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. Read More

“The Square is a chef-driven food market destination where cuisine, culture and community are woven together. Spearheaded by Richie Brandenburg and Rubén Garcia, The Square is slated to open in June 2023 within International Square – a 1.1 million square-foot complex occupying nearly a full city block in the heart of Washington, D.C.”

From an email:

“We’re excited to officially announce the roster of chefs and concepts that will soon be coming to The Square.

Located downtown at 1875 I St NW, The Square is a chef-driven food market destination where cuisine, culture and community are woven together. Spearheaded by Richie Brandenburg and Rubén Garcia, The Square is slated to open in June 2023 within International Square – a 1.1 million square-foot complex occupying nearly a full city block in the heart of Washington, D.C.

Please find the full list of concepts below:

Cashion’s Rendezvous [Ann Cashion, John Fulchino] – Oysters, crab cakes, and strong drinks. The Eat Place and Half Shell legacy lives on in Ann Cashion and John Fulchino’s latest venture.

Mahal Afro-Filipino BBQ [Jerome Grant] – Jerome Grant, the famed chef behind the Smithsonian’s Sweet Home Café, highlights the flavors of his heritage along with a rotating counter experience at his new spot for Filipino BBQ, bites, and cocktails.

Flora Pizzeria Read More

5310 Western Ave

Artificial Turf is trending!!

But why?

Anyway it’s quite a large space that goes all the way around the back:

The Heights website sounds promising, though dates are obviously getting pushed back, and says (Opening Early 2023):

“The Heights is our new Food Hall opening at the end of 2022 in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

The Heights will include one full-service restaurant (Urbano), a full-service bar (The Heights Bar), a speakeasy (The Turncoat), and eight local food stalls, including one stall picked from Urbano’s “Stall Wars” competition.

We expect the following culinary partners at this anticipated culinary space: Read More

1825 I Street, NW

The liquor license placard for Flora Pizzeria says:

“New Class “D” Restaurant with a Seating Capacity of 199 and Total Occupancy Load of 199
inside of the International Square Food Hall. Read More

Blowfish Poke image courtesy of MRP Realty

From a press release:

“MRP Realty, a developer of commercial, residential, industrial and mixed-use real estate along the Southeast corridor of the US, announced today the opening of Bryant Street Market food hall (670 Rhode Island Ave, NE) in the rapidly burgeoning Bryant Street development in DC’s Edgewood neighborhood on Friday, March 17, with early access starting Thursday, March 9. Read More

1506 19th Street, NW via FB. Previously home to Sincerely Breakfast (resident of UFC), Triple B Fresh, Butter Chicken Company 4, and others

Thanks to A. for passing on the sad news: “FYI, just opened in Dupont last year.”

From The Underground Food Court:

“PERMANENTLY CLOSING

The Underground Food Court is closing it’s doors :(

We are very sad to share that The Underground Food Court in DuPont Circle has permanently closed its doors. Read More

670 Rhode Island Ave, NE

From a press release:

“MRP Realty, a developer of commercial, residential, industrial and mixed-use real estate along the Southeast corridor, announced today the family behind Taqueria Habanero, the popular Puebla-style restaurant known for bringing authentic Mexican homestyle cooking to the DMV, will open two new locations in early March as the anchor tenant at the recently renamed Bryant Street Market food hall. Formerly The Bevy, the food hall will be a central element of the rapidly burgeoning Bryant Street development in DC’s Edgewood neighborhood. Read More

625 H Street, NW

Thanks to KA for sending the signage for Luna Hall coming to the former Vapiano space.

So far the vendors listed on Luna Hall’s website are: Read More

photo by Scott Suchman courtesy Le Fantome Food Hall

From a press release:

“Le Fantome, an all-day, international food hall in Prince George’s County will open on Monday, August 22. Located in The Station at Riverdale Park, the 8,500 square foot project is a collaboration between Cafritz Enterprises and leading hospitality consulting group Hospitality HQ (HHQ). Le Fantome will open with a full-service bar, seasonal patio, and a diverse array of offerings from three dine-in stalls. The food hall’s seven locally-owned and operated ghost kitchen concepts will open separately on Monday, August 29th for dine-in ordering via QR code, delivery via select third party apps, and pre-ordered pick up.

The all-day dining destination’s three dine-in food stalls include Chef Esther Choi’s casual Korean eatery Mökbar, Top Chef D.C. winner Kevin Sbraga’s hot chicken joint Sonny & Sons, and modern sushi counter Horu Sushi. The food hall will also house seven ghost kitchen concepts: Alta Calidad Taqueria, Bombay Kitchen, Dayo’s Kitchen, Fishscale, Greek Aroma Mediterranean Grill, Laoban Dumplings, and Mr. Bake Sweets. One of the ghost kitchen stalls will serve as a community kitchen, designed to be a springboard for up & coming chefs and small business owners. Le Fantome plans to rotate community kitchen occupants frequently.

“We are thrilled to officially be a part of Prince George’s County’s diverse dining scene,” said Akhtar Nawab, Chef & Co-Chief Executive Officer and Founding Partner at Hospitality HQ. “Le Fantome’s unique lineup of vendors includes options for Korean and Indian street foods, traditional Nigerian dishes, creative sushi, comforting Southern fare and more from the shared kitchens of local culinary talent. Our team looks forward to welcoming in our neighbors in Riverdale Park and College Park, students and staff from just up the road at the University of Maryland and visitors stopping by our block from the wider D.C. area.”

Le Fantome inaugural vendor lineup includes the following (*denotes ghost kitchen): Read More

photo by Jordan Barab

“Dear PoPville,

Have you heard anything about a whole bunch of restaurants closing in union station? I heard from a colleague this morning that Einstein brothers, Dunkin’ Donuts, and another restaurant were all shuttered when they went there today.”

I placed calls to the Dunkin and Einstein Bros. but the calls went unanswered…