Chef Amy Brandwein, one of the area’s rising culinary stars and gastronomic talents, takes over as Chef de Cuisine for fyve Restaurant Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City. In a nod to its neighbor, The Pentagon, the space that formerly housed The Grill and Lobby Lounge has been dramatically transformed into an energetic destination to enjoy farm fresh Mediterranean influenced cuisine. The restaurant debuted May 2.
Previously, Chef Brandwein honed her skills while working in the kitchens of renowned Italian Chef Roberto Donna at his two landmark DC area restaurants, Galileo and Bebo Trattoria.
At fyve, diners can indulge in Chef Brandwein’s seasonal menu composed of regional American dishes sparked by the flavors of Southern Italy and North Africa. “The countries in these regions use similar ingredients and techniques,” she notes, “but the differences in spicing and presentation offer boundless opportunities for me to create fun and fulfilling selections for our discerning diners.”
The freshest products available from local farms and specialty purveyors are featured in the restaurant’s seasonal menus, while Virginia wineries comprise a majority of the wine list. A sampling of Chef Brandwein’s specialty offerings include appetizers of Grilled Octopus, Crispy Veal Sweetbreads and Spring Vegetable Soup and entres of succulent Pennsylvania Rabbit, with black eyed peas, fyve Spiced Salmon, with olive, tomato and fennel oil, and her signature dish, “Amy’s Purse,” cod prepared in tomato cilantro broth and cumin, presented in a cellophane pouch that is opened tableside.
The ambience of fyve reinterprets elegance in dazzling colors and fabrics that introduce an upbeat, contemporary dcor. Settees in front of the lounge’s working fireplace make for a luxuriously cozy meeting spot, while the dining room comes alive in vibrant red and orange hues. Up to 48 can be seated in the main dining area, while another 62 relax on the sofas and chairs of the adjoining lounge. fyve is a perfect blend of innovative design, elevated cuisine and the true spirit of Old Dominion hospitality.
fyve will serve lunch from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. Dinner is served from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling 703.412.2760. fyve is located in The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City, 1250 South Hayes Street in Arlington, Virginia.
