At CityCenterDC, we’re embracing a new season and shaking off our quarantine fatigue with a healthy dose of creativity.
Spring is synonymous with new beginnings, but after a year of balancing quarantine anxiety with remote learning and working from our dining tables (or—let’s be honest—our beds, on occasion), the timing has never been better for a fresh start. So, this month, we’re committed to turning over a new leaf when it comes to how we approach our wardrobes, our homes, and even our dinner routines.
First things first? It’s time to change out of our daytime sweats and invite some color, pattern, and texture back into our lives. Even if you’re not heading back into the office anytime soon, the spring collections are full of statement pieces you’ll want to show off, and this extended period at home is the perfect opportunity to lean into your creativity, mix and match with abandon, and take some sartorial risks. We encourage you to try it and see how much extra joy it can bring into your day.
At home, we’re rethinking our heirloom accessories and finding out-of-the-box ways to give them a second (or third, or fourth) life. And we’re breaking out of a dinner rut with some innovative wine pairings, courtesy of one of our favorite steakhouses.
Finally, in the spirit of cherry blossom season, we welcome you to stop by Palmer Alley and experience a sea of pink decorations—the perfect backdrop for a quick selfie. Put on a fresh spring look, see what’s new in your favorite shops, and don’t worry: Your nighttime sweats will still be there for you when you get home.
Think you can’t enjoy a steak with white wine, or fish with a red? Think again: The perfect wine pairing is equal parts art and science, and a lot of it has to do with your personal preference. In the case of those earlier examples, sometimes an effervescent white wine works wonders to cleanse your palate after a bite of rich, decadent steak; in the case of a particularly robust, meaty fish like salmon, a red wine can easily hold its own. The best way to learn your favorite pairings? Get a few recommendations, and then experiment on your own to see what you like best. Here are a few expert pairings from the pros at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse to pique your imagination:
THE DISH: Deep Fried Branzino with Lemon Beurre Blanc
Pair it with: Moet Et Chandon Brut, Rosé, Reims, Champagne, France
THE DISH: Filet Mignon, Oscar-style
Pair it with: Cakebread Cellars 2017 Napa Valley Chardonnay
THE DISH: Pan-roasted Bay of Fundy Salmon, Shaved Broccoli and Kale Slaw, Caper Herb Sauce, Blistered Tomatoes
Pair it with: Siduri Pinot Noir, Russian River, California
THE DISH: Long Bone Ribeye Topped with Foie Gras
Pair it with: Chateau Les Justices 2014 Sauternes France
We enlisted local creative pro Sidra Forman—also one of BAZAAR’s top 10 florists in the world—to share how she would style the iconic Malmaison silver-plated ice bucket from Christofle. Her POV? “The objects in your home should create drama, but also have many uses.”
The arrival of cherry blossoms signals everyone’s favorite time of year in D.C. For our part, we can hardly get our fill of the pink-hued landscape before the season starts to shift into summer. If you’re in the same boat, get a little extra dose of rosy color with a walk through Palmer Alley, where our festive pink lanterns fill the space overhead and make for the perfect photo backdrop. Make sure to tag @CityCenterDC in your Instagram photos for a chance to be featured on our page!
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