Located above the Spy Museum, Zola flies a little under the radar compared to some of the other notable destinations in Penn Quarter. That said, not having a to deal with the an overcrowded bar scene in a little more sophisticated than usual setting is part of the draw for some. I don’t want to take the previous two sentences too far because the restaurant sees more than it’s fair share of rushes, especially when there is a game, concert or show taking place at one of the nearby venues. A cool thing about Zola is that the restaurant is at an above ground level which makes for a great view and an interesting perspective when the masses pour out of the Verizon Center after events. The view coupled with the upscale’ish but hip atmosphere make this a great place to entertain guests that don’t get to the city that often.

Cost - $$$

Service - A
The service at Zola has always been consistently attentive and friendly. As with most Penn Quarter establishments, the restaurant and bar get really busy on certain nights which can result in a little longer wait for food and drinks - but that’s to be expected.

Food - B
The innovative American cuisine may not fit everyone’s taste but I do applaud the restaurant for constantly trying new dishes and keeping things fresh. The wine list is eclectic but in a good way and a couple of the desserts on the menu are very good.  If you find yourself unsatisfied with the offerings at some of the nearby restarurants, you want want to pay your check and head over to Zola’s lounge for the finish. Also, I don’t recommend doing this on a busy night but do try the Blue Sting cocktail at some point. It’s like a bluberry mojito and one of the best drinks around.

Decor - A-

The dark wood and rich reds used throughout the restaurant makes for an attractive palette that strikes that balance of contemporary and classical. Adding in spy-themed decor seems as if it would be odd but Zola’s translation is very well done. Not all of it is obvious which is the whole point, right?

Feel - B+
The low lights and close seating of the bar/lounge area makes for more of an intimate feel but the sound level of the music keep things a little more on the upbeat side. The dining area, on the other hand, is sectioned off by partial-walls with each space having it’s own wine station/banquette in the center. All this which results in more of a private experience which contrasts to the more open and lofty style of restaurant.

Zola is located at 800 F St. NW. They can be reached at (202) 654-0999.

What’s the Buzz:

January 18, 2008 - Zola (DC Eats) - Okay so it’s one of my favorite weeks of the year!!! RESTAURANT WEEK! Unfortunately I haven’t had a chance to ravish it like I would like BUT I did get to try out Zola’s for lunch. So my co-worker made reservations at Zola on OpenTable for lunch. We left work and headed on over there. We got there and the atmosphere was really nice. The bar was to the right and I wouldn’t have minded taking a seat over there and grabbing some drinks if the table wasn’t ready. Its an inviting and has a very upscale feel. Full article…

This afternoon Dean and I set out to find a good sports bar to watch the Redskins game. The first stop was the Cleveland Park Bar and Grill but the moment we stepped in we realized it was going to take some effort to find seating. We were about 20 minutes away from kick-off and the place was already filling in pretty nicely. Dean suggested we go hit up Cafe Nema down on U Street and it turned out to be the perfect venue to watch the game.

Cost - $$

Service - A-
The wait staff is friendly, laid-back and efficient. We never had to wait more than a few minutes to get drinks and our waitress made sure to stop by every fifteen minutes or so just to check-in on us.

Food - B
It seems like the wings have shrunk as of late and I wonder if this is a case of trickle-down stemming from the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy and related US financial crisis. Actually, I definitely blame those Wall Street douche bags for my small buffalo wings. At any rate, the Hamburger was quite respectable and I looked with envy at Dean’s Philly cheese steak throughout the game.

Decor - C
There isn’t really much memorable about the decor at Nema although I understand it is multi-level and I have just seen the main floor where the sports bar is located. That being said, there really isn’t anything memorable about the decor at Nema.

Feel - A-
Cafe Nema has a very warm, neighborhood feel that is perfect for watching the game. I’ve been there twice now and each time I’ve felt perfectly comfortable chatting with the people sitting around us. It is definitely a more civilized and interesting crowd than what you will find at some of the other, more prominent sports bars in DC and to top it all off, seating isn’t that much of a problem (unless there is a major sports event on).

Cafe Nema is at 1334 U Street. They can be reached at (202) 667-3215.

