All About Dirty Habit DC:

Location:  Although Dirty Habit DC is located at the busy Penn Quarter area, the restaurant is tucked into the back of Hotel Monaco, creating an escape from the busy streets of the area. With its close location to the metro, it makes it the perfect place to have a few drinks without having to worry about driving home!

The Scene: Previously known as Poste, the space of Dirty Habit DC has been beautifully redecorated with dark colors and metallic touches, giving it a sexy and mysterious vibe. Perfect for a date night. The bar area is lined with hundreds of spirits from the usual suspects to the rare picks.  I really liked the outdoor space with fireplaces, an ample bar, and cozy couches. I can see this space jumping in the spring…

The Cocktails: I was nine months pregnant with la piccola when I visited Dirty Habit DC. Sarah Ruiz created mocktail versions of some of her favorite cocktails for me. She began with The Gaucho, a beautifully presented drink with pineapple gomme, grapefruit bitters, yuzu, and yerba mate soda. The mocktail is presented in a gorgeous mate cup from Argentina. I never had a cocktail with yerba mate, but I was pleasantly surprised with the marriage of flavors.  Dining Traveler Tip: most bars do not have a non-alcoholic menu but most (good) bartenders are more than happy to get creative to make you a mocktail.

I also sampled “Lost in Sonora”, the mocktail version of “Prickly Position” on the current cocktail menu. This mocktail is made with nopal, pineapple, citrus and serrano ice cubes. I loved the mix of these ingredients. The cocktail version adds mezcal which the Dutchman loved. We both loved how the serrano ice cubes gave the drink a gradual spicy touch. Unfortunately we didn’t get to eat there as their new menu looks amazing but we did get to try their truffle fries…delicious! We’re hoping to return for dinner soon. The staff was raving about the braised short rib by Chef Kyoo Eom, on our list to try soon!

The Verdict: Love the space at Dirty Habit DC and their inventive cocktail program. Suggest this space for date night, girls night out, or happy hour.

Dirty Habit DC, 555 8th Street NW | Washington, DC, Website 

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My first impression of Costa Rica was how green it is. As I travelled from the capital of San Jose to Puerto Limón on the west coast on the way Cahuita National Park, I observed the different hues of green. They intensified as I travelled through the country; by boat along the jungle on the River La Suerte heading to Tortuguero National Park to observe the nesting of Green Sea Turtles; ziplining through the misty cloud high in the Monteverde Cloud Forest; at the quite town of La Fortuna nearby the Arenal Volcano; deep in the rainforest at a serene Eco lodge reserve and while hiking through Manuel Antonio National Park. It was 2002 and the itinerary was filled with city travel, adventure, ecotourism and local food. Fresh food and local dishes were always on the menu. So when I was invited to attend Thanksgiving: Costa Rican Style by Costa Rica Tourism, I thought: “great, it is food and is Costa Rica…..but Thanksgiving?”.

The cooking class was at the popular cooking school L’Academie de Cuisine in Bethesda.  Our Thanksgiving: Costa Rican style was intimate in size, guests formed groups at prep stations and prepared the ingredients for a three course menu under the instructions of Chef Randy Siles Aleandro.  Chef Aleandro is guiding the efforts to promote healthy and sustainable food by advocating the use of fresh and local produce in Costa Rican cuisine.

“Thanksgiving in Costa Rica” was a fun evening! That is what Costa Rica’s Pura Vida is about: enjoying life.  A great wa to have a “pura vida” moment is through good food. This one-of-the-kind event’s purpose was to shine the spotlight on the sustainable cuisine of beautiful Costa Rica. The Chef shared his culinary expertise with hungry guests on how to prepare a salad with mango, Red Snapper with coconut water sauce. His menu included fresh ingredients and was easy to prepare, although, my salad did not look as good as his, but I loved the taste. His belief is that working with the best quality ingredients delivers a healthy meal and great culinary experience. We concluded our dinner with baked plantains with brown sugar sauce as dessert. I could not stay away from the dessert sauce. It was delicious!

As we sat to eat our deliciously prepared dinner, sharing our stories, I was thankful I had the opportunity to visit Costa Rica. It almost seems as Thanksgiving in Costa Rica can be year round! Follow the Dining Traveler, as Jessica will be visiting Costa Rica early November.  She will share colourful images and travel stories of Pura Vida! Have you been to Costa Rica? What are    your favorite memories?

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