Chef Spotlight
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Asia on
My Mind
Nestled on Northwest’s E Street,
between the stately White House
zone and bustling, hip Penn Quarter,
diners find an elegant yet casual
Asian oasis. In a large, inviting space
around the corner from Ford’s The-
atre, businesspeople and sightseers
convene at Asia Nine.
In some ways, Asia Nine represents
a microcosm of our unique capital,
mirroring the global fusion upon which
D.C. thrives. Employees hail from near
and far, from locals to émigrés from
across the Asian continent. Owners
Nuthinepan Tantivejakul (known as
Natalie) and her husband, Boonrod
Yotmanee (or Chef Rod), are from
Thailand but met stateside at Nata-
lie’s other restaurant, Rice ’n Spice, in
Alexandria, Va. Their D.C. eatery offers
a mini tour of Asia, as the menu and
décor blend traditions
flowers burst toward a cascading metal
and styles of Thailand
“waterfall” on the ceiling. Two flat-
and Vietnam, Japan
screen TVs broadcast news (ESPN2 and
and China, among
CNN), no doubt a nod to Washington’s
other countries.
sports and politico sets. Upbeat lounge
The “Asian-Asian
music plays to a bar crowd sipping
Fusion” cuisine
cocktails ranging from the traditional
features authentic
(the mai tai and the Singapore Sling)
dishes like wonton
to house specialties such as the Asian
and miso soups,
Sangria and the Golden Jasminetini
curries and Japanese
of orange-blossom syrup and jasmine
bento boxes along-
flower tea. Asia Nine’s jizake menu
side modern, multi-
includes sake selections from sparkling
cultural creations
(Mouriko Daiginjo) to hot (Hakushika)
such as Asia Nine
to cold (Kimoto Shizenshu).
lamb chops and miso
On the platform up front, sushi lovers
honey duck breast.
watch the skilled hands of Chef Rod’s
(Chef Rod gladly ups
brother, Suthin Yotmanee, as he pre-
the chili quotient for
pares nigiri options such as the snapper
brave spice-seekers.)
(Madai) and maki masterpieces like the
Bartenders pour beers from around the
bagel roll, featuring smoked salmon,
globe, such as Newcastle, Murphy’s,
cream cheese and scallions. The raw bar
Sapporo and Kirin. Even the cutlery
also offers oysters from Prince Edward
merges cultures—the white tablecloth–
Island and Washington state.
covered tables are set with both silver-
Affable servers buzz about the
ware and wooden chopsticks.
establishment serving lunch and din-
After being blessed during two
ner daily plus brunches on weekends.
traditional Thai ceremonies, the
The venue also hosts private events;
restaurant opened in March 2008 at
for example, some 400 FBI employees
Ninth and E Streets (hence the Asia
(who work in the headquarters across
Nine moniker). An auspicious number
the street) recently descended upon
in Thai culture, the number nine plays
the Asian eatery for a reception—
into the décor as well: Behind the
for which the kitchen whipped up a
hostess stand, a metal sheet painted
delectable Italian spread. According
with a gold 9 signifies good luck
to Natalie, the unlikely culinary twist
and prosperity.
proved a success. Where else could
The eatery is divided into sections—
one find such a flawless blending of
a dining room that seats 110, a bar
cultures but in Washington, D.C.?
area for 65, an elevated sushi bar
and a recently added loft for private
receptions. The warm décor incorpo-
rates red and gold tones, and lantern-
inspired lights and dramatic artwork
maintain the hybrid Asian theme.
Atop the green-tiled bar, vibrantly
hued birds of paradise and other fresh
Asia Nine
915 E St., N. W.
Washington, D.C.
202-629-4355
asianine.com
