Business Ins & Outs: Lutèce Gets Top Praise; Empty 7-Eleven, Sara’s to Get New Tenants
By • September 26, 2022 0 2883
Congrats! New York Times Praises Lutèce
A terrific culinary shout-out — and well deserved for owner Zubair Popal and family — for the bistro at 1522 Wisconsin Ave. NW.
Last week, the New York Times named Lutèce one of “50 Places in America we’re most excited about right now.” The Times wrote: “At this charming Georgetown bistro, the chef Matt Conroy’s approach to French cooking is influenced not only by the progressive Parisian neo-bistros, but also at times by the cuisines of Mexico, the birthplace of his wife and collaborator, the pastry chef Isabel Coss. Charred napa cabbage is tucked between a sheet of creamy tahini and a duvet of sesame-flecked Parmesan, and the steak tartare is enlivened with fermented chiles. Ms. Coss’s desserts are refined yet playful. She is infinitely creative with the mille-feuille template, but other notable creations include a Concord grape granita with black sesame curd, and a honey ice cream hidden under shaved Comté cheese. You can leave your fate entirely up to the couple, who offer a surprisingly affordable four-course tasting menu.”
Wrote Lutèce on social media: “This week just got a lot better!!!! We are truly honored to be mentioned in the @nytimes 50 Best 2022! It’s wild. Thank you, Merci, Gracias!!!!”
Streets Market May Move Into 7-Eleven Space on P Street
Oh, thank heaven. Georgetown’s east side neighbors will be happy to learn that Streets Market — a local chain of small grocery stores that operate in such neighborhoods as Adams Morgan, Cleveland Park, NOMA and West End — appears to be taking over the empty 7-Eleven space at 2617 P St. NW, according to sources familiar with the property.
Closed in May, the 7-Eleven convenience store was a favorite of residents, visitors and cops since 1964 — with longtime franchise owner Girma Hailu departing to run another 7-Eleven near NOMA.
Streets Market is known for being “a local grocery store that offers a wide variety of organic, conventional, local, international and everyday practical goods all under one roof.”
Dent Place Market Seeks to Take Over Sara’s Market
Dent Place Market, which opened in 2019, is bringing its vibe to 3008 Q St. NW and plans to reopen Sara’s Market, if the paperwork finally checks out. Renovations have already begun. Earlier, co-owner John Kushner said, “Dent Place Market wants to honor the spirit of Georgetown while redefining what a neighborhood market sells. … Great wine, local craft beer, innovative snacks, fresh pastries, Bullfrog Bagels, and drip coffee is just a start to what you’ll find at Dent Place” — along with Mount Desert Island ice cream and other gourmet items.
Coming: Villa Yara in Former Le Pain Quotidien
They are in the planning stages at 2815 M St. NW. The liquor license placard for Villa Yara reads: “New Retailer’s Class “C” Restaurant serving Mediterranean and Lebanese cuisine. Seating Capacity of 102, Total Occupancy Load of 119, Summer Garden with 38 seats. The Licensee is also requesting to provide live Entertainment and Cover Charge inside of the premises and for the outdoor Summer Garden.”
Coming: Shouk, Tel Aviv Street Food
Shouk Food is coming to 1426 Wisconsin Ave. NW, the former space of Tugooh Toys, which moved only a few doors up the avenue. Shouk tells us it offers “chef-crafted street food made from plants and Middle-Eastern spices. Plant-based, earth-friendly food inspired by the markets of Israel. Kosher-certified” The company adds: “We craft our food from fresh vegetables, beans, grains, and lots of spices. No labs, nothing processed or engineered. Just brilliant plants, made to inspire. … Our world’s food systems are broken. Livestock produces 51 percent of all worldwide greenhouse gas emissions, our oceans are dying, and our bodies are suffering. A move towards plant-based eating is the answer to healing our bodies and planet.” Other locations include Mount Vernon Square, Union Market, Bethesda and Rockville.
Coming: Dig, Under Construction
Long awaited at the old Paolo’s side space at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and N Streets, Dig is on a mission of mindful sourcing for its ingredients — with bowls of salads or main dishes of chicken or meatballs with names like the Autumn Harvest or Lime Leaf Salmon. Adam Eskin opened the first Dig Inn restaurant was in New York City In 2011. Among Dig’s investors is restaranteur Danny Meyer.
Coming: Little Words Project
Ask your kids about this business. Little Words Project, a pricey bracelet shop opening at 1246 Wisconsin Ave. NW, “aims to inspire and encourage people to be kind to themselves and to pay that kindness forward, one bracelet at a time. …I hope your Little Words bring you all the positivity and love that you bring to us.” It’s under construction now.
