Chinatown

418 7th Street, NW

I know I get exciting by the most routine coming soon signs but this one is especially cool. Back in October of last year we learned about Jose Andres’ new Chinese-Peruvian Restaurant, China Chilcano coming to the former Olsson’s Bookstore space and once hoped for Wagamama in Penn Quarter. Hopefully, China Chilcano will not toy with us like Wagamama…

From the October press release:

“Highlighting the rich flavors, bold colors, diverse textures and unique aromas, the menu will apply time-honored Chinese techniques to Peruvian ingredients. From the classic Peruvian causas or ceviches, to Asian favorites like dim sums and sumais, the dishes will showcase Peru’s multi-cultural influences and ingredients in true Jose fashion.

Building on the success of China Poblano, the restaurant’s working name, China Chilcano, will pay homage to Peru’s celebrated fish stew and one of its more traditional drinks, the chilcano.”

You can read the full release here.

Can’t freaking wait.

looking north toward Verizon Center

looking south toward Penn Ave and Navy Archives

710 7th Street, NW

From a press release:

“hopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen, the Southeast Asian restaurant developed by Chipotle Mexican Grill, will open the doors to its fourth East Coast location at 710 7th Street NW, in Washington, D.C, on Tuesday, May 6. The first ShopHouse location in Washington, D.C. opened in 2011 in Dupont Circle (1516 Connecticut Avenue NW) and was followed by the openings in Georgetown (2805 M Street NW) and Bethesda, Maryland (4820 Bethesda Avenue) in 2013.

The menu at ShopHouse is influenced by traditional ingredients, flavors and cooking techniques of Southeast Asia, and the restaurant gets its name from traditional shophouses, a common form of architecture in Southeast Asia in which families live upstairs and operate restaurants or fresh markets on the ground floor. The ShopHouse model closely resembles Chipotle, including a commitment to serving food made with highest quality ingredients from more sustainable sources, preparing food in an open kitchen using classic cooking techniques, and serving customers in an interactive format that allows each individual to pick and choose exactly what goes in to their own order. (more…)