For some, "Hell is other people," but for one local blogger, hell is just one person: the maitre d' at Kramerbooks & Afterwords, who governed over last Sunday's brunchtime with a haughty manner and a tendency toward "psychological abuse." There were snippy quips over bathroom tokens, for example, and memories that seem to have been remembered in German. But the whole matter ended up taking an existential turn for the worse:I also heard Herr Säuglingsmörder......

>> The Velvet Lounge hosts Three Stars alums and excellent understated rockers New Rock Church of Fire, with Mas y Mas and The Domesticated. 9 p.m. >> Home of those brilliant Saturday afternoon cheapo Miller High Life countdown specials, epic Jell-O wrestling contests and the surprising winner of any Best Vegan Brunch contest in the city, everyone probably has a different reason for their soft spot for Asylum. Whatever yours is, stop by tonight......

Celebrate Your Moms If you're lucky enough to have your mom or grandma somewhere easily accessible, then you have the distinct pleasure of celebrating Mother's Day with the real McCoy. As for me, I'll have to settle for a teleconference with my mom while eating pancakes shaped like Mickey Mouse that I'll pretend she made for me. Sniff. I love you, Mom! If you aren't separated by a continent, then you have some meal planning......

Oh, the holiday shopping season. Preparing the troops to invade local malls, throwing punches over a video game player, listening to Jingle Bells until your ears bleed. Good times. But it doesn't have to be that way. Don't know what to get mom-in-law? Finally impress her with your cultural know-how by gift wrapping some ART this holiday season. Galleries are listening, and have a few deals for you bargain shoppers. >>Cheap for Charity: What's better......

As you might know from a previous post, we’re a fan of brunch, and, in particular, Majestic Café’s renditions of Southern and Creole. But Majestic doesn’t offer eggs Benedict, which is a standard in most brunch-oriented places. Even the worst of the worst access-road diners offer the stuff. So, sadly, we have to go elsewhere for our Benedict fix. This past weekend, we were moved by several good reviews to try out Tallula -- the......

Although we find the D.C. area’s Jose Andres-induced tendency toward small plates occasionally irksome, Rabieng has adapted to this trend in a novel way. During Saturday and Sunday brunch, Rabieng showcases its interpretation of Bangkok’s numerous food stall delights on its “Thai Street Food Dim Sum Brunch Menu.” We started off with their Pan Fried Jumbo Chive Dumplings. The outside of each of the two dumplings was appealingly browned and bubbled -- practically volcanic. Beneath......

Man, after last night's DCist Happy Hour, we're not sure we want to do anything for the rest of the weekend except curl up in our beds and pound Advil. But for the rest of you folks, here are some events we think are worth dropping by. FRIDAY: >>In this week's Art Agenda, we erroneously reported that photographer Samantha Wolov's exhibit opened Saturday evening; the opening actually takes place tonight from 6 p.m. to 9......

DCist was critical of new Dupont "restolounge" Cloud before, noting that the white-on-white, bar with beds theme was feeling pretty tired. But owner Savino Recine didn't stop there. In fact, he's taken the bed theme to its logical conclusion. Beginning Sunday, May 8th, Cloud is encouraging patrons to come to their Sunday brunch service clad in their pajamas. There are some good things about Cloud's new brunch service. For $21.95, diners will have their choice......

From DCist contributor Catherine Andrews: The results are in: The Post's 2004 Best Bets Readers' Choice Awards were decided today. And the winners are ... (drumroll, please): Pretty much all the same places that won last year! But that's OK -- by and large, DCist approves of the victors (though we'll never understand why Starbucks consistently comes in the top three of Best Coffee Shop; same with Borders for Best Bookstore. Isn't this supposed to......