Chinatown

901 F Street, NW

Ally writes:

“huge indoor remodel/construction going on at former McCormick & Schmick’s in Chinatown”

9th and F Street, NW

Late last summer we learned that New York City’s excellent The Smith would be taking over the space.

The Smith’s website says:

The Smith is a casual American Brasserie with three upbeat locations in New York City: The Smith East Village, overlooking bustling Third Avenue, The Smith Midtown, in the heart of Manhattan, located on 51st Street and Second Avenue and The Smith Lincoln Center directly across from historic Lincoln Center.

Utilizing local products and purveyors, the breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner menus feature a selection of familiar bistro dishes. Signature dishes at all locations include Crispy Fried Calamari “Brooklyn Style,” Pot of Mussels with chardonnay-dijon broth and perfectly cooked hand cut fries and four different cuts of steak prepared char broiled, served with a choice of homemade sauces including béarnaise, green peppercorn and chimichurri. Most of the desserts are fun twists on classics, including Sticky Toffee Pudding, S’mores in a Jar and Hot Fudge Sundae with almond bark and flourless chocolate cake.

Our bars offer an elaborate menu of classic and signature cocktails made with fresh fruit and herbs. We serve seven local hand crafted beers on tap and have a selection of 20 wines available by the glass or carafe as well as a hand selected bottle list.

The crowd at The Smith is eclectic, attracting after-work colleagues, late-night revelers, families for Sunday brunch and more. Our guests come for all occasions – a drink after work, a quick bite before a movie, a business dinner, or to celebrate a birthday.

You can see their NYC menus here.

410 7th Street, NW

From an email:

“a couple updates from kolache land:

• new retail outlet: this Fri we’ll be launching our new weekend popup Republic Kolache @ Hill Country (after we wrapped up at American Ice and Union Market last month). We’ll be serving kolaches, coffee, and fresh juices each Fri/Sat/Sun morning from 8-11a out of the front bar of Hill Country (410 7th St. NW)
  courtesy Republic Kolache
  • the menu will include a number of our classic flavors as well as some collaborations including the new Jalapeño Sausage and Cheese kolache (with sausage imported from the legendary Kreuz Market in Lockhart, TX then finished in the smokers at Hill Country), as well as…
  • the Brisket Kolache is back! Our first run of the brisket kolache last year was a huge hit so we’re pleased to bring it back, this time with Hill Country’s moist brisket (and paired with scrambled egg & cheddar)
  • to celebrate every Texan’s favorite meat we’re offering a brisket kolache for free on our grand opening this Fri to the first 25 customers who present the ‘secret brisket password‘ after we open at 8a
• Republic Kolache at Whole Foods: as of this morning, a selection of our sweet & savory kolaches are now available at the brand-new Pentagon City Whole Foods. We’re pleased to share billing with other local producers (including Erik Bruner-Yang’s Paper Horse) as Whole Foods kicks off their latest store
  • current flavors available are Tex-Mex Saag Paneer, Migas, Cherry & Cream Cheese and Lemon Berry, with some meat options available soon!
• kolaches & brews at Right Proper: starting tonight we’ll be teaming up with Right Proper for a weekly kolache happy hour each Weds at their Brookland production house and tasting room (920 Girard St NE). We’ll be serving kolaches from 5-9p each Weds, alongside happy hour pricing on Right Proper pours at the bar ($4 pints, $10 growler fills)

501 G Street, NW

From a press release:

“The talented team behind celebrated DC-based Japanese eatery Daikaya Ramen & Izakaya – including partners Daisuke Utagawa, Executive Chef Katsuya Fukushima, and Yama Jewayni – are thrilled to announce that their first of two additional Japanese eateries slated to open in the District this year – Bantam King – is officially opening to the public for dinner service at 5pm tomorrow – Friday, June 10th, 2016.

PHOTO CREDITS: FARRAH SKEIKY

Located at 501 G Street NW in Washington DC in Chinatown just steps away from older culinary sibling Daikaya Izakaya & Ramen, Bantam King is a casual Japanese chicken ramen shop featuring 1,700-square feet and seating for up to 50 diners. The space debuts a playful design accented with vibrant splashes of blues, yellows, and greens, wallpaper featuring popular Japanese comic Neko Ramen, and an eclectic assortment of lighting showcasing colorful illuminated Japanese paper lanterns and clusters of multi-colored strands of Christmas lights courtesy of design dynamo Brian Miller of EditLab at Streetsense.

Executive Chef Katsuya Fukushima will be debuting a fresh new line-up of Japanese ramen at Bantam King, this time with a focus on chicken. Ramen options will include a limited selection of Chintan – a clear chicken broth that is similar to a clear delicate consommé – such as Shio Tori Chintan Ramen, Shoyu Tori Chintan Ramen, and Miso Tori Chintan Ramen. The Chintan ramen will be served on a daily basis with rotating options on a first come first served basis. (more…)