[Party Pix] Inside Washingtonian's AT&T "Best Of" Party : K Street Magazine

Wonderland wasn’t just for Alice Wednesday night as Washingtonian Magazine created its own rabbit hole of local riches at the National Building Museum. The annual AT&T Best Of Washington blowout — this year delighting with an Alice in Wonderland theme — brought together some 1,800 guests, celebrities, and restaurateurs to socialize while sipping and sampling from over 60 of Washingtonian’s 100 Very Best Restaurants (as designated by Washingtonian Magazine).

For more than 30 years, readers have rated everything from cocktails to Congress members, and this year’s sold-out event boasted the best of their ballots, showcasing Doi Moi’s Salmorejo (think gazpacho), Jaleo’s cones of salmon tartare, Daikaya’s kimchee grilled cheese, and the ever-popular Luke’s Lobster rolls in addition to so many other favorites.

A private reception held by Publisher Cathy Merrill Williams, and sponsored by the American Beverage Association, even featured a Mad HATters room where VIP guests could borrow a proper topper for the evening’s festivities, and score a Patron tequila based drink after choosing from the songs of a hedge of “singing” flowers.

Of course, the Building Museum’s already installed “maze” only added to the festivities. And Qatar Airways, Celebrity Cruises, BMW and other sponsors helped to round out the night’s food and spirited fun.

And while only some guests went home with gift bags stuffed with Qatar branded Fit Bit Flexes and Soul Cycle gift cards, everyone knew their good time was for a good cause: All funds from the silent auction and a portion of the ticket proceeds went to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.