In Case You Missed It: Hello to Art and Soul

TGIF! Deacon's trying hard to avoid making this blog into a "where you can see and be seen" review ... I mean, isn't there more than enough of that on Pamela's Punch?

But we spent last night at the Art and Soul opening at the new Affinia Hotel on Capitol Hill and must say, it was event worthy of your attendance... and our blogging.

One of my fave PR firms (Hisaoka) partnered with some of the best ladies in town (those at the Corcoran) for great opening event that also served as pre-party for the up-and-coming Fall Fete at the Corcoran next weekend. If you haven't bought your tickets yet, do so ASAP.

We enjoyed small bites (OMG, the mac-n-cheese balls were to die for) courtesy of Art Smith and Ryan Morgan as well as cocktails like the "Front Porch," a sweet yet kickin' blend of vodka, sweet tea, simple syrup, mint and lemon zest.

Art and Soul (you saw our JuliB review, right?) aims to serve comfort food with a southern-ish twist, and we were pleasantly surprised by even the small offerings we tried ... think Southern Ham wrapped shrimp (or barbecue marinated varieties for those who don't do meat), salmon and caviar on potato bites, mini crab cakes with lemon tartar sauce, tiny beef tenderloin sandwiches on amazing house-made rolls, and of course ... the aforementioned mac n-cheese balls. Okay, we'll admit it, we overindulged a bit on those.

Art lovers got a great preview of the Corcoran's ongoing Richard Avedon exhibit in a private back room with flat screen TVs broadcasting images from the exhibit. Plus, those who found the room didn't want to miss a minute of the "mini" themed dessert table- carmel apple puddings, peanut butter chocolates, cupcakes and even mini dipped apples. YUM.

The space was beautiful (see photos below) and overall we can't wait to make it back for dinner ... or a hotel stay, thanks to the gratis coupon that came in our press bag at the end of the night.

Let's just say we're moving a little slowly this morning ....



(From Left to right, Kristin Guiter of the Corcoran, Rachel Cothran of Project Beltway, Barrett Evans of IBM, and Sarah Beth of the Corcoran)