705 H Street, NW
Back in June of last year it looked like &pizza had bailed on their Chinatown plans (though their PR folks said they were still coming it just wasn’t clear when.) Apparently things are back on track as they’ve just posted a liquor license placard:
“Total Occupancy Load is 99 seats.”
Updates as they get closer to opening.
817 7th Street, NW
“Dear PoPville,
I was walking by the former Mehak Indian restaurant on 7th Street NW when I overheard someone say the new Asian restaurant in its place was having its soft opening on Sunday at 11:30 am. So, I stopped by. I may have been the first customer. The restaurant is named “Reren Lamen & Bar.”
I recalled the earlier misspellings spotted on a job flyer in the window of the same space and thought about gently telling them how to spell “ramen,” but all the staff had matching shirts with the word “Lamen” embroidered on them, and I somehow didn’t have the heart to say anything. I did, however, echo the belated idea of one waitress to put a copy of the menu in the window!
The menu is focused on noodles and dumplings, and the owner is from China. The staff seemed uncertain but super friendly and eager to please. They offered me free dessert. Clearly, this is a group of rather inexperienced folks, but the food was perfectly decent and pretty fairly priced, I thought. The ramen noodles were definitely homemade and were a good texture — not limp and soggy. I’ll go back.
I wish them luck!”
601 Massachusetts Ave, NW
From scuttlebutt back in 2014, RPM Italian from celebrity couple Giuliana and Bill Rancic is close to opening. Thanks to a reader for sending the shot of the new signage. You can see their Chicago menus here. It will be interesting to see how they do with Alta Strada about a block away. Stay tuned for an exact opening date.
Thanks to a reader for sending:
“Grabbed some take out for lunch yesterday from Momofuku. Solid meal, as always. But it was the backside of my fortune that gave me a chuckle: #snydersucks”
Momofuku’s owner/chef David Chang has long been critical of Redskins’ owner Dan Snyder – he even wants to buy the team. Well, as a supporter of the Burgundy and Gold, I only have one thing to say to Mr. Chang – Bravo. And Godspeed to you.
Vaughn Sterling tweets:
“what the heck happened to Kabuki Sushi in @UnionStation_DC? Replaced by a blue wall! We’ve been going since 2005!”
Anyone know when they closed? Being taken over by the new Walgreens? Any other fans?
inside 1250 9th Street, NW
From a press release:
“Michael Friedman, Michael O’Malley and Sebastian Zutant, co-owners of The Red Hen, have partnered with Gareth Croke and Colin McDonough, co-owners of Boundary Stone to open All-Purpose. The restaurant, now open at 1250 9th Street, NW in the revitalized Shaw neighborhood, offers 90 restaurant seats along with a 15-seat bar, and features a straightforward Roman menu accented with Italian-American classics in a casual and convivial 2,500 square-foot space.
Pizza is the heart of Chef Friedman’s food program at All-Purpose. He has created a distinctive dough for the restaurant that captures the “breadier” qualities of the old school deck oven pizzas of his youth. The crust, which is used for all of the pies at All-Purpose, offers a rustic, chewy texture and is caramel in color due in part to the cooking process as well as the high amount of whole wheat flour. Of the six pizzas that are now offered at All-Purpose, Chef Friedman anticipates the Cossimo, named after one of his favorite Jersey Italian haunts, topped with roasted mushrooms, Tallegio, scallions, preserved truffle sauce and grana will become the fan favorite. The Buona, featuring pepperoni, mozzarella, chili honey & basil, will also be a crowd pleaser. (more…)
301 Water Street, SE
When I said yesterday Navy Yard was about to be flush with oysters, I didn’t realize just how soon that was – Monday!!
From a press release:
“Whaley’s, a raw bar and restaurant, will open Monday, May 16th in the historic Lumber Shed at The Yards, located at 301 Water Street Suite 115 SE in the growing Navy Yard/Capitol Riverfront District.
Under Chef Daniel Perron— formerly of Fiola Mare, Blue Duck Tavern and The Oval Room—the opening menu will feature shellfish towers, crudos, a selection of seafood-focused plates and a rotating family-style platter for sharing. Dishes will feature items like:
Day Boat Scallop Crudo, Muscat Grapes, Sea Beans & Fennel Pollen
Jumbo Lump MD Crab Salad, Sea Urchin, Celery, Cucumber & Old Bay Chips
Crispy Soft Shell Crab, Peanut Romesco, Charred Tomatillos & Pickled Pearl Onion
Longtime collaborator, mentor and friend Brian Zipin has assembled a beverage program featuring specialty cocktails, thoughtfully-selected wines and craft beers. (more…)
Willie T’s closed next to Kramerbooks at 1511 Connecticut Ave, NW back in February. Think they’ll be successful inside The Pizza Studio? Seems a bit random. What are some other co-located businesses around town?
1333 19th (New Hampshire Avenue), NW
Thanks to a reader for passing on. The Flyer says there is 13 years left on the lease.
Any guesses?
79 Potomac Avenue, SE
The placard for The Salt Line says:
“New restaurant, specializing in oysters. Total Occupancy Load is 130. Summer Garden with 120 seats.”
Back in March we learned the “group behind Sixth Engine, Town Hall and The Dubliner, is pleased to announce plans to open The Salt Line in Spring 2017.”
Seafood – not to mention a prominently featured raw bar – will be at the heart of Chef Kyle Bailey’s culinary program at The Salt Line. The menu will offer a selection of straightforward New England classics, along with Bailey’s own interpretations on the regional fare, and a few Chesapeake Bay-influenced specials. Chef Kyle Bailey’s affinity for whole-animal butchery and charcuterie will translate nicely to his plans for The Salt Line, which will include items such as seafood sausages, smoked and cured fish, and a variety of crudo. Bailey also plans to work with local oyster farms to create a proprietary oyster for the restaurant.
The Salt Line will also showcase a regional craft beer selection and a creative cocktail program that will be the centerpieces for the outdoor bar located along the riverfront. The Salt Line plans to serve dinner daily and weekend brunch upon opening.
With Whaley’s opening in Yards Park – Navy Yard will be, rightfully, flush with oysters soon!!