“King Street Oyster Bar Opens in NoMa Today (Thursday) 4PM”

PHOTO: REY LOPEZ

From a press release:

“Celebrated restaurateurs Rick Allison and Jorge Esguerra behind Virginia-based King Street Oyster Bar who currently own and operate two popular locations in Northern Virginia – Leesburg and Middleburg – are thrilled to announce the opening of their third location and their first in the District in NoMa today, Thursday, November 21st, 2019. King Street Oyster Bar NoMa (22 M Street NE) opens today for dinner service beginning at 4pm, and will be open for both lunch and dinner service beginning tomorrow – Friday, November 22nd – serving as the first seafood-focused restaurant to debut in the rapidly evolving neighborhood of NoMa.

Featuring 4,000 square feet, the light soaked corner space located within Bozzuto’s posh new residential building RESA, offers seating for 247 total, with 142 in the main dining room, 30 at the inside bar, and an outside patio that will provide seating for up to 75.

PHOTO: REY LOPEZ

Designed by local architecture and interior design firm //3877, King Street Oyster Bar was conceived to put the art of oyster shucking at the forefront of D.C.’s vibrant dining scene. Fusing notes of traditional coastal aesthetics with a multifaceted floor plan that supports four distinct guest experiences, including an open kitchen, the eatery effortlessly imbues a lively atmosphere. The central open kitchen-style bar offers plentiful seating and a live look at the oyster bar’s expert shuckers preparing delectable selects. The area is further enhanced by an eye-catching canopy made complete with an Instagrammable Oyster sign to appeal to the eatery’s social media savvy guests. Seventeen-foot high ceilings allow for on-theme pendant lighting featuring fisherman’s rope to illuminate the King Street Oyster Bar’s many seating areas, which include communal high-top tables for casual fare and banquettes that anchor the space. Mirroring the shell’s palatable designs, a design wall featuring oysters shucked at other King Street Oyster Bar locations thoughtfully weaves a cohesive brand narrative together. The theme is continued within the bathroom spaces, which feature custom fish scale mosaic walls.

Since opening the first King Street Oyster Bar in Northern Virginia in Leesburg, the mission remains to provide excellent food prepared using only the freshest ingredients while engaging whole-heartedly with the community, one oyster, one person, and one neighborhood at a time.

PHOTO: REY LOPEZ

Replicating the menus at sister King Street Oyster Bar locations in both Leesburg and Middleburg, Virginia, King Street Oyster Bar NoMa will feature a diverse selection of signature dishes including King Street Gumbo, Mermaid Tower, Lobster Roll – served cold or hot or as a double roll, amongst numerous other fresh seafood-centric savory dishes, Grilled Filet Mignon, as well as a variety of vegan and vegetarian-friendly options including their Vegan Smokehouse Burger with an Impossible Burger, BBQ, Chopped Cheddar and Cremini Mushrooms, the Ultimate Vegan Sandwich with Italian Beyond Sausage, Onion, Mushroom, Peppers, French Fries, Slaw, Sriracha Mayo. An assortment of fresh oysters will be on display daily at the bar for customers to indulge in upon their arrival. A rotating assortment of about 12 varieties of oysters sourced from both coasts and Canada will be available. East Coast oysters will make their way from the water to the restaurant within 24 hours, with West Coast oysters getting a 48-hour turnaround. General Manager and master barman DJ Suan – formerly of The Green Zone and Pearl Dive Oyster Palace – is in charge of the playful cocktail program featuring a creative line-up of about 20 cocktails including several low and no-proof drinks. Signature sips from Suan include an Aunty Sandy’s Daiquiri with Dr. Bird Jamaican Rum, Bananas, Cinnamon, Walnut, and Lime, Three Crazy Cat Ladies with Bourbon, Spiced Pear, Lemon, Blackberry, Earl Grey Tea, and Protect the Bees with Barr Hill Gin, Barr Hill Tom Cat, Honey, Ginger, Lemon, and Pale Ale, just to highlight a few.

PHOTO: REY LOPEZ

“We are absolutely thrilled to be the first seafood-focused restaurant to open in NoMa providing an exciting new dining option for locals, residents, those who work in the neighborhood, and for visitors as well”, said Rick Allison, partner of King Street Oyster Bar. “The team at King Street Oyster Bar truly prides itself on cultivating community, and genuinely developing and nurturing that feel good neighborhood restaurant vibe. We are passionate about continuing to create unique community-centric restaurants that help grow the surrounding area. We are also honored to join the beautiful evolving neighborhood of NoMa and filling a void in the young restaurant scene there. Through our conversations with locals, residents, and other wonderful members of the community, we keep hearing time and time again how desperately the neighborhood has needed restaurants there for all of the government employees and residents to enjoy. In addition to our popular lunch and dinner services, we’re also excited to launch our phenomenal happy hour featuring $5 food and drinks and $1 oysters from 3pm-7pm everyday. In addition to offering 12 different oysters daily from around the world, we’ll also offer a variety of creative vegan options. There’s nothing better than enjoying East Coast oysters 24 hours out of water, and West Coast oysters just 48 hours out of the water. That’s what we’re proud to offer our oyster loving guests beginning today in the District and in the wonderful neighborhood of NoMa.”

PHOTO: REY LOPEZ

King Street Oyster Bar NoMa is open for both lunch and dinner service, and has plans to debut brunch service within a few weeks shortly after the opening. Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday 11am to 11pm, Friday and Saturday 11am to 2am, and Sunday 10:30am to 11pm. Two happy hours are also available 3:00PM to 7:00PM every day featuring deals such as a selection of oysters for $1 and an assortment of beverages and bites at the bar for just $5 including sangria, wine, and beer, and ceviche, crab cake or pastrami sliders, and wings. A second late-night happy hour is also available Sunday through Thursday from 10:00PM to close.”