By Rebecca
Horrible news this morning of a woman falling from the 10 story W Hotel POV rooftop bar last night to her death. Eyewitnesses report that the not yet identified woman had been drinking at the bar and that she climbed over the rooftop patio’s fence.
Secret Service was on hand last night and all lanes of 15th St. NW were shut down from New York Avenue south to Pennsylvania Avenue. These roads have since reopened.
Just awful news.
Mushroom pizza at POV
Courtesy of BrandLinkDC/POV
It’s not often that pizza is regarded as a beacon for haute cuisine. But when it’s served under Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s name while you take in a view of DC from POV’s rooftop, you’ll see why their new pizza is a far cry from delivery.
The W Hotel’s POV recently added three gourmet, individually-sized pizza options to their menu, including a traditional mozzarella, basil and tomato pie, wild mushroom and goat cheese pie and a truffle and fontina pie. The pizza made with black truffle peelings and truffle oil has been available at other Jean-Georges restaurants, in case it sounded familiar to you. And if the new pizzas aren’t enough for you, POV is also adding a creme fraiche cheesecake with kumquat marmalade and a walnut fudge brownie with a salted caramel ice cream.
Sounds like a good option for entertaining those fancy clients who are in town. A little haute pizza and a cocktail should be all they need to unwind after a day of meetings.
By Jenn Larsen
‘monster hibiscus’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’
One of my favorite things about living in DC is the many outdoor patios to lounge about on, noshing and inbibing while being kissed by the sun. From upscale to dive, so many places have an outside spot to enjoy well into the evening.
Add to that list now the J&G Patio, located on Pennsylvania Avenue just outside the doors of the J&G Wine Bar (which is turn is below the J&G Steakhouse, all part of the W Hotel). I’ve been waiting for the patio since the hotel opened. I love how that stretch of tree-lined sidewalk opposite Pershing Park is starting to ramp up like Little Paris (ok, overkill metaphor, but I can dream, right?). With Cafe du Parc already next door it’s going to get both lively and lovely, and I’m curious to see how it will differ from the scene upstairs at POV.
The J&G Patio will serve a selection of plates from both the Wine Bar and the Steakhouse, and of course feature cocktails, wine and beer. There are 86 seats (no reservations), and starting today, it’s open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner, and weekend brunch. Yes, I said it’s open today! so enjoy the evening sun (leave work early, I won’t tell anyone).
By Jenn Larsen
"Barscape, W Hotel Washington" by Jenn Larsen on Flickr
It took me a while to return to the W Hotel after my first look back in July. Katie’s second look confirmed it was going to be a sleek and chic scene. But what about the drinks?
When I ask people what they think about drinks at the W, I tend to get the same response – “Love the view. Hate the line.” They’re referring to POV and its roof terrace, of course, both featuring a killer view of our fair city. POV is still going strong, even as the weather turns chilly. The hotel plans to keep the roof terrace open year-round, thanks to heat lamps and a new awning. So if you don’t have a reservation up top, most likely on peak nights you will end up waiting in a labyrinthine line snaking through the Living Room. That is, unless you just do the sensible thing – plan in advance and make a reservation.
But the most important thing to remember about a night of drinks at the W – it’s not just about POV. There’s a snug little bar tucked away beneath J&G Steakhouse that’s perfect for a rendezvous or two. Biggest surprise? Shssh – the drinks experience may actually be better. Continue reading
By Jenn Larsen
"Washington Monument from POV, W Hotel Washington" by Jenn Larsen, on Flickr
Yesterday I got a sneak peek at the W Hotel Washington, due to soft open next Wednesday. I’m so sorry I wasn’t allowed to photograph the interior for you. Because really, it’s absolutely gorgeous. I hope my words will give you a taste of what to expect on July 8.
First off, it’s impossible to tell what kind of vibe the W will actually have when its public spaces are filled with people. Will it deliver on the promise of some seriously stunning interior design and incredible libation talent? Or will it devolve into a pretentious hive? I can’t answer that now, but I do know that designer Dianna Wong’s wry elegant touches set the stage for a crazy scene.
I was happy to see the original architecture has been renovated, not gutted, melding the cool classicisim of the old hotel with the arch sensuality of the W style. Empress Josephine, Zelda Fitzgerald, and Lily Allen would all be at home in the grand Living Room, with its blacks and reds and pinstripes in a riff on the idea of “lingerie as a power suit.” The chandeliers are all lit for changing moods and clever little details abound, like the George and Martha Washington silhouettes flirting on the elevators.
My favorite part of this large room is tucked into a corner – the old registration desk with its imposing brass and marble is used as a private alcove with purple banquette seating. It’s the perfect example of how the W went about merging the historic with the new. Continue reading
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