Policy Restaurant and Lounge

Yellow lights spill from the entrance onto 14th St. NW, just blocks from the U St. Corridor.

Since it’s opening in March 2009, Policy’s unique walls adorned in graffiti, and elegant chandeliers create the perfect blend of an urban scene intertwined with sophistication.

As a multi-faceted venue, eclectic hipsters come here to dine, wine, and party the night away. This trendy new spot has since lured the curiosity of patrons that aren’t afraid to flirt with experimentation. “Policy is a great place to pop in if you are out and about on Tuesdays. They’ve got a great DJ and beautiful people,” says a local club goer.

The inviting and sexy entrance allures the crowd to an assorted menu selection that includes mouth-watering roasted lamb sliders, roasted all natural chicken, and hanger steak. These decadents are all prepared by Executive Chef, Brian Murphy, who brings his global influences to the heart of Washington, DC. For those who are bold enough, take a trip on the wild side with their cocktail signature drinks: “truthini” (a green tea and lemon grass martini), “libertini” (mango capirinha), and “lovetini” (chocolate vodka and cinnamon lollipop). If that’s not enough to fuel the inquisitive mind, there’s much more to be discovered beyond the ground level. Upstairs, you’ll find upbeat tempos and an à la mode crowd guarantying an inviting and memorable stay.

Mitch Mathis and Dt Nation has been the mastermind behind Tuesday night at Policy with a promotional repertoire that travels as far back to 2006 and passion since age seventeen. The vibrant, yet sublimed ambiance, mirrors the crowd that Mitch mostly caters to, which is multiplicity. “I want to bridge the gap with an urban crowd and international flare,” he says. “We are located in a diverse place, so we want to make sure that we keep Tuesday nights just as diverse.” Mitch is also known for organizing other well-established parties throughout DC, which includes Shadow Room on Thursdays and The Park on Fridays, bringing the glitz and glamour into the nightlife.

Policy blends cultures of all corners of the world. Beyond the entrance, assorted sounds and decked out walls greet everyone that comes through the door, opening up a new world for a romantic dinner, drinks with friends, and pulsating fun!

The Perfect Shot

Hailing from Tokyo, Yuki Matsumura packed both her hunger and passion to discover the world. Find out why this professional model left everything she knew in order to discover her true potential.


by Lucy Coutinho Jan. 10


SHY: When did you first discover your passion for modeling?
Yuki:I was always very interested in this industry, but I was way too shy to admit it. I was nineteen when my agent back then found me on a street in Tokyo, and soon after I went to America to study abroad at UCSD. People in America often asked me to take pictures with them. It was totally weird but it was also fun to know that I might have a shot at modeling. So I decided to sign with my Japanese agency after I went back to Japan.

SHY: What type of modeling do you do?

Yuki: I do mostly print; commercial work. Because of my skin, I get a lot of beauty work too. I’ve also done some runway as well as hand modeling.

SHY: Where can people see your work?

Yuki: Most recently I have worked on campaigns for Reebok and Apple. I was the poor murdered girl, “Sachi Nakamura”, on Bones and have done a Nip/Tuck promo. I have been in many magazines such as Viet Beauty, On Makeup, Super Street Bike, Rangefinder, C-heads, etc- Many more to come!

SHY: What would you want others to know about “Yuki”, behind the pretty pictures?

Yuki: I am a regular girl with normal thoughts who finds herself a little bit more comfortable than others when she is in front of camera. I’m friendly, always on time, and love animals more than anything.

SHY: What do you do to stay ahead of the competition? What is your vision for your future in modeling?


Cover: Stephen Akers
Yuki: I spent many years, attending castings and open-calls, with many talented models standing next to me. Rejections have been always there with me and sometimes I feel lost in this crazy competitive world. Thankfully, I learned that without failure, you will never be able to succeed. So I took my chances, attempt to seize opportunities and take on new challenges and adventures whenever they have presented themselves to me. I learned a lot about myself; about what drives me, and motivates me. I discovered the passions that would allow me to figure out what I would want to do with my future. Basically what would make me happy and content with my own life.

SHY: Where do you draw your inspirations?

Yuki: I’m inspired easily! Meeting new people, traveling, or even just watching the parades at Disneyland is what inspires me. Audrey Hepburn’s new fashion trends at my favorite stores like Forever21, all the useful youtube posts are just a few examples of things that can unexpectedly inspire my tastes and career road-map. That which inspires me challenges me to do something new in my life, make a new hobby, or give me new reasons for why I am standing right here today.

