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The Source Lounge

by Kate Oczypok - 09/17/08 4:21 PM ET

The Source Lounge is an upscale bar located downtown next to the Newseum. Owned by Wolfgang Puck, the restaurant offers a modern take on Asian cuisine. The lounge portion of the restaurant has been rumored to be a hot hangout for local celebrities.

The lounge was a little too modern for my taste, as I much prefer dark wood and classic, traditional atmosphere, but for those who are into clean lines and an almost minimalist appeal, it’s perfect.

I met up with two friends after work one evening and I was surprised to see that the bar was full of mostly women, a very skirts-and-heels crowd. Service was fast, and we were soon given an extensive wine list, a generally good selection from everyday fare to more upscale choices to fit the posh atmosphere. Their dirty goose martinis were smooth and delicious, but perhaps what makes the Source Lounge most special is their specialty drinks.

We tried the Negroni, a mix of gin, campari and sweet vermouth. It was more of a bitter taste, which I tend to enjoy with drinks. Other signature drinks included the flirtini, a combination of flavors that seemed to scream “Sex and the City.” There were also some Asian-inspired drinks.

We also each chose an appetizer to sample. We tried the “American style” Kobe sliders with smoked onion marmalade, sautéed Maryland crab cakes with basil pesto aioli and the margherita pizza with fresh tomato and basil. The sliders were about on par with Matchbox’s in Chinatown, and the crab cakes were tasty with the basil pesto aioli. The pizza tasted like a normal bar pizza except that it was cooked to perfection, the edges crisped just right. We also ordered fries, which were hand-cut and served with a béarnaise sauce and sprinkled with sea salt. They were definitely one of the most delicious gourmet servings of fries I’ve ever tasted.

Other appetizer options include an array of cheeses, hummus and tuna tartare. There’s also the Asian-inspired appetizers to go with the theme of the restaurant, such as pork belly dumplings and shrimp and scallop springrolls.

The Source restaurant, located above the lounge, has a $35 fixed price lunch menu, offering three courses. They also offer fixed price dining menus as well, including a seven-course or vegeterian tasting for $100, or combined with sake or wine for $175.

For more information on The Source, visit their website at www.wolfgangpuck.com/restaurants.