Logan Circle

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:

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:

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

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.

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…)

14th and S Street, NW

From a press release:

Chef Haidar Karoum and restaurateur Mark Kuller, the team behind Proof and Estadio, announce today that construction has begun on their forthcoming restaurant, Doi Moi, at 1800 14th Street NW. Doi Moi will offer regional cuisine of Vietnam and Thailand, inspired by the dishes found at street stands, stalls, and storefronts in the great cities of these food-obsessed nations.

The restaurant space, approximately 5,000 square feet, spans two buildings — one new, one historic. The ground level space in the new building will include a large open kitchen featuring a custom Jade cooking suite, a quartz kitchen counter, tumbled marble floors, and a dining room with oversized bay windows and custom crafted bench seating.

The remainder of the restaurant is housed on the ground and lower levels of the historic four-story building on the Northwest corner of 14th and S streets that will also be the entry point for the new 125-unit District apartment complex. This building, constructed in 1909, most recently served as the headquarters of the Whitman-Walker clinic, and has been beautifully restored to its original Classic Revival style.

The ground level space will feature a dining room with a full glass facade, a large rectangular bar, wide plank oak floors, oversized leather booths, and a large, bordered, adjoining patio. The lower-level space will include a curated cocktail bar — dubbed “2 Birds 1 Stone” — as well as additional booth and lounge seating where patrons will be able to enjoy a scaled down version of the menu offered in the main dining rooms.

Doi Moi, which literally means “new change,” is typically used to denote renovation, renewal or reconstruction. It also is the term used to describe a series of “open door” economic and social policies introduced in Vietnam in 1986. According to Mr. Kuller, “The name was chosen because it embodies many elements of this project — the progressing renewal and reconstruction of 14th Street, the renovation of this beautiful historic building, the open door nature of great hospitality, and the new change that captures my personal and continuing transition from corporate tax attorney to restaurateur.”

Justin Guthrie, currently the General Manager at Estadio, will assume that position at Doi Moi while Adam Bernbach, Bar Manager for Proof and Estadio, will expand his role to include this new project, and will be based at 2 Birds 1 Stone.

Griz Dwight of Grizform Design, the DC-based architect responsible for Proof and Estadio, is designing the space. Potomac Construction Services of Bethesda, Maryland is serving as general contractor, as they did on Proof and Estadio. A summer 2013 opening is anticipated.

14th and Q St, NW

In Nov. 2012 I mentioned how excited I was for Le Diplomate to open. We now have a new anticipated opening date – mid-March.

Some more details from hospitality online job openings:

“OPENING MID-MARCH

Le Diplomate, an authentic 250 seat French Brasserie, will soon be opening on the corner of 14th and Q. We are now hiring eager and experienced staff to be part of our opening team. We want people who have a passion for great food and wine served with care and consistency. We are looking for individuals who naturally radiate warmth, and sincere hospitality.”

You can really start to see the place taking shape: