403 H Street, NE
Batter Bowl Bakery opened back in January 2013. Their website says:
“Our Bakery offers daily baked pastries, bread, hand crafted open-faced sandwiches, soups, salad and illy coffee. Every day we bake in a small batch so every time you walk in you are guaranteed quality.”
Looks like they’ll soon be adding beer and wine too!
1914 9th Street, NW
From an email:
“We have our summer menus up and running.
Tasting Menu is $44 for 7 tasting portions and it changes every 2 weeks or due to availability. Currently it shows off grilled apricots {pancetta wrapped, mascarpone topped}, crab balls {100% local fresh Maryland lump & jumbo lump crab, w/caper aioli}, squash blossom risotto {with asparagus & corn} and wild boar strip lon {in Tuscan Mole}. The dessert menu had rhubarb crumble {w/house made cinnamon gelato} and peach parfait {w/bourbon peach maple syrup & housemade granola.”
Check out the complete menus here.
633 D Street, NW
From a press release:
“Ashok Bajaj’s landmark Rasika is closing briefly on July 5th, for four days, to undergo a total makeover. It will reopen in time for dinner service on July 9th. Located at 633 D Street, N.W., (between 6th & 7th Streets), the four-star restaurant will soon be celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opened in December 2005. Rasika was quickly recognized as one of the America’s “Best New Restaurants” by Esquire, as well as one of Food & Wine’s “Hottest Restaurants in The World” during its first year. This crowd pleaser is known for exceptional Indian fare, created by Rasika’s Group Executive Chef Vikram Sunderam, who captured the “Best Chef Mid-Atlantic” James Beard Award in 2014.
Guests will find an eye-catching transformation of the 140-seat oasis. The new décor is being spearheaded by Harry Gregory, the director of ara Design of London, England. Gregory designed the opening interior for Rasika and has worked with Bajaj on several of his award-winning restaurants over the years.
“The make-over is necessary to maintain Rasika’s good looks and cutting edge appeal,” states Harry Gregory. “Without transforming the restaurant’s appearance too much, it was decided to freshen up the interior by changing the colour palette and by providing new lighting, fabrics and furniture. However the first step is to install a new acoustic ceiling to lower the noise level which will make the restaurant an even more pleasant space to dine.”
In the main dining room, silk effect wall covering will be employed in a soft range of mustard colors that harmonize the whole space and work alongside the new chair upholsteries, which will be in shades of olive green and brown. While in the private dining room, a whole new feel is being created incorporating a specially made wall covering from Europe’s Timorous Beasties. This company is known for being bold when it comes to use of both pattern and color. In fact the new private room will be quite a special and striking place to entertain up to 16 guests.
New lighting is being imported from United Kingdom-based Chelsom Lighting. The “artichoke” lights are finished in a soft brushed gold tone to bring a sense of glamour to the interior. These will enhance Rasika’s signature red and clear glass crystal curtain which will remain in place. The new lighting will enrich the middle section of the restaurant while accentuating the Indian atmosphere.
Patterned fabrics from Rubelli in Venice, Italy will also add a quality touch to the new interior and again invoke the feel of India. The contemporary feel of the restaurant is enhanced by new armchairs from Potocco, a company also based in Italy and specially sourced for this important make-over. Finally a new feature wall with shelves and lighting exhibits original artifacts brought from India by Ashok Bajaj. One will see antique pots and vases which add the atmosphere of the new and fresh Rasika restaurant.”
You can see their menu here.
Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)
4815 Georgia Ave, NW
A reader reports:
“Over the weekend, mignot quietly opened. They are a coffeehouse serving coffee from Java House (of DuPont fame), sandwiches, salads, breakfast, milkshakes and some Ethiopian dishes. We stopped by to check it out and it seems like a really nice neighborhood coffee shop.”
Ed. Note: I stopped in as well and the owner was super nice – she tells me that Mignot means My Wish in Amharic (from Ethiopia) and that this restaurant/coffeehouse is her wish. Also breakfast served all day! Stop by and say hi.
Yesterday Jose Andres ditches the Donald and today EaterDC reports:
“Chef Geoffrey Zakarian will no longer open a restaurant at the upcoming Trump Hotel.”
Zakarian was going to open The National:
“New Restaurant serving American and French cuisine. Total occupancy load is 350. Summer Garden with 60 seats.”
1734 N Street, NW
In other delicious food news:
“The Summer is a time for travel and adventure. Inspired by his own vacations to the Mediterranean, Iron Gate’s executive chef Anthony Chittum is introducing the Agriturismo Menu. This seasonal four-course menu, priced at $50 per couple, will launch on Monday, July 27 and will be available each Sunday and Monday evening to follow in both the garden patio and carriageway.
While, visiting Sardinia, Chef Chittum and his wife stayed in agriturismos, or farms that serve as restaurants and inns for visitors. Their evenings were spent over plates of fresh and flavorful food, made from the ingredients grown right there on the farm, while wine also made nearby flowed effortless amongst fast friends.
In the true spirit of the agriturismo, Chef Chittum will rotate the four-course family-style menus at Iron Gate weekly using what is fresh and local, but menus will include seasonal antipasti, pasta, seafood or meat and dessert. Sample dishes might include hen egg frittata with English pea pesto, rustic ricotta ravioli with basil and pomodoro, and slow roasted pork. A bottle of house red or white wine from Greece is available for an additional $25. The entire table must partake in the Agriturismo Menu and additional guests can be added at $25 per person.”
From a press release:
“What: ANXO, DC’s first cidery and pintxos bar opening in Truxton Circle in late 2015, presents diners with a taste of what’s to come at ANXO Sighting, a four-course dinner event at the Dolcezza Gelato Factory on Monday, July 27th, 2015.
ANXO is the child of five founders including Managing Partners Sam Fitz and Rachel Fitz. The team focuses on strong relationships with its cidermakers, both locally and internationally, yielding a highly curated selection of cider. Its also home to DC’s first recipients of the Certified Cicerone® title (Sam Fitz and beverage manager Tim Prendergast), and the fermentation process of ANXO’s house-made cider will result in an incredibly unique Mid-Atlantic cider. Executive Chef Brad Walker (of Boundary Road) “will honor the Basque culinary traditions of honesty, simplicity, and quality by showcasing local producers’ best efforts.”
The night will begin with a patio pintxos hour with assorted fare such as Bev Eggleston’s Vir-Scuitto with Apricots, Boquerone and Smoked Bluefish, and Porcini and Royal Trumpet Mushrooms with Herb Salt and Garlic Puree, all offered with a welcome cocktail and pour of cider.
The four-course family-style menu features items such as a Ciderhouse Ribeye, Grilled Octopus with Espelette, and a dessert collaboration between ANXO and Dolcezza Gelato’s Robb Duncan. Each courses is paired with a cider from a different region of the world.
When: Monday, July 27th, 2015
7:00 p.m. – Cocktail Hour
7:45 p.m. – Dinner
Where: Dolcezza Gelato Factory and Coffee Lab
550 Penn Street, NE, Washington DC 20002
Details: Tickets are $85 per person, all-inclusive of all food, beverage, tax and tip. Reservations are limited and must be made at ANXOsighting.eventbrite.com.”
1775 K Street, NW
Sweet. Anyone take a taste of the Donburi, Bibimbap or Udon/Soba at Cafe Grande?
@jskleinman tweets us:
“@PoPville looks like Raku at 19th and Q is closed until winter. Nooooooo”
Back in April a reader heard this location would be closing for good when the new Cathedral Heights spot opened – so good news overall for Dupont Raku fans.
@michael_ahrens tweets us:
“Because nothing sounds like a better lunch delivery option than boiled octopus…”
Hahaha The Greek Spot rules – this is very good news.