Merry 2018! We are wrapping up a little trip to Washington, D.C. for the New Year’s weekend. Mazen went back to NC to spend time with Matt’s side of the family, so Thomas and I figured we should take advantage of it and do something fun. His friend John invited us up for a dinner + concert on NYE. We took the Amtrak up on Saturday and spent two nights at the Kimpton Mason & Rook hotel.
I LOVE Kimpton Hotels and have been staying in them for years. I always look for one when I need to book a room in a city. We stayed in one in NYC last year, and the Mason & Rook was great too. The decor is always swanky, they have great bathrooms and toiletries, there is a free wine happy hour and free wifi, and if you join their free rewards program you get a $10 mini bar credit. Kimpton hotels are simply solid service, friendly hotels! (I have heard they were bought though, so hopefully nothing will change.)
We were upgraded to a King Studio for no reason other than luck, and our room was so nice!
After settling in, we ventured out to find a museum for the afternoon. It was absolutely chilling outside, and while I was down to walk the 1.5 miles to get there, Thomas said “didn’t make it” and called an Uber. I haven’t felt air this cold in a really long time! I do not know how you Northeasterners do it.
We went to the National Gallery of Art. I loved how there were no tickets or formal visits – you just walked in and started browsing! The landscape paintings were my favorite, but I loved this KERF exhibit from the 1700s too!
We went over to Union Market afterwards to check it out and had some oysters for an appetizer! We <3 oysters!
We made our way back to our hotel’s neighborhood (so much waiting in the cold! so much spent on Uber!) and went to Le Diplomate for dinner. We didn’t have a reservation and ended up eating at the bar. I actually love eating at bars because I prefer sitting side-by-side to across-the-table. It’s cozier!
We had this salt cod and potato dip:
We also had some amazing bread, a glass of wine, and shared the steak frites for dinner with a side of green beans. Everything was great!
The next morning I went to the hotel workout room for a quick sweat session (the gym was very nice!) and then we met up with my high school friend Matt and his wife and cutest little baby boy for breakfast!
We ate at Slipstream – the same place I went with Anne back in September – it was right across the street! Thomas and I shared the eggs benny and avocado toast with goat cheese cream. Plus coffees and OJ. Delicious!
We said farewell to our friends and headed over to John’s house for a huge spread of appetizers!
To be continued…
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Love this recount, your NYE celebrations look perfect, Kath. Can’t wait for part two! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Melissa says
Looks like a fun trip! I’ve always loved visiting the DC area, it’s been years, but it’s always a fun place to visit. I’m looking forward to the next part of your post!
Andrea @ French Pressed Kitchen says
Everything looks amazing! All good food things – and Le Diplomate is my favorite. The walnut bread is so good!!
KathEats says
Yes!! That bread!! Hope we can meet up next time 🙂
Nicole says
Love that cozy looking coat! Where did you purchase? I’m in the market for a nice warm jacket myself 🙂
KathEats says
It’s from Stitch Fix!
Chelsea says
I live in Wisconsin and braved the cold to go out for New Year’s-it was tough! Looks like you had a lovely weekend. Can’t wait to read the rest!
Teresa says
Currently 4 degrees in Boston and our 100 year old house picked today for the heater to crap out. Ugh. I hate winter! But this post was great haha. I love the National Gallery! We enjoyed a similar short getaway without the baby this week to Miami- warm weather felt amazing! HNY!!
Lindsey says
I love Kimpton hotels! I feel so fancy when I stay in one 🙂 If you liked the National Gallery of Art, I highly recommend the National Portrait Gallery next time you’re up here. It’s also a Smithsonian so its free, and it’s one of my favorite DC museums. Le Diplomete is pretty famous! It looks great – I haven’t been there but it’s on the wish list. I think you’d really like Bussboys & Poets or Founding Farmers next time as well next time you have a chance to come.
Tonya says
I second the BBnP and Founding Farmers suggestions. kath–since you like a good cocktail try the Farmers and Distillers location for their massive drink menu!
KathEats says
Taking notes!
Linda @ the Fitty says
Ah, such red cheeks! I just want to pinch them >.<
Poly M says
Woot! DC is my local resource for creative grub. I have more bookmarks for “to-do” restaurants than I’ll probably ever be able to accomplish. I like the KERF reference at the museum! I believe all museums on the mall are free entry like the National Gallery, fyi for if/when you come back. 🙂
Nicole @ Bento Momentos says
How fun! Sounds like a wonderful little getaway. 🙂
Tonya says
heeeey girl! you were in my hood! I must say, so far, looks like you hit aaalll the right spots! I LOVE Kimpton Hotels. The one in Old Town Alexandria is spa themed and omg you just get so much at their hotels for such an affordable rate. And they’re all so uniquely designed and themed. Yep they were bought. Nothing seems to have changed!
Out of town-ers are always shocked that they don’t have to pay to go to the museums here and I’m always shocked that you have to pay for museums/zoos etc in other cities! I always say :pfft! Those are MY pandas! I’m not paying to see them!” 😀
And yep–it’s been insanely cold for the past week and will continue for another! Good on Thomas. We would have found a Kath-sicle over by the Convention Center! 🙂
Ready to read pt 2!
KathEats says
Hahaha! #mypandas
Susan says
I love that you took Amtrak to DC. It is the best way to go! I travel to NYC several times a year on Amtrak and think of you when we go through Charlottesville. Maybe some day I will get there to visit.
Stacey says
For almost a week now it’s been below 0 in Iowa… Actual temps of -15 to -20 each morning and wind chills making it feel like -30 to -40. I think starting tomorrow we’re to be above 0 again! This time of year is not for the weak (or me!).
KathEats says
Crazy!!!