Re-Opening: Embassy Suites Friendship Heights & Willie's Bar

By Lauren Rosalanko

Last Tuesday the Embassy Suites in Friendship Heights hosted its grand reopening after extensive renovations. With the new hotel, they also opened a full-service bar on the 3rd floor in the open a trio space of the hotel. The open space offers an inviting atmosphere, filled with many comfortable seating options, including high communal tables with plenty of outlets for diners' to charge their devices. The bar also has a TV, making it a perfect place to sit back and watch your favorite sports game. The bar is named in honor of Wilfredo Benavides, who passed recently after a battle with ALS/Lou Gehrig's disease. 1% of all proceeds from the bar will be donated in his memory to the ALS Association.

Chilean Culinary Experience: 6 Chefs & 2 Mixologists

By Lauren Rosalanko

This Monday I was able to attend an amazing event at the National Restaurant Association in DC where 6 chefs created dishes to compete for the top spot among the tasters and judges. There were also 2 mixologists and a sommelier sampling some of the best Chilean dishes. Most of the Chilean dishes featured some type of seafood such as shrimp and octopus, while many also had a type of berry or olive oil. Everything was delicious and it was definitely tough to vote on what was my favorite!

Castle of Santa Catalina in Jaén, Spain

We enjoyed lunch at this beautiful castle in Spain 8 years ago during our honeymoon.

Thinking of Drinking: Swing Vote

Using the classic Brown Derby - a true American cocktail - as his inspiration, Adam Bernbach created Basil Hayden’s Swing Vote, a refreshing and contemporary drink that features sweet honey and dry grapefruit notes to highlight the trademark spicy finish of Basil Hayden’s Bourbon. With the addition of Madeira, this cocktail is a one-of-a-kind addition to enjoy while watching the results roll in. In fact, Madeira was a favorite of Thomas Jefferson himself! No matter which party you vote for this November 4th, Basil Hayden’s Swing Vote makes the perfect celebratory (or consoling) cocktail.