Marriott Hotel Pooks Hill, Bethesda, Maryland
As part of the renovation of this 400-room hotel that took 18 months and cost $12 million, the restaurant, Agio, was introduced. By combining space that was the former restaurant with other areas, a new spacious 200-seat contemporary restaurant was created.
The main buffet counter that features authentic regional Italian cuisine displays a variety of self-serve and served menu items from its sleek granite top. An action-cooking station offers food prepared in view of the customer. When not in use the entire buffet counter can be totally enclosed with carved wood panels, allowing the Hotel to seat additional patrons in the evening.
The cocktail bar was replaced. The unusual omni-directional brushed pattern in the stainless steel bar top and high-end finishes match the room and make the bar a focal point. Beer taps are discretely placed under the bar top so that only the handles are visible. In the morning, the handles are removed, the doors to wall cabinets behind the bar are closed and the bar is transformed into a coffee bar.
The kitchen, not shown here, was re-worked so it would better support Agio, as well as its busy meeting and event business.
Ms. Zietlow was the designer and project manager.