What’s the Buzz:

April 25, 2006 - Cafe Nema (The Blog From Nowhere) - On Friday night I met some friends for dinner at Café Nema on U Street. I had walked by Café Nema many times since I lived in the U Street neighborhood when I first moved to Washington in 1999, but I had never eaten there. I had no idea what I had been missing.  Full article…

The neighborhood directly south of Chevy Chase circle is clearly not a hotbed of activity in the DC scene. Demographically, residents in this area are more likely to hit up venues like Politics and Prose or their own living room on a Friday night as opposed to places like Lima or Josephine. There is one venue however that you can find open past about 11PM and that is American City Diner. As a resident of North Cleveland Park / Van Ness I have stumbled over to American City Diner late night on more than one occasion to try and dilute the alcohol coursing through my veins.

Cost - $$

Service - C-
Diners aren’t really intended to have good service and American City Diner is no exception to the rule. I secretly believe that the people who work at American City Diner are actually nice to regulars but this has never been justified by anything I have observed in the venue. Then again if your job was to serve drunken idiots at 2AM on a Saturday you might be pretty pissed off as well.

Food - B
Most weekend evenings I’m just happy to be able to find some place to eat past 12AM in the neighborhood so I’m in a good frame of mind. The food is pretty solid however, as far as diners are concerned.

Decor - B+
They have made an effort to create a 50’s type visual feel to the place, evidenced by the mural of iconic mid-20th century American figures that overlooks the parking lot. The interior contains booth seating with functional jukeboxes and a cute little patio that overlooks Connecticut.

Feel - C+
During the day, the feel probably grades at about a B and at night, it grades out at a D or so (because of all the sketchy characters and teenagers that frequent the place). Then again, it is the only place in the neighborhood open late so I’ll give it a C+. American City Diner is good for brunch on a weekend or to cure the munchies on a late night but I can’t really see why it would be appealing otherwise.

American City Diner is located at 5532 Connecticut Ave NW. They can be reached at (202) 244-1949.

What’s the Buzz:

September 6, 2007 - American City Diner (Endless Simmer) - Sit down, order a black and white milkshake, and play a Blood, Sweat & Tears song at a table jukebox at the fun, ’50s-themed American City Diner. As it is in Heaven, breakfast is served all day, but also try the open-face hot turkey sandwich with mashed potatoes, the diner standby bacon cheeseburger, or any blue-plate special.  Full article…

The Source is Wolfgang Puck’s first foray into DC and as one might expect, the restaurant has been an instant hit and in my opinion, a strong contender for top dining destination in the District. With its chic lounge and intimate upstairs dining room, The Source strikes the balance between cool and sophisticated.

Cost - $$$$

Service - B
A few diners have mentioned to me that the service has been lacking which is sometimes a symptom of newer restaurants but my experiences have all been quite positive. From the hostess to the waiters, the staff has been quick and attentive.

Food - A-
The downstairs lounge offers a casual dining experience with it’s interesting pizzas, mini-burgers and the like which are all good (especially the fries) but the upstairs is where chef Scott Drewno serves up an exciting menu of Asian-inspired fare. I particularly enjoyed the scallop and shrimp sui mai, grilled lamb chops and the duck. The wine list is impressive as well and there is a good variety of wines by the glass.

Decor - B+
The space is open and airy with simple clean lines. I appreciate the understated decor which leaves room for  the food and drink do the talking. The stairs leading to the dining room has a bit of a red carpet feel to it -  diners enter into the center of the room  in sight of other patrons. It’s a bit of a stretch but on a busy night it does have the feel of making of an entrance. The glass wall of wine bottles is also an appealing touch.

Feel - A
As I stated earlier, the restaurant has a great feel to it. The change of pace from an energetic lounge to a classy dining room makes for a complete dining experience for many.

The Source is located at 575 Pennsylvania Ave NW. They can be reached at (202) 637-6100.

