In this modern day and age, more and more people are paying attention to how they eat and where their food comes from. Now, one prominent Washington, D.C. hotel has gotten that message and unveiled a new farm-to-fork signature restaurant.  Of course, we're talking about Jardenea at the recently reinvented Melrose Hotel in the heart of Georgetown.   Fresh, locally produced ingredients are the signature of the new Jardenea restaurant. — Photo courtesy of Melrose Hotel

The hotel's culinary directors recognize that locally sourcing food has a multiple of benefits – from freshness and taste to reducing environmental impacts and supporting local economies. That's why they turned to the finest nearby farms, fisheries and artisans when creating and designing the new Jardenea menu.

 The new restaurant and lounge will inspire guests at the Melrose Hotel, Georgetown. — Photo courtesy of Melrose Hotel

The name Jardenea is inspired by the French word "jardin" which means garden and this freshness and back-to-nature sentiment is evident in the menu selections. Popular dishes include Molasses Basted Quail with Tennessee Bacon and Anson Mill Grits and a Chesapeake Rock Fish with Celery Petal, Tomato Water and Pine Nuts. If you are dining with a small group, consider the communal table option where dishes are shared and passed, meant to evoke a sense of family and familiarity.

The Melrose Hotel, Georgetown is close the Foggy Bottom Metro station and a short walk to many of the city's greatest landmarks, making Jardenea an perfect place for a quiet dinner, regardless of where you are staying or whether you are only in town for a short visit.