Ins & Outs 5.30.12

Mike Isabella’s Bandolero Brings Big Flavors
to M Street
Bandolero, chef Mike Isabella’s modern Mexican restaurant at 3241 M Street, opened last week. With more tacos and margaritas than you thought you wanted, Isabella’s homage to armed outlaws got uniquely flavored food, a Day-of-the-Dead motif space and servers to spare as well. With margaritas, we sampled the pumpkin seed-mixed dip served with masa crisps, pork tacos, tuna tartare taquitos, charred corn on a stick, nachos, pear-infused wine and enchilada rojo. It’s a lively place with some lively tastes: armed, perhaps; outlawed, never.

Macaron Bee Openson Wisconsin Avenue
O.K., you got your cupcakes, pies, frozen yogurt and ice cream, of course. Now, it’s sweet macaroons — or is it macarons? Oui, we had them at Dean & Deluca and at Paul Bakery. Say hello to new parents and new business owners, Han and Deborah Kim, who opened Macaron Bee at 1669 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., along the Book Hill business strip on May 19. The little shop is open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Price? One macaron costs $1.75; a box of six, $10.50.

Papa-razzi Shuts Down Abruptly
“We hope this is not an inconvenience, and thank you for all the wonderful years,” the sign read on the window of Papa-razzi May 21. Text messages told the news first: the Italian restaurant next to Georgetown Park on Wisconsin Avenue at the C&O Canal has closed; doors locked; employees on the street.

Betsey Johnson Store to Close June 9
The town’s flashy, pink and fun Betsey Johnson store on M Street near the Old Stone House will close June 9. Fashion designer Betsey Johnson’s chain of stores went bankrupt April 26. Most of the 63 freestanding boutiques will close. “Johnson won’t be losing her job — but as many as 350 store workers will,” reported the New York Daily News. Women’s Wear Daily reported the designer will retain control of the Betsey Johnson clothing label.

‘More Than Just Green Space’ at Ritz, and Free Yoga
The Ritz-Carlton on South Street debuted its artistically-inspired outdoor escape, a multi-tiered Urban Garden located on two levels outside the hotel lobby. You don’t have to be a guest of The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown to enjoy this “more than just a green space,” the company says. “The Urban Garden, with its terraced garden of paver stones, stacked stone wall, lush grass and a canopy of trees, is a venue for intimate weddings accommodating up to 90 guests, outdoor evening of dining under the stars for 60 guests and receptions of up to 90 guests.”

With activities celebrating summer holidays, such as Father’s Day and July 4th, and with a hot dog and burger bar, daily summer cooler cocktails, weekly early morning yoga, select spa services, and more, the company wants “the Urban Garden to be a hub for the Ritz-Carlton guest and the Georgetown community to gather and interact.”

Beginning Saturday, June 9, at 9 a.m., and every Saturday up to Sept. 8, complimentary outdoor yoga classes courtesy of Georgetown’s Lululemon are available to hotel guests and Georgetown neighbors. (Also available are private one-on-one fitness sessions with local trainers which can be arranged through the hotel’s boutique spa.)

Closed:
Local and international designer, artist and furniture maker, Jan Marfyak has closed his shop, Uncommon Furnishings, at 1301 35th Street, N.W. Marfyak has been around D.C. for years as well as the New York and L.A. arts scene and has worked with Krupsaw’s, Antony Childs, Miller & Armey and Muleh.