Gold, Green & Gorgeous

While the Natural Body Spa & Shoppe (“NB”) in DC’s West End has been quite successful since the location’s opening in November, Monday night they really had something to celebrate. As you’ve read on The Punch, this boutique spa’s District location recently received its Gold LEED certification from the US Green Building Council. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – and NB certainly earned this title. Their commitment to natural, organic products, conservation of light and water, and creative use of recycled content is something to be admired.

And what better way to celebrate this accomplishment than with some organic libations and fare? Platters from Organic to Go, the first café and catering service in DC certified organic by the USDA, were served alongside organic beer and wine. You could enjoy these snacks while sampling some of the spa’s services on the house (like a hand treatment, make-up application, or upper body massage). Tranquil music was playing as guests wandered around, unwinding after a long Monday.

(Pictured from top down: L to R: Owner Bart Yablonsky, Jacki Barnett and Keith Weathersbee; a complimentary makeup application; that’s just ducky!)

As an added treat, everyone received a fabulous gift bag filled with coupons and fun samples, including peppermint lip balm, Vitamin Water, lotion, and chocolates. Once you’re in the system as a client, the perks keep on coming… you’ll learn about special promotions, seasonal services, and get a royal discount for your birthday.

They’ve earned the Gold for being Green and will make you feel Gorgeous. So get on it!

The Natural Body Spa & Shoppe is located at 1104 24th Street (between 24th & L Streets). Lean more about their services offered and call 202.775.2070 to make an appointment.

……………….Post and Pictures contributed by Guest Blogger April Black

Hudson’s Four Course Summer Menu

Can you say “yummmmm”?  Once again, the creative staff over at Hudson has a new reason for you to come in and try out their always satisfying menu.  For only $40 a person ($54 with three flights of wine!) you get a taste of what Chef Ryan Arnold has to offer. 

First Course

French Onion Soup – gruyere, emmenthal, sourdough crouton

Deviled Eggs – local farm raised

Crispy Calamari – dill aioli, roasted red pepper tomato sauce

Second Course

Hudson Salad – summer greens with champagne vinaigrette

Third Course

Wild Mushroom Risotto – seasonal mushrooms, smoked gouda, fines herbes, red wine reduction

Buttermilk Fried Chicken – mashed potatoes, pan gravy, buttermilk biscuit, clover honey

Natural Angus Filet Mignon – mashed potatoes, demi glace and seasonal vegetable

Barbeque Salmon Filet – pan seared, crispy skin, sautéed spinach

Fourth Course

Root Beer Float – vanilla bean ice cream, ibc root beer, whipped cream

Trio of Sorbet – housemade seasonal flavors

Three 3 ounce wines flights $14

adi rosé of syrah 2006, napa, California

tangent paragon vineyard sauvignon blanc 2006, edna valley, california

byron pinot noir 2006, santa maria valley, california

Bon Appetite! 

**Hudson Restaurant & Lounge is a Special Highlighted Partner of Pamela’s Punch**

Summer Solstice at Skye to Support Becky’s Fund

Becky Lee (from "Survivor: Cook’s Island") and the nice people at Becky’s Fund invite you and friends to attend the "Summer Solstice" event at Skye Lounge this Saturday August 2nd from 7pm-10pm.

For a mere $10 cover charge you will enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drink specials.  Please dress in Cocktail Attire.

Becky’s Fund is a 501 (c) (3) founded by Becky Lee, who is an attorney and advocate for battered women’s rights.  Please learn more about Becky’s Fund at www.beckysfund.org.

**Skye Lounge is a Special Highlighted Partner of Pamela’s Punch**

Summer Sample Sale

Local designer Rochelle Behrens will be showing off her new collection Wednesday the 30th at 6pm at a sample sale.  Check out this line of smart women’s clothing at http://www.rochellebehrenscollection.com/ as a sneak preview.  By clicking on each photo on the website, you can move to the next picture. 

For your convenience, sizes 0-12 will be available and credit cards will be accepted. 

The sample sale will be located at 1602 Vermont Avenue (one block north of Logan Circle between 12th & 13th Streets, NW). 

Please RSVP directly rochelle@rochellebehrens.com and buy up!

We gotcha covered for the week

Ok folks hold onto your “W” hats.  This entire week through the weekend you will get a chance to go to Nationals games.  The team is back in town.  Tuesday through Sunday the Nationals play from home so jump on the website and grab your tickets.

