“Stable Welcomes Guests Back to Its Dining Room Transformed with Private Ski Chalets In Lieu of Tables on 11/12”

“Private chalets at Stable // Photo Credit- Amanda Hoey”

From Stable (1324 H Street, NE):

“DC’s only authentic Swiss restaurant, Stable, will welcome guests back to their H Street home on November 12 for the first time since mid-March with a transformed dining room that will transport guests to wintertime in Switzerland. In lieu of traditional tables, five individual ski chalets – each with their own walls and vented roof overhangs- will create separation and privacy between individual parties. Guests opting to dine in chalets will be seated in the back room of the restaurant. The front will remain the base of Stable’s carry out operation and to-go market featuring bread and pastries baked fresh daily as well as Swiss wine, beer and specialty cocktails. A window perch opening on to H Street will also accommodate one party and, for the first time, Stable will add outdoor dining on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant as well as that of their neighbor, Atlas Vet.

“Private chalets at Stable // Photo Credit- Amanda Hoey”

With winter temperatures approaching and the future of outdoor dining uncertain, Stable owners Silvan Kraemer and David Fritsche turned their attention from their temporary fondue pop up, Little Stable, on the patio of nearby Gallery O on H, to reopening their restaurant for indoor dining in a safer format with a bit of much-needed whimsy and Swiss charm added.

“Our outdoor fondue pop up was a hit, but with temperatures dropping, there was no guarantee how long Little Stable would remain viable. Given that, we came to the realization that we had to open Stable for indoor dining in order to survive the winter, but we wanted to do it in a way that went above and beyond the COVID guidelines by providing additional separation between guests”, says Silvan Kraemer, co-owner and beverage director at Stable. “We naturally thought of ski chalets as they evoke Switzerland in the winter and provide an escape from reality that I think we could all use. The only question was how to bring them inside the restaurant”.

When scrolling through Instagram, Stable co-owner and executive chef David Fritsche noticed a friend, Jake Charrow, posted a beautiful handmade wood table, so he reached out to see if he might be able to apply his craftsman skills to building the chalets. Charrow agreed and, together with partner Kyle Carey, they executed the vision designed entirely by Kraemer and Fritsche.

The pair constructed five individual chalets – two measuring 7′ x 12′ that seat six guests and three measuring 6′ x 8′ that seat four guests – with open entries spaced over six feet apart. Each chalet will be sanitized after each seating and guests are required to wear masks at all times when they are not eating or drinking inside the chalet. The back bar seating will also be open with adjustable plexiglass installed to separate each party.

Guests dining in-person will be able to enjoy Stable’s full menu of Swiss classics including fondue and raclette as well as their beverage menu featuring seasonal and warm cocktails perfect for the cozy atmosphere. The chalets provided the perfect landscape for early holiday decorations, so guests will find Stable fully decked out to provide a welcome dose of cheer when they reopen.

or those opting not to dine indoors, Stable received a parklet permit from the city and added outdoor seating outfitted with heaters and wool blankets with capacity for 20 guests on the sidewalk outside the restaurant extending next door in front of their neighbors, Atlas Vet. “Private” seating perched in a window opening out onto H Street will also be available to accommodate one party at time.

Stable’s carry out operation and to-go Swiss bread, wine, beer and spirits market will continue without interruption.

Both Stable’s in-person seating and carry out will be open for dinner on Thursday-Saturday from 5-9 PM and brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM- 2 PM. Chalets require reservations via Resy and 12-hours advance notice for cancellation or parties will be charged a $50 fee.

Stable is located at 1324 H Street NE, Washington, DC 2002. For more information, please visit www.stabledc.com or call (202) 733-4604.”