| Decided to head to DC for a quick respite from the | | | | was a pleasure to talk with and gave me a tour of |
| Baltimore scene and what I discovered was a whole | | | | Zola and it's private meeting rooms and party |
| new world only one hour away.After checking in at | | | | facilities. The food is amazing. I had the Ahi Tuna |
| the gorgeous Washington Terrace Hotel (1515 Rhode | | | | Sandwich, and my guests each enjoyed their lunch , |
| Island Avenue) and heading up to our beautiful suite, | | | | one exclaiming Zola's Homemade Hamburger, "the |
| we decided to check out the hip restaurant in the | | | | best she' s ever had." Try the refreshing fresh |
| hotel, 15 ria.Executive Chef Jamie Leeds has created | | | | squeezed ginger infused lemonade with your meal. |
| a menu guaranteed to please everyone in your party. | | | | Save room for the Chocolate Fondue for dessert, |
| Her menu celebrates the farmer's market, utilizing | | | | served with assorted fruit, homemade marshmallows |
| organic produce whenever possible. There are nightly | | | | and pastry treats for lots of dipping fun. I can't wait |
| specials such as Molasses Braised Short Ribs on | | | | to go back to sample Chef Frank Morales Dinner |
| Tuesday and Kobe Flatiron Steak on Saturday which | | | | menu and some of their amazing wines, it looked to |
| include two side dishes. The menu features a wide | | | | me like one of the best wine programs I have ever |
| selection of seafood, pork, | | | | seen.We walked off some of our lunch by shopping |
| vegetarian and poultry entrees.I ordered the Grilled | | | | in Georgetown. We stopped by some of the |
| Halibut, served with a lemon-chive risotto cake, | | | | fabulous new shops and we also took a stroll to The |
| balsamic glaze and shiitake mushrooms, it was almost | | | | White House and posed for pics like perfect tourists. |
| too beautiful to eat. It was delicious with the balsamic | | | | Dinner was at Zaytinya, Turkish for "olive oil." Our |
| glaze adding just the right flavor to enhance the dish. | | | | server Nuray did an excellent job of suggesting items |
| Don't miss ordering a side of mashed potatoes. They | | | | to try on the menu that features Greek, Turkish and |
| were some of the best have had anywhere. I | | | | Lebanese cuisine in mezze, little dishes. There is a |
| ordered the signature | | | | wide variety including many vegetarian options. I |
| drink, a Blueberry Smash featuring Bacardi Limon, | | | | loved the Chilled Greek Tomato Soup and Loubieh Bel |
| Fresh Mint and Blueberries over ice, luscious! | | | | Zeit, which was slow cooked green beans with |
| My friend enjoyed a perfectly prepared Double Cut | | | | tomatoes, olive oil, |
| Pork Chop with salt roasted apricots and a bourbon | | | | garlic and pearl onions.Chicken with Orzo in Tomato |
| vinaigrette. 15 ria is comfortable and beautiful with | | | | sauce was simple, yet tasty, with nice spice. The hot, |
| amazing food to match. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner | | | | puffed pita bread served to all diners, was extremely |
| served daily with Brunch on Sunday. a night of sweet | | | | enjoyed at our table. The dessert menu featured |
| dreams in our extra-comfortable King bed, we | | | | some unfamiliar items including Olive Oil Ice Cream, |
| headed over to the International Spy Museum (800 F | | | | which I had to try, but was a bit sweet for me. I did |
| Street, NW). This features an unforgettable tour of | | | | love the Organic Summer Berry Soup..it was a |
| the world's largest collection of espionage artifacts. | | | | perfect ending to our meal. |
| There are interactive exhibits about weapons, | | | | The restaurant is very sleek and stylish and I will |
| disguise and surveillance. The history of spying is | | | | definitely return for more delicious mezzes.We just |
| presented throughout the museum in very | | | | had to try one more restaurant that I had heard so |
| interesting, fun and informative ways. Adults, teens | | | | much about. Sea Catch, which is located right on the |
| and children will all find something they like about this | | | | C&O Canal. So the next day we headed over to Sea |
| museum. The Museum Store carries a variety of spy | | | | Catch in Georgetown for a Crab Cake Sandwich that |
| items such as invisible ink, secret pens, recording | | | | I heard was out of this world. The Jumbo Lump Crab |
| devices, disguise kits, books and Cds. Advance | | | | Cake definitely lived up to our expectations, served |
| tickets are available through your museum tour, head | | | | with a side of delicious roasted potatoes, the Crab |
| to the casual Spy Cafe, or the very "hot" restaurant | | | | Cake was full of |
| upstairs, Zola. We headed to Zola and were we glad | | | | crabmeat, not filler, and was very tasty. Don't miss |
| that we did. Zola, voted hottest restaurant bar scene | | | | the Chilled Gazpacho with Lump Crab which was full |
| this year, doesn't disappoint. It is modern and highly | | | | of flavor and a great light start to our meal.Sea |
| sophisticated with a menu and wine list that is very | | | | Catch offers a full Raw Bar featuring clams, oysters, |
| impressive. Zola, subtly carries on the espionage | | | | mussels, shrimp and their shellfish sampler. General |
| theme of the museum. There are even dramatic spy | | | | Manager, Brian Reymann, was a pleasure and went |
| ovals cut through several booths that allow guests to | | | | out of his way to make everyone feel comfortable in |
| peak into adjoining quarters. In addition, you can | | | | his restaurant. Visit |
| "spy" on the chefs in Zola's kitchen through little | | | | for information on upcoming wine and tasting |
| windows as they cook your meal.There are many | | | | soirees.A trip to Georgetown and the surrounding |
| other cool focal points to explore throughout this | | | | areas is definitely a worthwhile getaway, whether it |
| restaurant including a large revolving wood door that | | | | be for a day or overnight, there is so much to |
| leads to the restrooms. I had the opportunity to talk | | | | experience and all so close to home. |
| with Ralph Rosenberg, Director of Operations. He | | | | |