Glittering service and culinary artistry utilizing the freshest locally-farmed ingredients earn the Blue Duck Tavern industry accolades and a new repeat patron.

As a rule, I typically dislike seeing the word "upscale" used in reference to restaurants. In my experience, when people call a place "upscale," they usually mean that it is overpriced, tries harder than necessary to embody the postmodern zeitgeist, and is likely staffed by employees who are as much part of its décor as the drapes and expect disinterested behavior bordering on rudeness to impress upon you as patron the privilege you are enjoying in having them deign to exchange substandard service for your hard-earned money.

The Blue Duck Tavern at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Washington D.C.'s West End neighborhood is guilty of none of these trespasses. Its décor impresses without boasting, instead leaving it to the food to do the talking where merit-worthy attributes are concerned. Having dined recently there, I am compelled and delighted to here abandon my rule with regard to the offending "u" word (as well as my previous opinion of its implications,) and share impressions gained from a pleasant experience in a decidedly elegant and upscale setting...