2218 18th St, NW
A reader reports:
“New sign for Awash, not sure if it’s new management or just new branding…”
I wonder if they’re related to the old Asmara Cafe and Lounge who used to be in the current (and recently gutted by fire) Climax space near the 9:30 club.
900 Florida Ave, NW
701 7th Street, NW
“Sorta.” A reader reports: “Sushi Go Round has closed permanently but Thai Chili, which is owned by the same owner, will sell sushi out of their neighboring space.”
Ed. Note: But will the sushi still be on a conveyor belt at the neighboring space?!?!?!
Thanks to a reader for sending the answer to many people’s prayers from the Annandale Honey Pig. Back in 2012 we had heard some scuttlebutt that they were interested in H Street, NE but that never panned out. Updates when we learn where in DC they’ll be coming. Any guesses? To the map! I’ve super enlarged it and…
For those not familiar with Honey Pig:
“Honey pig began in 2008 when Mr. & Mrs. Kim decided to create a restaurant that would offer affordable, quality food for people from all different walks of life in VA. Today, all six locations of Honey pig is Known for being just that– a fun, vibrant mixing bowl of all ages and cultures, coming together enjoy the best tasting Korean BBQ at the lowest prices in town!
Honey Pig Korean Grill began with a simple dream: to share one family’s love of Korean food with the entire community. Five locations later, the restaurant tantalizes taste buds across the region with a full menu of beef, pork, poultry,and seafood entrees cookedusing traditional Koreaningredients and recipes. Try the thinly sliced beef brisket, pork belly, or duck breast, or the beef tartar served raw with pears and pine nuts. Baby octopus shares a plate with pork belly and cabbage that’s seasoned to spicy perfection, and soybean paste stewsimmers with tofu and vegetables.
In Korean, a gold pig represents good fortune therefore, HONEY = SWEET, PIG = GOOD FORTUNE HONEY + PIG = SWEET, GOOD FORTUNE. Of course, it also means that the pork is delicious and sweet like honey.”
Check out their menu here.
805 V Street, NW
Thanks to a reader for sending a link to the now hiring post:
“From the creators of Daikaya and Bantam King in Chinatown, comes the highly anticipated opening of Haikan in the bustling Shaw neighborhood. The restaurant’s concept will be ramen in addition to some Japanese style items. We are expected to open early August and looking to fill positions in the kitchen.”
Also a note posted on their front door:
Also a peek inside reveals it’s gotta be soon. Standby.
2204 14th Street, NW
From a press release:
“Sakerum, a new sushi bar, Asian-Latin restaurant and cocktail lounge from Stephanos Andreou, will open just blocks away from the intersection of 14th and U Street (2204 14th St NW) on Monday, August 22.
The two-story resto-lounge fuses the restrained elegance and vibrant energy of Asian and Latin cultures. The atmosphere is modeled, in part, on the traditional Japanese concept of the izakaya, a warm, welcoming gastropub — tinged with the flair of a Latin lounge.
Sakerum’s menu of sushi & sashimi and Latin-inspired Asian dishes will offer an exciting blend of flavors and cultures based on innovative recipes. The 3,600-square-foot Sakerum features bars on both floors in addition to a private dining space and a 90-person retractable rooftop on the second floor.
The colorful sushi bar, located on the restaurant’s first floor, is led by Chef Khan Gayabazar, whose sushi, sashimi and appetizer offerings are big on both flavor and creativity. The Mar y Tierra Roll — sushi made with Maine lobster tail and scorched Miyazaki Wagyu beef — and Yaki Tako, tender grilled octopus brushed with lemon oil and served with orange-mango picante, are just a few of Sakerum’s unique dishes.”
The first floor of Sakerum. Photo by Farrah Skeiky
Beverage consultant Gina Chersevani leads Sakerum’s cocktail program, which will use fresh sugar cane for cocktails and drink flights. Chersevani’s cheekily-titled drinks include the “Wandering Samurai,” made with sake, Flor de Cana, yuzu and bitters, topped with 6-piece sashimi and the “Pirates Creed,” rum, coconut, pineapple, Yuzu and nutmeg.
The Wandering Samurai cocktail features sake, Flor de Cana, yuzu and bitters, topped with 6-piece sashimi. Photo by Farrah Skeiky
Sakerum’s general manager Justin Cho, whose family has been in the restaurant business for his entire life, has more than a decade of experience working in and managing restaurants in Washington, D.C., Michigan and Washington state. Cho will bring his lifelong passion for all things culinary to the table at Sakerum. (more…)
1967 Calvert Street, NW
The liquor license placard at Mama Ayesha’s says:
“Applicant requests a Change of Hours of operation, alcoholic beverage sales and consumption, and sidewalk café.”
If approved new hours would be Sunday through Saturday 10:00 am – 1:00 am (12am for sidewalk cafe.)
For those not familiar – they’ve been around before almost all of us – from their website:
“Our founder, Mama Ayesha Abraham, was born in the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem in the late 1800’s. After running 24 farms by the age of 21, she came to the United States in the late 1940’s and was hired as a cook for the Syrian Embassy.
After toiling at the embassy and working at several D.C. restaurants, she opened her first restaurant in 1960, Calvert Cafe. The booming cafe served ambassadors, foreign dignitaries, and U.S. officals.
Known as the Calvert Cafe until Mama Ayesha’s death in 1993, the building was renamed in her honor in 1994. Now run by her nephews and great nephews, although Mama Ayesha is no longer with us, her memory and recipes remain.”
You can see their menu here.
3226 11th Street, NW
Congrats to the good peeps at Bad Saint for snatching the Number 2 spot in Bon Appetit’s Top 10 Best new restaurants in America:
“I was flying solo, but everything about this 24-seat, no-reservation spot made me feel like family. Credit Filipino-American chef Tom Cunanan and co-owners Genevieve Villamora (the most gracious host I met all year) and Nick Pimentel, who’ve made this place their passion project. Their food is personal, but it’s so much more than just dishes they ate as kids. Bad Saint is the kind of place I spend all year searching for.”
9th and F Street, NW
Ed. Note: You can see their NYC menus here.
Thanks to a reader for passing on this job application for The Smith coming to the old McCormick and Schmick’s space at 9th and F St, NW. They’re looking for a General Manager:
“The Smith, a casual American Brasserie, is one of New York’s hottest restaurant concepts and the preeminent neighborhood restaurant. The energy inside is palpable, the staff engaging and friendly, and the food approachable and consistent – the trifecta that keeps guests coming back time after time. Jane, a casual American bistro, has been a standout in New York City since 2001.
From the beginning, Corner Table has been obsessed with building a positive, supportive environment for our employees who in turn take great care of our guests. The culture is guided by a few simple but powerful ideas: (more…)
1790 Columbia Road, NW
Thanks to a reader for sending a shot of the new Al Volo Osteria signage – today’s the grand opening! Word on the street was that they soft opened last night and are a very worthy replacement to Pasta Mia!! Anyone take an early taste? Was it as good as their pop ups in Bloomingdale and elsewhere?
From an email:
“This Tuesday, August 16th Shake Shack is celebrating the opening of its 100th location worldwide with free ShackBurgers across the U.S.! This means every Shake Shack in the DMV and Baltimore – except Nats Park – will open at 10:30am and give away free Shackburgers (or another sandwich or equal or lesser value) to the first 100 guests.
For quick reference, here’s a list of all participating DMV/Baltimore Shacks: (more…)