SHY: What would you say would make you feel the most accomplished in your career?

Yuki: I’ve always thought this answer would have been something like, ‘when I saw a picture of myself on a huge billboard in NYC’ or “the first time I booked a global print job”, but when I look back now, I think my answer is that I decided to book a flight to America all by myself to see the world. The first time I decided to leave my family, all my friends, and everything I grown up with in my little town in Japan. I learned there is something you never get if you stay in the same place, hanging out with the same people, doing exactly the same things in your life and never change. I went to America to study English, but honestly what I learned the most was not the language; it was all the potential possibilities for me.

SHY: What are some of your other interests and or talents?

Yuki: When I have free time, I enjoy painting. The world gets quiet when I start to paint, and I need that silence to take a break from my busy schedule. My paintings are usually for personal reasons, but I’m thinking about getting an agent and selling them next year. I also enjoy snowboarding every winter, shopping, cooking curry, and visiting pet shops to meet new-guinea pigs.

SHY: How has the transition been like moving to San Diego from Tokyo?

Yuki: It was very hard. I spoke no English back then, so I had to start it from my ABCs. I’ve never studied anything that hard in my life. I was lucky enough to make many great friends here, but I have never gotten used to not having my best friends from Japan around me. Even though this was my decision to come here with no friends and family, I do sometimes get lost and feel absolutely homesick. It’s been rough and challenging but I found a way to make it work because modeling is my passion and I’ve never loved any “job” like I love modeling!

DMV’s Top Model Mpenzi does it all for Love

“One can hide away from the world inside the walls of your comfort zone where nothing challenges you, or you can make use of every second of your precious time to explore all that life has to offer.
by Lucy Coutinho Jan. 10
Endless worries of what could have been, clouds the minds of many, but one can take the steps to successfully prepare themselves for anything that comes along”, says Mpenzi.

It has been a zealous journey for super model Elizabeth Mpenzi. A native of Kenya, her passion for modeling coupled with resilience has carried her thus far. There have been many road blocks along the way, but this was a sacrifice she has been more than willing to take. “I had to convince my family that this is what I wanted to be. It has been difficult, but every challenge makes you a better person,” she assures.

Mpenzi began to flirt with the idea of becoming a model since the age of nineteen but had never really taken it seriously until one day she woke up and it hit her! At that moment she decided that she was going to “do this” and has been actively modeling since 2008. She has traveled to various fashion shows in cities throughout the United States including Chicago, Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Los Angeles for editorial work. Mpenzi currently lives with her family in Baltimore, Maryland where she splits her time between traveling to New York City for model calls.


Photo: Drexina Nelson
Most of Mpenzi’s knowledge has been acquired from networking with various photographers, makeup artists, and hairdressers. Enthusiastic about her future, this African beauty has embraced versatility and demonstrates no fear. “I love trying many different aspects of modeling. It’s an obsession,” she says proudly. “I thrive in competing, as there is an energy and fire. It’s through competition that we learn-I enjoy what I do!”

Finding the right agency and representation requires a lot of work and is often very challenging. However, Mpenzi has a growing portfolio that consists of commercials, editorials, high fashion and runway work, highlighting the diligence of her dedication. She has been published in various magazines: People’s Magazine, Hype Hair, and Ultimate Weaves & Hair. She has also been the face of hair companies like Bronner Bros (Feb 2009- Aug 2009), Outré (Aug 2009) as well as product companies like Porselene Facial care 2008 and U (ooh) Skin products.?

With her sight set on her goal and desire to take her talent to the next level, Mpenzi will stop at nothing until she reaches the very top. “My goal is to become a mega-super model. I will not take anything less than that. I want to do this for life,” she says. “I want to be known internationally and build my name, so coming back here will be easy to get work.”

Beyond her pretty face and the burning desire to strive to be the best at what she does, resides compassion to give back to a place where she proudly calls home.“God gave everyone an inner and outer beauty. God gave me this beauty and I want to give it back. I want to help kids in Africa, and be an ambassador for them-I love to help!” She explains of her goal to build orphanages around Africa, giving children hope to live, and a future in which their dreams can come to life.

“I believe every day is an opportunity to raise your life to a higher level by giving the best that you have. Whatever it is you desire, think it, be it, support it and you will enjoy it in great abundance.” –Elizabeth Mpenzi