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Thursday, May 15
7:00 pm
Helix Lounge
In Hotel Helix
1430 Rhode Island Ave, NW
Washington, DC, (202) 462-9001
Review from WashingtonPost Entertainment Guide
Since opening the Topaz Bar in late fall 2001, the Kimpton Hotel Group has changed the way Washingtonians look at hotel bars. Previously the domain of tourists and an older, professional crowd, hotel lounges now attract a younger, hipper crowd hungry for imaginative martinis in a swank environment. Each Kimpton location -- the Topaz Bar, followed by Bar Rouge, Poste, Firefly and now Helix Lounge -- has created its own trendy bar scene, continually upping the standards.
Helix Lounge, which opened in November 2002, is the last of the Kimpton Group's Washington hotels (for now, at least), and it includes many features from the other hotel bars: a sleek, modern design; an exotic cocktail list; pulsing electronic and top 40 music, adventurous small plates on a themed menu (in this case, old-fashion American "comfort food"). And, of course, there's no cover charge or dress code. However, Helix manages to improve on the Kimpton bars that came before. The white patent leather and chrome (in addition to the creamy blue walls) would make the garish Topaz blush. The open floor space is a relief after the often-cramped Rouge. Unlike Firefly's miniscule counter, Helix's long, curving bar runs for most of one wall, making it easier to belly up and find a bartender. And whether you're dining or lounging, there's plenty of room to sit: chunky ottomans, a huge settee, the long communal dining table, two large nooks -- more on them in a bit -- and more traditional tables for two. The centerpiece of the room is a large overstuffed, volcano-shaped settee, which can fit about 10 people around its circular base. However, you should try and find a spot in the rectangular alcove at the lobby end of the room. Perch on one of the blocky banquettes for a good view of the scene, and -- to create an aura of mystery -- pull the gauzy white curtains closed. The only caveat is that the alcove has room for about eight, so on busy nights you'll wind up sharing the space. Helix, too, has an interesting cocktail menu that includes twists on the classics (adding Grand Marnier to a sidecar to create a Side Kick), a good grasp on the basics (the Junipertini, a Bombay Sapphire martini with three fat blue-cheese-stuffed olives) and fun "original" drinks (including the BBQ martini, made with vodka, smoky Talisker Scotch and a spear of pearl onions). House concoctions generally cost $8-$10; a regular gin and tonic will run around $6. Beer is in bottles only, and the selection is limited. The "comfort food" menu includes old American favorites like corn dogs in fairground mustard sauce, although chef Stafford Mather (also the chef de cuisine at Rouge and Topaz) jazzes them up with a touch of spice and serves them on skewers, satay style. For sharing, try the house-made potato chips, crispy and ridged, served with a creamy Maytag blue cheese dip. Helix seems pretty isolated -- at 14th and Rhode Island Ave. NW, it's not going to be on too many bar crawls. It's only two blocks up Rhode Island from Rouge and 15 RIA, and I've heard people complain that those hotels are too far off the beaten path. I wouldn't be deterred, though. If this is the last Kimpton hotel bar in Washington, it's like hitting a home run in their final at bat. For those of you unfamiliar with this effort, below is an explanation: We've often heard young Greek-American professionals - married and single - say that they would like the opportunity to meet other Greek-Americans in the D.C. area in a relaxed and informal setting.
We would like to invite you to join us on the third Thursday of every month at a gathering to which all Greek-American professionals in the Washington metro area are invited.
We pledge to you that:
There will be no cover charge, no RSVP's and no name tags.
There will be no group name, no board members and no mission statements.
This is simply an attempt to address a need we have heard many express:
to help young Greek-Americans in the area get together.
We hope to see you at a future Third Thursday. Mike Manatos
Dimitri Nionakis Vicky Tsilas
Demetri Koutrouvelis
Vasiliki Szczesny
Charlie Szczesny
Vasiliki Tsaganos
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