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Heading back east, visitors will fi nd the famed Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of the American Indians, Ulysses S. Grant Memorial, and fi nally, the United States Capitol Building. e famed dome can be seen from a distance as people enjoy the grassy fi elds that surround the building. Directly behind the Capitol Building, the east side of the National Mall ends with a look at the towering columns of the Supreme Court of the United States. On the way back to e Madison, guests can grab dinner at Mazi DC, a modern restaurant that specializes in New American cuisine and sits only two blocks from the hotel. e honey feta cheese is a delicious light bite to start your dinner. A standout entreé is the lamb burger, the tender juiciness of the meat paired with feta cheese, arugula, mint, and caramelized shallots. e toppings bring a freshness to the fl avor of the meal that makes it easy to forget you're eating a burger. Catch a short cab ride over to Quattro Osteria, an Italian restaurant that stuns with natural ivy vine elements throughout to make diners feel as though they're in the Italian countryside. e strongest starters are the Fiori di Zucca, zucchini blossoms stuff ed with smoked buff alo provola, and tomato coulis, as well as the tuna tartare. e standout dish is the tortellini ripieni di carbonara, which is tortellini fi lled with carbonara and topped with pecorino and black truffl e. Another favorite dish is the risotto alle capasante made with a green pea puree base, topped with scallops and apulian burrata. For dessert, indulge in tiramisu to top off a delicious dinner. Walk off dinner and keep the night going by making a stop at the Barcelona Wine Bar which is stocked with a variety of delectable wines from around the world, though most are from Spain, naturally. e wine bar also off ers mouthwatering brunch, dinner, and tapas menus along with a variety of charcuterie boards to accompany the spirits. e menu's standouts include signature Spanish dishes like green tomato gazpacho, steamed mussels with a white wine sauce, albondigas in a jamón-tomato sauce, and pulpo a la plancha, the ever-so-delicious grilled octopus. If all of these options aren't enough, the olive oil cake is rich, moist, and not overpowered with sweetness. For those looking to explore D.C.'s lively nightlife, El Techo's roo op is the perfect place. Located in the Westminster neighborhood of D.C., the roo op off ers a wide variety of Mexican food. For smaller bites, share classic carnitas or pork tacos and explore a remix of the classics like shrimp or mojito chicken. For bigger meals, the lomo saltado is not to be missed. e extensive cocktail menu off ers margarita varieties from a spicy mezcal to a boozy twist on a Granada Fresca. e decor features draped greenery and palms to leave diners feeling as if they've been teleported to a tropical island. VUE ON | TRAVEL 38 VUENJ.COM

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