PlanetEye

Washington has joined legions of other cities and now has a dessert bar, featuring specialties made of chocloate.  The new, Co Co. Sala, which is described as a chocolate lounge and boutique, opened recently has been getting good reviews.  Currently, they are only serving dinner but will soon be opened for lunch as well.

Co Co. Sala derives its name from coffee and chocolate and the Italian word for lounge.  There is a chocolate room where you can watch the staff are they create and the owners hope to someday offer dessert making lessons in the aptly titled "chocolate room."  The lounge's signature dish appears to be a prixe- fix $30 five course offering of desserts inspired by flavors around the world.  If you aren't interested in all things sugar, Co Co also offers small dishes which you can nibble on, such as, sliders, macaroni and cheese and and crab cakes.  

It is recommended that if you go, you try to Cocojito, which is comprised of chocolate infused vodka and chocolate shavings, and the hot chocolate souffle, which comes with churros and a Mexican wedding cookie.  One review that I read said that Co Co. Sala just oozes "Sex and the City."  If this is your style, check out this place while you are in DC. 

Co Co. Sala will stay open even until 3 a.m. on Saturdays and is complete with a DJ available to spin tunes.  Even though there will be a DJ, don't expect dancing to go on as the music serves as the backdrop for conversation.

Everywhere we turn these days, someone is talking about an impending recession and high gas prices.  There is definitely pain at the pump! Since Washington has increasingly been viewed as one of the more expensive cities in this country, I wanted to share some insight on some of my favorite cost-conscious places (and one not so cost conscious) to dine for that all important meal, brunch.  I titled this post "Brunch, Part 1" because as I discover new places, I will definitely let you know about them.

Utopia:  Utopia is on U Street which always seems home to new and interesting shopping establishments as well as restaurants.  Brunch is served from 11am to 4pm which is good also because you don't feel like you have to rush to get there before they stop serving.  I like Utopia because of the excellent customer service as well as the $1 mimosas and bloody marys.  I usually tend to go for the seafood omelette which is always delightful.  The food may not "wow" you but it is good for the price, but moreso, I like Utopia's laid back vibe.  For more info, please visit: http://www.utopiaindc.com

Marken Inn:  I am a big fan of the all you can eat brunch.  You can usually have a much wider selection of things and go back as much as you like.  Marken Inn has live jazz when brunch is served, from 10am to 3pm.  In addition to plain ole eggs benedict, they have lobster benedict (as you can see, I am really a big seafood fan).  There are also various made to order stations and typical breakfast fare as well.  Brunch is $28.95 per person but I will let you in on a little secret--if you sign up to receive emails on marketinn.com, you get coupons where you can usually get about $5 off the brunch price. I like Marken Inn because it is a place with great local flavor.  www.marketinn.com

This last recommendation is actually not for the cost conscious but if you are coming to DC for a special occasion and would like to do brunch, I would definitely suggest the Ritz Carlton.  The unlimited champagne and mimosas is wonderful! I went there years ago for my birthday and it was marvelous.  It is not cheap (at least $50) but if you are looking for great food and service, please take my advice and go there. There are numerous locations of the Ritz Carlton but the one that I would recommend is on 22nd Street.  Sometimes you just need to splurge! www.ritzcarlton.com

I recently visited a delightful new edition to Washington, DEKKA.  I first learned about one of DEKKA's retailers, Lily Lily! through a post on Daily Candy (which is a must read for every girl about town).  I checked out the Lily Lily! Shop website and saw some really cute items and learned that I could purchase the items at the local DEKKA showroom.

Upon my arrival at DEKKA, conveniently located on the always entertaining U Street, I learned that the showroom is a fashion, art and music cooperative, the first of its kind in Washington.  Each designer/retailer has a rack where they showcase their wares. 

What most impressed me about DEKKA was the exquisite customer service that I received prior to my arrival at the showroom and also while I was at there.  I contacted the owner of Lily Lily! to inquire more about an item that I saw on the website, and within minutes, she emailed me back with answers to all of my questions.  After several emails, I decided to make my way to the store to see what I could purchase.

On the day that I was there, the designer of YOSOY, was in the shop and was very attentive as I tried on various pieces.  I headed straight for the Lily Lily! rack and liked what I saw.  Lily Lily! specializes in pieces from international designers -- you won't look like everyone else when you walk down the street.  As I figured, I ended up buying something, two dresses.  I got a black dress from a Japanese designer that has really cute rosettes around the neckline and I got a plaid dress with puff sleeves. 

The stores is decorated with art from local artists and there is also a listening station with music from local musicians.  DEKKA is the perfect marriage of all things creative.  If you want to go to a place where you will be treated with the utmost respect and can also get a sampling of local talent, DEKKA is the place for you. I will definitely be a loyal customer!

For more information, please visit: www.dcafam.com and www.lilylilyshop.com

On Saturday, May 3, 25 Embassies are opening their doors to the public, the annual European Union open house.  Embassies will be featuring native food, drink, music and art.  For example, you can take a guided tour of the Italian Embassy, taste Spanish food and wine, and join a wine-tasting at the Embassy of Austria.  Each Embassy will feature a different program. 

Free shuttle service to the Embassies is available from the Dupont Circle, Cleveland Park, and Farragut North metro stations.   

