capitol crossing

“Love on the Run—Love, Makoto’s fast-casual component—is now open!”

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

“Internationally renowned Japanese chef and restaurateur Makoto Okuwa, who earlier this year opened three full-service Love, Makoto concepts, has opened the much-anticipated Phase 2 of his food hall. Joining the already popular restaurants Dear Sushi and Beloved BBQ—plus the buzzy bar Hiya Izakaya—the fast-casual component of the food hall will at first sell salads, fried-chicken sandwiches, sushi rolls and ramen in addition to a robust coffee and tea program. Down the line, a Japanese bakery opening earlier and featuring mochi donuts and soft serve will help locals and tourists awake to something sweet. Other savories like dumplings and Japanese curries will also join the lineup. (more…)

Love, Makoto Opens Today! (and this is only phase one, phase two opening this summer)

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Mike Fuentes Photography

From a press release:

“The sushi omakase, Japanese grill omakase and izakaya—three separate full-service concepts—will be joined by a fast-casual food hall later this year

Internationally renowned Japanese chef and restaurateur Makoto Okuwa, who kicked off his American culinary career as a sushi chef at DC’s beloved Sushi Taro, returns to Washington with the opening of Love, Makoto, a culinary love letter addressed to the city that welcomed him so long ago. Okuwa has partnered with Chef David Deshaies and Restaurateur Eric Eden—the homegrown restaurant team behind Unconventional Diner and L’Ardente—to bring about an ambitious Japanese culinary collection unlike any other. Located at 200 Massachusetts Ave. NW, the 20,000-square-foot space is adjacent to L’Ardente, with the sister restaurants sharing the entire first floor of the Capitol Crossing development in DC’s newly minted East End neighborhood.

“I’m so excited to return to Washington, D.C., to show this city where I have been since we parted, and how those journeys have informed my perspective as a chef,” says Okuwa. “With so many ways to experience Love, Makoto, we hope our diners return again and again—always finding something new to love.”

CONCEPTS

The Japanese culinary collection will open in two phases. (more…)

L’Ardente Launched Lunch

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Mike Fuentes Photography

From a press release:

“Starting >Monday, Aug. 22, L’Ardente (200 Massachusetts Ave. NW) will open from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. weekdays, serving a menu designed with speed and value in mind–but also with an eye toward becoming a glamorous oasis to brighten your weekday. Chef David Deshaies and his team have created a roster of antipasti, salads, pizzas, pastas and grilled items “per la tavola” that are intended to be shared, and both vegan and vegetarian diners will find options clearly designated on the menu along with other dietary considerations. (more…)