Fig and Olive - New York

Sunday, 7/25/10, 12 pm - Meat Packing District

First, I should say I didn't know there were two Fig and Olives and, aside from their menus, the restaurants couldn't be further apart. The one in midtown is in a narrow building, set on several floors, while this one in the meat packing district is a sprawling single floor divided by a large square bar (in fact there was a separate "private party" there when we ate). While the restaurant looked on the new side, the bathrooms looked like they'd been there for a while.

I will say the sink area was an improvement on the other Fig and Olive, and perhaps the space helps. Each sink had its own soap dispenser next to the raised bowl and single-spout faucet. I remember thinking things looked a little messy for first thing in the morning but perhaps it was just the exposed paper towels. Here's more on Fig and Olive.

Blue Duck Tavern - Washington, DC

Saturday, 7/3/10, 8 pm - West End

Another pleasant surprise! My mom returned from the restroom telling me I must visit. I waited until the end of the meal and wasn't disappointed. Although Blue Duck Tavern is in the Park Hyatt, the bathroom is separate - in the most literal sense. Walking into the women's restroom, each "stall" is completely independent. Total privacy. In the picture, the actual bathroom might seem tight, but it wasn't. It was pristine with marble everywhere. Definite thumbs up to the separate cubbies.

Here's more on Blue Duck Tavern.