Restaurants

DGS Delicatessen Offers Passover Menu in Dupont

By Prince Of Petworth

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1317 Connecticut Ave, NW

I know this reeks of gefilte-jacking but the menu sounds pretty good. Though not clear if they will provide a surrogate relative/family friend to rant about politics and gossip about which relatives are on drugs… From a press release:

To celebrate Passover, DGS Delicatessen Chef Barry Koslow will offer a modern rendition of the seder, incorporating elements of the traditional holiday meal and adding seasonal ingredients. Koslow adds bone marrow to the matzo balls instead of schmaltz, and the traditional “bitter herb” is incorporated into a crust on halibut, which stands in for the seder staple gefilte fish. The sacrificial lamb is braised and accompanied by a spring bounty of crispy artichokes, peas and carrots, and a modern take on haroset finishes out the meal in the form of an apple, rhubarb and walnut crumble with cardamom ice cream. Beverage director and general manager Brian Zipin has paired each course with complementary wines from around the world, including an Israeli Cabernet Sauvignon and an heirloom Ice Cider from Vermont.

The Passover Menu will be available March 25th through March 31st during dinner for $40, or $60 with wine pairings.

Passover Menu after the jump. (more…)

Malgudi Opens in Heritage Asia Space in Glover Park, Offers “unique curries, dosas and uthappams of South India”

By Prince Of Petworth

malgudi_south_india_glover_park_restaurant
2400 Wisconsin Avenue, NW

Lots of action at 2400 Wisconsin Avenue, NW – first we learned that Arcuri would be replacing Kavanagh’s Pizza Pub in the lower level and now Malgudi has replaced Heritage Asia. From a press release:

It is a celebrated day when writers and foodies alike have an opportunity to experience a cuisine that is rarely offered in their community. New restaurant Malgudi, named after a novel by renowned Indian author R.K. Narayan, is now serving authentic southern Indian food in Glover Park. Located beneath the flagship Heritage India at 2400 Wisconsin Ave., NW Washington, DC and owned by Sanjeev Tuli and his business partner and wife, Mitul, this restaurant offers D.C. a chance to taste a culinary culture that has been fairly absent within District borders.

Patrons are already impressed by Malgudi’s authenticity. Southern Indian food is different from the more globally renowned Tandoori and Moghlai foods, which are representative of north and northwest India.

Dishes at Malgudi draw inspiration from all states in southern India including Andhra, a state with a style often described as the spiciest in South India, with a very generous use of chili powder and hot and tangy flavor. Also important is the influence of the Karnataka state, known for its milder and largely vegetarian tradition, though the coastal cuisine has a wealth of seafood. Coconuts grow in abundance in the region and are a staple along with rice and millets. Southern India discovered and exported much of the spices that have long captivated the world such as cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.

Malgudi guests will be served tiffin, small plates usually accompanied by coconut chutney and sambhar, a hearty seasoned lentil dish stewed with seasonal vegetables and tempered with the perfect mix of oil, mustard seeds, curry leaves and red chilies. Dosa, a type of tiffin, is fermented bread similar to a crepe made of rice and black lentils indigenous to the region. Malgudi serves several types of perfectly crisp but bendable dosa with fresh fillings including potato, cheese, and lamb. Another tiffin dish served at Malgudi is uthappams, also pancake like but with the toppings cooked right into the batter. Try the paneer uttapam topped with spiced cottage cheese or the onion chili uttapam. Malgudi pays further homage to Southern India with curry specialties, rice entrees and kothu poratta, a dish of bread in cut into strips and blended with your choice of meat, egg and spices.

Malgudi will be open for lunch Tuesday-Sunday from 11am to 2:30pm. Malgudi will be open for dinner from 5:30pm to 10pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and from 5:30pm to 10:30pm on Friday and Saturday night.

You can see Malgudi’s full menu here.

Meet Stephen Starr of Le Diplomate, Coming to Logan Circle, and Learn the Secret to their Amazing Bread

By Prince Of Petworth

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Stephen Starr

A few weeks ago I noted the progress at Le Diplomate coming to the former laundry at the corner of 14th and Q St, NW in Logan Circle. At that time they were hoping for a mid-March opening but after having a peek a couple days ago, I’d say an April opening is probably more likely. Of course, after hearing about the plans – the earlier they open the better! In addition to getting a look at the progress the space:

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I was also lucky enough to have a chat with owner Stephen Starr (pictured above.) But first a peek at the terrace on Q street:

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While I’m loving the copper on the outside – you can tell that the inside is gonna be amazing as well:

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Ok back to Mr. Starr. He was kind enough to share a few details about his plans for Le Diplomate. While Le Diplomate is inspired by Parc in Philadelphia, Starr tells me that Le Diplomate will have a far more intimate feel. He hopes for the restaurant to be a true neighborhood go to spot. Since Le Diplomate will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner – he imagines neighbors could stop by 3-4 times a week.

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From the files of “I did not know that” before becoming a restauranteur, Mr. Starr was a concert promoter and would regularly come to the DC area. As far back as 1995 he knew he wanted to open a spot in DC but things just “kept growing in Philly”. A few years ago he was intensively looking for space in DC but was mostly steered towards modern glass office buildings which wasn’t his style. Fortunately, on one of those trips he happened to drive by the vacant laundry at 14th and Q Streets and thought it would make for the perfect location for a restaurant. At that time the space was unavailable so a DC project was delayed until a couple years later when he got the call that the space was now free. And so here we are surrounded by construction with the restaurant really starting to come together.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Alero Looking to Add Music in Cleveland Park

By Prince Of Petworth

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3500 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Alero in Cleveland Park is looking to add some music options. From a recent liquor license application amendment:

“Request for Entertainment Endorsement to include acoustic guitarists, DJs, dancing and cover charge.”

