Support

Chef Frederik de Pue Opening Azur Restaurant in Former Cafe Atlantico Building


405 8th Street, NW

From a press release:

On the heels of the much-anticipated opening of his breakout project Table, Chef Frederik de Pue has released details on a second restaurant project, Azur. The full-service, upscale casual European style seafood spot is slated to open on New Year’s Eve in the Penn Quarter neighborhood of Washington, DC.

The restaurant is located at 405 8thStreet NW in the space previously occupied by Think Food Group’s Café Atlántico by Chef José Andrés. In late September 2012 Chef De Pue and partners purchased the building, driven by great timing of the sale and the ideal downtown location to open his ‘dream’ restaurant project.

“It may seem a bit ambitious to open two restaurants back to back, but I’ve had Table in the works for quite a while. When the opportunity to purchase the Atlántico building came up, we couldn’t let it go,” explained Chef de Pue. “With Azur I can showcase a true seafood restaurant, and what I’ve gained in working at the Michelin-rated Sea Grill restaurant in Brussels and in other amazing kitchens in Europe. I’m excited to bring all my experience to this restaurant and look forward to trying out some new ideas in the kitchen.”

The Menu

Inspired by a culinary career that began in hisnative Belgium, Chef de Pue has envisioned the menu at Azur to draw on European classics with contemporary flavors and translations. The menu focuses on high quality products from sustainable seafood purveyors, with mainstream varieties of fish and shellfish including lobster, tiger prawns, crab, oysters and mussels. Some harder to find and not-often seen seafood and other dishes will be offered as well.

Azur will offer traditional classics such as Bouillabaisse and Moules-frites, appetizer, salad and entrée selections, as well as shellfish dishes with modern twists, including Chef de Pue’s take on Pesce al Sale. The menu will also include a smaller selection of meat dishes and vegetarian offerings. A full raw bar located on the third level will offer fresh oysters and shellfish and a separate, smaller bar menu will be available in the bar/lounge. Pastry Chef Kieu-Linh Nguyen, formerly of the Park Hyatt in San Diego, CA, will head the pastry program at Azur with a focus on seasonal desserts.

The restaurant will serve dinner in the initial opening phase, with lunch and weekend brunch added in early spring 2013.

The Bar

Designed to pair well with the seafood-centric menu, the bar program at Azur will focus on wine and craft beer, with a cocktail menu designed by one of DC’s premier mixologists, Jon Arroyo. A large selection of white wines and delicately flavored cocktails will change seasonally and complement the food menu, with accents of lavender, citrus, and florals. The wine focus will be on white varietals, and will also include burgundies, sparkling, and sweet reds available by the glass, half and full bottles. A rotating selection of craft and organic beers will be ondraught at the bar.

Azur is serving tea exclusively from Teaism, its Penn Quarter neighbor and regional tea purveyor, and all water will be filtered in house with Natura Water technology, eliminating waste associated with bottled water.

The Space

The notable location was originally a power substation for the city and changed hands many times before becoming a jewel in the restaurant collection of noted chef José Andrés, with Café Atlántico, in 1995. The restaurant shuttered in mid-2011, to re-emerge as America Eats Tavern until July of this year when the building was put up for sale.

The building interior remains open and airy, with much of the previous architecture intact. Virginia-based designer Natascha Folens of NF Interior managed design and décor for the soaring 6,000 squarefoot space. The feeling is contemporary, with hues of the ocean and sea accented by handcrafted furniture pieces, simple yet interesting lighting and chandeliers, finishes, textures and details to enhance the natural appearance of the various levels and environmental zones. Each space offers comfort and provides a clean and complementary backdrop to the food, the oyster bar and energy of the overall restaurant experience.

Up to 135 seats will be available for dining at any given time, with a full oyster bar with seating for six occupying the space where the former Minibar was located, on the uppermost level of the building. On the third level, the more formal dining room accommodates approximately 65 seats, with some group seating for up to 22 guests. The main level offers a large bar and lounge style seating. (renderings below). Azur will also offer private dining accommodations for large groups with advance reservation on the fourth level.”

 

 

Recent Stories

Thanks to Dan for sending this great shot. If you spot a hawk, any interesting wildlife or celebrity skateboarder Tony Hawk, and get a good photo please send in an…

1813 Columbia Road, NW Namak is: “A new upscale casual Eastern Mediterranean restaurant in Adams Morgan — opening in late March 2024!”

[More reaction, including from AG, Councilmembers, the Developer and Monumental, after the jump.] From the Mayor’s Office: “Mayor Muriel Bowser, Chairman Phil Mendelson and Members of the Council of the…

12th and M Street, NW Thanks to Lisa for sending around 8:50am: “Fire on M Street at 12th.” From DC Fire and EMS: “Working Fire 1200 block M St NW….

Calling all bookworms, thrill-seekers, supporters of the arts, and ping-pongers at all skill levels! Sign up for Paddlestar Galactica, the ping-pong tournament supporting 826DC’s youth writing programs.

826DC is a local nonprofit that offers free writing programs, homework help, and publishing opportunities for DC students ages 6-18, in our Columbia Heights writing center and in learning spaces across the city.

Paddlestar Galactica helps keep writing education 100% free and accessible for all of our students! It’s also extremely fun.

This year’s games will be Saturday, April 27th, 1 PM to 4 PM at SPIN DC. It’ll be a chaotic afternoon of ping-pong, costumes, terrible Battlestar Galactica puns, and good cheer. We’d love to have you join us!

Read More

Submit your own Announcement here.

Well-Paid Maids, the only certified living-wage cleaning service in the DMV, has added a new service to its online booking menu: office and building cleanings.

This includes offices, building lobbies, shared amenity spaces and more throughout D.C., Arlington, Alexandria and more.

Unlike so many other cleaning services, you can feel good booking Well-Paid Maids to clean your office or building. Cleaners get paid a starting wage of $24 an hour. Plus, all employees are offered health, dental, vision and life insurance; 24 paid days off per year; 100% employer-paid commuting costs; and more.

Read More

Submit your own Announcement here.

Vakili Band at Pie Shop!

Three band rock n rolll lineup at DC’s Pie Shop! Vakili Band with “if you know, you know” DC rockers, Lot 18, and the many minds and songs of artist Kind of Christine.

“If you love Vakili Band like we

×

Subscribe to our mailing list