Boston-based Michael Schlow of Tico plans to open The Riggsby, an American restaurant with European influences, in the Carlyle Hotel just off Dupont Circle at 1731 New Hampshire Ave. NW. Philippe Reininger, most recently executive chef at J&G Steakhouse, will oversee the kitchen. Daniel Lobsenz, most recently at Roofers Union, will be general manager. The artwork and décor is by Schlow’s artist wife, Adrienne. It will seat 40 in the bar and 75 in the dining room. A summer opening is planned.
Asheville, North Carolina-based Tupelo Honey Café, featuring modern Southern food, plans to open in Arlington’s Courthouse ’hood at 2000 Wilson Blvd., where Dr. Dremo’s used to be, in early June. This is its first Virginia location, with Virginia Beach not far behind. Tupelo Honey has 10 locations throughout the South.
Quick Hits: District Taco will open a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Rosslyn (where they started with a food truck) at 1500 Wilson Blvd. It will be their seventh location … A new fast-casual Indian food concept and its sister full-service restaurant, American Tandoor, are slated to open in Tysons Corner Center this September. VSAG, of Founding Farmers and its affiliate restaurants, are working with the Asia-based originators of the concept … Illinois-based Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant plans to open a large restaurant at the former Reston Town Center (now called RTC West), as well as in Ashburn’s Belmont Chase shopping center, entering the Loudoun County market. The RTC West restaurant, with an outdoor patio as well its signature tasting room and a private dining (and barrel-aging) room, is slated to open in 2017. Cooper’s Hawk serves wines it makes with grapes purchased from the West Coast. They have 19 locations throughout the U.S.
Philadelphia-based Public House Investments plans to open Pennsylvania 6, a 265-seat contemporary American restaurant, across from McPherson Square at 1350 I St. NW. The regional American menu is created by culinary director Brian Cooke. Equal time and attention is paid to its cocktail program (each drink will have its own history and origin). The company also operates City Tap House in Penn Quarter. Managing partner Chris Coco is collaborating with local designer Maggie O’Neill to create a modern day supper club and bistro, with three private dining rooms that can accommodate up to 100 seated guests.
Chef Update: Brad Race will be executive chef at Claudia’s Steakhouse in the Investment Building at 1501 K St. NW. He had been executive chef at Bearnaise … Tom Meyer is the chef at Robert Wiedmaier’s Villain & Saint in downtown Bethesda. This is the Tom Meyer from Regine Palladin’s Pesce restaurant in Dupont Circle, not THE Tom Meyer, president of Clyde’s Restaurant Group. But it does offer live music, like The Hamilton.
Openings Update: Claudia Rivas’ Claudia’s Steakhouse is slated to open in late spring … Tadich Grill at 10th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW is now slated to open in early summer … Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria e Bar will open in early May in Westfield Montgomery … Levante’s on 19th Street at Dupont Circle will re-open as Ankara, a Turkish restaurant and bar run by the Aslanturk family. The restaurant seats 120 and nearly that many on the outdoor patio. The cuisine will reflect Turkey’s Persian and Mediterranean influences. Chef Jorge Chicas has strong Mediterranean creds as he did kitchen time at Jose Andres’ Zaytinya in D.C. and Bazaar in Los Angeles. A May opening is planned.
Just opened: Brio Tuscan Grille opened in the Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax, the third one in the metro area. Columbus, Ohio-based Bravo/Brio Restaurant Group opened the first in Tysons Corner Center and the second in North Bethesda. The restaurant seats 190 inside and 70 on the terrace … Dolcezza opened in CityCenter DC, joining RareSweets in Palmer Alley. The 1,200-square-foot space seats 20 people at a communal table and standing bar. They have a nitrogen coffee program to create smooth, creamy iced coffee using the same high-pressure nitrogen used in the beer and beverage industry … Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garçon and partner Fouad Qreitem of Paisano’s Pizza opened their second QSR SpinFire Pizza in Rosslyn at 1501 Wilson Blvd. … Bonchon recently opened its first D.C. location at the Capitol Riverfront near Nats Park, serving Korean crispy fried chicken … ALL SET Restaurant & Bar opened in downtown Silver Spring’s Montgomery Center, offering a modern take on Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern cuisine. The owners are industry veterans Jennifer Meltzer (front of house) and Edward Reavis (back of house), formerly of District Commons/Burger Tap & Shake. They are “good to go.” Really.
Linda Roth is president of Linda Roth Associates, a public relations and marketing firm that specializes in the hospitality industry. Reach her at Linda@LindaRothPR.com.
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