Fine Dining Archives ⋆ The Dining Traveler https://diningtraveler.com/tag/fine-dining Travel Tips, Recipes, and Culinary Travel Website Tue, 04 Apr 2017 03:39:52 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 https://i0.wp.com/diningtraveler.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/cropped-DiningTraveler_IG1-e1581697224126.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Fine Dining Archives ⋆ The Dining Traveler https://diningtraveler.com/tag/fine-dining 32 32 88259031 Dining Out: Breakfast at Hay-Adams’ The Lafayette Restaurant https://diningtraveler.com/2017/04/dining-out-breakfast-at-the-hay-adams-the-lafayette-restaurant.html Tue, 04 Apr 2017 03:39:52 +0000 http://www.diningtraveler.com/?p=4328 If you are looking for a spot to have a power breakfast in Washington, DC , I have just the place for you. I recently went over to The Lafayette, the Hay Adams Hotel signature restaurant for a breakfast meeting with a colleague, and we had an incredibly productive breakfast while stuffing our faces. About our […]

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]]> If you are looking for a spot to have a power breakfast in Washington, DC , I have just the place for you. I recently went over to The Lafayette, the Hay Adams Hotel signature restaurant for a breakfast meeting with a colleague, and we had an incredibly productive breakfast while stuffing our faces. About our experience…

The Lafayette Breakfast Menu
Eggs Benedict at The Lafayette

The Scene

The Lafayette is an elegant refined, and quiet, perfect for a breakfast meeting or breakfast date. (Yes breakfast dates are a thing!) White tablecloths, excellent service, and a display of breakfast pastries make for a great backdrop for conversation. It’s also a wonderful venue for dining if you are visiting DC and want to check out one of the city’s best fine dining options.

The Lafayette Breakfast Menu
Pastries from The Lafayette Breakfast Menu

The Food

There are so many tempting choices on The Lafayette’s breakfast menu, you will have a hard time picking just one item! Definitely start with a pastry: the cranberry bread is rustic and earthy, the almond pastry is sweet and buttery, and the scones are dense and savory. Then, move on to an entree. The eggs benedict are smothered in an oh-so-creamy hollandaise sauce, and the bagel comes with a perfectly boiled egg, tomatoes, capers, and cream cheese. For something truly decadent, get the oatmeal souffle. It has a crisp top and gooey, melted center that is reminiscent of cookie dough. The smooth berry sauce on the side is bright, sweet and tart. Be sure to enjoy the restaurant’s coffee and one of their wonderful fresh squeezed juices: the watermelon juice is especially addictively refreshing.

The Lafayette Breakfast Menu
Oatmeal Soufflé

The Lafayette: Verdict

The Lafayette offers a breakfast that is bound to impressive anyone. Make sure you have a reservation; the restaurant is well-known for its good food and it is often completely booked, even for breakfast.

The Lafayette Breakfast Menu

 

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]]> 4328 Art & Food: Sofitel DC ICI Urban Bistro https://diningtraveler.com/2015/06/sofitel-dc-ici-urban-bistro.html https://diningtraveler.com/2015/06/sofitel-dc-ici-urban-bistro.html#comments Mon, 01 Jun 2015 02:01:17 +0000 http://www.diningtraveler.com/?p=1615 If you are suffering of French nostalgia in DC, the Sofitel DC ICI Urban Bistro is the place for you.  From the outside, the building is small yet unassuming. However, upon entering the hotel, you are transported into a world of classic French sophistication. Sometimes we need a getaway in our own city, a mental […]

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]]> If you are suffering of French nostalgia in DC, the Sofitel DC ICI Urban Bistro is the place for you.  From the outside, the building is small yet unassuming. However, upon entering the hotel, you are transported into a world of classic French sophistication. Sometimes we need a getaway in our own city, a mental checkout that can transport us from “la vie quotidienne” (everyday life) to something special.  That is what Ana (Dining Traveler Contributor) and I experienced this past month with the art and cuisine of ICI Urban Bistro.

Sofitel DC Ici Bistro
Art at ICI Bistro

The Art:  The Sofitel DC has been partnering up with artists for years in order to keep the décor current and keep guests inspired during their stay.  Ana, an art lover was happy to attend the opening of the art exhibit of Hervé Maury, a French artist whose collection invokes the south of France on April 14th.  The exhibit is not conventional as it is placed along the walls of ICI Urban Bistro and Le Bar.  As you dine, you can take in the playful and colorful works of the artist.  The art is not only an exhibition but available for purchase as well.  Additionally, Sofitel DC is hosting Art Soiree every Friday on the terrace throughout the early summer.  Mingle with locals, indulge in special cocktails, and take in the art.  Note: The of Hervé Maury`s exhibition ends on June 14th.

