F.Y.I.D.C.
MODERNISM DESIGNING A NEW WORLD 1914 - 1939 The Corcoran Gallery of Art; 500 Seventeenth Street; March 17-July 29, 2007. For more information visit www.corcoran.org
IT'S BECK-ONING Robert Wiedmaier of the venerable Marcel's in downtown Washington will open a second, more moderately priced Belgian restaurant called Brasserie Beck in April. The award-winning chef's new casual venture - named for his second son - will be open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch and will feature a number of Belgian beers on tap. For more information, write to tom@marcelsdc.com
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| Naum Slutzky, Teapot, 1928, Brass with a matte chromium surface and ebony knob |
Fernand Leger, The Mechanic, 1920, Oil on Canvas |
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| SEE THE BLOOMS FROM BED Guests can watch the cherry trees blossom from their rooms at the Mandarin Oriental, the only hotel in D.C. to overlook the Tidal Basin. Try their Cherry Blossoms Bloom package, featuring overnight accommodations, a trio of cherry treats from the hotel's pastry chef and breakfast for two at Café MoZu; $379 per night for a deluxe room with a water view or $979 for a one-bedroom suite; available March 23-April 29; for more information visit www.mandarinoriental.com |
IN SEASON Looking to indulge yourself this spring? The Spa at the Four Seasons (2800 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) can provide the proverbial "cherry on top" of a day of pampering with their Cherry Blossom Champagne Body Treatment. Need we say more? $220 for an 80 minute treatment; for more information visit www.fourseasons. com/washington/spa |
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| THE 2007 NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL; March 31 - April 15. Even though unseasonably warm weather caused some cherry blossoms to make early appearances, the upstart blooms were not those of the Yoshino cherry trees that surround the Tidal Basin and are the focus of the festival (which celebrates the 95th anniversary of the gift of 3,000 trees from the city of Tokyo to D.C.). The festival includes events such as the Grand Sushi & Sake Tasting, lantern lighting ceremony and the cherry blossom parade. For more information and a calendar of events visit www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org |
BODY BY PIZZA For everyone still sticking with their New Year's resolutions (and those that are wavering), zpizza, a healthier alternative to traditional delivery pies, is here to help. With whole wheat crusts, organic tomato sauce, low-fat and soy cheeses and fresh veggie toppings, health conscious eating doesn't have to taste so … health conscious. Order from any of their 11 Virginia and Maryland locations; for more information visit www.zpizza.com |
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| WASHINGTON D.C. INTERNATIONAL WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center; March 9-11. For more information visit www.wine-expos.com/dc |
MAKE A SPLASH As spring approaches, you'll need a scent to match the season. Marc Jacobs' new Splash '07 collection - available in Cucumber, Orange and Rain - is light enough to splash all over; $65 for a 300 ml bottle; available at Saks Fifth Avenue. |
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| BE A PRINCESS Once Upon a Prom, a local non-profit organization dedicated to providing prom dresses to young women in need, recently released its "Every Girl is A Princess" bangle. All proceeds will benefit Once Upon a Prom; available for $45 at Ann Hand, 2900 M St. N.W., or through www.onceuponaprom.org |
CENTRAL
1001 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., (202) 626-0015
For gourmets, the anticipation of dining at Citronelle is akin to a child's excitement on Christmas morning. Now Citronelle's Santa, a.k.a. Michel Richard (who actually does resemble Saint Nick a bit) has something new for area diners. At Central, Richard (a professed lover of Kentucky Fried Chicken and Kit Kat's) has created a more casual dining experience that is a cross between an American and French bistro. The dishes are reasonable ($15 - $25 for main courses) and while not as complex or intricate as Citronelle, are just as appetizing. The French plates (the onion soup) tend to outshine the American choices.
PALENA CAFÉ
3529 Connecticut Ave. N.W., (202) 537-9250
It's easy to walk right past the bar area of Palena, the Cleveland Park restaurant with a national reputation for outstanding Italian food, but doing so would be a mistake. The front section is not just a quiet place to share a bellini; it also offers an alternative to Palena's multi-course set menu. Try eclectic dishes such as a plate of fried lemons, potatoes dauphinoise and onion rings - the seemingly odd combination is a creative mix of sweet, sour and salty. The only drawback to this posh café is the no reservation policy, but show up around 6 p.m. and you'll have little to no wait. The food will make you a happy customer, but the prices (most dishes are just $10) will leave you ecstatic. |
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