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| Meetings News from Washington, DC | March 2007 |
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New Restaurants Showcase Culinary Capital
The DC dining scene is constantly changing, with much of the development taking place in and around the city's booming downtown district. Meeting delegates will find no shortage of new eateries to sample, while planners will find a slate of new private dining spaces ready to accommodate special functions - many within walking distance of the Washington Convention Center and downtown hotels.
A much anticipated addition to DC's thriving culinary scene, Central Michel Richard opened its doors in January. This venture is the latest from Michel Richard, who earned a spot on Gourmet Magazine's list of "50 Best Restaurants" for Michel Richard Citronelle in 2006. A modern American brasserie, Central Michel Richard presents a menu of entrees including lobster, tuna burgers, salmon filet, and "72 hour" short ribs. The private dining spaces accommodate up to 50 guests. Event planners can hold their functions in a private space with a wine room view or a media dining room with a large LCD HDTV. For reservations, call (202) 626-0015.
The Penn Quarter neighborhood also recently welcomed D'Acqua, (meaning "from the water") a contemporary Italian-inspired seafood restaurant from acclaimed Chefs Francesco Ricchi and Enzo Febbraro (late of Café Milano and Filomena). Featuring a unique market-style menu, diners may personally select from more than a dozen types of fresh seafood delicacies prepared to their liking: oven roasted, grilled or salt crusted. The restaurant also offers a variety of poultry, salads and pastas. The largest private event space seats up to 55, and the 150-seat restaurant is also available for buyouts.
Later this spring, mio restaurant plans to open up in mid-town. The restaurant will serve enticing American cuisine with global influences. Look for colorful salads and fresh creations like Grilled Whole Wild Rockfish with fresh-ground polenta, West Coast Rope Cultured Oysters and Candied Butternut Squash. Guests waiting for a table or passing through for a quick bite can drop by the "pit stop" area; a long table directly in front of the kitchen where diners can watch Chef John Paul Damato and his crew create delicious noshes to nibble on. For seated events, mio's private dining room holds 60 guests; for receptions, the capacity is 80.
With four wildly popular restaurant concepts under his belt - Oyamel, Zaytinya, Café Atlantico and Jaleo's three locations - renowned DC chef José Andrés is ready for more. His first step: relocating his Mexican eatery, Oyamel, from its former home in Crystal City to join his other DC ventures in Penn Quarter at 401 7th St. NW. Oyamel opened to the public in late February. The hip Mexican eatery's private dining room holds 50 for a seated dinner. Coming up next in 2008, Bar José will be a José-styled tapas bar in Penn Quarter, serving an array of exquisite Iberian products.
Wine lovers will rejoice with Proof, coming in April to the corner of 8th and G Streets, NW. Wine director Sebastian Zutant brings with him a state-of-the-art serving system offering measured wine pours, allowing patrons to sample tasting-sized servings of 16 red and 16 white wines. Haidar Karoum of Asia Nora will head up the kitchen.
While the newcomers capture headlines, the city's well-established eateries are also giving diners and event planners reasons to take notice. Washington, DC dining institution The Occidental celebrates its 100th birthday this year with a fresh new look, unveiled to the public in January. While the historic restaurant's kitchen has seen a complete overhaul, the restaurant's photo-lined private dining rooms keep their original charm, serving Chef Rodney Scruggs' classic American menu. Three private dining rooms and an outdoor courtyard accommodate groups ranging in size from 2 to 275.
Photo Credit: Inside The Occidental. Courtesy of The Occidental.
This year, Washington, DC also joined a growing list of major world cities to ban smoking in restaurants and bars. While cigar aficionados will still find some dedicated bars, non-smoking crowds will welcome the clean air inside the District's eateries and nightlife venues.
Looking for a private dining space? The WCTC Convention Services team will help you find a location for your event. Log on to www.washington.org to download a copy of WCTC's Unique Spaces Guide, which gives dimensions and capacity information for many of the city's private dining spaces.
Star Chefs Discover DC Dining Scene
Washington, DC's culinary personality has caught the attention of serious foodies and some of the best-known names in the culinary world. As local chefs and home-grown talent make names for themselves in DC dining rooms, some of the world's leading chefs are also shopping for real estate in Washington, DC.
Bistro Laurent Tourondel opened a Washington, DC location of its popular New York restaurant, BLT Steak, in November 2006. BLT's first foray outside of the New York market, the 145-seat restaurant is located at 1625 Eye St. NW, a block from the White House. The restaurant's private event space accommodates up to 22 people for a sit-down dinner and 30 for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.
Popular New York Italian eatery Il Mulino opened its doors in Washington, DC's rising "midtown," near Thomas Circle (1110 Vermont Ave. NW) on Feb. 26. The restaurant boasts two connected private dining rooms with seating for up to 75; the entire restaurant seats 250 and is available for buyouts.
More big name chefs are also on the way later in the year. The Grill at the Ritz-Carlton will re-open as Harvest, the latest venture from Eric Ripert of New York's celebrated Le Bernardin. Wolfgang Puck has chosen the Newseum to be the home of his entry into the Washington, DC fine dining scene. Puck's fine dining restaurant, The Source, is expected to open in late summer or early fall.
