Georgetown’s Mie N Yu restaurant hosted its third annual Silk Road Celebration last night, adding lots of interactive details to what could have been a run-of-the-mill tasting event—we’re talking geishas, kung fu performers, Chinese dragons, a gold-painted model posed as a Buddha statue, and a graphologist who analyzed guests’ handwriting. The food sampling, dubbed an Asian food bazaar, included a mix of Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Japanese specialties, such as roasted squid, duck vermicelli, and green tea soba noodles (all of which were served with matching wine pairings).
“There’s not too much going on in the middle of July, so people can come out and have fun,” said Mie N Yu operation manager Victoria Graham, who held the event in the restaurant's seven private dining rooms (including a birdcage hanging from the ceiling that seats eight). In between tastings, we polled the 500-plus attendees (including local event planners and media types) for their take on business entertaining, and what events they’re looking forward to hitting up this summer.Are there any events you’re especially looking forward to this summer?
“In D.C., no. Miami, yes. This new club Ibiza opened in early July—that was a huge event in D.C.”
—Whitney Peach, events coordinator, Ultrabar D.C.
“We’ve pretty much had them all already. I’m chairing an event in October with Girls Inc., a spinoff of the Girls and Boys Clubs. It’s about girls being strong, smart, and bold.”
—Carole Margaret Randolph, Fairmont Washington, D.C., etiquette consultant
What restaurants are you hoping to check out?
“Rustico.”
—Marta Bonet, trade specialist, Embassy of Chile
“Proof. It just opened and the wine list is huge.”
—Mariano Gaston, special events director, Teatro Goldoni
“I haven’t been to eat at Michel Richard’s Central or Robert Wiedmaier’s Brasserie Beck yet. I feel very deprived.”
—Mary Bird, writer, The Georgetowner and The Downtowner
“Vidalia and Acadiana, which has a great outdoor patio. We just booked for Restaurant Week.”
—Cynthia Kopkowski, freelance writer
What are some of the best business-entertaining restaurants in town?
“We’re doing an associate and client party at La Tasca in Arlington. It has a certain atmosphere, with south Spain decor and flamenco dancers and a live band. It’s happy hour prices all night, $3 drinks, which is great for an event planner. And there’s Metro access. It’s a good compromise between D.C. and northern Virginia.”
—Liz Green, marketing manager and event planner, MyBizOffice Inc.
“Oceanaire, Morton’s—those are traditional corporate. I would take people here [Mie N Yu], a certain type of people. Charlie Palmer is another big one in D.C.”
—Dennis Menis, sales, Océ North America
“There’s not too much going on in the middle of July, so people can come out and have fun,” said Mie N Yu operation manager Victoria Graham, who held the event in the restaurant's seven private dining rooms (including a birdcage hanging from the ceiling that seats eight). In between tastings, we polled the 500-plus attendees (including local event planners and media types) for their take on business entertaining, and what events they’re looking forward to hitting up this summer.Are there any events you’re especially looking forward to this summer?
“In D.C., no. Miami, yes. This new club Ibiza opened in early July—that was a huge event in D.C.”
—Whitney Peach, events coordinator, Ultrabar D.C.
“We’ve pretty much had them all already. I’m chairing an event in October with Girls Inc., a spinoff of the Girls and Boys Clubs. It’s about girls being strong, smart, and bold.”
—Carole Margaret Randolph, Fairmont Washington, D.C., etiquette consultant
What restaurants are you hoping to check out?
“Rustico.”
—Marta Bonet, trade specialist, Embassy of Chile
“Proof. It just opened and the wine list is huge.”
—Mariano Gaston, special events director, Teatro Goldoni
“I haven’t been to eat at Michel Richard’s Central or Robert Wiedmaier’s Brasserie Beck yet. I feel very deprived.”
—Mary Bird, writer, The Georgetowner and The Downtowner
“Vidalia and Acadiana, which has a great outdoor patio. We just booked for Restaurant Week.”
—Cynthia Kopkowski, freelance writer
What are some of the best business-entertaining restaurants in town?
“We’re doing an associate and client party at La Tasca in Arlington. It has a certain atmosphere, with south Spain decor and flamenco dancers and a live band. It’s happy hour prices all night, $3 drinks, which is great for an event planner. And there’s Metro access. It’s a good compromise between D.C. and northern Virginia.”
—Liz Green, marketing manager and event planner, MyBizOffice Inc.
“Oceanaire, Morton’s—those are traditional corporate. I would take people here [Mie N Yu], a certain type of people. Charlie Palmer is another big one in D.C.”
—Dennis Menis, sales, Océ North America
A painted Buddha accented Mie N Yu's tasting event.
Photo: BizBash
A gold-painted living Buddha accented Mie N Yu's Silk Road Celebration tasting event.
Photo: BizBash
Painted geishas roamed the event.
Photo: Jim Folliard/Gearshift Productions
A lion dancer and musicians greeted guests at the restaurant's entrance.
Photo: Jim Folliard/Gearshift Productions
Fan dancers performed throughout the evening.
Photo: Jim Folliard/Gearshift Productions
Waiters passed firecracker ahi tuna tartare with chili peppers, lemongrass, soy, habanero masago, and sesame wonton.
Photo: Jim Folliard/Gearshift Productions