Sofitel DC ICI Urban Bistro
Seared Tuna at Sofitel DC ICI Urban Bistro

The Food:  Chef Franck Loquet brings the colors and the feel of Hervé Maury’s  art alive in his menu.  Despite the bustling sounds of Washington, DC, it is easy to sit at the patio of for lunch and be taken to the south of France via the palate.  The lemon ricotta mousse marries the tartness of the lemon with the ricotta beautifully. The seared tuna with a fennel puree, inspired by the painting “Cohue”.  The puree is simple yet flavorful, harmonizing well with the tuna.  What is a little escape without indulgence?  For dessert, I shared the jumbo macaroon filled with fresh raspberries with my lunch dates.  Biting into the crisp exterior of the macaroon and finding the sweetness of the lychee with the fresh raspberries made me briefly believe I was on holiday.  It is nice to know Sofitel DC ICI Urban Bistro also offers a 30 minute business lunch.  Perfect for a culinary holiday in the middle of the day.

Sofitel DC ICI Urban Bistro
Jumbo Macaroon at Sofitel DC ICI Urban Bistro

Le Bar:  The Sofitel DC ICI Urban Bistro “Le Bar” brings a mélange of people together at happy hour: tourists unwinding after a day of intense sightseeing, well-suited lobbyists and government employees, and ladies like myself and Lacey from A Lacey Perspective talking blog business.  The bar offers an extensive French dominated wine list but also has an inventive cocktail menu.  The star is the So Bee Mine cocktail made with vodka, Yuzu, Saint Germain, and honey produced at the rooftop of the property.  There is a beekeeper who comes from Maryland to take care of the free roaming bees, who are known to travel as far as the Tidal Basin.

Cocktail Sofitel DC ICI Urban Bistro
So Bee Mine Cocktail

The Verdict:  Need a short escape?  You can experience art, sophisticated simplicity, and an inspiring menu at the Sofitel DC.  Sometimes it’s something as simple as biting into a delicious macaroon that can momentarily transport you to a happy, decadent place.
Ici Urban Bistro on Urbanspoon

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]]> https://diningtraveler.com/2015/06/sofitel-dc-ici-urban-bistro.html/feed 1 1615 Blue Duck Tavern: Restaurant of the Month https://diningtraveler.com/2014/11/BlueDuckTavern.html Fri, 21 Nov 2014 04:46:00 +0000 http://www.diningtraveler.com/2014/11/blue-duck-tavern-restaurant-of-the-month.html I recently visited the Washington DC Park Hyatt to curate a list of hotels for the holidays.  Mark, the general manager saved the best for last: The Blue Duck Tavern Restaurant.  As I entered the restaurant from the lobby I was welcomed by the staff creating apple pies made from scratch and gorgeous fig crumble. […]

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I recently visited the Washington DC Park Hyatt to curate a list of hotels for the holidays.  Mark, the general manager saved the best for last: The Blue Duck Tavern Restaurant.  As I entered the restaurant from the lobby I was welcomed by the staff creating apple pies made from scratch and gorgeous fig crumble. Before I could indulge, I had to run back to the office. 

That Apple Pie

Thankfully, a week after I had the opportunity to dine at The Blue Duck Tavern and indulge in the fall menu by its chef, Ryan LaRoche. What makes the menu interesting is the refinement of the classics, think brioche-foie grass stuffing, sweetbreads topped with kimchi and a fig fall crumble. 

 The Blue Duck Tavern in photos:

Oven Roasted Bone Marrow

I do not have bone marrow often. I think the last time I had it was in Brugge ages ago.  The scent of the bacon with the pistachios topping the bone marrow made me indulge in it right away. It was a favorite among the guests.  

The Roasted Pork Rack

Maybe because I’m Puerto Rican but I love pork, it’s my favorite meat. The roasted pork rack was cooked to perfection and the braised collard greens were the perfect companion.  

Roasted Squab

The roasted squab was my favorite meal of the evening. I was under the impression that it would taste gamy but it was tender and succulent. The flavor has a close resemblance to duck. The fig preserves on top gave it a special touch and the foie-gras stuffing beneath was a delicious surprise.

Chef LaRoche

The verdict: Why have I lived in DC for two years and just made it to this place? It’s now one of the places I recommend to my colleagues who want to treat their significant other to a special dinner as the price points are high.  
Blue Duck Tavern on Urbanspoon

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