Chinatown

Say what you will about the Hilton brothers but they are not lazy. Next up – Crimson Diner + Whiskey Bar. I had a chance to take a quick peek and while it wasn’t photo ready it’s pretty big news for Chinatown! There are actually three separate parts. In the basement there will be the Whiskey Bar (and moonshine!?!!) and it is huge. There will be a massive bar and total occupancy for maybe around 500. Stay tuned for many more details on that front including a menu but they should open around June.

On the first floor will be the Diner. It’s a bit smaller but should fit around 150. You can expect biscuit sandwiches (ex Buttermilk fried chicken, spicy honey, bread & butter pickles, Duke’s mayo, sesame seed bun), breakfast all day, shrimp and grits and other southern inspired fare. The menu will be completely different from the Whiskey Bar downstairs. The Diner should open in early May. Also in the Diner space up front will be a coffee bar. They’ll open at 6am and the Diner will be open from 7am-2am. The space is being designed by the same folks who designed Maketto.

Finally upstairs there is a roof deck. And while the name hasn’t been finalized you can expect to sup on some oysters and charcuterie with your drinks.

Updates on all three fronts as opening dates are firmed up and more details are released.

627 H Street, NW

777 I Street, NW

From a press release:

“As its fourth anniversary approaches, Chef Victor Albisu announces changes to the interior and menu at Del Campo, his Washington, D.C. South American grill. Since opening in April 2013, Del Campo has brought the lifestyle and food culture of Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Peru to the nation’s capital. Now, with an annual milestone approaching, Albisu is expanding the restaurant’s geographic ambitions to explore even more of Latin America’s unique flavors, while updating the dining room with dramatic touches that better match the cooking’s contemporary energy and flair. Updates in the dining room and kitchen don’t mean a total overhaul; the restaurant’s most popular features, its traditional asado, Del Campo at Dusk rooftop parties and seasonal cooking classes are stronger than ever.

“To anyone walking into Del Campo for the first time in a while, it’s going to look like an abrupt change,” Albisu says. “But this has been more of an evolution that has been taking place since we opened. Restaurants like Del Campo always reflect the passions and interests of their chefs, and those things grow as we explore and learn. Del Campo has never been a static concept, and my South American travels have really opened my eyes to the long existing interconnectivity of South American, European, Asian and North American cooking. We figured that the fourth anniversary was a great opportunity to freshen up the dining room and put some of the more interesting and adventurous dishes we have been playing with over the last few years front and center on the menu.”

The Look

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815 7th Street, NW

Right next door to the recently opened (last year) Reren. Anyone happen to take an early taste?

518 10th Street, NW

Bummer. Bistro d’Oc closed back in August. I was expecting a new restaurant to take over the space, alas, it’s become a souvenir shop for tourists visiting Ford’s Theatre.

Thanks to Andy for sending the update. Back in December we learned Hen Quarter would be taking over the former Austin Grill space.

The Pheast website says:

“Pheast Food Group was created by foodies, for foodies, with the mission to create an incubator dedicated to farm fresh, sustainable and edgy food concepts – be it fast casual, quick service, or full service – and to have a lot of fun doing it!

Our first new concept out from the team led by Chef Fred Raynaud, is Hen Quarter – an ode to the best of Southern fare and classic cocktails. Dishes full of flavors that can only come from the best in farm to table design. The first two locations in Old Town, Alexandria, Va and downtown Silver Spring, MD will be complete in summer and fall 2016. (more…)

740 6th Street, NW

Thanks to Ryan for sending word that the Chidnatown location of Pidzza has opened. Check out their menu here. Anyone take a taste here or in Ivy City? What the word?