CityZen Opens in D.C.'s Mandarin Oriental

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Juliet Glass
Posted: October 13, 2004

After eight years at the venerable French Laundry, Eric Ziebold returned to the nation's capital, where he started his career at Vidalia, to open CityZen in the new Mandarin Oriental, Washington, D.C. in September. The 74 seater has a dramatic mood, created by the New York City—based designer Tony Chi, with a 30 foot wall of flames behind the main bar and a gleaming exhibition kitchen.

Dinner is offered as a five course tasting menu ($90) or three course prix-fixe ($70). Appetizers: tempura of Maryland soft shell crab with English cucumber, sweet peppers, and cucumber/wasabi vinaigrette; moulard duck foie gras risotto with caramelized Granny Smith apples. Main courses: scalloppine of veal sweetbreads with white corn chowder, polenta croutons, and roasted Swiss chard; sautéed spotted skate wing with boudin d'homard, Black Mission figs, and chanterelles. Desserts by Jewel Zimmer (previously of San Francisco's The Fifth Floor): passion fruit poached Gala apple tart with Italian hazelnut cream and apple cider apéritif; Tahitian vanilla roasted pineapple with coconut sorbet and toasted sesame smoothie.