Daily dispatches on the Washington, DC area's food, restaurant and dining scene.

An Early Look at the Park at Fourteenth

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By Sara Levine

On Tuesday, the well-dressed crowd included billionaire Microstrategy CEO Michael Saylor, socialite blogger Pamela Sorensen, and former congressman and NBA player Tom McMillen, who walked the red carpet into the elegant four-story space, done up with dark wood, leather banquettes, and glass-blown chandeliers. Each level offered one of the Park’s signature cocktails, all named after former First Ladies. The tongue-in-cheek Betty was a sweet but strong concoction of Belvedere, Champagne, pomegranate juice, and agave nectar. We preferred the simple, classic Jackie O—a Plymouth gin martini with fresh lemon juice and sage.

Passed hors d’oeuvres were hard to come by, but the bites we managed to snag were tasty enough, especially spice-rubbed salmon over tiny rounds of cornbread and meaty drumsticks of jerk chicken. The Caribbean accents come from co-executive chef Lois Spencer, who grew up in Trinidad and Tobago and previously oversaw the kitchen at Love. The other half of the Park’s cooking team is James Balster, an alum of several Washington kitchens, including 15 Ria and the Beacon Bar and Grill.

The restaurant will serve lunch and dinner on the Park’s first two floors—prime spots are on the ground level in view of the open kitchen. Upstairs will stay quiet until nightlife hours Wednesday through Saturday, when the lounge will feature DJs and offer bottle service to high-rollers in addition to four bars.

The Park at Fourteenth, 920 14th St., NW; 202-737-7275; theparkat14th.com.

Comments

Jeeeez I like others I see on this blog was denied entrance to the park because I had a Christian Audigier tshirt and a velvet blazer.. can you believe this and to add insult to injury(because I was with 3 beautiful ladies) a white guy with frayed khaki dockers on a tommy hilfiger sweater the ones with hilfiger on the arm was allowed to walk in... when I asked one of the guys who was apparently working there he basically told me its because you are black.!!!! I am enraged if this is the case why dont I move to the deep south and order some watermelon... I then really got pissed when I went around to Marc Barnes other club Lima and was allowed in without any hassle... if I had known it was his I would have not went in.. but the crowd there looked A 1 oh well no playing in the Park for me

Posted by: wowmymomiswhite, Nov 29, 2007 07:28:45 PM

The Park at 14th left a bad taste in my mouth...and I didn’t even make it into the club. Two of my guy friends and I ventured over to 14th & Park to check the place out at around 11 on a Saturday night. The crowd to get in was pretty short (about 15 people). The place looked dead through the window so we figured it wouldn’t take too long to get in. After about 10 minutes, a bouncer came out and announced, "If you are an unattached, single guy, you will not get in tonight". He arrogantly repeated it a few times and went back inside. I was shocked; I have been to plenty of upscale clubs and never once have they said that. Guys are aware that many times they won’t get in without girls...especially when it busy. But you never announce it. Plus, the line was short and it looked dead inside. Needless to say, we got out of line and left. I doubt I’d go back.

Posted by: Justin, Nov 29, 2007 06:44:48 PM

I LOVE this new club, it was amazing....I do appreciate the fact that you have to dress to impress. If i wanted to meet and talk to just anyone I can just go to any other place, but If you want to meet nice, proffesionals the Park Place is the place to be, Remember you will not find the same quality elsewhere. I am very impress with the crowd and would definatedly go back...

Posted by: Jc., Nov 26, 2007 02:58:24 PM

Great job, Marc! You’ve raised the bar in DC. Hopefully this place can finally put DC in the top tier. Bravo.

Posted by: SB, Nov 23, 2007 05:53:47 PM

This place does not play any up to date pop, R&B or hip-hop, clubs all over the country including Vegas and Miami all play pop, R&B and Hip-hop. Second there was no line, they tried to pick people out of the crowd like this was some exclusive club. Then once we did enter I was surprised to see there were no beautiful people in this club, so why was I waiting outside? Maybe because my group included 1 white girl and 2 black girls. I saw many black males turned away. For this club to be in the chocolate city it was disappointing and grossly overrated. To top it all off no one was really dancing. What a waste of my time. I am glad I didn’t have to pay to go to this establishment!!!!!

Posted by: Tina, Nov 20, 2007 08:35:39 AM

I fall in Loooove with THE PARK!!!.I am planning to go there.Can i take a date? Please i need your advice.