What’s the Buzz:

April 14, 2008 - More DC Restaurants for Wolfgang Puck? (Washingtonian) - Superstar chef Wolfgang Puck flew into town last week for the grand opening of the Newseum, home of his DC restaurant the Source. Although he was a day too late for the Inn at Little Washington’s anniversary soiree, where he was one of the 30 “culinary pioneers” honored, . Full article…

The Mandarin Oriental is a relative newcomer to the DC area. The brand has a global reputation for luxury hotels and resorts and the DC venue doesn’t disappoint. There are two restaurants in the Mandarin Oriental: CityZen (which Dean reviewed a while back) and Café MoZU. Last night was actually my fourth trip to MoZu in the past year so I guess I must like it quite a bit.

Cost - $$$

Service - B+
I wouldn’t call it an elite wait staff but they are extremely polite and gracious and I have never had a negative experience with them.

Food - B-
Being Last night I sampled the Tyo fried chicken and a California roll to start, followed by the crispy wild salmon and light mushroom risotto, accompanied by a bottle of Riesling (I can’t recall the brand). The food is solid however it isn’t a real strength of the restaurant. The risotto was not cooked evenly and didn’t taste as though it was freshly prepared. The crispy salmon is good but I find myself dipping it in soy sauce. Now granted, I have pretty Asian taste buds but the sauce that accompanies the salmon (sort of a mild hollandaise) just doesn’t offer that much in the way of flavor and the salmon was a bit bland. Now I’m being a bit overly critical here but at the list prices they probably should be delivering a better overall product.

Decor - A-
MoZU was designed by Tony Chi, whose studio Tony Chi & Associates has a pretty impressive portfoilio that includes MObar (at the Mandarin Oriental in New York), Umu in London and Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant at the MGM Grand. The design of MoZU delivers a sexy and sophisticated layout that is helped by the incredible view of tidal basin.

Feel - A
This is the real reason you go to MoZU. If you are looking for top-tier sushi you should go to Taro. If you are looking for a sexy dining ambiance to take a date in DC you should go to MoZU. Go early and grab a drink at the Empress Lounge or sit out on the patio. Then head in (probably around 9 because there will be less families and kids at that point) for dinner afterwards.

Café MoZU is located in the Mandarin Oriental at 1330 Maryland Avenue, SW. They can be reached at (202) 787 6868.

What’s the Buzz:

August 8, 2005 - Café MoZU (ken’s rnr) - I thought the food and the service was on par for a fancy restaurant. I was there for Restaurant Week, so I didn’t check out the entire menu, but the summer tomato and avocado salad and black cod were super yummy. However, no rave would be complete without a few accompanying rants…so here they are (not necessarily in order): Full article…

Co Co. Sala is one of the latest restaurants to follow the trend of chocolate themed dining. Self-proclaimed as “DC’s premier Chocolate Lounge & Boutique,” this recent addition to Penn Quarter specializes in espresso, chocolate-based drinks, artisanal chocolates, and pastries. Born from a creative partnership between Nisha Sidhu, founder of The Sugar Gallery and Bharet Malhotra of Cvent, Co Co. Sala is a great change of pace to the DC scene.

Cost - $$$

Service - A
The wait staff here was well trained and knew the menu inside and out which I am sure is a requirement considering the offerings.

Food - B
Being someone with a healthy appetite, I found the portions to be on the light side. That said, each dish was savory and complex and rather than feeling teased I was surpisingly satisfied. The core part of the menu consists of four Monde du Chocolat prix-fixe selections which are inspired by flavors of India, Italy, America and South America. Additionally or as an alternative, you can order small plates or “Coco Bites” which are more traditional items: mac and cheese, crabcakes, sliders and salads. There is a selection of recommended cocktails for the prix-fixe and small plate choices.

Decor - A-
Co Co. Sala’s decor is a luxurious mix of interesting details: walls and ceilings created to emulate flowing chocolate, plush mocha couches and chairs, chocolate sculptures, blue lit bar with flat screens, both fiber optic and slender overhead lighting, and open flame accents throughout the restaurant. All this makes for an attractive, different and unique setting.

Feel - B+
As I referenced above, Co Co. Sala’s is a great change of pace. The ambiance created by the dim lights, house music, rich decor and attentive staff really met the goal of being an intimate sophisticated lounge.

Co Co. Sala is located at 929 F St. NW. They can be reached at (202) 347-4265.

