Alphabet City

Gao Jingyun, Comprehensive Health Clinic, 4590 MacArthur Blvd. NW. 202-338-3422.

Q

Quark. This curd cheese originated in Central Europe. Soft and unripened (like ricotta or even cream cheese), it's a favorite for dips and sauces. At Leopold's Kafe & Konditorei, an Austrian coffeehouse in Georgetown, quark is a key ingredient in the cheesecake and spaetzle. Grab a tub for $6.35 at Cafe Mozart German Deli in Northwest Washington and bring a Central European staple into your kitchen.

Cafe Mozart German Deli, 1331 H St. NW. 202-347-5732. http://www.cafemozartgermandeli.com/.

R

Local group the Oasis Band specializes in reggae, calypso and other sounds.(J Carrier)

Reggae.

For some Caribbean flavor, check out the Oasis Band, led by Peter Humphrey, a native of Grenada in the West Indies.

The group, formed in 1988, plays popular dance music of the Caribbean, infusing it with reggae, calypso, steel drums and African tunes.

http://www.oasisbanddc.com/.

S

Salsa. The spicy Cuban- and Puerto Rican-influenced movements have caught fire on dance floors here in Washington. To keep pace, consider taking lessons. Alexandria's aptly named Cafe Salsa gives lessons Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ($15), and Habana Village in Adams Morgan offers instruction Wednesdays through Saturdays from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. ($10).

Cafe Salsa, 808 King St., Alexandria. 703-684-4100. http://www.cafesalsarestaurant.com/.

Habana Village, 1834 Columbia Rd. NW. 202-462-6310. http://www.habanavillage.com/.

T

Tropical Fish. Torpedo barbs! Piranhas! Silver arowanas! Sound like the contents of a medieval armory? Nope, they're just fish -- cool, exotic fish from India and South America. Stroll through Tropical Fish World, an exotic fish store in Gaithersburg, for a look at what lurks beneath in other parts of the world.

Tropical Fish World, 16529 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg. 301-921-0000. http://www.tropicalfishworld.com/.

U

Unagi. That's Japanese for freshwater eel -- the scale-less, snakelike fish that, when wrapped in rice and served with wasabi, is considered a delicacy. The meat is firm and sweet -- try it at Sushi-Ko in Glover Park, where it's rolled with crab, mushroom and cucumber, or served crunchy with pickled relish.

Sushi-Ko, 2309 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 202-333-4187. http://www.sushiko.us/.

V

Vodka. You'll find more than 90 flavors of this spirit on the menu at Russia House, the Dupont Circle restaurant and lounge patronized regularly by expats from the former Eastern Bloc. Flavors include Soyuz-Victan, a Ukrainian vodka infused with honey, red cayenne pepper and sweet grass; Mernaya's On Milk vodka, which is filtered with milk; and a pickle-and-garlic-infused vodka by the distillery Russian Garant.

Russia House, 1800 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-234-9433. http://www.russiahouselounge.com/.

W

Wombat. This hairy-nose herbivore is one of Australia's more unusual animals (and, incidentally, the late Princess Di's pet name for Prince William). So if you want to be in the company of people who can talk wombats with cool Aussie accents, check out events hosted by the Australia America Association, a group dedicated to strengthening relations between Australia and the United States. And where better to bond than at the annual Australian and New Zealand Wine Expo? Held Oct. 20 at the Australian Embassy, it will feature tastings of more than 100 wines.

http://www.australiausa.org/.

X

Extra, extra! Read all about it! And we mean all about it. At the Newsroom in Dupont Circle, choose from more than 450 newspapers from around the globe, printed in full (with advertisements) from a giant computerized copy machine. Curious about Icelandic politics? Select the Morgunbladid, the country's daily paper. Want the headlines from Kenya? Behold, the East African. Invested in Ukraine? Check out the weekly Kievskiy Telegraf. The cost varies, but most print for about $2 or $3.

The Newsroom, 1803 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-332-1489.

Y

Yebeg wat. The Washington region is home to the nation's largest Ethiopian community, so the Ethiopian cuisine served here is authentic -- and delicious. One favorite dish is yebeg wat, a lush and peppery lamb stew. Try it at Etete, an Ethiopian restaurant near U Street NW that's named for chef and owner "Mama" ("etete" in Amharic) Tiwaltenigus Shenegeleg, a longtime neighborhood caterer.

Etete, 1942 Ninth St. NW. 202-232-7600. http://www.eteterestaurant.com/.

Z

Zen. Get one step closer to inner peace by enrolling in the Transcendental Meditation program at the Maharishi Peace Palace. The series of seven classes is designed to help you "enjoy clearer thinking, better health, more happiness" -- an achievement that, doubtless, will make you feel far, far away from Washington.

Maharishi Peace Palace, 5504 Edson Lane, Bethesda. $2,500 for the series, introductory class free. 301-770-5690. http://www.bethesdapeacepalace.org/.