Stockholm in a nutshell...

FotoWeek DC becomes FotoDC!

FotoWeek in November 2010 took Washington DC by storm. So much so that FotoWeek has now become FotoDC. Check out the link below for events and classes to be hosted all year long throughout the DMV!

FotoWeek DC becomes FotoDC in 2011 Exposing Washington to Photography All Year Long!

Eurasian debate...

Trying to decide if my next prints should be asian inspired or middle eastern...

Review: Mandarin Oriental Hotel High Tea

A few of us ladies decided to see what the classier side of DC did on a relaxing Sunday afternoon. When we found ourselves searching for a place to warm up from the biting cold on this windy January day we ended up wandering into the Mandarin Oriental Hotel's Empress Lounge high tea. (in reality we had a reservation...but it seems no reservation is necessary.)

Pro's

• Your choice from a variety of teas or coffees ($32) or cocktails($38)
• Buffet style of both sweet & savory for plenty to eat
• Comfortable couches to relax on
• Lovely patio area and views of the Tidal Basin in the summer
• Good attentive service without feeling rushed

Con's

• Ambiance was underwhelming for such an expensive luxury hotel (creepy mural of an Empress with monkey's swinging over DC and no music)
• Not enough savory treats (lacking the traditional cucumber finger sandwiches)
• Savory treats seemed stale... left over from Saturday's high tea
• Not a separate room...the Empress Lounge is directly off the main lobby of the hotel

Overall I give the Mandarin Oriental Hotel's Empress Lounge high tea a 3.5/5 stars. As I have nothing to compare it too I felt it was a wonderful way to start my discovery into DC high tea but left me wanting more.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel

1330 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20024

T: +1 (202) 554 8588

High Tea Empress Lounge

Saturday & Sunday

2:30pm - 4:30pm

Frank Lloyd Wright thru the eyes of Pittsburgh...

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