Hotels and Dining ...1 of 2 > |
Area hotels are offering a
variety of packages and services for their guests (+), and
restaurants and
bars are serving special menus and drinks. Among the finest hotels is the Willard InterContinential at 1401 Pennsylvania Ave., NW; the Willard combines friendly staff, first-rate service and a storied history. |
Willard Hotel in gingerbread
created by
Willlard Hotel Pastry Chef Gary O'Hanlon. Specifications: "Decked-out in the hotel’s full presidential inauguration glory, the cake measures nearly 3 feet in height and 5 ½ feet in length. The gingerbread house is 99% edible comprised of: 54 pounds of brown sugar, 70 pounds of granulated sugar, 48 pounds of shortening, 6 pounds of baking soda, 2 gallons of molasses, 250 eggs, 4 pounds of ginger, 4 pound of cinnamon, 130 pounds of flour, 20 pounds of icing, 10 pounds of rolled fondant, 200 to 250 work hours." |
Floral decoration by Rick Scott. |
It does need to be watered three
times a day, however. |
In their rooms, guests found
a variety of treats including cookies based on First Lady Michelle
Obama's winning recipe in the Family Circle Magazine bake off (White
and Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies); 312, a Chicago craft beer by Goose
Island, an urban wheat ale ("one of President Obama's favorite
beverages"); Pastry Chef Gary O'Hanlon's caramelized macadamia nuts
covered with chocolate; red, white and blue macaroons; Tumbador
Chocolates made in sustainable chocolate factory in Brooklyn, NY;
Chicago popcorn
in a Willard tin; and American Summits water (+).
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In the Round Robin Bar, bartenders including Glenn Fronda can prepare a Blue Hawaiian or other presidential themed cocktails (+). The Blue Hawaiian "combines the president’s penchant for aged Tequila and the cool blue waters of the Pacific." The drink features aged Tequila, Curacao and fresh lime juice. |
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