Stylin’ DC

I recently had the very happy experience of spending a few days in a ‘home away from home’ suite at Hotel Palomar in Dupont Circle. Only it was just a little bit better than home…

In addition to a beautiful view of our Nation’s Capital, the room also came with a welcome bowl of m-n-m’s and my very own elliptical machine to work them off. Oh… and did I mention the Jacuzzi bath big enough to accommodate a few friends?

Also, the wake up call at Hotel Palomar isn’t a recording. A real, live person with a sweet, nurturing voice lulls you out of slumber and into the day. I wished I could have recorded that to take home with me!

Downstairs, my pal Jackie and I enjoyed cocktails with bread and artisnal olive oil as an aperitif before a delicious dinner at Urbana, the hotel’s restaurant and wine bar.

This sparkling cocktail is called Ambrosia. It features hibiscus syrup and a cool edible flower garnish. Kevin the hotel bar’s Mixologist, also makes a refreshing Basil Collins, which has just the right amount of sweet and tart. I know Jackie (a blushing bride-to-be) agrees that next to diamonds, a great cocktail is a girl’s best friend!

The next night I ordered dinner in my cozy room and ate an exceptional Parma pizza piled high with prosciutto, arugula and shaved parmesano cheese in my furry bed. The pizzaiolo, downstairs, hand makes every pizza from scratch and cooks it in a firery oven. The result is a crust as crisp and light as in Italy topped with fresh herbs and quality cheeses and meats.

My last night at the Palomar, I opted to manga in the hotel bar. I treated myself to a full bottle of a fabulous Rompicollo sangiovese-cabernet. (No, despite my best efforts, I didn’t finish it on my own…). I had this along with three small plates – the pumpkin ravioli, a wonderful lamb ragu and the chef kindly sent out an order of succulent scallops, which were so freakin’ plump and juicy, they just melted on the tongue.

All I can say is that I cannot wait to go back to DC for Jackie and Tony’s wedding, next month, and stop in at the Palomar for a drink and a nibble…

Holy Guacamole - There's A Grasshopper in My Taco!

Ok, I lied. There were like a hundred tiny grasshoppers in my taco in Washington DC. Come to find out, the grasshopper and guacamole tacos are Oyamel's third best-seller, behind chicken and beef. (Who knew that the District's gourmets were so adventurous?)

The new downtown eatery is the latest from Spanish "restaur-entrepreneur" Jose Andres, whose downtown empire includes Jaleo, Cafe Atlantico (w/ mini-bar), Zaytinya - not to mention Jaleo and Oyamel in Crystal City. In the space formerly known as Andale, Oyamel continues serving up Cocina Mexicana, and added a slick ceviche bar designed by Adamstein and Demetriou (who finessed other Andres properties).

To accompany the 'fare with latin flare,' Oyamel serves a range of cocktails which follow the "only fresh fruits" trend including a fab bourbon and passionfruit cocktail, as demonstrated by Manager Steve Fowler, in this photo. It is a great way for non-brown spirits drinkers to sample something on the "dark" side topped with an oh-so-palatable passionfruit foam.

Insider Tip: The menu will soon feature an horchata and rum cocktail. I got a sneak peek the other night when visiting Oyamel with friends, Jackie Shulman and Tony Dobranski. You can catch it on the fall menu (or say The Liquid Muse sent you to get a preview... shhh...)

Looking over the impressive collection of tequilas behind the bar, it seems appropriate to use the term "tequileria" when referring to this downtown watering hole. I was even introduced to a brand with which I am not yet acquainted. Azul Siembra is suave, indeed, and makes for a kick-culo margarita with salt and lime foam.

So, the next time you're inside the Beltway and looking for a place to dine and drink (maybe on the way to or from the theatre... Shakespeare is across the street and Woolly Mammoth is around the corner), pop your head into Oyamel. You'll love it. Bugs and all.