FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2008

WHAT'S NEW ON THE DC RESTAURANT SCENE

Here's what's new and what's coming soon for foodies with an eye on the DC dining scene.

Baseball fans and foodies can look forward to lots of home plates at the new Nationals Park. The ballpark goes beyond traditional gametime fare to serve up local specialties from Ben's Chili Bowl, Gifford's Ice Cream, Red, Hot & Blue Barbeque, Five Guys and other DC favorites.

The Sofitel Lafayette Square is now home to ICI Urban Bistro (806 15th Street, NW; 202-730-8700), a new dining option in the shadow of the White House. The restaurant offers a fresh and contemporary twist on French comfort food using local ingredients in a nod to sustainability. ICI is not the only bistro to enter the DC dining scene. The U Street corridor recently welcomed Ulah Bistro (1214 U Street, NW; 202-234-0123) to the neighborhood. Serving brunch, lunch and dinner, the modern American restaurant offers brick-oven pizzas and interesting entrees like Dijon Salmon and American Paté (grilled meatloaf).

Georgetown Cupcake (1209 Potomac Street, NW; 202-333-8448) is the sweet brainchild of Canadian-born sisters Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Kallinis. The sisters traded in fashion careers to open their quaint, charming and always buzzing Georgetown shop, where they sell more than 20 rotating flavors of cupcakes (12 per day) with names including lava fudge and honey yogurt. Already a huge hit, the cupcakes sell for $2.75 each.

In another sweet new addition to the DC dining landscape, Co Co. Sala, (929 F Street, NW) a chocolate lounge and boutique, will tempt locals and visitors with decadent treats, served in downtown's lively Penn Quarter neighborhood. Opening later this month, the self-proclaimed, "premier, high-style coffee, chocolate and cocktail lounge," plans to eventually serve breakfast, late night cocktails and everything in between.

Also coming to Penn Quarter this spring, the owners of the chic and sophisticated Oya Restaurant & Lounge have created a new dining concept. Ray (901 I Street, NW) will feature local and regional seafood specialties, and also a selection of raw dishes. The décor will center around an enormous 100-foot-long fish tank filled with stingrays, as well as a patio and lounge.

While new openings are on the horizon, foodies can also expect a few changes from some local favorites: The owners of the popular Matchbox Vintage Pizza Bistro in Penn Quarter are opening a second DC restaurant. The venue will be located in a former vending warehouse on Capitol Hill, and is expected to open in mid-late 2008. Corduroy is moving from its former home in the Four Points Sheraton to a townhouse just north of Mt. Vernon Square, near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

DC Restaurants Hit the Campaign Trail with Political Cocktails & Partisan Fare

While the presidential election is still a few months away, DC's restaurant and bars are giving their patrons a chance to stump for their favorite candidates by picking cocktails and dishes to match their political preferences.

At the JW Marriott's 1331 Lounge, join a politically-minded crowd for Bi-Partisan Tuesdays. Through November 4, the lounge will serve up budget-friendly menu items like Left Wings flavored with spicy Asian sauce and Right Wings flavored with honey barbeque sauce and Undecide'r Sliders, made with your choice of Black Angus beef, chicken, salmon or pulled pork, plus three election libations. Republicans can sip the Grand Old Potable, a red state concoction made with Absolut Citron, Pama Pomegranate liqueur and sour mix, while Democrats can vote by ordering the Left of the Isle, with Absolut Citron, Blue Curacao and sour mix. Can't decide? Try the On the Fence, a blend of Navan vanilla-infused cognac, cream, Crème de Cacao and Amaretto.

Campaign cocktails are now on the ballot at the Topaz Bar, whose Topaz Votes '08 Campaign Cocktail Menu makes its own election predictions. For true-blue Democrats, there's the Double-Down Donkey, made with citrus vodka, Blue Curacao, a splash of sour and topped with champagne. Die-hard Republicans can opt for the All-In Elephant, a mix of Malibu Rum, Bacardi Orange, amaretto, grenadine, lime juice and a splash of cranberry and orange juice. If you can't make up your mind, try the Independent Player, which blends Stoli and aloe vera juice. Or, keep your options open with The Undecided, a mini-flight of all three campaign cocktails.

The power scenes at Sam & Harry's and The Caucus Room add a little friendly competition with a new menu of political martinis, or "poli-tinis." As diners vote by ordering the red GOP martini or the blue Democrat martini, they can watch their party's tally grow. Each cocktail comes with a collectible martini glass featuring etched party animals on each side.

Stay tuned for more election-themed restaurant fare at Washington.org.

DC Chefs Celebrate Cherry Blossom Season with Cherry Picks

DC's restaurants are celebrating the National Cherry Blossom Festival by serving up "Cherry Picks," special cherry-inspired recipes, throughout the festival taking place March 29-April 13. Diners can enjoy a variety of entrées, desserts and cocktails with a cherry twist at these participating restaurants. View recipes and photos of the featured items at Washington.org/cherryblossom.

Try a tempting cherry-infused cocktail to compliment your blossom-inspired dish:

# # #