Who Lives Here: Nora and Allison

Restaurant Nora has long been a staple of the D.C. food scene, visited by a number of presidents and dignitaries — the Obamas dined there for Michelle’s birthday in 2010 — not to mention foodies. Vienna-born Nora Pouillon is the chef behind the restaurant, and a Georgetown resident to boot. She led the organic food movement by opening the first certified-organic restaurant in the country, where she has hosted numerous national movers and shakers not far from Dupont Circle. Now Pouillon has released a book, “My Organic Life,” a memoir with the subtitle: “How a Pioneering Chef Helped Shape the Way We Eat Today.”

Pouillon lives in a unique pink, modern house on Reservoir Road between 32nd Street and Wisconsin Avenue, though she says the architect was forbidden from building in Georgetown again after unveiling the place, which she describes as in the style “Old Miami.” She moved to Georgetown 19 years ago from Adams Morgan, and despite being apprehensive prior to the move, admits that she now loves the neighborhood, saying its strongest attribute is its “mix of commercial and residential.”

Georgetowners can catch her out walking through Dumbarton Oaks or along the canal, window-shopping on Wisconsin Avenue and M Street — her favorite stores are Hu’s and Hu’s Shoes — exercising at the Four Seasons, or during cooler months, ice skating along the riverfront. She’s also been known to patronize Malmaison, which she calls underrated; Chez Billy Sud; the Grill Room at Capella; and when her namesake restaurant is out of a necessary ingredient, the farmers’ market across from Safeway. She professes love for nearly all things Georgetown. However she is not “a cupcake person,” preferring “salty and spicy” tastes to sugary.

Allison Silberberg doesn’t live here, residing instead in the Parkfairfax neighborhood of Alexandria, but she is a longtime Georgetown Senior Center supporter and served as president of the board from 2010 to 2012. On June 8, Silberberg won the Democratic primary for mayor of Alexandria. Currently vice mayor of Alexandria, she defeated sitting mayor Bill Euille, who has held the position since 2003. She also beat former mayor Kerry Donley, whose campaign called for aggressive development throughout the city.

Many observers expected Euille to easily fend off his challengers, but he and Silberberg were neck and neck as precincts reported in. Far outspent, Silberberg nonetheless ended up winning by 321 votes. The Washington Post attributed her win to her “warm and personable” nature and opposition to development in Old Town and elsewhere.

Some of Euille’s supporters are calling on him to campaign as a write-in candidate during the general election, but the party has warned against the move, saying they will put their full weight behind primary voters’ chosen ticket.