More Restaurant Closings Downtown

Downtown’s restaurant scene is abuzz with openings and closings. Zola (800 F St., NW), the long-standing upscale dining establishment closed June 30, while Potenza (1430 H St., NW), the Old World Italian restaurant which opened in 2009 will close Aug. 18. Stir Food Group owns both restaurants and closes both to complete its transition out of the restaurant business. The company closed Zola Wine and Kitchen (505 9th St.), the wine shop and chef’s test kitchen, in May. Restaurateur Jeffrey Buben of Vidalia fame has already agreed to open a restaurant in the Potenza space, located in the historic Woodward Building. No word yet on who will move into Zola’s space. Meatballs, the casual restaurant that opened at 624 E St. last October, has also closed.