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=was

If you aren’t heading out to Nationals Ball Park on Thursday the 31st (and hopefully you won’t be), you will be heading towards The Liaison Capitol Hill from 6pm-9pm for the Rooftop Rendezvous benefiting the Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund.  THANK YOU TO THE LIAISON FOR EXTENDING THE EVENT ONE ADDITIONAL HOUR.  The event is now from 6pm-9pm, where originally it was until 8pm.

Please reserve your spot today ($50) http://www.hoopdreams.org/liaison/liaison.htm 100% of the proceeds go to the charity. 

The Liaison Capitol Hill is a new Affinia Hotel and is located at 415 New Jersey Avenue NW.  Come check out the sites from atop this new hot spot.

After you leave The Liaison, move back towards Georgetown and the West End for the Battle of the Biceps  whose $10 suggested door charge into The Rookery will go to Neediest Kids.  The “show” starts at 9pm and looks to be quite the event.  With official brackets, prizes, sponsors and an emcee (ahem … guess who?) you will definitely want to end your evening watching this competition.  This will be pure entertainment for a cause.

Learn more about the “Battle” http://www.battleofthebiceps.com/

The Rookery is located at 2519 Pennsylvania Ave, NW.

See you Wednesday at Mate’ for the Young Capital Benefactors of Capital Hospice’s Happy Hour from 7pm-10pm. 

Mate’ is located at 3101 K Street, NW.

Oh My Darling…

…ington House.  Yup, Darlington House in Dupont Circle has not only been up and running for a few months, its business is booming. And it should be because the owners, Jeffery Holibaugh (Vida), along with Patricia and Fabio Beggiato aka “DC restaurant power couple/husband wife team” are no newcomers to the world of creating a place for Washingtonians to rest their weary feet, gossip, drink wine, and dine finely.  They have already tasted sweet success with Sesto Senso and the Cleveland Park Grill, so why not continue on the Connecticut Avenue area streak?

Darlington House is quite literally, a house, and is located where the old Childe Harold used to be.  The Childe Harold said good-bye to this location during the fall of last year (it had been a decades-old restaurant and musician stomping ground; we know that the famous had come to perform there in years past) and apparently, the story is, descendents of the Darlington’s themselves still own the building.  The Beggiatos had an in with the family, as their daughter attends school with owners’ grandchild. 

And so the deal was done, but the doors didn’t open until after a nice renovation happened.  Downstairs, the pub, or Cantina, is the woody bar that reminds one of what a bar really should look like, smell like and feel like.  There is tons of seating, great drinks (but you’d surely like to taste one of their many brews) and excellent bar fare. 

The Dining Room is upstairs and has a separate entrance although the two are connected. One feels as if you are sitting within a combination of Banana Republic, Pottery Barn and a chic modernistic yet historic space, if that makes any sense.  The lighting fixtures are to die for and if you aren’t able to sit close to the windows with the street views, there’s plenty of good looking, urban types to check out while you eat.

Keep going up the stairs and you find a private dining room, also known as The Library, large enough to do affairs for 30, 40, maybe more. White slipcovers over the chairs and long couches make up the seating, which can be arranged in various ways to fit your party’s comfort and conversation needs.

Let’s talk food.  Executive Chef Alexander Schulte, who looks young, fresh and earnest seems to know a lot about organic food (the restaurant’s theme is “Eat Strong. Live Long.” hmmm. Words to live by.) and has experience at the New York restaurant The Modern.  His menus are straightforward yet creative, using wholesome farm fresh ingredients. He informed me that he had just gotten in some free range organic eggs from Sunnyside Farms, which I had to try at Brunch on Sunday. 

The brunch was just perfect.  It was like the type of experience you have when you are lucky enough to “go home” and Mom cooks you up a nice greeting and welcome home meal.  The right portion size, the right amount of flavoring, not too heavy, not too lite.  We had gotten a taste of the dinner menu in the Pub last week, which only left us wanting more. 

Got a sweet tooth?  Even if you don’t, you will want to let the homemade donut holes, scones, and banana bread melt onto your tongue with their sweetness (not the sick kind) which you will mull around in your mouth until you realize every crumb has left the plate.  Pastry Chef Monika Padua’s wonders will leave you satisfied for sure.

Lastly, the wine list is nice and sensible and even includes organic wines for those of you counting.  If you are more in the mood for a speciality cocktail, the restaurant has a few fun ones to try on for size. 

For whatever reason you happen upon Darlington House, make sure you get a taste of all this treasure has to offer from Brunch to Dinner to a swig and a bite in the gastropub.  You’ll be back for more.

The Darlington House is located at 1610 20th Street, NW. reservations@darlingtonhouse.com or 202.332.3722.  Tell them the Punch sent you!