Here are some highlights of this year's 2008 Open House:

1) Czech Republic:  Chodska Vina, a bagpipe band, will be performing. 

2) Hungary: Hungarian folk dancers will be performing. 

3) Russia:  30 minute guided tour of the Embassy.  Also will feature "Russia's Golden RIng" which is an ornate mural of Old Russia.

4) India:  Come and sample IDEA Dance, a group of Indian classical dancers and also a bollywood inspired South Asian dance troupe will perform. 

The event runs from 9am to 3 pm.  Visit www.passportdc.org and www.europe-in-dc.org for more details and schedules.  The entrance to the Embassies is free but some embassies will charge for food and drink. 

For my recent birthday, I had the pleasure of dining at a new restaurant inthe Penn Quarter part of DC, Asia Nine.  I had the most delightful dinner there and highly recommend a visit to this restaurant on your next visit to DC.

We took a chance in going to this restaurant because this was unchartered territory and the only review of the restaurant that we found was a not too positive lunch review.  I said, what the heck, let's go! We also took a chance because this was my birthday dinner as well.

I was intrigued because I had passed the restaurant a few times while I was in a cab and the bold colors of the sign intrigued me.  The colors are a bold orange and red.  I am also a big fan of asian food so I was intrigued.

We were immediately given a warm greeting by the hostess who agreed to let us sit anywhere we wanted.  Our waitress was very attentive and let us know that the restaurant has only been around for about two months.  She also filled us in about upcoming featured entrees. 

There is a bar area, a dining area, and also an area where sushi is prepared as well.  We got a comfy booth in the back of the restaurant and started to pour over the extensive menu.  I had thought about getting sushi but decided to go with something outside of my norm, curry.  There are three different curry dishes on the menu and I opted for the green curry.  It may sound nasty but it was delightful.  I think that the green comes from the basil that is in the curry.  There was also eggplant as well.  I got my dish with chicken.  I also got a soup appetizer that was flavored with lemon--again, I was trying to venture into new culinary arenas.  I was happy with that as well.

I learned that they have happy hour from 5-7 during the week and there are specials on food at the bar at that time.  There was someone else a few tables down from us who was also celebrating their birthday.  She looked about as happy as I was! We got out dessert complimentary due to the auspicious occasion.  We opted for the coconut ice cream. I am already thinking about who I can bring next to enjoy this new restaurant.  

For more info, please visit:  www.asianine.com

As I was thinking about what to post today, I started thinking about things that I need to do this weekend and it occurred to me -- write about a place that you go to all the time.  I live near an area of Arlington, Virginia, called "Shirlington."  To me, Shirlington, until not too long ago, was simply one block filled with restaurants and a movie theater but it has definitely grown in the past year.

It always shocks me how people will tend to flock to certain hangout spots, including restaurants.  I have noticed that on Sundays, the Carlyle Cafe, is always packed around brunch time.  I have been there and found it only so-so but others rave about it.  My hairdresser LOVES their waffles.  I think that I will have to give this place another try because there are TOO many people there during the weekends.  The bar area is nice but isn't all that large. 

In addition to the Carlye Cafe, there is a Capitol City Brewing Company, which is always good for watching a basketball game on television or just hanging out near the bar.  There are also numerous ethnic restaurants in Shirlington as well, such as, Charlie Chiang's (Chinese), a thai restaurant, Guapo's (Mexican), and Aroma (Indian).  Recently, I went to Extra Virgin, one of the newest restaurants in Shirlington.  This italian restaurant has a really nice ambiance and has live music most nights of the week.  I highly recomend the risotto with shrimp and prosciutto.  Yummm! 

Shirlington is also home to a Virginia outpost of Johnny Rockets, need I say more? There is also a second location of the locally owned bakery, Cake Love, if you want to get your cupcake fix satiated.  With all of these new places, traffic in Shirlington has definitely increased. 

For those of us who live in the area, I have been happy that there is a new Harris Teeter grocery store within walking distance.  There is also a new theater in the area as well, Signature Theatre. 

If you are in Northern Virginia, take a little time out to visit Shirlington.  You may find yourself waiting outside to get into the Carlyle Cafe. 

For more info, please visit:

http://www.villageatshirlington.com/

Cultural Tourism DC is sponsoring a walking event this weekend, April 26 and 27.  There will be 80 guided walking tours around Washington and this weekend all of the walks are FREE! The walks are usually around $10 per person.  The walks are all led by really knowledgeable guides who shed light on interesting historical facts are you burn off carlories around town.  

Here are a few of the walks that will occur this weekend:  1) Embassy Row:  I am sure that this walk will be highly attended since the embassies are some of the most beautiful buildings in Washington.  2) Black Georgetown Hike:  A National Park Service Ranger will take walkers through a section of Georgetown that was home to more than 1,000 black families during the 19th Century.  There are also a number of bike tours as well. 

Personally, I have done two of these walks.  I did a historical walking tour of the U Street area and learned so much that I really look at this area in an entirely different light.  I also took an evening walk about the monuments.  This was really nice and I highly recommend it.  We completely forgot how far we walked as we intently listened to our guide. 

For more information, please visit:  www.washingtonwalks.com for the complete schedule.   Dust off your sneakers and get moving!