Alphabet City

Going Global in Washington, From A to Z

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By Julia Feldmeier

Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, July 15, 2007; Page M06

Ah, Washington. So aesthetically charming. So intellectually vibrant. So fabulously foreign. Don't believe us? We've devised an A to Z guide of international fun in and around the District.

Oh, sure, our area has Embassy Row and the World Bank. We have Parisian streets (thank you, L'Enfant), three international airports and floods of foreign tourists, such as those from Europe, Asia and eighth grade. (Kidding! We heart all those distracted tweens milling about the Tidal Basin. Really.)

But it's easy to become insulated in our own cultural bubble or to dream of traveling abroad to exotic places -- forgetting, of course, all of the foreign opportunities here on our home turf.

So read on for our alphabet soup. It's an eclectic dish, we know -- but isn't that what's so great about America?

Italian grocery store A. Litteri has been open for more than 80 years.
Italian grocery store A. Litteri has been open for more than 80 years.
A. Litteri. Ah, the Italians -- bless 'em. They gave us pizza, which, in turn, gave late-night revelers something to chew on: the jumbo slice. But for an even better taste of Italy, visit A. Litteri, Washington's oldest Italian grocery store. Open since 1926, it's still a draw for Italian Americans looking to buy red wine vinegar by the gallon or a prosciutto "end," the hoof section of meat that's left after the leg has been sliced away, used to flavor pasta and soups. Check out the house-made sausage, buy ready-to-bake pizza crusts or, for a prepared meal, try Litteri's meaty sandwiches -- a six-foot Italian cold-cut sub will serve 22. Mangia!

A. Litteri, 517-519 Morse St. NE. 202-544-0183. http://www.litteris.com/.

Bhangra. This upbeat folk music, native to the Punjab region in northern India and Pakistan, is funky and fun, distinguished by the beat of the dhol, or two-headed drum. The accompanying dance is a hip-swiveling, shoulder-shaking, hand-twirling kind of country line dancing -- fluid and flashy, if also a little frightening for beginners. For guidance, check out the bhangra dance lessons offered at Dhoonya Dance School.

Dhoonya Dance School, new sessions begin Sept. 9. Classes at Coors Dance Studio at Flashpoint, 916 G St. NW; Dhoonya McLean Studio, 1340 Old Chain Bridge Rd., McLean; and 2614 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. $20 for drop-ins. 703-678-8700. http://www.dhoonyadance.com/.

Cricket. You know, the funny-looking sport that's so popular in the United Kingdom and its former territories? The one that resembles baseball, except for the flat bat and a scoring system that's positively dumbfounding? Well, it's played here, too. Check with the area's two main leagues -- the Washington Cricket League ( http://www.wclinc.com/) and the Washington Metropolitan Cricket Board ( http://www.wmcb.org/) -- to find out where you can get a glimpse of the game.

Wendy Zhao pushes a dim sum cart at Hollywood East Cafe in Wheaton.
Wendy Zhao pushes a dim sum cart at Hollywood East Cafe in Wheaton.(Mark Finkenstaedt)
Dim Sum. Brunch can be a delightful event -- a lingering meal on a lazy Sunday -- but why not add an ethnic flavor? Try dim sum, Cantonese for "touch the heart." With a huge selection of small-plate dishes (shrimp dumplings, vegetable buns, pork pot stickers), your chopsticks will be busy and your heart content. A few spots to check out: New Fortune in Gaithersburg, Hollywood East Cafe in Wheaton and Fortune Chinese Seafood Restaurant in Falls Church and Reston.