Washington, D.C. - September 14, 2009

Sou'r Patch Kids

Sou'Wester Restaurant Opens

Taken with the Wind, a Southern love story.

A new wind’s coming in, and it’s whet my appetite.

I’ll turn scarlet with bliss over the Southern-inspired dishes from Eric Ziebold and Rachael Harriman. No country barbecue ever served fried chicken as crisp and delicate as the farm-fresh bird from Sou’Wester.

Even the biggest hoopskirt won’t hide my full belly after I attack the corned beef short ribs with horseradish soubise or the crab fritters. It’s a good thing diners can look out over the tidal basin while digesting before dessert.

I do declare undying affection for the banana cream pie and home-churned ice creams.

Even Yankees look better after all-American craft beers and cocktails made from fresh herbs and fruit.

I’ll never go hungry again.

Sou’Wester, 1330 Maryland Avenue SW, in the Mandarin Oriental (202-787-6868).

  Breakfast, Classic Cocktails, Waffles