Dine Like a Founding Father at Plume

In the past several weeks, all the talk in Washington has been about budgeting, cutting spending, and even the possibility of a government shutdown.  And like most DC area residents will attest, sometimes the only way to cope is by tuning out.  And how better to tune out of the austerity debate than by heading just blocks away from budget central to the opulent Jefferson Hotel.

Purse Stool

Thomas Jefferson's notoriety as both oenophile and francophile is the inspiration for the culinary lavishness at Plume, the hotel's restaurant.  If you have the Presidential sum of $1776 per person to spend on dinner (or maybe an unexpected tax refund), you can get a personal sommelier experience including rare, old vine vintages to pair with a custom menu created just for you.  Based on my own splurge experience this fall at Plume sommelier Michael Scaffidi's former employer, French Laundry, I have no doubt that this would be an experience to remember.   Full disclosure, my tax refund was not this good, so I have not yet experienced the 1776 way of dining -- would someone like to sponsor me?!

But your check need not necessitate a comma if you order off Plume's nightly menu, though the experience is still most apt for a celebratory occasion.  The Jeffersonian inspired surroundings include a soaring skylight, a hand-painted mural of Monticello’s south vineyard, and even a personal stool for your purse. 

And there is yet another option to soak up such opulence: stop in for a drink at the adjacent bar, Quill.  Packed with cozy nooks and crannies, plenty of original Jefferson memorabilia, and some unique bites and sips, I am more than happy drinking like a well-heeled commoner when my purse can't quite afford its own stool!