I recently attended a wine dinner at Hank’s Pasta Bar and had a wonderful evening that I wanted to share – and recommend! Hank’s Pasta Bar is sister restaurant to Hank’s Oyster Bar and Hank’s Cocktail Bar, with its theme being of course, Italian food. The venue is located in downtown Alexandria, and occupies a cozy spot where guests can and should linger over bowls of pasta and bottles of wine. The venue often hosts wine dinners, one of which I was lucky enough to join. The wine dinners include a coursed meal with wine pairings. The winery featured that evening was sparkling wine from Napa Valley’s Domaine Chandon.

The Meal

Our meal kicked off with a board of cheese and crostini, as any good wine dinner should! We indulged with hunks of la tur, a soft-ripened cheese, triangles of pecorino, mounds of caciocavallo cheese-all rich and luscious. It was the perfect match to a crisp, sparkling wine. From there, we moved on to our first pasta course, which was a decadent cheese and mushroom ravioli served in a rich cream sauce. The dish was earthy, hearty and satisfying. Next, we indulged in a lighter pasta, spaghetti swirled in a light Pomodoro sauce. Fragrant basil and a sprinkle of parmesan made the dish summery and complete. For dessert, cool vanilla gelato sealed the deal.

Hank’s Pasta Bar: The Verdict

If you’re looking for an Italian restaurant in Alexandria, Hank’s Pasta Bar is the place for you. Visit Hank’s for lunch, brunch or dinner to try the pastas on their regular menu which include classics such as pasta primavera, a seasonal ravioli, and cacio e pepe. Make sure to keep your eyes out for their next wine dinner, which will be advertised on their website. The $45 price tag for the dinner I attended was extremely reasonable considering the quality and quantity of food and wine. Cheers!

Hank’s Pasta Bar, 600 Montgomery St, Alexandria, Website

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All about our staycation at Hyatt Tysons Corner: 

Location:  Location, Location, Location! The Hyatt Tysons Corner scores high on the location meter. It’s located right next to the Tysons Corner Mall.  There’s literally a door that takes you right into the mall.  I haven’t been to Tysons Corner mall in a while and love what they’ve done in terms of entertainment and shopping options.  Whether you’re a couple on a weekend escape or a family, there’s plenty that the mall has to offer: shopping, wide dining range, and a full-service movie theater.  In terms of geographic location, it’s equidistant from Dulles Airport and Downtown Washington, DC.  The new Silver Line on the metro takes you straight to Washington, DC without the hassle of parking or traffic.

Rooms: We were fortunate to be upgraded to the Presidential Suite which was fabulous.  The Hyatt Tysons Corner is a new property and it reflects on the modern decor of the suite:  a beautiful neutral color palette with pops of color in the right places, fashion coffee books lining the office, and beautiful view extending to the forests of Northern Virginia.  I don’t get lucky with the upgrades all the time so I made sure to check out the standard rooms: they are spacious, with beautiful modern decor, and tons of natural light.

The Food:  We dined at Barrel & Bushel, the hotel’s restaurant on a Saturday night. Dining Traveler Tip: make sure to make a reservation ahead of time as it was quite busy when we arrived.  The restaurant was bustling with a mix of hotel guests and locals, a very lively scene. The menu is classic American dishes, mostly in small plates for guests to share. We indulged in delicious fried chicken sliders, 72-hour braised pork belly, and crab avocado toasts.  Everything was delicious but very rich! Make sure to book on your cheat day! Thankfully we took advantage of the gym at Hyatt Tysons Corner the following day!

Amenities: The hotel has an ample sized gym with a good selection of cardio, machines, and free weights. The airy and bright fitness center is also equipped with water, headphones, and towels.  After our workout, we took a look at the indoor pool which is decent sized, with great natural light, and lifeguard on duty.  Another perk of the hotel is free parking. Living in the DC area this is very hard to come by. If your trip to the DC area involves driving, I suggest staying outside of the city as parking rates in the city are ridiculous ($40-50 a night in major hotels).

The Verdict: If you’re looking for a property with close access to both Washington, DC and Northern, VA the Hyatt Tysons Corner is the place for you. The hotel strikes the perfect balance for business and family, it has a great dining options nearby to cater to every taste, and it’s just steps away from great shopping! Looking for a staycation?  The hotel currently has a 10% off sale for their Hyatt Passport Members (membership is free).

Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner Center, 7901 Tysons One Place, Tysons Corner, Virginia, USA, 22102; https://tysonscornercenter.regency.hyatt.com

Disclaimer:  The Hyatt Tysons Corner graciously hosted my stay. As always, opinions are my own…

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The Scene:  Magnolia’s on King is an intimate space among the many colorful row houses which line the iconic King Street. The space is narrow yet cozy, with a small dining room downstairs, the Palm Lounge upstairs, and a small outdoor patio area.  The décor is of dark woods contrasting with yellows and reds on the walls and furniture.  The Palm Lounge has a bar where beautiful craft cocktails designed by beverage director Nick Santiago are served. Start the evening with the citrusy Tradewinds or try Nick’s version of the Old Fashioned.  You’re not drinking? That’s ok…  He has you covered with mocktail versions of many of the drinks offered on their cocktail menu.

Local Love:  The crowd is mostly made of Old Town Alexandria locals who love its familiar feel and fine dining take on the American classics.  Many of my friends who live in the area love going to the Palm Lounge for happy hour to get their evening started or for date night.

The Menu:  Arrive hungry as you want to make space for the appetizers, which I have to say is my favorite part of the menu.  I love the crab dip which is served with toast, with plenty of crab and melted cheese and a hint of spice.  Another favorite appetizer for me is the bacon wrapped dates.  Just love the crispy savory bacon coming together with the sweet dates. You may not want to share!  If you are in a sharing mood though, I suggest the cheese and charcuterie plate with local cheese and meat selections.

As for the main dishes… I am going to make a public plea, right here on this public domain for Magnolia’s on King to bring their savory bread pudding back.  Everybody who remotely knows me knows I am a huge fan of Thanksgiving and that side dish tasted like stuffing, but better!  However, there are some delicious alternatives on the menu right now:  a succulent pork chop served with grilled peaches and a blackened rockfish on the lighter side.

For the Sweet Tooth:  Make room for dessert! Don’t worry, just go for a walk along King Street or on the Mount Vernon trail afterwards.  There are two I highly recommend:  one is the coconut cake and the other is the citrus bread pudding.  The coconut cake is light and fluffy but it packs a lot of flavor.  The citrus bread pudding is very rich, with subtle hints of lemon and orange.  I find desserts with citrus to be tricky sometimes as the citrus can be overpowering, but this one strikes the balance just right.

The Service:  What I enjoy with an experience such as photographing a restaurant is that you really get to experience the dynamic behind the scenes and relationships between the wait staff, management, and chef.  In order to get good service those relationships have to be solid.  I was able to witness that camaraderie during my photo shoots and saw it translated into great service when I dined at Magnolia’s on King.

The Verdict:  When in Old Town Alexandria, add Magnolia’s on King to your list.  The space perfectly lends itself for a date night or if catching up with friends.  The dining space at the Palm Lounge serves as an event space as well, ideal for a rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, or graduation dinner.

Magnolia’s on King, 703 King Street, Washington, DC, http://www.magnoliasonking.com/

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One of the things I love about wine is that it tells a story.  Whether it is Riesling at the Finger Lakes of urban vineyards in Vienna, there is always a tale to be told.  One of the things I prefer about visiting smaller producers is that the tale is personal.  You can taste and smell the passion and love that goes behind winemaking.  This is no different at the Loudoun County wineries. Here are five wineries to visit in Virginia Wine Country:

Creek’s Edge: Sitting along the Catoctin Creek, there’s Creek’s Edge Winery.  The tasting room is dark and cozy with beautiful wooden details, to include a gorgeous spiral staircase which leads to their cellar.  Their tasting room also lends itself to weddings and its outdoor space hosts a series of concerts during the summer.  Dining Travel Wine Pick: the 2012 Cabernet Franc, it’s spicy scent and peppery taste makes you want to bring a case home!

Doukenie:  One of the most memorable stories I heard during my time at the Loudoun County wineries is the Doukenie wine story. The Bazaco family, who still lives at the Doukenie farm grounds,  brought their passion for wine and agriculture from Greece to the United States almost a century ago.  That passion can be tasted in their wines, which are light on the palate and perfect to have on a hot summer day at their beautiful patio. If you have the chance, have a tasting with Maria. She’s a former chef who will not only walk you through the tastings but will give you some great food pairing tips.   Dining Traveler Tip: Conclude your tasting with Hope’s Baklava which is homemade by the Hope Bazaco, the family matriarch. 

Stone Tower Winery:  This gorgeous winery quickly grabs your attention due to its impressive attention to detail.  A family operated winery, we were welcomed by Lacey, the owner’s daughter who manages this beautiful property.  They have two tasting rooms.  The first tasting room is rustic, where families and dogs are welcome.  Their second tasting room and cellar are a different story.  The decor is elegant yet modern with a beautiful neutral palette.  Children are not allowed and the atmosphere is laid back luxury.  The cellar leads to a beautiful event space which makes me hope that one of my friends chooses to get married there with its impressive views of the vineyards. Dining Traveler Wine Pick:  the viognier.  The grape thrives in Virginia and it has a light, fruity taste that goes well with the hot Virginia summers. 