Beuchert’s Saloon Soft Opens on the Hill, Grand Opening March 15

By Prince Of Petworth

Beuchert_street_dc
623 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE

We took a preview back in early Feb. Glad to hear they’re now open! From a press release:

A former saloon-turned-speakeasy with 130+ years of history, Beuchert’s Saloon has just soft opened at 623 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE in DC’s Eastern Market neighborhood. Resurrected by three “Beltway Boys” – Nathan Berger, Brendan McMahon and August Paro – Beuchert’s Saloon has once again opened its doors as a 47-seat restaurant serving family-farmed foods from Executive Chef Andrew Markert and old-fashioned craft drinks in an authentic and inviting environment. Beuchert’s Saloon is now offering 30% off all food now during its soft opening period until its grand opening on Friday, March 15.

A venerable Capitol Hill establishment owned by local businessman John Beuchert and his son, Theodore, from 1880 to 1934, its original namesake and location has now been resurrected as a warm and inviting neighborhood gathering place serving up a “farm American” menu. With produce and meats sourced primarily from McMahon’s family-owned East Oaks Organics Farm in Poolesville, MD as well as other small farms and co-ops in the area, Beuchert’s serves up playful American fare with a creative twist.

Lots of details after the jump. (more…)

More Details on Fiola Mare Coming to the Georgetown Waterfront

By Prince Of Petworth

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3050 K Street, NW

A couple weeks ago we learned that Fiola Mare had signed a 15 year lease for a space in Georgetown’s Washington Harbour. Lots more details now available from a press release:

James Beard Award Winning Chef Fabio Trabocchi announces his plans to open a seafood restaurant, Fiola Mare, in the Washington Harbour complex at 3050 K Street. Chef Trabocchi has longed to open a restaurant that would speak to the seafood memories of his youth near the Adriatic coast in Italy’s Le Marche region. Fiola Mare will be a 9,000 square-foot destination restaurant featuring impeccable ingredients sourced locally and abroad.

Trabocchi has been strengthening his relationships with fishmongers around the U.S. and Europe in anticipation of Fiola Mare’s opening by the end of this year. Trabocchi, who has been lauded for his affinity for fish, is creating a menu around three main areas of focus:

A raw bar providing small plates of Italian-style “susci”, including the finest selection of fish and shellfish antipasti, such as insalata frutti di mare, oysters, sea urchins and Maine lobster.

Light, yet luxurious seafood pastas and risottos, such as the Le Marche risotto with red Mediterranean imperial king prawns, Potato agnolotti with baby octopus and Linguini with local Rappahannock clams and basil.

A seafood counter that will serve as a centerpiece for the day’s fresh catch and a nexus to the open kitchen. Guests may order from the menu, or select their own fish directly from this seafood “market.”

The menu will also feature staples of Italian coastal cooking, including Trabocchi’s rendition of Adriatic seafood Brodetto and roasted branzino with artichokes and olives. Some of the whole fish preparations will be carved and served tableside.

Adjacent to the Georgetown Waterfront Park, Fiola Mare will offer valet parking, and feature a large outdoor patio overlooking the Potomac River, with views of the Kennedy Center and the Key Bridge from the 2,000 square-foot patio and windows. The vibrant and chic 20-seat bar will feature craft cocktails designed by Fiola Bar Manager and mixologist Jeff Faile. The wine program, headed by John Toigo who also oversees the wine list at Fiola, will spotlight seafood-friendly offerings, with selections from Italy, France, Spain and the United States.

Chef Trabocchi has tapped Georgetown-based HapstakDemetriou to transform what was previously an office space into a restaurant that could be at home along the Adriatic coast as well as on the Potomac.

Chef Fabio Trabocchi is the chef/owner of Fiola, a modern trattoria located in the heart of DC’s Penn Quarter neighborhood.

1905’s DC Brau Night – March 7th – Launching of Saint Joseph’s Tripel

By Prince Of Petworth

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1905 9th Street, NW

From a press release:

1905 Bistro & Bar is excited to team up with DC Brau on two beer events at the restaurant on Thursday, March 7th – a rooftop beer launch featuring the brewery’s newest release, Saint Joseph’s Tripel, followed by 1905’s first-ever beer dinner in the main dining room.

The beer launch is open to the public from 5 to 7 PM with no cover. Reservations are not required. The Saint Joseph’s Tripel is a limited-release Belgian-style ale, which clocks in at 10% ABV and is brewed with orange peel, coriander, grains of paradise, and juniper berries. According to the brewery, an angel has “blessed this transcendent ale with deep flavors of passion fruit, kiwi, and tropical candy.” DC Brau beers poured during the beer launch will cost $5. All pours from the first keg of Saint Joseph’s Tripel that night will be $5 cash and will benefit the family of Joey Belcher.

The 1905 dining room will be reservation-only for the evening, as Chef Joel Hatton pairs four courses, plus an amuse bouche, with selections from DC Brau’s portfolio, including the Saint Joseph’s Tripel and the limited edition Catoctin Creek Grape Brandy Barrel Aged Ghoul’s Night Out. The beer dinner is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM. The full dinner menu, which is subject to change, (after the jump.) (more…)

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