CoCo Sala

CHOCOLAAATTTTEEEEEE! Though I'm not a huge chocolate fan, and never order chocolate ice cream or chocolate cake, I really enjoyed Co Co Sala. A step up from my usual bar choices, the atmosphere was dimly lit, had upscale clientele, and was intimate. I went for the launching of my co-worker's new company, where they had privately rented the bar area. The restaurant is in the vicinity of the Metro Center (yes, I still refer to DC locations by the closest metro station), it is easy to get to. I enjoyed the sculpture that was on display and the color palette of the entire restaurant, but the televisions constantly scrolling chocolate and Co Co Sala's logo got a bit tiresome, especially as we were there for the launch of a company, and they failed to give the company the screen for their logo as promised. Thumbs down there, they should take better care of their peeps.

A few of my favorite snacks from the night:
Sirloin & Gorgonzola, wrapped with Bacon — yes, it is as amazing as it sounds, meaty-delicious.
Crispy kalamata olives & manchego cheese fritters — good god I love olives, and combining them in a fried cheese concoction was genius. There is a reason I don't own a deep fryer, and it is because I would eat these all the time and become a total lard.
Crispy fillo wrapped adobe spiced chicken & andouille sausage — sounds like a very heavy hors d'oeuvre but it was actually light and crispy. With the roasted pepper and cilantro dip, quite tasty and well rounded too!

As a side not, I didn't love the crab cakes. I say that as an aside, because I generally don't like crab cakes. I only get them in season, in Maryland, or a seafood restaurant on the water. Perhaps I'm overly picky, but that's how I roll with my crab cakes. Beyond that, I enjoyed the rest of the food. I only tasted the hor d'oeuvre so cannot speak to the rest of the menu.

Some of the specialty drinks:
Cilantro: Patron Silver + Fresh Cilantro + Lime Juice + Cilantro Salt. I sampled my friend's drink, and though it sounds like it would be a nice, tart spin on a margarita, but it was actually very sweet.
Co CoJito: Chocolate infused vodka + Fresh Mint & Limes + Dark Chocolate Flakes. This was refreshing and tasted vaguely of a thin-mint, but not in the overpowering way you would probably imagine. It was a light combination and the mojito-ness of the drink shone through.
Blue Bliss: Stoli Blueberry + Basil Infused Syrup + Fresh Lemonade + Fresh Basil. I liked this one a lot, but it seemed much to summery given that it was very cold and rainy outside.

For those of you who like the bourbon and whiskey side of life, they had some great options for you too. What I really enjoyed about the drinks at Co Co Sala was that if you don't like Chocolate, you didn't have to have it. When/If it was infused in the drinks, it was done in a light touch — a dash of white chocolate in the champagne, shredded dark chocolate over my Co CoJito, or a hidden hint you couldn't visually see.

I accosted the bar tender and got the DL on the happy hour deal. Seems like it could be a great location for a special night out with friends, or for a private function. Overall, two thumbs up. Minus points for not displaying the company's logo despite them following the file format's requested.. but the drinks were great, food was served hot and often, and the ambiance was perfect.

the deal:
selected/special cocktails: $8 (normally $13)
Heineken & Amstel: $4
house wines (2): $6

www.cocosala.com

Yaku

I had high hopes.

As a beer drinker, I am disappointed when I go to a bar and all the taps are out. I opted for my second choice, the Sangria. The White Sangria was very sweet and peachy (I do not like peachy drinks), but the Red Sangria was delicious, full bodied, and worth trying. If you are only a beer drinker, like my friend Matt, this place was a total let down with the taps (Yuengling, Miller Light, Newcastle Brown and Magic Hat #9) out and no bottles in the house.

The wine selection was extensive with cool wine-coolers along the wall. The color and decor was very retro/hip — yellow and grays, modern lines through the restaurant, very striking. I will say, yellow seats do not mix with red wine. Despite being open only a year, the couches near the bar told us a different story and looked too stained to sit on. What I appreciated about the restaurant is that the happy hour deal was good for the entire restaurant, no matter where you sit. Thank goodness for that — the seats at the bar were already taken, and having 5 people sit side-by-side on a couch does not work.

I was excited to try the crab and shrimp wontons, but found myself again, disappointed, in the meat inside. The general response to the food at our table was, "... it was ok." Chinese Peruvian Fusion sounds delicious — perhaps I just chose the wrong dish?

When the waiters did come by our table, they were quick to take orders. The turn around on our orders was achingly slow for the lack of clientele, and trying to flag the waiters to come fill our empty drinks was at times frustrating.

Overall, I might give it another chance in 6 months. Perhaps there was it was just an off-night with the taps, wait staff, and kitchen... in the meantime, they've got a lot of tightening up to do in order to convince me to wander away from my all-time courthouse favorite: Ragtime.

drafts:
M–F, 5–7*pm
$2 drafts
$3 Sangria/$12 Pitcher
$4 Rail Cocktails
$5 Mojitos

$3-5 Apps (Crab Wontons, Lettuce Wraps, etc.)

*Happy Hour PDF on web site is inaccurate

Yaku

Zola

Contemporary, Classy, with some mighty-fine cocktails. For those who like to step their work dress up a notch and enjoy cocktails & wine to drafts & ciders. Bar tenders were friendly and fast. Crowd was more about who they came with then meeting new folks. Older crowd (older just means older than me, 25).

The girls (Tina, Nicole, Katie, Alix, and Stefanie) and I also enjoyed a tasty dinner that was a perfect precursor for our late-night opening night showing of SATC. Although the waiter's service left much to be desired, the food was very good and light (light in a good way, not a "Geewhiz! I payed how much for this tiny, single stuffed mushroom!?").

I share Nicole's opinion, "I wouldn't have to go back there again, but if someone was doing something, I'd think it would be good". A fine place for a special occasion, but not for a casual work happy hour, a place to bring a first-time dc-er, or a soon-to-be regular haunt.

Interesting trivia (taken directly from their web site):

The restaurant is named after Emile Zola, the famed 19th century French novelist who rallied public support for the plight of Captain Alfred Dreyfun, a french soldier falsely accused of spying.

Emile Zola
Zola is located right next to the spy museum and compliments it well.


the deal:
zippity-zip.
you're paying full price for these drinks & fine food, friends.

zola