Blue Duck Tavern

"When that I’m-feeling-fancy mood hits, head to the Blue Duck Tavern inside the Park Hyatt. Diplomats, politicians, and members of Washington’s glitterati are frequently spotted mingling for brunch and well into the late afternoon, when the adjacent Blue Duck Lounge opens at 4pm. To impress your own brunch guests, order the savory duck confit hash, decadent cornmeal waffle, and classic BDT benedict served on a pretzel bun. Add a sorbet mimosa or the Bloody Maria with roasted jalapeño tequila to keep the party going with all your new friends." - mekita rivas, omnia saed, tristiana hinton

"Tea service at Blue Duck Tavern resurfaced last fall, complete with a freshly brewed pot of tea, accompaniments, seasonal small plates, and custom desserts. An a la carte list of teas stretches many pages long, with prices starting around $14. Its intimate tea cellar offers a semi-private alcove to enjoy a curated collection of 35 aged and vintage teas showcased in glass humidors, joined by a lit display of tea blossoms that flower when steeped in water. Call for reservations or go here for private bookings in the tea cellar. A special Valentine’s Day tea runs Saturday, February 15 and Sunday, February 16 for $90 per person, or $110 with a glass of Taittinger Champagne." - Tierney Plumb, Emily Venezky

"On Thanksgiving, Blue Duck Tavern will offer its a la carte breakfast menu from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Then, the “lunch into dinner” service will be available from 12 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Those selecting the three-course meal will begin with a choice of seasonal appetizers, like the market mushroom soup with chestnuts and crosnes (Chinese artichoke). Plated entrees and sides to share include slow-roasted prime rib with horseradish cream and bourbon-pecan reduction and kuri squash risotto with burgundy truffles. Pastry chef Colleen Murphy’s dessert consists of pumpkin cheesecake with maple whipped ganache and pepita-puffed grain crunch. Pricing begins at $165 per person for adults and $65 for children from six to 12 years of age. All reservations require full pre-payment and are nonrefundable." - Vinciane Ngomsi

"Some people go for single malt Scotch, others for single origin tea. Devotees of the latter should head to The Park Hyatt’s Blue Duck Tavern, which stocks a tea cellar specifically with single origin teas from all over the world. We come here when we’re looking for an experience focused more on the actual tea itself rather than the environment, which can feel a bit corporate. Even if you don’t love tea, snacks like matcha roll cake and lapsang souchong-cured smoked salmon sandwiches are reason enough to come. This is the spot to bring and impress your in-laws, or out-of-town visitors who wouldn’t otherwise go to afternoon tea. The cost per person is $90 without Champagne, or $110 with." - madeline weinfield

"When that I’m-feeling-fancy mood hits, head to the Blue Duck Tavern inside the Park Hyatt. We like it for brunch, when diplomats, politicians, and members of Washington’s glitterati mingle well into the late afternoon, when the adjacent Blue Duck Lounge opens at 4pm. To impress your own brunch guests, order the savory duck confit hash, decadent cornmeal waffle, and classic BDT benedict served on a pretzel bun with house-cured Canadian bacon and soft-poached eggs. Add a sorbet mimosa or the Bloody Maria with roasted jalapeño tequila, and toast to all your new friends." - Mekita Rivas