by Katherine Anne

Tост “TOST” (toast): Raise a Glass to Mari Vanna’s 2 Years in D.C.

Once upon a time in D.C., a restaurant named Mari Vanna brought the Russian fairytale of a mythical woman welcoming diners into her home to real life in 2013. Two years later, the enchantment lives on.

On February 24, the charming restaurant located at 1141 Connecticut Ave NW welcomed patrons to commemorate two years of true Russian hospitality in the District.

The restaurant, also established in New York, London, Los Angeles, and Russia, kicked off the celebration with a private party on the venue’s top floor. Guests passed through the main entrance into the dacha-inspired interior decor, escorted up the stairs by balloons and cheer to the third floor – a classy, quaint atmosphere.

Featuring a variety of house-infused vodka sips and champagne, the bar outdid itself with vodka ranging from horseradish (for the more badass among us) to cowberry. Sadly, the latter is not a milk-infused vodka used for White Russians, but rather a lingonberry vodka, stemming from an old Russian tradition of preserving the sweet berries in water. Delicious, regardless, and right in stride with the authentic feel of the entire event. To complement the sweet berry vodka, select savory pastries “pirozhki” were served.

Peter Dranga, a world-renowned Russian accordionist, stole the evening. He blended his soloist talents with DJ Vito Lee’s spins, leaving the entire room united in musical awe and action. All were clapping, most were dancing, and a select few linked arms and circled around Dranga to Hava Nagila – a testament to his engaging talent and the vodka being just that good.

Dranga left everyone in the highest of spirits, and Mari Vanna capped off the VIP party with a 4-foot long cake complete with a flaming bottle lead-in. With that, the merriment continued into the night.

Congrats to the very welcoming, professional, and beautiful staff on a lovely event. Here’s to many more years – and celebrations – in D.C.

Mari Vanna is open Monday, Tuesday, Sunday (11:30am to 11:00pm) and Wednesday-Saturday (11:30am to 2:30am). The venue is also friendly for private events, buyout, and catering (http://www.marivanna.ru/.)