Beloved Bartending Vet Sambonn Lek Is Now Mixing Drinks at the St. Regis
Plus, the annual Blue Jeans Ball raises big bucks for Capital Area Food Bank
by Tierney Plumb Apr 11, 2018, 5:15pm EDT
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Sambonn Lek is back as bartender at the St. Regis in D.C. following a years-long charity stint in Cambodia.
St. Regis [official photo]
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DOWNTOWN—The glitzy St. Regis hotel just hired hospitality vet Sambonn Lek as bartender. Lek mixed drinks for decades at the Mayflower hotel before returning to his native Cambodia in 2012. Lek is serving celebratory "Sam I Am" cocktails at the bar from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 11 (magic tricks are also on the agenda). He returns to the area after several years overseeing Sam Relief Inc., an organization he founded in 1999 that builds schools in Cambodia and funds local university scholarships. 923 16th Street NW
GEORGETOWN—NYC's women's-only networking club the Wing threw a party April 10 celebrating its debut in D.C., and its swag bag was one not to miss. Along with redeemable freebies from Colada Shop and Momofuku, each bag contained $80 bottles of Chanel perfume. Its in-house cafe, Perch, is scheduled to debut on Thursday, April 12; members should expect avocado toast and D.C.-themed cocktails.
MT. VERNON TRIANGLE—The 15th Annual Blue Jeans Ball held at the Marriott Marquis on Sunday, April 8 raised $432,000 for the Capital Area Food Bank. Some 800 people attended, with funds collected via sponsorships, silent and live auction items, ticket sales, and individual donations.
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS—D.C. native and Milk Bar founder Christina Tosi is featured on the episode of Netflix's Chef's Table airing Friday, April 13; she's expected to show off some of the sugary treats she'll teach locals how to make at the new Milk Bar store/classroom slated to open later this year in Logan Circle. Milk Bar has released a "greatest hits" bundle ($20) featuring a slice of crack pie, three birthday cake truffles, a compost cookie, and a cereal milk soft serve ice cream in conjunction with the show.
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS—D.C.'s annual GinWorld Week is in full swing across D.C., with spots like Jaleo offering specials on gin and tonics — the national drink of Spain — at all locations. There's a list online of all participating restaurants and bars.
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