Greenhill Winery:  Who knew Virginia could produce such a beautiful blanc de blancs?  It is done at Greenhill Winery.  Sommelier Anthony Downing walked us through the detailed tasting. Not to miss:  The winery provides a two hour guided tour of the vineyards followed by a tasting all year round.  The tasting room may be smaller than Stone Tower or Creek’s edge but it does provide an intimate experience with great wine. This winery also loves all things local, it has a special area with locally made products.  You can grab cheese, meats, and honey made from local producers. Dining Traveler Wine Pick: the blanc de blancs, it’s simply beautiful. 

50West:  The location, as the name implies, is conveniently located off of route 50 in Middleburg, VA.   It is one of the newest additions to the Loudoun County wineries.  It is still a work in progress as they are still completing their licensing process to label their own wine.  They are currently serving wine from their sister vineyard, Sunset Hills.  Sitting atop a hill, we caught beautiful fall foliage from their spacious patio.  They plan to complete their event space in the winter of 2015. Dining Traveler Wine Pick: The 2014 rose of cabernet franc. It has the perfect balance of a citrus flavors with a light finish. 

The Verdict:  After two trips to the Loudoun County wineries, I am sold.  I have been to the wine region extremes: ones where you feel you need to be a sommelier to have a bonafide experience to others who produce “wine slushies” (the horror).  This area strikes the perfect balance.  Although Loudoun County is a young wine region, I admire that winemakers are experimenting with grapes and soil without disrespecting deep rooted wine traditions.

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All about our Natural Retreats getaway

Getting there:  We left Washington, DC on a Friday at 6pm.  We were a little nervous about hitting traffic, but thankfully, it was a painless and scenic route as we entered the Shenandoah Mountains.  It took us exactly four hours to arrive with very little traffic.  Thankfully my navigator, Carlis, and I were belting out old Luis Miguel sappy Spanish love songs and having fun.

The house:  We arrived late and tired but were quickly taken by the beautiful Natural Retreats house!  We decided to cook the night of arrival and took advantage of the large outdoor grill and the spacious kitchen which was a cook’s dream.  I had Korean beef ribs marinating in a cooler in the car, which was great as we just had to throw them on the grill.  We also grilled corn, made a salad loaded with veggies, and couscous as a side dish.  Dining Traveler Tip: opt for simple recipes when staying at a rental home.   

The house had three rooms which was perfect for our group of 5.  I loved that each room had its own bathroom, which is great for a large family or a group of friends.  My biggest takeaway from our Natural Retreats experience was that no detail was spared.  We were welcomed with local eggs and milk, the pantry was loaded with condiments, and a beautiful welcome basket.  Other great details include high speed wi-fi, great toiletries, and plenty of information on what to see and do in the area. Tip: The wine selection in the area is quite limited, if you have certain favorites, pick them up on your way to Hot Springs. 

What to do:  Although there is a beautiful golf course, hot springs, and a pool nearby, we were all pretty tried and decided to hang out at the house.  The one thing we did enjoy was going to the local farmer’s market.  The stands were lined with beautiful flowers, handmade soaps, fruits, and vegetables.   There was a local man playing the banjo in the background as locals mingled and chatted with one another.

Where to Eat:  We made all of our meals at home but decided to splurge on a dinner at Les Cochons d’Or, a quaint restaurant on the Main Street of Hot Springs, VA.  The restaurant is quite popular with the after-golf crowd, but the Natural Retreats concierge made sure we had a nice table.  It is owned by a husband and wife team who also happen to be a chef and sommelier, respectively.  We enjoyed a delicious french onion soup, followed by the ultimate indulgence: pancetta wrapped pork tenderloin. Delicious.  We culminated our dinner with a selection of local cheese paired with a homemade brittle. Great company, plenty of rosé, and beautiful atmosphere made for a gorgeous dinner.

Verdict:  For city dwellers like us, this is the ultimate escape.  Beautiful nature, gorgeous home, and a warm fire pit brings you back to basics.  This is one of those places which reminds you to take in the country air and allow room for new ideas to flow in without the distractions.  Beautiful house, impeccable service, and gorgeous views.  If you need a break from the city, this is a must.  Now hoping to find a way to one of the Natural Retreats properties in the Canary Islands or Ireland!

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