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“Travel with a conscience?” The mission of Georgetown-based travel planners Manaca is “To protect and conserve the planet by offering |
| conscientious, comfortable and customizable eco-journeys.” Amongtheir many partners is the Washington Opera. Thissummer they crafted customized donor trips for patrons toAustralia and Austria. Other exciting locations that Manacawill take you to are Costa Rica, Italy, Botswana, SouthAfrica, Kenya, Nepal, Alaska, and Peru, to name afew. The ecolodges/accommodations in their networkare vetted and range in location from rainforests tooceans, in accommodation from rustic to luxurious, insize from 1 acre to thousands, and from an intimate20 person capacity to room for dozens. But one thingthat does not vary is their unyielding commitment tothe environment. These lodge owners specialize insustainable, responsible tourism.Just as you can restassured that the lodge you choose will responsiblyhandle its wastewater, you can also be assured theywill provide you with the experience of a lifetime. So,whether you choose the rainforest, the beach, the desert,or anything in between, you will go home with agreater knowledge and appreciation for the area. Visitmanaca.com for more information.
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Washington, D.C. is home to a profusion of sophisticated,world class restaurants, including four ofthe five nominees for the prestigious James BeardFoundation’s Best Chef MidAtlantic region for2003 Award. Among the nominees: Todd Gray,Equinox; Peter Pastan, Obelisk; Ann Cashion,Cashion’s Eat Place; and Jose Andres, Jaleo(Andres is also responsible for the culinary directionand menus of Café Atlantico and Zaytinya.Zaytinya has garnered the Foundation’s 2003 nominationfor “Best New Restaurant in the USA”as well.) Other local nominees include Kinkead’sSommelier, Michael Flynn for OutstandingWine Service; Maestro at The Ritz-CarltonTysons Corner Chef Fabio Trabocchi for RisingStar Chef of the Year; and Ann Amernick ofPalena for Outstanding Pastry Chef. The winnerswill be announced at the Foundation’s AwardsDinner on May 5 at the New York Marriott Marquis.
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The latest addition to the Ritz-Carltonfamily of hotels is the Ritz-Carlton,Georgetown at 3100 South Street,N.W. The April 8 ribbon-cuttingceremony was co-hosted by BillMarriott, Chairman and CEOof Marriott International, SimonCooper, President and COO, TheRitz-Carlton Hotel Company andChristopher Jeffries, Principaland Founding Partner of MillenniumPartners. Built in the historicGeorgetown incinerator, the elegant,eighty-six-room boutique hotelcouples contemporary detail withhistoric architecture.
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Simon Cooper, J.W. Marriott, Jr., Jennifer Brown, D.C.Mayor Anthony Williams, Christopher Jeffries, andD.C. Councilmember Harold Brazil.
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Do you love your legumes? The season’s localasparagus will be featured at 1789 Restaurant inGeorgetown during the merry month of May. Chef RisLacoste’s new five-course tasting menu will consist offour courses that include the tasty vegetable: CreamySalmon and Asparagus Soup with Mustard Crackers;New Bedford Sea Scallops on Asparagus Risotto withParma Prosciutto and Truffle Oil; Chilled Asparagus“Polonaise” with Melted Leeks and Garden Radishes;or Lemon Crusted Summerfield Farm Veal Tenderloin onFava Bean Puree with Garlic Roasted Asparagus andAnna Potato.
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In a city known for its landmarks, you can add a newone to your list, the Landmark Restaurant inthe Melrose Hotel at 2430 Pennsylvania Avenue,N.W. With dishes like Texas chef Doug Brown’sTrout Meuniere and Foie Gras over Duck Confit, wepredict the fanfare will be getting loud soon. Thethirty-year-old chef is known for his Iron Chef winningtalents, he’s a Culinary Institute of America gradu-atewho has cooked many times at the James BeardHouse in New York and frequently appears on theFood Network. Enjoy the outdoor patio for both TheLandmark Restaurant and The Library Bar, which featuresmartini specials, cheese and crackers, and pianoentertainment daily from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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The Library Bar
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A new gallery and studio celebrating the art of theobject and focusing on fine art furniture, Strandon Volta, will open on May 14 with an exhibitionof new sculpture by Margaret Boozer, CaroleGreenwood, and Erin Root, titled “Ground work.”Strand on Volta will be located at 1531 33rd Streetin Georgetown. Visit strandonvolta.com for moreinformation.
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As of May 1, you can visit Mint Julep’s in its newand much larger location at 2828 PennsylvaniaAvenue on the corner of 29th and M Streets, in historicGeorgetown. Anyone who’s visited Mint Julep’s formerlocation will understand owner Katie Poitevint’sneed for more space. Every inch of the old store wascrammed with Shabby Chic linens, antiques, babyaccessories, glassware, and a slew of handmadepurses, sandals and jewelry by local designers. VisitMint Julep’s in their new spot in the Four SeasonsHotel block.
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And, speaking of the Four Seasons,they have significantly enlarged andrenovated the banquet level of the hotel(at an estimated cost of $2 million), introducingtwo new state-of-the-art rooms. TheDumbarton room features a limestone floorwith black granite accents, Italian crystalchandeliers, custom designed furniture andrich damask fabrics, along with a glass-enclosed“Conservatory.” It also features a wall of glass, pyramidal skylights andbeautiful views of a garden setting. The room will haveits own private reception area. Perfect for an intimatewedding or party. From the Douglass Room, glassdoors open up onto a residential style terrace and theC&O Canal, providing natural lighting. Hi-tech featuresof the rooms include a hidden plasma screen TVand state-of–the-art audio/visual systems. A privatecontrol panel allows the guest to adjust lighting and audio/video settings.
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Please e-mail tips or information to:info@washingtonlife.com
or fax to:F.Y.I. D.C. 202-745-9268. |
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