Axios D.C.

D.C. could reimagine Chinatown with wide pedestrian promenades, thousands of new housing units, and more of an emphasis on its Chinese heritage, per a new report.

Why it matters: The District's Chinatown task force released eight "big ideas" — some that feel aspirational, to be sure — to make the neighborhood more livable and energetic.

🖼️ One of the most noticeable changes would turn the road-heavy perimeter of the National Portrait Gallery into a gathering place.

• On top of that, a raised pedestrian promenade would be built through the center of 8th Street.
• Capital One Arena, set for a $515+ million modernization, is a "large, imposing building" right now. When redesigned, it would look more like an entertainment district in sync with the neighborhood.
• 7th Street would lean into its small storefronts that act as a commercial main street with better connectivity to the National Mall.

There is a push to better honor Chinese American identity, with examples of summer block parties and film nights in other Chinatowns in the U.S.

• D.C. is in conversations about potentially drawing an Asian food grocery store to open in the neighborhood, according to deputy mayor Nina Albert, per WTOP.
• A recent story on WAMU showed how dozens of senior residents, frustrated by the lack of Chinese grocery stores in the neighborhood, trek on a charter bus to Falls Church's Great Wall Supermarket once a month.

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"The Wolves of K Street," out today, is a complete history of the unstoppable rise of Washington lobbying — in spite of scandal and the Donald Trump era.

⏳ Why it matters: The book by reporter-brothers Brody and Luke Mullins charts Democratic and Republican lobbying dynasties from the 1970s to the present day.

In it, they write of the late Tommy Boggs, a pioneer of Democratic lobbying whose last name makes up the law firm Squire Patton Boggs.

• In the 1980s, Charlie Black, Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, and Lee Atwater built "Washington's GOP house of lobbying," they write, per a review of the book in The Guardian.
• The third dynasty: Tony Podesta, described in the book as an "avant-garde political fixer [who] used his experience as a brass-knuckled liberal activist to advance the interests of Wall Street and Silicon Valley," per The Guardian.

🔎 Zoom in: K Street reinvented itself after Trump won in 2016.

• An excerpt published in Politico tells how Republican operative Jim Courtovich embodied that change when he got to work after Election Day positioning himself as a Trump insider.

The intrigue: "Courtovich, who did not respond to requests to comment for this piece, would face financial disruption, multiple lawsuits and even scrapes with local police," the Mullins write. "Yet still, like the Washington swamp itself, he always managed to survive."

Restaurateur Keith McNally is opening big-name restaurants in D.C. while stoking a feud with the bigger-name Washington Post owner.

The big picture: McNally — who founded NYC import Pastis and owns the forthcoming Minetta Tavern — has a penchant for sounding off on social media, leaving no VIP unscathed (minus Woody Allen). Now D.C.'s dining elite is on notice.

Driving the news: McNally sarcastically apologized for calling Jeff Bezos' fiancée "revolting" in a new Instagram post — one in a series of unfiltered comments from the NYC-based restaurateur.

• Most recently, he posted a photo of the couple from last night's Met Gala, "looking like a million dollars."

Catch up quick: Last month, McNally made a viral and seemingly unprovoked post criticizing Lauren Sánchez's appearance. He also shared photos of her and Bezos, saying they make "an ugly and f---ing smug-looking couple."

• Sánchez channeled kindness, but chaos ensued. Celebs like Chrissy Teigen defended her. The Daily Beast used the moment to announce they're hiring a full-time Sánchez reporter. Pet mice were allegedly let loose at his NYC hotspot Balthazar. McNally edited his post to read: "What a bizarre-looking couple."

Zoom in: In his latest Instagram message, McNally sarcastically apologizes for criticizing Sánchez's "wholesome and natural" looks.

• He also calls Jerry Seinfeld's wife Jessica a "f----r" for her comment, now deleted, on his original IG post that criticized his "twisted, pitiful, and hideous mind."

What we're watching: Who's the next target of McNally's ire.

• Remember when he banned TV personality James Corden from Balthazar and cut off reservations for "fancy f---ker"/ex-Vogue editor Graydon Carter? Politicos and journos, get ready.

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🚨 Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares applauded the arrest over the weekend of 25 pro-Palestinian protesters on the University of Virginia's campus, calling the student reaction that of "coddled children." Meanwhile, students disagree with claims from UVA's president that there was "aggressive conduct," asserting the protest was peaceful. (WTOP)

🌱 DC Veg Restaurant Week is officially underway through May 12, with over 25 restaurants like Almeda, Equinox on 19th, and El Tamarindo serving plant-based specials and discounts throughout the DMV.

🧟 The U.S. Botanic Garden's most potent plant is back: a six-year-old "corpse flower" is blooming (and stinking) for a few days at most. (Washingtonian)

💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Manager, Policy Analysis and Engagement at American Gas Association.
2. Deputy Director of State Policy at MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger.
3. Director, Media and Digital Communications at Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
4. Senior Policy Analyst, J. Ronald Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy at Bipartisan Policy Center.
5. Desktop Support and Training Analyst at Arnold Ventures.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Use code AXIOSJOB to get your first job post free.

After Foxtrot Market abruptly closed, perishable food is still sitting on D.C. store shelves with no explanation as to why or how long the inventory will remain. But at one location, it's going to feed those in need.

Why it matters: Food Rescue US-DC is clearing out Foxtrot's Dupont Circle location with the help of the building's owner, and will deliver an estimated 3,000-4,000 pounds of food to pantries and feeding organizations.

• The nonprofit hopes to follow suit at other locations.

Zoom in: Kate Urbank, who runs the D.C. branch of Food Rescue US, says that contrary to reports, fridges and freezers remained on and most food hadn't spoiled.

• Her volunteer team swooped in and cleared out car-fulls of inventory — 200 pints of ice cream, grab-and-go eats, and yes, "all the candy."

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