What’s the Buzz:

July 2, 2008 - New Heaven for Chocoholics (Washington Times) - Stepping into Co Co. Sala is a bit like falling into a box of chocolates. The new Penn Quarter restaurant is dedicated to chocolate. Obsessed, you might say. It is the place to go to die by chocolate: chocolate cocktails, five-course chocolate desserts and splendid chocolate candies.  Full article…

June 2, 2008 - Co Co. Sala (District Culturati) - Co Co. Sala is a self-described “chocolate lounge and boutique”, nestled on F Street in the Penn Quarter. I am, by no means, a Trendy Wendy. When making my nightlife choices, you’ll find me erring on the side of dive bars and undiscovered urban nooks. So color me a bit skeptical when we rush to make our reservation from our late showing of Sex and the City and arrive at Co Co. Sala’s chic exterior.  Full article…

Cost - $$

Service - B
I visited while they were still getting their ducks in a row so the service seemed a bit excited but very professional. Our hostess was friendly and I even spent a few minutes chatting with the manager, Adam, who seemed on his game. The service at the bar was also quite solid.

Food - A-
They don’t serve main courses but they do have an extensive appetizer menu that includes cheeses, meants, flatbreads, and some of the most delicious chocolate in the city. The wine list (as one would expect from a wine bar) is also pretty impressive and I thoroughly enjoyed a glass of the hermann wiemer riesling. Enology structures the menu in a manner conducive to sampling an array of plates and wines.

Decor - A-
I liked Zebra Lounge but it sort of felt a bit euro-trashy - decorated like a cheesy bar on Mykonos. Enology on the other hand has a very contemporary and sophisticated design that should endear it to an older, more professional crowd.

Feel - A
I’m always excited when a venue with some class opens up within walking distance of my house. Enology has the potential to quickly become my neighborhood hang-out because of their high degree of professionalism and aesthetic appeal. The only question I have is whether or not they will be able to draw the right type of clientele from the Upper-Georgetown / Cathedral Heights area but the neighborhood has clearly been waiting for a place like this to pop-up.

Enology is located at 3238 Wisconsin Ave. They can be reached at 202.362.0362.

What’s the Buzz:

June 22, 2008 - Enology Wine Bar (The President Wears Prada) - Does anyone not love wine? Quite possible, but I haven’t met the person, actually I knew one girl in college who didn’t like wine, but she also didn’t like shopping so we won’t count her as a human. It’s really surprising to me that until recently DC didn’t have many wine bars, so I was very excited to try the newest one.  Full article…

Circa at Dupont is a relatively new establishment located right in the heart of Dupont Circle. With a good menu, an indoor bar area, and outdoor seating it figures to be a solid addition to the Dupont Circle nightlife. Dean and I hit Circa on a whim after running a few games at Balance Gym.  It was a beautiful night (a shade over 80 degrees) and instead of heading home we decided to grab a quick bit to eat outside.  It turned out to be the perfect venue for the evening.

Cost - $$

Service - B+
The service was extremely good and didn’t seem to mind that I was wearing flip-flops and basketball shorts.  Not that I can think of that many restaurants in DC that actually would make a big fuss about it but it was definitely nice to receive good service straight out of the gym.

Food - B
The food was solid but not spectacular.  In all honesty I can’t speak to the quality of the main entrées - just this pizzas.  The white pizza was good but not the best in DC (that award belongs to the white pizza at Pines of Rome in Bethesda).

Decor - B+
I like the location of Circa and from the patio, you have a great vantage point to people-watch in Dupont.  Inside, Circa creates a comfortable yet slightly upscale atmosphere with its general decor.  It is a place you can dress down to (which is important in DC) but also a place you could grab a pre-evening drink on a Friday or Saturday.

Feel - A-
For an informal dinner on a beautiful Wednesday evening, Circa was the perfect choice.  I also would certainly go back to pre-game on a weekend evening.

Circa is located at 601 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009.  

