Sophisticated Urban Restaurant Blends Modern Design With Healthful Menu
Offerings And Handcrafted Cocktails

The Westin Washington, D.C. City Center recently completed a $17-million property transformation and as part of its striking redesign, now unveils its all-new restaurant, Fringetree. This sophisticated urban restaurant and lounge, located on the lobby level, offers guests a modern and intimate atmosphere fused with healthful menu items for lunch and dinner. This stylish restaurant serves traditional cuisine enhanced with cutting-edge culinary creations that encompass the Westin brand's SuperFoodsRx® concept and features an impressive selection of wine, beer and specialty cocktails, designed to complement the imaginative fare. Fringetree also offers an adjoining "grab-and-go" counter serving Starbucks® coffee along with breakfast and light bites, making it perfectly-accessible to Westin's business travelers.

The name Fringetree is inspired by a flowering plant native to the Northeast United States and found in the US Botanic Garden located in Washington, D.C. The name sets an intriguing tone with a nod to nature and a subtle subtext invoking the "political fringe," which connects the restaurant to its D.C. roots.

Menu and SuperFoodsRx

Under the direction of Executive Chef Felix Nunes, Fringetree's menu combines traditional cuisine with contemporary creations, offering delectable yet healthful dishes that stay true to the Westin brand's SuperFoods concept. Westin SuperFoods menus incorporate products known to improve wellbeing and longevity such as fruit, vegetables, grains and proteins. SuperFoods known for being health-enhancing and rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients are mainstay ingredients in many of Fringetree's dishes.

Menu Highlights:

• Appetizers including garlic shrimp, cream of crab soup, tuna taco, frito misto and mac & cheese;

• Artisanal margherita, marinara and bianca pizzas with protein, cheese and vegetable add-on choices;

• Sandwiches such as crispy fried buttermilk chicken, carved turkey breast, southwest steak wrap and portobello;

• Entrées including char-broiled Atlantic salmon, Maryland-style jumbo crab cakes, seared diver scallops, 72 hours-seared beef short rib, half grilled chicken and grilled halibut;

• Greens to-go handcrafted salads including the Waldorf, warm spinach and classic chopped; and

• Desserts showcasing delicious panna cotta, gelato, banana and mango mille feuille and chocolate bunt cake.

The bar menu features inventive artisan handcrafted cocktails, a trending wine list and a wide selection of local beers on tap.

Design

The evolution of a modern urban eatery, Fringetree is located on the lobby level at the Westin Washington, D.C. City Center. The entrance to the restaurant is enhanced with a sense of nature where a stunning living wall replete with plants and flowers is showcased. The restaurant's unique and contemporary design highlights warm color tones of burnt orange and amber blend with hand-scraped walnut wood floors and millwork. Polished metals, smoked glass and back-painted glass accents add a modern juxtaposition against the natural wood tones. The back bar millwork includes a stunning display of warmly-glowing amber bottles, along with mirrored surfaces, walnut wood panels and inset televisions. Carrying out a theme of nature, the custom ceiling constructed of dark eucalyptus beams and stretched canvas accentuates the space. Functionality for Westin's modern traveler is incorporated throughout many aspects of Fringetree's design including a communal table equipped with power outlets and a specially-constructed drink ledge. The bar area also offers exclusive work area for guests with high speed Wi-Fi.