The Latest Dish November 28, 2012


**Pinstripes Bocce Bowling & Bistro** plans to open a 100-seat Italian-themed restaurant that also offers bowling and bocce, on the lower level of The Shops at Georgetown Park. They may have 30,000 square feet at their disposal to eat and play in, as well as able to accommodate up to 600 people for pri- vate events. They will need a special exemption for bowling, but the owners expect only 5% of their patrons to come to Pinstripes to bowl. They may not be taking into account Georgetown University?s Beer & Bowling course. Just joking…

**AJ Prakash**, who has been in the Mexican restaurant business for 28 years, working with Tex-Mex too, plans to open his own mod- ern, slightly upscale Mexican restaurant with a Mayan inspired menu. The 280-seat restaurant will be located in the Tysons area. There will also be seating for approximately 60 on the out- door patio. No name yet. Stay tuned.

Quick Hits: **Fabio Trabocchi** plans to open a second restaurant, Fiola Mare, with an emphasis on seafood, at Washington Harbour in 2013. The space is next door to Nick’s Riverside Grille. It?s about 10,000 square feet with a great patio overlooking the park and Kennedy Center. The Firelake Grill is slated to open at 4200 Wisconsin Ave., NW, where Ruby Tuesday?s was. Casey’s Coffee will open at 355 E St, SW this month. **Lime Fresh Mexican Grill** will open on 7th Street, NW in Penn Quarter where Potbelly Sandwich Works used to be. A mid-2013 date is targeted. **Taylor Gourmet** will open its fifth locations when it opens at 6th & E Streets, NW in Penn Quarter where Meatballs used to be. Pho 14 will replace Pizza Hut on Columbia Road, NW in Adams Morgan. They plan to open in early November.

Opening Updates: Latest intel straight from **Soupergirl**: her expanded Silver Spring operation should be open late November/early December. matchbox 14th Street by end of November (fingers crossed). Ted?s Bulletin 14th Street and **matchbox** Merrifield by end of 1Q 2013. Smash Burger?s second store, in Dupont Circle, by February 2013. **YO! Sushi**?s second store, in Chinatown, by the Presidential Inauguration. Whew.

**Chef Frederik de Pue**, owner of 42? Catering, plans to open **Table** (tah-bluh) early this month at 903 N Street, NW in Logan Circle ?hood near Blagden Alley, where Rogue 24 is. Formerly an auto repair space, the 75-seat res- taurant will have a contemporary urban design. Chef sees this as a return to Old World dining experience. Belgium influence will be strong, as will his European cooking experiences. Dinner only will be offered in the first stage, followed by lunch, brunch and breakfast when the kitchen and staff are ready.

*Linda Roth Conte is president of Linda Roth Associates, Inc (LRA) specializing in mak- ing creative connections through media relations, marketing initiatives, community outreach and special events for the hospitality industry. Contact Linda at (703) 417-2700 or linda@ lindarothpr.com or visit her web site at www. lindarothpr.com*

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