“three new vendors coming soon to Bryant Street Market”

From a press release:

“MRP Realty, a developer of commercial, residential, industrial and mixed-use real estate along the Southeast corridor, announced today the addition of three new vendors coming soon to Bryant Street Market in the rapidly burgeoning Bryant Street development in DC’s Edgewood neighborhood: Doki Doki BBQ, Grassfed Griddle, and Jaliyaa Coffee. To celebrate the food hall’s expanded list of diverse local vendors, MRP will host the first-ever brunch event at Bryant Street Market on Saturday, July 29th, 10am-1pm, allowing the public to sample the range of flavors brought by open and soon-to-open stalls.

photo by Albert Ting

Doki Doki BBQ,

the much-anticipated concept from Chefs Kevin Tien and Judy Beltrano, and a pillar of their new hospitality collective Doki Doki Group, focuses on New American BBQ featuring smoke, char, and Asian flavors inspired by Tien’s Texas and Louisiana roots. On the menu, guests will find beef short rib, smoked chicken and pork belly, finished with a variety of sauces such as Nam Jim Jaew and maple fish sauce glaze, plus menu items like coconut corn bread, crawfish mac & cheese, and a crispy double-fried chicken sandwich with gochujang glaze, bread & butter pickles, and Alabama white sauce. Tien and Beltrano will be serving up smoked mapo tofu and biscuits with fried eggs at this Saturdays’ brunch event, along with other select pastry and brunch items for sale.

“I’ve lived in Northeast DC ever since moving to the DMV from Louisiana in 2012, and I love the neighborhood and community,” said Tien. “Edgewood’s location right on the MBT, accessibility from the Rhode Island Metro, and attractions for all – The Alamo, Kraken Kourts, Metrobar, the Farmers Market and so much more – make it the perfect location for Doki Doki BBQ because we want to share the food and flavors of Asian BBQ with everyone.”

Grassfed Griddle, which has maintained a pop-up at Bryant Street Market’s entrance since the food hall opened in early March, will now become a permanent fixture, taking up residency at one of the interior stalls. The vendor, which offers everything from notoriously decadent cheeseburgers and cheesesteaks to classic grilled cheeses and BLTs, is committed to supporting local, sustainable, ethical family farming within the DMV community. Ticketholders for this Saturday’s brunch will indulge in chive and cheese omelets over crispy fondant potatoes.

“When someone buys a burger or a breakfast sandwich from us, they’re supporting up to 10 other local businesses. We know the names and faces of our suppliers because we believe that connection is key to creating better-tasting, higher-quality food,” said Chef Renatto “Natto” Specia, co-owner of Grassfed Griddle. “We’re very excited to be part of Bryant Street Market and to bring accessible food options made from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients to the Edgewood neighborhood.”

African coffee brand Jaliyaa will open its first brick and mortar location at Bryant Street Market, furthering its mission to create meaningful connections between Africa and the diaspora by sharing delicious and intensely-flavorful regional coffees and the stories behind them. Jaliyaa offers smoothies, teas, and fruit Refreshers: iced green coffee bean drinks in flavors like Peach Mango, Dragon Fruit Lychee, and Hibiscus Coconut Ginger – with 5% of profits from every purchase going to help fight global food insecurities. This Saturday, brunchers will be able to sip on samples of any items from Jaliyaa’s drinks menu.

“At Bryant Street Market, we see a unique opportunity to create meaningful interactions and embrace the narratives of different cultures,” said Jaliyaa Founder Mohamed “Moe” Jalloh. “Our mission to empower communities aligns perfectly with the inclusive and welcoming atmosphere here.”

Jaliyaa will further its storytelling mission with The Jaliyaa Project, a transformative 42-week cultural education initiative designed to empower young men in the vibrant Ward 5 community, hosted out of Bryan Street Market and planned to launch in mid- to late August. Fifteen boys from the Edgewood community, aged 12 to 14, will take part in interactive workshops and immersive experiences highlighting the diverse cultures and traditions of Africa, culminating in a paid-for trip to Senegal in June 2024. Most workshops will also be open to the public. Those interested in learning more can contact [email protected].

“We could not be more thrilled by the local small businesses that are shaping out Bryant Street Market,” says Zach Wade, principal with MRP Realty. “The variety and quality of our vendors reflect the rich Edgewood community, and each contribute to the breadth of local talent and diverse flavors that visitors to Bryant Street are coming to expect. We’re beyond lucky to have them and proud to introduce them as partners.”