PX, I Love You

Have you ever glanced at the blue light on Columbus Street and wondered what PX is really like? Ever since reading about Mr. Thrasher’s “hand squeezed, liquid art” cocktails, I’ve been intrigued.  Though fascinated by the mystique and hype of PX, I have been a little too intimidated by the dress code and overall swank factor to ever set foot inside. I’m a mom and I just don’t have the wardrobe or free time to frequent such establishments these days. Unless it happens to be a special occasion such as my 36^th birthday!

I haven’t had an official birthday celebration since I turned 30 and I decided that it would be fun to invite my best girlfriends to get all dressed up and meet for drinks at PX. Reservations are required (even for parties of two) and there is an online system that takes reservations for up to six guests. Because you cannot book for larger parties much more than a week or so in advance, I ended up reserving the Blue Room, which accommodates up to 14 people.

If you really want to go all out, you can make arrangements for food, flowers, and special décor. I kept it simple and just invited my friends for drinks. And birthday cake. Yep, they will prepare the simple, but mouthwateringly decadent “Birthday Cake…Just Because” from Restaurant Eve menu for you. It’s a yellow cake with pink buttercream icing and sprinkles, like mom used to make. Only a million times better. But I’m getting ahead of the story.

My friends went to great lengths to battle Friday rush hour traffic from all corners of the Washington area to make our 7 p.m. reservation. Three ladies took a car service from Chevy Chase.  Another friend drove all the way in from Gaithersburg for the big event. A mother of three girls under the age of seven, she ditched her minivan and insisted her husband let her drive his so that her foxy outfit and heels weren’t quite so out of place with her vehicle. Another friend changed her work outfit on the train back from an important business meeting in New Jersey and was frantically texting from the cab stand that she was ON THE WAY! This was a big night out for a group who doesn’t get out on the town very much these days, and PX did not disappoint.

After ringing the bell and being given the once over through the sliding window in true speakeasy style, we were ushered into the lovely Blue Room, complete with a vintage chandelier and leather loveseats. The cocktail menu is extensive, adventures, and potentially challenging for those of us who haven’t had anything more sophisticated than a glass of wine over the last few years. Fortunately our server was extremely patient and friendly and her recommendations were right on. I do not have the vocabulary to give a proper review and description of our cocktails, so I will sum them up in one word, “yummy.” If you are planning a small gathering, date night, or evening out with your girlfriends, I highly recommend PX.  I know I will be wistfully looking at the blue light the next time I’m pushing the stroller down Columbus and King.