle up for a hearty midday meal at this delicious Italian joint. I loved the Tuscan kale salad with chickpeas and pine nuts paired with Sicilian-style pizza (meatballs and ricotta, yum!). Located right near Tory Burch, The Gap, and Gooring Bros. Inc., this corner restaurant has a good ambiance inside, and primo people-watching on the outside tables.
Paolo’s Ristorante
Everybody knows the Paper Source — and for good reason. It’s the ultimate summer entertaining store to buy host gifts, perfect for a pops that loves to cut it up backyard-style. Retro styled standouts include fish-shaped silver flasks and corkscrews, donut-shaped pillows and donut-covered aprons, plus tin cans of You’re a PEACH! flavored iced teas.
Fish corkscrew and flasks from Paper Source
Donut apron at Paper Source
Feeling the hungers? In a rush? Stop by this French café fast-casual import to nibble a chicken and avocado salad, a lemon spread sandwich, or maybe a mozzarella and tomato sandwich on two-olive bread. Just save room for tarts filled with custard cream, wedges of apples, and almond flakes — Dad would want you to have something sweet.
Paul, a bit of Paris in Georgetown
Okay, okay — this is a boutique for women. But you know what they say, happy wife, happy husband. So get mom a gift and give it to Dad to give to her for serious brownie points. They stock cute, hip clothing items from 7 for All Mankind, Splendid, and Vince as well as fun fashionista books like How to Sew a Button and Other Nifty Things your Grandmother Knew, Resort Fashion, and A Life of Style. Who knows, maybe you’ve just given Dad a new hobby, too!
How to Sew a Button, available at Wink
Wink in Georgetown
Ready to relax into a healthy, delicious meal while catching up on all the politico gossip with your friends? Sit inside, outside, or at the bar and recover all those shopping-expended electrolytes with a coconut water-based Blueberry Island fruit smoothie (with pineapple and banana) or a grown-up glass of wine. For nosh there’s grilled portobello sandwiches with roasted red peppers and avocado and a turkey sandwiches just like Dad used to make — that is if Pops kept warm Brie and tomato pesto on hand.
Peacock Café in Georgetown
Allison Weiss Brady has lived everywhere from Tokyo to Montreal, Cannes to Miami. A former fashion model, she yearns for the days when she could eat whatever she wants and travel to exotic locations without a care in the world. An active philanthropist, she writes forSocialMiami.comand Palm Beach Young Society magazine.
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