From a press release:
“Known as DC’s cocktail queen with a larger-than-life personality, Gina Chersevani is bringing her bagel-and-booze empire to the Cleveland Park hood this February 2025! After slaying the mixology scene for 24 years and showing the prowess of her cooking skills, casually winning competition television shows like Guy’s Grocery Games and Buddy’s Holiday Recipe Rumble, this New York born-Italian firecracker is serving up round three of her beloved Buffalo & Bergen in the historic Sam’s Park & Shop at Connecticut Avenue and Ordway Street.
For the next two weeks, February 6 -9 and 13 -16, 2025, Buffalo & Bergen Cleveland Park is only open each week for four days 7:30 AM – 3:00PM. Starting Monday, February 17, 2025, it will begin servicing the neighborhood 7 days a week.
Why Cleveland Park? It’s personal. Gina’s coming full circle, returning to her early-20s stomping grounds – this time with husband and “partner-in-carbs,” Neil Dundee.
The beverage game is next level with Chersevani, bringing over Frankie Jones from Capitol Hill, veteran spirits guru and beverage manager, to shake things up. They’re brewing seriously good Ceremony Coffee from Annapolis, MD, turning your morning caffeine fix into an experience with Bananas Foster Lattes and Lavender Matcha moments that’ll change your morning ritual, all for the better. And yes, that infamous Lox’d & Loaded Bloody Mary (complete with an everything bagel stuffed with all the goods) will steal the show, once again, alongside perfect egg creams and floats. As for those bagels? The dough is making the 227-mile journey from Queens because Gina doesn’t mess around when it comes to those authentic NYC rings.
Coming in early Spring, the Carb Bar will be Dundee’s playground, bringing all his expertise from the legendary Eternal Love and Pizza days during the pandemic and making it a permanent fixture by popular demand. Mornings kick off with fresh-baked Danishes rotating from zesty Lemon Curd to classic Prune, while afternoons transform into a pizza lover’s paradise. He’s reimagining Chersevani’s childhood favorite “Grandma Pizza” – Long Island’s famous thin, rectangular slice of heaven – with toppings like Mortadella, Stracciatella, and Pistachio that’ll make you rethink everything you knew about pizza.
The blueprint by the forward-thinking, newest interior design firm on the DC circuit, WarrenDoes, by Warren Weixler, has turned the space into pure retro-chic magic with quartz and marble surfaces, creamy whites meeting mint green accents, button-style stools, and diner-esque chairs in black and white that actually feels ‘totally’ cool and cheerful. The high ceilings with exposed beams draw your eyes up, while the glass atrium floods everything, from the greenery surrounding the area to the bodega wall of retail accessories, all set under perfect natural light.
Come spring, they’re unleashing a patio scene with black iron planters and a flutter of flowers that’s bound to become your new favorite outdoor dining spot. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, meet “Frizzante” – the adorable Piaggio Ape drinks truck will be parked on the patio, serving up brews, wine, and cocktails. (Yes, it’s available to snag for your next party! – [email protected])
Get ready, DC – this isn’t just another restaurant opening. It’s Gina Chersevani’s homecoming tour, and you’re all invited to the show!”
3501 Connecticut Avenue, NW previously home to a California Tortilla and a Pizzeria Uno back in the day.