About : Zena & Beauty

Click to read about Beauty in Northern Virginia Magazine

Click to see Zena on Fox5DC with Rock Harper.

Click to see Zena on WUSA9 with Fun Wine Pairings

Click to read about Summer Sippers in Arlington Magazine

If there were an award for turning life’s plot twists into brilliant business ventures, Zena Polin would have a trophy case full of them. From globetrotting food writer to PR maven to award-winning restaurateur, she’s never been one to stick to just one lane—and that’s exactly what makes her story worth telling.

After a career spent writing about food, drink, and travel  (with a stint running her own hospitality PR firm), Zena took a turn into the restaurant world, co-founding The Daily Dish and The Dish & Dram, two beloved Maryland eateries known for their locally sourced, seasonally inspired comfort food. 

But in 2020, when the world paused, she saw an opportunity to rethink her path. The result? Beauty Champagne & Sugar Boutique, a wine bar, bottle shop, bistro, and boutique in National Landing that’s as eclectic as she is.

Housed in a charming Victorian lovingly called The Little Blue House, Beauty is where wine lovers sip curated bottles, indulge in Zena’s housemade desserts (like her cult-favorite Knock You Naked bars and Guilty Pleasure Cookies), and discover thoughtfully selected gifts, all while soaking in the kind of warm hospitality that has become her signature. And for those who need a little help finding the perfect bottle? Zena, aka The Champagne Concierge, is there to guide them—glass of bubbly in hand, of course.

Beyond Beauty, she’s bringing her love of wine and storytelling to new platforms, with her podcast When You Just Want a Glass of Wine  and her YouTube channel, Sipping Beauty.  And did we mention she once went #nakedchefs to raise money for the Lee Initiative? Because, yes, she did that too.

Zena’s journey from journalist to restaurateur to boutique wine bar owner is a testament to reinvention, passion, and a love of bringing people together over good food, great wine, and a little sparkle.

Details: 

Zena has traveled to more than 75 countries and is a trilingual author who has written about food and wine for local and international publications. She was the managing editor of Visitor St. Kitts & Nevis and Discover St. Kitts for six years. Her first book, The Pub, Club & Grub Guide to Washington, DC, was a reflection of her early love for food and drink.

From 1999 to 2009, she owned The Winning Ticket, a hospitality PR and Marketing firm with clients in Puerto Rico, Washington, DC and St. Kitts. 

After she appeared on Planet Green with Emeril Lagasse on "Craving the Caribbean" she decided she was ready for a  career change. She opened her first restaurant, The Daily Dish in 2009 serving comfort food with a twist — food that was seasonally inspired, locally  sourced and farm fresh. In 2016 she opened The Dish & Dram, which reflected her love of food, drink and travel. 

In May 2022, Zena Polin opened the doors to Beauty Champagne & Sugar Boutique, a labor of love born from reflection, reinvention and a deep passion for hospitality. After years as a hands-on owner of two bustling Maryland restaurants, Zena reimagined her future during the pandemic. She sold her shares, stepped away from large restaurant operations and set her sights on creating something more intimate—something personal.

She envisioned a space where wine, food and lifestyle came together. A cozy, inviting bistro with a bottle shop and boutique. When she discovered a charming Victorian home—nicknamed The Little Blue House—on the corner of Fern and 23rd Streets in Crystal City/National Landing, she knew she’d found the perfect home for her vision.

That vision came to life in National Landing as Beauty: a cozy wine bar, bistro, bottle shop, and boutique all under one charming roof. Just two years later, Beauty was recognized as a 2025 RAMMY Awards finalist for Wine Program of the Year, a testament to its thoughtful curation and vibrant community.

Beauty is part wine bar, part bistro, part boutique and 100% a celebration of the senses. Inside, you’ll find:

• The Bottle Shop, with a curated selection of wines ranging from everyday sippers to rare and collectible Champagnes.
   
• The Bistro, offering wine-friendly light bites and housemade desserts.
   
• The Boutique, stocked with handmade sweets, eclectic gifts, and lifestyle treasures.
   
• Outdoor seating (when the weather’s kind) for sipping under the sun.
   

It’s a place where neighbors gather, friends meet, and wine lovers discover something new.

Known to many as the Champagne Concierge, Zena is always ready to pour a glass and help guests discover their next favorite bottle—Champagne or otherwise. From custom gift baskets to mixed cases, every experience is personalized.

What Makes Beauty... Beautiful

• The Bellezza Wine Club – Members enjoy two hand-selected bottles monthly, along with access to exclusive bottles, tastings, classes, and member perks.
   
• The Housemade Treats – From three-layer coconut cake to over-the-top cookies and savory spreads like retro chicken salad and pimento cheese, everything is crafted in-house by Zena herself.
   
• The Wine List – A thoughtful, ever-evolving menu featuring unconventional winemakers and global regions. Wines by the glass, by the bottle, and even 100-point Champagnes are all welcome here.
   
• The Pairings – Sparkling cocktails with housemade syrups, dessert and wine duos, and playful combinations you never saw coming.