By Kirsten Obadal

Photo by John Arundel/WHG
Upstairs on the 11th floor, above Zen Tan, a romantic rooftop to soak in the city's sights after dinner.

"Iron Chef" Susur Lee and his black-clad staff serve up an eclectic menu with an Asian twist in the chic, candlelit venue of Zen Tan. Opened last week, the Asian fusion restaurant is tucked just off the lobby at the newly renovated, ultra-luxe Donovan House at Thomas Circle.

In what used to be the District's red light district, in a town where greasy heavy pub food and dirty martinis are standard after-work fare, operator Brett Blass of Thompson Hotels has set himself to the task of creating a mini-renaissance for the neighborhood, offering a new, hip venue for after-work cocktails and refreshingly offbeat cuisine.

Written By Kirsten Obadal
Photos by John Arundel/WHG

New York actress Rebecca Pappa, a manager at the new Publick House at National Harbor, takes a bite
out of the 2nd Annual Food and Wine Festival at National Harbor.