Taste of the nation DC. March 30,2009

When I arrived at the historic Mellon Auditorium on Constitution Avenue, I did not know what to expect. Taste of the Nation sounded like a great event for a great cause, and "The No Kid Hungry" promise, sounded like an amazing endeavor. Upon entering the event, I was impressed with the venue. Tall ceilings, amazing architecture and a feeling of an older times grandeur that was eminent in the building.

Various liquor/wine vendors participated in this year's event and DC's most prominent restaurants, donated food for the invitees. The list of Restaurants included
1789 Restaurant * Acadiana * Aria Trattoria * Art and Soul * Artisan Confections * Artisan Meatcrafters * Bar Pilar * Bastille * Bebo Trattoria * Belga Cafe * Best Buns Bread Company * Bistro Bis * BLT Steak * Bourbon Steak * Brasserie Beck * The Capital Grille * Carla Hall, Top Chef Finalist for Share Our Strength’s Operation Frontline * Carlyle * Central * Charlie Palmer Steak * Co Co. Sala * CommonWealth * Cork * Damgoodsweet Consulting Group * Dino * Enology * Farrah Olivia * Founding Farmers * Georgetown Cupcake * The Gibson * Hank’s Oyster Bar * Hook * Horton Cellars Winery * Indique Heights * INOX * Kaz Sushi Bistro * Kinkead’s * Lebanese Taverna * Marcel’s * Mendocino Grille and Wine Bar * Mio * Oceanaire * The Oval Room * OYA * PassionFish * Poste Brasserie * Proof * PS 7’s * PX * Restaurant Eve * Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center * The Source * Taberna del Alabardero * Teatro Goldoni * Veritas * Vermilion * Vidalia * Vinoteca * VOLT * Westend Bistro.

The food and drinks were great, but what impressed me the most was the Chocolate creations of CO CO Sala, the amazing coctails of Cruzan Rum, the Sausages of Artisan Meatcrafters, and the steak of Charlie Palmer Restaurant. Great customer attention goes to Nick from Mio, Barret of CoCo Sala, PS 7 and Hook.