The Latest Dish

Frank Ruta will be cooking near his former place of employment when he opens Mirabelle at 16th and I Streets NW, not far from the White House. This French-focused restaurant will open for lunch only for the first two weeks, with dinner service following. Pastry chef Aggie Chin, who worked with Ruta at Palena and the Grill Room at Capella, will join him. Owner Hakan Ilhan expands his restaurant empire with Mirabelle; he also owns Al Dente on New Mexico Avenue NW, Ottoman Taverna and French bistro L’Hommage at Mount Vernon Triangle. Jennifer Knowles will be the wine and service director. She previously worked at the Inn at Little Washington and The Jefferson Hotel.

David Fritsche and Silvan Kraemer, Swiss chefs who recently worked together at The Dupont Circle Hotel, plan to open Stable at 1324 H St. NE this spring, featuring classic Swiss dishes as well as influences from Northern Italy, France and Germany.

Quick Hits: Haidar Karoum, formerly of Proof, Doi Moi and Estadio, will open Chloe in the Capitol Riverfront’s Arris Building at 1331 4th St. SE. The 104-seat restaurant will focus on seafood and Mediterranean cuisine. A summer opening is planned … Pandora Seafood Restaurant & Bar will open this summer at Rockville Town Square where American Tap Room used to be. Owners are Chris Zhu and George Cheung, who also own China Garden in Rosslyn … Shake Shack opened at 1400 14th St. NW near Logan Circle and will also open at 50 M St. NE in the Capitol Riverfront, along with Cava Grill … Andrew Harris and Dan Koslow will open Farmbird at 625 H St. NE. Think slow-roasted, grilled chicken; think brick. They are incubating at Union Kitchen. The plan is to be open by summer … Lupo Verde will open its second location on MacArthur Boulevard near the Exxon station, with chef Matteo Venini, formerly of Tosca, at the helm.

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.