The Latest Dish: Egyptian, Gullah Geechee, Filipino
By • February 22, 2021 0 1855
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware — considered the “Summer White House” since Joe Biden’s election — now has another direct line to D.C.: Federal Fritter. Owners Todd Gray and Ellen Kassoff are better known for the couple’s Equinox restaurant, a block from the (Pennsylvania Avenue) White House. This new fast-casual concept will open later in the first quarter at 62A Rehoboth Avenue, in the first block off the boardwalk, where Nuevo Taco used to be.
Washingtonians still love to play and eat. New York-based Five Iron Golf is slated to open a D.C. location — its eighth nationwide — early in the second quarter at Terrell Place, 575 7thSt. NW, in Penn Quarter. Although the Full Swing simulator (yes, you can play Pebble Beach) reigns supreme at this 12,000-square-foot facility, it will also offer Ping-Pong, pool and shuffleboard, as well as a full-service food and bar program complete with event space. Leagues will open for signup shortly.
More play and eat: New York-based Bowlero plans to open its fifth location in the D.C. metro area at Virginia’s Tysons Galleria, where Macy’s used to be, occupying nearly 40,000 square feet. With more than 300 locations in North America, Bowlero features bowling lanes, arcade games and a sports bar.
In the second quarter, Matt Baker of Gravitas plans to open a second location of Baker’s Daughter in Penn Quarter, offering to-go pastries, sandwiches, soups and salads — and coffee, of course. Expect more sweet, single-serving baked goods from pastry chef Aisha Momaney.
Fast-casual concept Fava Pot will open in Dupont Circle at 1817 M St. NW, where Oki Bowl used to be, early in the second quarter, serving kofta sandwiches, kebab bowls, falafel and its signature koshary. Owner Dina Daniel’s Egyptian restaurant group, which launched as a food truck, now includes a full-service restaurant in Falls Church, Virginia, and a Union Market stall.
Just Opened: Chefs Tom Cunanan and Paolo Dungca, formerly of Bad Saint, reunited to open Pogiboy, serving Filipino American fast food in the Block DC food hall at 1101 Vermont Ave. NW. Pogi translates to “handsome” in Tagalog.
Rick Allison and Jorge Esguerra will open a King Street Oyster Bar around the end of February at Park Potomac in Maryland, where Addie’s used to be. This is the fourth location; others are in Northeast D.C. and in Leesburg and Middleburg, Virginia. The 300-seat restaurant (including abundant outdoor seating) will serve fresh oysters from both coasts.
Chef Sammy Davis and his partners in soul-food brunch chain Milk & Honey will open three more businesses around suburban Maryland. Milk & Cheese will open at 18050 Georgia Ave. NW, where Thai Cuisine used to be, early in the second quarter. Catch 22, a seafood market and restaurant, is also slated to open early in the second quarter at 7623 S. Osborne Road in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, where Pizza Hut used to be. It will showcase Gullah Geechee food, a South Carolina cuisine rooted in West African cooking. Milk & Honey Market & Pancake Factory, part of a new Restaurant Row near the Branch Avenue Metro station, is set to open in the third quarter in Camp Springs.
Linda Roth (@lindarothpr) is the founder and CEO of Linda Roth Associates, a D.C.-based public relations and marketing firm that specializes in the food service and hospitality industries. Visit her on the web at lindarothpr.com.