Posted by: Jasmin, Nov 18, 2007 10:21:01 AM

Masoud is a Washington nightlife fixture. He never fails to impress and delight. This concept is no exception. The Park is easily Washington’s most beautiful new event space. Good Luck Gentlemen- though I suspect you won’t need it! Dito

Posted by: Eduardo "Dito" Sevilla, Nov 17, 2007 09:57:15 AM

Seems like a great place to visit. Just make sure you’re either white or lucky. I’m no longer interested in "The Park" or "Love". Fortunately, I never spent much time at the latter anyway.

The beautiful people will continue to be found at Lima and K street. The Park was late opening up and by the looks of things...might as well have stayed "parked".

I see you EfromDC. What’s up dude? Hope you had fun at that place.....ummm....hmmmm...I forgot its name already....it’s the latest "me too" club near K street. Oh I remember now....The Whateva man. lol

Posted by: wayne, Nov 15, 2007 08:47:52 PM

First impressions are usually correct but what happens when on second glance you see something completely different? I went to the Park on Friday and had a wonderful time. When I bragged on and on about what a fantastice place it was, I was able to convience friends to go by on Saturday. That is when the dissapointment began. I was told to wait as I watched endless number of people walk in without being "On a List" This was an embarrasement to me and my friends! If this is how they treat young, professional, high income patrons then I guess that my money will go elsewhere. It was fun while it lasted cause it sure was not a walk in "The Park".

Posted by: Natacha, Nov 12, 2007 01:55:27 PM

As a longtime frequenter of the DC nightspots mentioned in this article (Love, Lima, Lotus, Fly and others) I was excited to visit what I was told was the most elegant and avantgarde of DC elite lounges. Instead I was treated to contempt and disain by the line staff. I along with other young upwardly mobile 30somethings waited 20 minutes or more outside the club for entry to this past Saturday. After being asked if we were on a "list" (which may or may not have existed - more about that later) we were told we would be granted entry "shortly." That time never arrived.

The eight of us; young, black, professionals in the government, technology and financial fields, watched as young, white patrons who were either minimally clad or shabbily dressed were allowed entry immediately upon coming upon the rope. When asked if they were on the "list" the responses were mixed. Whether on the list or not there was usually no check to see if they were on a "list" at all. They were asked for ID and then admitted.

This was in contrast to a feigned exhaustive search that was conducted for a member of our group who should have been on a real list of VIPs. Admittedly peeved about this, inquiries was made with the line staff. We were told flatly that as by an individual named "Tracy" who describes himself as "line manager" that he decides who enters and who doesn’t simply at his discretion. All the while others were entering with no "list" or list check being done.

As a supporter of dc nightlife for the past thirteen years, in particular the clubs owned and/or operated by Masoud A and Marc Barnes, I feel that my considerable loyalty both socially and financially has been abused by their staff on this occassion in a most distasteful and obviously racial way. Whatever goodwill over the past decade we may have had for their endeavors has evaporated in the span of one chilly November evening.

I wish other patrons luck with this location as they wil lnot be receive my patronage anytime in the foreseeable future.

Posted by: CK Collymore, Nov 11, 2007 08:21:02 PM

I love that they’re so strict with IDs because it keeps the college kids away! Definitely the most beautiful venue for the district’s most beautiful people

Posted by: Twentysomething, Nov 08, 2007 02:14:24 PM

Marc and Masoud have a winner with this one. With an upwardly mobile and professional crowd, this place will go far...

Posted by: eFromDC, Nov 07, 2007 08:55:16 AM

the best place in town .

Posted by: djromi, Nov 06, 2007 03:23:03 PM

I am not usually a fan of the "velvet rope" types in DC, but I must say I found everyone there to be very friendly to myself and my friend on the two visits I have had there. I like the fact that they seem to be catering to the 30 plus crowd ( I am 35) and don’t expect everyone to dress up in some ridiculous skimpy outfits to get in. I will be going back, looking forward to trying the dinner menu as well.

Posted by: Jen F. , Nov 06, 2007 12:04:18 PM

I have to say this place is spectacular! I was their DJ this past Friday night, and I look foward to spending many more hours at The Park at 14th.

Posted by: DJ Andrew, Nov 05, 2007 09:20:35 AM

Can not wait to be there....

Posted by: lynnd, Nov 04, 2007 12:13:06 PM

looks and sounds fabulous!

Posted by: Brandi G, Nov 01, 2007 07:10:51 PM

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