Roll into chillier weather with everything from a new exhibit at one of the city’s best small galleries to Patrick O’Connell’s new mountain cafe
The Watermark Hotel is the latest shrine to five-star hospitality in the region, and its signature restaurant, Wren, recently opened on the 11th floor. Led by chef Yo Matsuzaki—formerly of San Francisco’s Ozumo Concepts International, Nobu New York and Zentan DC—the Japan native draws upon locally grown ingredients to create a small-plate menu inspired by his native country’s street food infused with modern American elements. 1825 Capital One Drive S, Tysons, 703.707.0478, wrentysons.com
Keep it toasty, DC. The winter collection from Peruvian Connection is equal parts laid-back and luxurious with enveloping blanket coats, exquisite supple shearlings and stunning knit dresses designed for a lifetime of wear. Bonus: The looks are crafted from homegrown alpaca fiber and Peruvian Pima cotton. 950 F St. NW, Ste. 102, 202.737.4405, peruvianconnection.com
Open on K at Hemphill Artworks
We love the cut-to-the-chase moniker of Hemphill Artworks’ latest show: OPEN on K. The beloved gallery, which uprooted on 14th Street and opened a gorgeous, light-filled new location on K Street just before lockdown, recognizes that many of Washington’s collectors haven’t explored the new space. George Hemphill and his curation team decided to go big and showcase Rush Baker IV, Colby Caldwell, Steven Cushner, Stephanie Garon, Franz Jantzen, Mark Kelner, Tanya Marcuse, Renée Stout and Julie Wolfe for this extraordinary show. Through Nov. 24, 434 K St. NW, 202.234.5601, hemphillfinearts.com
Capital One Hall in Tysons.
The region has a shiny new acoustical toy: Capital One Hall recently opened in Tysons as a performing arts center, corporate meeting space and special event facility. It’s part of the 25-acre Capital One Center, which is home to The Watermark Hotel (thewatermarkhotel.com), street-focused retail and the brand’s global headquarters. The 1,600-seat main theater will host Broadway productions, concerts and other live performances, while a 225-seat space known as The Vault will serve as a black box theater. Upcoming shows in the main theater include Taylor Tomlinson (Nov. 13-14), Magical Cirque Christmas (Nov. 22) and The Elf on a Shelf—A Christmas Musical (Nov. 28). 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons, capitalonehall.com
The Fairmont Washington, DC, Georgetown recently cut the ribbon on a new courtyard bar, which features a variety of sparkling wines and gins and exceptional bites. But the spotlight will shine brightest on Untitled Gin No. 6—the Fairmont’s own gin—created in tandem with DC’s One Eight Distilling (oneeightdistilling.com). The hotel’s culinary team blended the gin’s flavors, with hints of juniper, apple, rose hip, cornflower and calendula petal. Executive chef Jordi Gallardo and executive pastry chef A.J. Thalakkat collaborated on a bar menu that includes a seafood tower and signature chocolates. 2401 M St., 202.429.2400, fairmont.com/washington
The first REDEYE Night Market, an Asian-inspired street festival brought to the District by Peter Chang’s No Kings Collective, lights the night this month. Inspired by the bustling open-air night markets of East and Southeast Asia, the event will occupy four blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue and bring together merchants like Sarah Bayout (pictured) from Kicheko Goods and more than 50 local food and beverage vendors—think Filipino pastries, Taiwanese shaved ice and Korean fried chicken from spots like Tiger Fork, Maketto, China Chilcano and Thip Khao. Nov. 6, 4-11PM, Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Third to Seventh streets, theredeye. nokingscollective.com
As holiday shopping commences, find local vendors at spots like the Downtown Holiday Market in Penn Quarter (downtownholidaymarket.com) and in Georgetown at 31/M—a retail lab, created by EastBanc, featuring popular small and local businesses like Viva Vida (shopvivavida.com) jewelry and Laiik (laiik.com) footwear. “[It’s] a space that inspires brands to create, and inspires our community to come in again and again,” says Anthony Lanier, EastBanc’s founder and CEO. 3077 M St. NW, concept31m.com
It would be easy for chef Patrick O’Connell, who has a shelf of James Beard Awards, to simply bask in the success at The Inn at Little Washington. But that’s not how O’Connell is wired. Always inventive and eminently daring, the chef opens Patty O’s Cafe & Bakery this fall at his Inn; it will be his first restaurant launch in 43 years. The indoor and outdoor cafe will offer food inspired by the Inn’s early menus. Guests also will find a bakery and select homemade grocery-style items like O’Connell’s signature granola. The new venue, created by French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, is reminiscent of cafes on Rue Montorgueil. 309 Middle St., Washington, Va., 540.675.3800, theinnatlittlewashington.com
Washington Performing Arts has a tremendous winter season on tap, including Tomorrow I May Be Far Away. The evening features pianist Lara Downes (pictured), Pulitzer Prizewinning poet Rita Dove and the Thalea String Quartet. The eclectic program includes works by Duke Ellington, Florence Price, Nina Simone, Carlos Simon and Quinn Mason. Nov. 3, Sixth & I, 600 I St. NW, 202.408.3100, washingtonperformingarts.org; sixthandi.org
Photography by: Greg Powers; Courtesy of Peruvian Collection; Courtesy of Venues; Courtesy of Venues; Courtesy of Brands; Courtesy of Brands; Courtesy of Brands; Greg Powers; Courtesy of Brands
