Hip, Latin restaurant and lounge gets a makeover

(Credit: Courtesy of Bryan Davis)

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To those in the know of D.C. nightlife, Lima has been a hotspot for club goers on K Street since opening its doors over three years ago. Though it undoubtedly has a reputation as a prime location for the self-proclaimed elite of D.C. to mingle and bask in their own mojo, some stellar new additions have been made to the hip, Latin-themed lounge and restaurant, and now is as good a time as any to see for yourself if Lima lives up to the hype.

According to Public Relations Manager Bryan Davis, Lima is a "destination bar", the kind of place you go to relax, converse and connect with people. "People who come to Lima are those who want somewhere to really enjoy themselves and indulge for the night", he claims, "not those simply looking for a place to grab a drink or meet up before moving on to somewhere else."

Given the line outside on a typical Friday or Saturday night, one would certainly hope so. But a little patience is worth it, Lima is not only a posh lounge, it also boasts an impressive Latin inspired menu that can be enjoyed in their sit down dining room, at the bar, or outside on their famous year-round patio (covered and heated in the cooler months, of course). Between the new intimate and sexy-sleek "Caesar's Bar" upstairs and the brilliantly executed expansion on the lower bar level (including a beautifully illuminated 40 foot bar, a convenient coat check area and larger, modern restrooms), Lima knows the crowds won't stop coming and they're making sure they accommodate everyone.

Decor: Mostly modern with touches of earthy textures - rich Caesar wood walls, crisp white tiling and a floor to ceiling water wall are complimented by cool, deep red Italian leather and suede seating.

Food: The menu at Lima is Latin heavy with a little bit of fusion thrown in. Famous locally for fantastic seafood offerings, the Chilean sea bass and ceviches are among their most popular dishes. A modified menu is available outside on the patio, and for those who want to beat the rush and get an early start on dinner, they start serving at 4 p.m.

Drinks: Lima has a full bar with virtually every liquor you can think of, as well as a nice wine menu and a modest offering of specialty drinks. If happy hour is on your agenda, they offer $4 beers, $5 glasses of wine and $29 pitchers of mouth-watering mojitos from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays.

Crowd: Mature twenty-somethings, thirties and early forties. Weekdays, you're likely to spot suits and skirts sipping martinis and smoking stogies, whereas on the weekend people doll it up to hit the scene (and be seen).

Insider tips: If you're going on a Friday or Saturday, better early than never- the line can get ridiculous and can be quite challenging if you don't have a girl or two in your group. Go to their website to sign up for emails about special events, promotions and guest list opportunities.

Service: Standard service for a swanky bar/restaurant- the wait staff are polite but not overly chummy.

Sounds: Depends on the day of the week, but Monday is Latin night (free salsa lessons, anyone?) and House music dominates most every other night courtesy of top area and Miami-based DJs.

The damage: A posh lounge-restaurant means posh prices. The food at Lima is out of this world but expect to pay $25 on average for most entrees, be it seafood or meat-based. They have a solid appetizer menu of great eats like guava & BBQ pork ribs and savory mussels steeped in wine, lime and cilantro- most of which will run you about $12. As for drinks, most cocktails are about $10-$12, and a beer can set you back around $8. But to give credit where credit is due, Lima does not do cover charges at the door which is impressive in this town.

Dress code: The motto here leans toward dress to impress, but that doesn't mean no jeans. Guys and gals alike tend to pair their premium denim with dressier but casually chic pieces.

Bottom line: Lima may seem ultra-exclusive with its velvet ropes and red carpet entrance, but beneath all the hoopla lays a venue unparalleled in atmosphere. Be it dancing, dining or just kicking back with friends expect to drop more than a few dimes, but the scene here is never short of buzzing.

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