Zola - Washington, DC

Saturday, 6/26/10, 9 pm - Chinatown

I talked about not judging the restrooms of restaurants in hotels, mostly because they're out of the control of the restaurants. For the few restaurants I've been to in museums, this has also held true. Thankfully that wasn't the case for Zola, which is a part of the Spy Museum, offering promise for the bathroom. And I wasn't disappointed. The stalls were completely private with a frosted porthole. The sleek chrome was offset by lights that ran the height of the wall. I don't remember a purse hook, which is one thing that would bother me.

Of course the modern sinks with a streamlined faucet were a nice touch. There was also a full length mirror on the way out - always helpful and keeps the sink area from getting overcrowded.

Here's more on Zola.

Palena - Washington, DC

Tuesday, 6/22/10, 8 pm - Cleveland Park

For a special occasion, I visited Palena, a classic restaurant with a traditional decor. But the detail in the bathroom was a bit odd. The two stalls were white with molding and delicate drawings all over. I think the hand paintings were supposed to look detailed but to me it was just a little juvenile.

The details at the sink definitely said quaint country. It was definitely a unique take. Here's more on Palena.

Cafe Atlantico - Washington, DC

Friday, 6/18/10, 9 pm - Penn Quarter

I had been wanting to try this restaurant for a while and finally got the chance. We ate outside so the only restroom I had the chance to see was the one on the first floor by the bar. It was just a single stall but they tried to do what they could with the little space. It was interesting to see the double toilet roll holder on the wall I don't think I've seen that too often.


The textured wall was a nice touch and while I can't remember exactly what the trash can looked like, I remember thinking it was quite out of place.

Here's more on Cafe Atlantico.

Racks - Miami, FL

Sunday, 6/6/10, 2 pm

This modern pizzeria had a sleek bathroom to match. Two black stalls are set off by white tiles. The square sink had clean lines and a simple mirror. It was clean and well kept.

Here's more about Racks, but I have to put out a warning about the website - they think the best way to advertise the restaurant is having girls in bustiers putting pizza in brick ovens. So maybe it's not as tasteful of a place as I thought.

Commissary - Washington, DC

Saturday, 5/29/10, 2 pm - Logan Circle

With the wooden American flag on the wall, the horse shoe coat hook and farm animal toilet paper holders (you can't really tell, but they are there in the picture), they were really taking the all-American idea to an extreme in at least the right single stall restroom. It's quite a dark room with slate floors and black walls. The orinate over-sized mirror offset one wall.


And you can't take the Logan Circle out of even the bathroom - there was a free condom dispenser on the wall. Bon Appetite!

Here's more on Commissary.

Potty Parity

I should note that is the U.S. House of Representatives' term, not mine. I know it's been a while since I've posted and while I promise to update soon, this hearing was too good to ignore. About a week and half ago, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing on "potty parity" in federal buildings.

I'll admit, while I've brought up this issue in other venues, I've never considered the shortage of women's restrooms a huge problem in office buildings, but hey, it's not the worse use of taxpayer dollars. As one witness put it, it's an issue "near and dear to the hearts and bladders of women and children all across the United States."

Not at the top of my action lists, but others might feel differently. If that's the case, it's HR 4869, the Restroom Gender Parity in Federal Buildings Act. What, no funny name?

Magnolias at the Mill - Purcellville, VA

Saturday, 3/13/10, 2 pm

This adorable and yummy restaurant had just as cute a bathroom. The two stalls were shielded by doors of half frosted glass in a farm wood frame.

The white titles provided a very clean look, with the curved porcelain sink also offset by the wooden-framed mirror. For a bathroom that just had two stalls, it was quite spacious. While I didn't have to wait long, perhaps room to wait was incorporated in to the layout.

Here's more info on Magnolias at the Mill.

Al Tiramisu - Washington, DC

Friday, 1/15/10, 7 pm - Dupont

After a great restaurant week where I slacked off grabbing pictures (sorry for no Tenpenh, Chef Geoff's or Vidalia), I'm back on track.

If I just showed you these pictures and didn't mention the name of restaurant, would you be able to tell which one it was?


This old world Italian restaurant certainly felt modern in the restroom. Just above the black tile is the mirror, which covers half the wall. The chic sink and soap dispenser were nice, but I'm still confused as to why this would be the decor of choice. Check out the accent wall with the bizarrely placed hand dryer.

Find out more about Al Tiramisu.

Birch & Barley - Washington, DC

Wednesday, 12/23/09, 7 pm - Logan Circle

The decor in this new restaurant is stripped down and bare, just like the restroom.


The stones on the wall are the most decorative part of the decor. I liked the raised square sink. The stalls worked - nothing exciting. Across from the sink was a lounge-like couch, one of those powerful hand dryers and an out of place wicker trash bin (they should have gone stainless).

Here's more on Birch & Barley.

Hank's Oyster Bar - Washington, DC

Sunday, 11/8/09, 8 pm - Dupont

Despite being very close to my place, it had taken me a while to try this place. The restaurant isn't as small as you would think, but the restroom is. A single stall at the back of the place.

There was plenty of wicker (I think someone has to explain the chair to me) which I think is supposed to fit in with the summer-cottage-by-the-sea feel of the restaurant so I'll give it that. I always think it's odd when a restroom has a toilet paper stand instead of a wall mount. I did like the blue textured walls. I would have preferred if they could put the paper goods somewhere hidden and, despite it not being that late on a Sunday, the bathroom clearly hadn't been visited by any staff because the trash can was overflowing.

Check out more about Hank's Oyster Bar.