Coup de Foudre

The Penn Quarter business district has a flirty new resident: Coup de Foudre ("love at first sight"), a Parisian-style lingerie boutique across the street from Landmark's E Street Cinema. Lining the walls of the small, sleek space are bras, camisoles, chemises and loungewear by high-end lines including Chantelle, Cosabella and Hanro. Prices go from $30 for a lacy black tanga to $189 for a satin-and-lace bridal-wear bra. A special focus for the staff: helping men who wander in looking for gifts. After all, owner Valerie Lucas says of her buttoned-up neighbors: "Man cannot live on law and finance alone." Terri Sapienza

Coup de Foudre. 1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202-393 -0878. www.coupdefoudrelingerie.com.