The Latest Dish

Opening in the fourth quarter at the Wharf in Southwest D.C.: a 400-seat Mexican restaurant called Mi Vida — brought to you by Jason Berry and Michael Reginbogen of D.C.-based Knead Hospitality + Design and Roberto Santibañez, chef-owner of Fonda and La Botanería in Manhattan and Brooklyn. The real estate is prime; it will be located next to the 6,000-seat music venue Anthem, operated by Seth Hurwitz’s I.M.P.

Chef, GM & Beverage Director Update: Walker’s Grille in Alexandria named Scott Perry its new executive chef. Perry was previously chef de cuisine at Occidental Grill & Seafood … Drew McCormick has been named executive beverage director at Pizzeria Paradiso, the first woman in the position … Jordan Lloyd is the new chef de cuisine at Mintwood Place in Adams Morgan. He hails from the Bartlett Pear Inn in Easton, Maryland, and worked with Mintwood Place’s Cedric Maupillier at Citronelle … Sebastien Rondier is now executive chef at Brabo in Old Town Alexandria’s Kimpton Lorien Hotel … Bo Elliott is the new head brewer at Capitol City Brewing Company … Marble & Rye on Columbia Pike in Arlington has Paul Murad heading up the kitchen and Kent Lawson as general manager. Both previously worked at The Boulevard Woodgrill in Clarendon … Troy Knapp was named executive chef at the Park Hyatt Washington … Alex Ureña is the new executive chef at Barcelona Wine Bar on 14th Street NW … Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg named Ryan Arensdorf executive chef for all their restaurants, banquets and bars. He hails from Chicago, where he was chef de cuisine at W Chicago Lakeshore … Takeshi Nishikawa was named chef de cuisine at Lincoln. He previously worked at Restaurant Eve, Volt and New Heights … Blue Duck Tavern named Erin Reed the new pastry chef (we’re thinkin’ shoofly tarts and whoopie pies).

Is there a more perfect opening day for a bakery than Valentine’s? Sylvan Cafe and Bakery timed it right for their opening in Bloomingdale at 104 Rhode Island Ave. NW. The café serves sandwiches and paninis as well as breads, cakes and traditional European pastries.

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.