What’s the Buzz:

September 20, 2007 - Circa at Dupont (The 42) - On a whim we decided to pay a visit to one of Dupont’s newest restaurants, Circa. Its on the 42 bus route on Connecticut Ave at Q Street; right across the street from the northern Metro entrance. Wrap Works was there previously. This place is a liiiiiiiittle bit more swank.  Full article…

April 18, 2007 - Circa du Soso (Washington, DC Metblogs) - Located at Connecticut and Q, directly opposite the Dupont Circle Metro station, Circa is one of the best new neighborhood restaurants I’ve been to in quite some time. Some of my favorite restaurants in the area are Bistro du Coin, Hank’s Oyster Bar, and Urbana, but Circa may soon be added to that list. It has every quality that I look for in a restaurant: tasty food, a nice selection of wine (and other drinks), a beautiful decor, and a great location.  Full Article…

October 30, 2006 - What’s New on the Circa (Going out Gurus) - “We really want to make ourselves part of the community.” Those are the high aspirations Matthew Carlin has for Circa at Dupont, the new restaurant moving into the WrapWorks space as early as next March. Carlin is the chief financial officer and chief operations officer for the MHG Group, which manages the Greenberry’s coffee shops in the Virginia suburbs. With Circa, the group is trying something a little different.  Full Article…

Cost - $$

Service - A
The bartenders and wait staff are cool as all hell. I’m sure a great deal of the positive energy oozes down from the owner, a former part-time DJ at the 9:30 club.

Food - B+
Marx Cafe has a good selection of comfort foods and tapas, and has also quickly become one of my favorite places to grab brunch on a Sunday afternoon.

Decor - A-
Marx Cafe has an unpretentious, bare-bone aesthetic that feels clean, comfortable and hip - the venue additionally passes the daylight litmus test for cleanliness.

Feel - A-
Marx Cafe is multi-faceted in the sense that it is a good brunch venue, good neighborhood wine bar for a weekday drink, and even provides a laid-back alternative spot for a weekend soiree. It is still relatively new and remains a hidden gem that is likely to gain steam as the word gets out.

Marx Cafe is at 3203 Mount Pleasant St. NW. They can be reached at (202) 518-7600.

Music photographer Mike Benson opened Café Saint-Ex in 2003 and it was an immediate hit. Over the past four years, its popularity hasn’t waned although its weekend scene has definitely transitioned a bit. During the evening, Café Saint-Ex is a restaurant that offers contemporary American cuisine and at night, turns into one of the hot-spots in the U Street / Cardozo area with a downstairs club and upstairs bar.

Cost - $$

Service - A-
I may be getting old but I just don’t have the energy to deal with door politics these days and that is one thing you never have to worry about with Café Saint-Ex. They hire good people who are there to help you have a good time. The wait-staff is laid back and will engage you in friendly banter, and the the bar staff does a great job as well.

Food - B
Café Saint-Ex self-describes their menu as “American Bistro style cuisine, enhanced by international and seasonal influences.” The menu is pretty solid and does a good job accommodating a range of taste buds while placing a premium on fresh, healthy ingredients.

Decor - B+
I like the aviation-influenced decor throughout Saint-Ex. The upstairs bar area is comfortable arranged. The downstairs club - Gate 54 - can get a little cavernous and claustrophobic but if there isn’t a mob present, is a decent little place.

Feel - A-
Like other popular venues in the U Street area, Café Saint-Ex doesn’t make any attempts at pretense and offers a fun, laid back place to enjoy yourself on a weekday or a weekend. It was initially known as a hipster favorite but over the past couple years, as U Street has continued to grow as a DC-nightlife hot spot, has transitioned to include a more mainstream, yuppie crowd. Ultimately however, Café Saint-Ex is still one of my favorite destinations in the DC area.

Café Saint-Ex is located at 1847 14th St. NW. (202) 265-7839

What’s the Buzz:

November 27, 2007 - Cafe Saint-Ex (Washingtonian) - Though the restaurant/bar looks like a weathered European bistro, the food is eclectic American. The small kitchen puts out plenty of roasted and wood-grilled meats and fish, all simply presented. Full Article…

November 1, 2006 - Cafe Saint-Ex (DC Foodies) - You don’t usually expect to find good food at a bar. A bar is where you typically find great munchies like nachos, cheese sticks, mini-burgers, and maybe…maybe if you’re lucky, you’ll find some Asian-inspired potstickers. Full Article…