A new Washington D.C. rooftop lounge, Ciel Social Club, is offering gorgeous gimlets alongside Mediterranean small plates. Located in Mount Vernon Triangle, the glamorous penthouse-style bar and restaurant opened earlier this month.
Situated atop the AC Hotel Washington DC Convention Center, Ciel Social Club comes from hospitality group Versus (HEIST, Casta’s Rum Bar, and Morris American Bar). Ciel’s name is derived from the French word for “the heavens”, and opulent decor and celestial, nearly 360-degree views of the US Capitol dome, Washington Monument and downtown DC certainly reinforce the sentiment.
Executive chef Paul Yellin, a nationally recognized culinary talent, has developed a menu of elevated small plates channeling flavors of the Mediterranean. A unique craft cocktail menu by beverage director Hank Bowers includes creations such as a cotton candy gin sour, a truffle oil-washed vesper, and an olive oil-washed gimlet with mint oil.
Visitors can expect seafood-focused dishes that include a seared tuna tower flanked with sumac aioli, shaved red onions, green papaya, tomato, crisp salmon skin, and citrus and lime “caviar” spheres; and braised octopus with red pepper, smoked paprika, and spicy merguez sausage, finished with fennel, and fresh oregano. For those looking for something from land, there’s lamb with whole grain mustard, panko & fresh herbs, broccolini, and pomegranate reduction as well as a steak featuring seared medallion, baked asparagus & brie puff pastry, and watercress chimichurri.
Grizform Design Architects put together the Champagne-tinged space, which is lined with mirrored backsplashes, pearly textured walls, aand features an18-foot marble communal table atop blacj-and-white tiled flooring. Patrons arrive at the 3,200-square-foot space via the hotel lobby elevator. Inside, thre are 135 seats and a wraparound terrace that overlooks the downtown skyline.
Currently, Ciel Social Club is open on Thursday from 5pm to 2am, and Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 3am. Daily hours and Sunday brunch are expected to be rolled out next month.
For more information or to make a reservation, head over to the official website.
