“Stable DC To Close After Seven Years of Business; Reopening Next Month as Steak Frites DC”

photo by Albert Ting

From a press release:

“Stable DC (1324 H Street, NE), the District’s only Swiss restaurant, has decided to close after seven years in business in the H Street Corridor. The restaurant will temporarily close on Sunday, April 7 and reopen later in the spring as Steak Frites DC on Thursday, April 18.

Brunch Menu Steak Frites (PDF)

Dinner Menu Steak Frites (PDF)

“This is not a goodbye, it’s a ‘see you soon’,” says Silvan Kraemer, co-owner and general manager. “We’re really proud of the work we did with Stable DC and hope our loyal diners will join us in the next concept for the same type of hospitality in a fresh new format.”

The move comes after serious consideration and a number of shifting factors within the hospitality industry. Owners Kraemer and Fritsche will keep their staff and location and execute a full rebranding of the space and menu. Previously, they conceptualized and constructed most of the interior for Stable DC. In particular, during the pandemic, the pair made private ski chalets that have remained a mainstay of the dining scene on H Street Northeast. They also executed pop up concepts throughout their seven years in business, including “Little Stable” at Wundergarten, Pier 1354 (a crab shack during pandemic) and Little Stable at Nats Park.

“Long story short, a lot of things have changed within the industry in seven years,” Says Chef David Fritsche, co-owner and chef. “For us, we want to move towards both what we think diners will want and a format that allows us to be creative while controlling costs. It’s important to us we maintain a certain level of quality, hospitality, and branding that we’re known for without cutting corners or compromising.”

Steak Frites DC will pull inspiration from similar concepts found in Europe such as Entrecôte Café de Paris. It will be open for dinner service Wednesday through Saturday, and will do brunch Saturdays and Sundays.

The food menu at Steak Frites DC will focus on a prix-fixe menu that features bread and butter, a salad, a premium cut of Entrecôte steak and frites for $36.95 per person. The steak is served in a special Café de Paris butter with a secret recipe particular to Steak Frites DC. As the butter melts, it provides a dipping sauce for the steak and frites.

A vegetarian option will be available along with a variety of à la carte appetizers, limited mains other than steak, and Swiss-inspired desserts. Steak Frites DC will also feature a special martini menu along with wine, beer, and other spirits.

Price points will be $30-$40 per person for dinner, with cocktails ranging from $13–$16. Reservations will be available on Resy starting on April 8th.”