Capital Living

For years of Republican rule, the Capital Grille was this town’s premier power-dining spot. Then, for a short while, the balance of power shifted to Charlie Palmer, the steakhouse at the foot of Capitol Hill. But these days, Ristorante Tosca has emerged as the favorite mealtime oasis for the men and women who cut the checks and broker the deals that make Washington run.

Craig Shirley first wrote about President Ronald Reagan in his 2005 best-seller Reagan’s Revolution, in which he examined Reagan’s primary challenge to President Gerald Ford in the 1976 presidential race.

From umbrella-wielding protesters to drug-toting tourists, the Capitol Police protect the hill from the criminal and the comical alike.

Mary J. Blige, Neil Diamond, Rob Thomas, Usher and country duo Sugarland will perform at the White House on Dec. 13 during the taping of a “Christmas in Washington” TV special, set to air a week later on TNT.

More than 250,000 items from National Geographic stores will be sold at bargain-basement prices this weekend at the D.C. Armory for the venerable society’s annual Warehouse Sale.

Actor Scott Wolf will relive his college days Thursday when he visits Capitol Hill.

Sen. Claire McCaskill’s mother was the victim of an Internet marketing scam, and according to Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), the Missouri Democrat is “absolutely in a rage about it.” 

Sen. Arlen Specter (Pa.), the longtime Republican-turned-Democrat, was spotted giving a kiss to media mogul Ted Turner’s girlfriend, Sally Ranney, during a tour of Capitol Hill on Tuesday.

Qorvis director: Qorvis Communications hired Nicole Silverman as director last week.

When Jenny Luray’s daughter saw the color scheme of her mom’s new office — stark white and bright fuchsia — she was less than impressed.