The Latest Dish

Chef update: Alison Reed, Ripple’s pastry chef renowned for her ice cream sandwiches among her other delicious pastries, has decided to return to her roots – in Kansas City, that is. She plans to open her own pastry business there. She leaves the pastry duties in the very capable hands of Ripple executive chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley, who created pastries while at Graffiato. … Ris Lacoste’s eponymous restaurant Ris has hired Beverly Bates, who won pastry chef of the year at the 2013 RAMMY Awards. She joins Ris in D.C.’s West End after three years at Vidalia…Bo Palker has been named regional executive chef at Pinzimini at the Westin Arlington Gateway. He was executive chef at Vinifera at the Westin Reston… Matchbox Food Group chef shuffle: Tony Piscioneri has been appointed the new executive chef at matchbox on 14th Street. Danny Choung has moved up to executive chef at matchbox in Rockville. Kelsey Pitta was promoted to pastry chef at Ted’s Bulletin on 14th Street. Monique Proctor was promoted to executive chef of matchbox on Capitol Hill… Anne Alfano is new chef at Little Red Fox, previously she cooked at Momofuku in NYC and Cochon in New Orleans. Lauren Parlato has been named pastry chef at Little Red Fox. Jose Luis Flores was appointed the new corporate pastry chef of Richard Sandoval Restaurants. Flores will oversee the dessert menus for Sandoval’s Washington restaurants including Zengo, Masa 14 and both El Centro D.F. locations, plus the upcoming Toro Toro.

Quick Hits: Ron Robbins has been named general manager at Café Deluxe in Tenleytown on Wisconsin Avenue. Previously, he was general manager for Tower Oaks Lodge. Bakery 360 is slated to open this month at 1926 17th St., NW. Owner Jimmy Hopper plans to offer gluten-free and vegan options as well as a full coffee bar and outdoor seating… Philadelphia-based City Tap House replaces 901 Restaurant, at 901 9th St., NW. It will feature high-end pub fare and 60 beers.
John and Karen Urie Shields plan to open a restaurant at 1050 Potomac St., NW, in Georgetown. Chef Shields was previously at Town House in Chilhowie, Va. He was one of Food & Wine magazine’s Best New Chefs in 2010. His wife Karen will be pastry chef. There will be a fixed price tasting menu with a la carte options on the patio and in the carriage house, on property. It’s slated to open in Q3 or Q4 2014.

Frederik De Pue plans to open Menu where Azur was on 8th Street, NW. Menu will be a market & bistro concept business. The ground floor will be a market where shoppers can buy produce and locally raised and grown fare. Charcuterie, sandwiches, soups and desserts made on-site will be sold at this market, and can be enjoyed at the second-floor bar. The plan is that this will turn into a lounge at night. The mezzanine level is open kitchen space. Menu’s third and top floor will be a 40-seat restaurant. The Belgium native plans to offer a large selection of beers (naturally). De Pue tapped his sous chef at his other restaurant, Table, to be the chef de cuisine at Menu. A January opening is anticipated.

Lance London of the Carolina Kitchen plans to open his first restaurant inside the District of Columbia border in January. The 6,000 sq-ft Carolina Kitchen will serve authentic Southern comfort fare in the new Northeast community of Rhode Island Row. The 152-seat restaurant will feature a wall lined with vintage whiskey bottles up the stairs to the second floor mezzanine, which will accommodate up to 40 guests in their private dining space. Lance is collaborating with Tom Mulhern of 2 Scales Interiors to design the contemporary country themed space. The new restaurant will combine traditional country-style wood paneling with swirling iron accents to create a modern-rustic interior. This is Lance’s third restaurant in the metro area, as he also owns Carolina Kitchen in Largo, Md., and Carolina Kitchen Bar & Grill in Hyattsville, Md. The Carolina Kitchen will serve lunch and dinner, in addition to offering carryout.

Linda Roth is president of Linda Roth Associates, a public relations & marketing firm. Reach her at: Linda@LindaRothPR.com or 703-417-2700. www.lindarothpr.com.