Summer recess is over, and you can tell. Not by the rookie pages scurrying around on the Hill or the latest scuffle in the Senate, but by Washington, D.C.'s renewed energy and spirit. Renovated hotels, museum expansions and a fresh crop of high-end restaurants are all helping get the city out of its usual second-term slump.
The most coveted seats in town are at José Andrés's Minibar (405 8th St., NW; 202-393-0812), on the second floor of his Café Atlantico. Sit on one of the six stools and sample the tasting menu's creative small plates, such as the "cotton candy foie gras." You will have to book a month in advance for one of the two evening seatings.
A fashionable crowd gathers for the authentic Indian food with a twist at Rasika (633 D St., NW; 202-637-1222), and yes, that is Bill Clinton at the next table. The power set can also be found at the still-hot CityZen (1330 Maryland Ave., SW; 202-787-6006), at the Mandarin Oriental, where Robert Redford was spotted dining on Eric Ziebold's modern American cuisine. Also popular is the New Orleans-style Acadiana (901 New York Ave., NW; 202-408-8848), under the direction of executive chef Jeff Tunks, of TenPenh, DC Coast and Ceiba fame.
An eagerly awaited fall opening is Central (1001 Pennsylvania Ave., NW), a bistro from chef Michel Richard, whose French-California fare at Citronelle has been garnering raves.
Between memorable meals, check out the Sant wing at the Phillips Collection (1600 21st St., NW; 202-387-2151; phillipscollection.org), the oldest museum of modern art in the States. Four years in the making, the wing includes the Rothko Room, a 325-square-foot space displaying four of the artist's paintings.
After six years of renovation, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery (both at 8th and F Sts., NW; 202-633-1000; reynoldscenter.org) have reopened. They now share an entrance, and some of the interior walls were removed so visitors can stroll from one museum to the other.
Two of Washington's best hotels have also been spruced up. The Park Hyatt (24th and M Sts., NW; 800-778-7477; parkhyatt.com) has reopened after a $24 million redo by New York designer Tony Chi. Glass sculptures etched with blossoming cherry trees adorn the lobby, and the 215 rooms, said to be the largest in Washington, have limestone baths and custom scents from renowned Parisian perfumer Blaise Mautin.
A few blocks away in Georgetown is the Four Seasons (2800 Pennsylvania Ave., NW; 800-819-5053; fourseasons.com), the favorite of VIPs, who are torn between staying in the west wing's traditional rooms and the refurbished east wing's 151 spacious sage-and-lavender rooms, designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon (lauded for his makeover of the Four Seasons Hotel George V, in Paris).
After a stop at the hotel's expanded spa, explore the many enticing boutiques in Georgetown, then drop by Leopold's Kafe & Konditorei (3315 Cady's Alley, NW; 202-965-6005), a Viennese coffeehouse tucked away in an alley behind the city's most stylish furniture stores. If it's a nice day, sit outside, listen to the Euro chatter and discuss how well Washington is thriving. That is surely something everyone can agree on--no matter which side of the aisle they're on.
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