Dining 360: Retro Revolving Repast
No question what the best seat in the house is: all of them. Dine with a panoramic view – without having to move – giving new meaning to dining and cocktails with a view. Skydome has reopened atop the DoubleTree by Hilton Crystal City Hotel, with its unique 360-degree panoramic vantages of the D.C. skyline. The view is complemented by a new American fare through a Mediterranean lens menu, from newly-appointed Executive Chef Klaus Happel. The center of the restaurant is under a glass dome, with a space station feel. It’s the optimal spot to watch planets align.
Vera, a new Mexican / Lebanese restaurant (think blended cuisines) is slated to open in Q2 2023 in Ivy City at 2002 Fenwick St. NE where Big Chief used to be. Owners Nayef Issa and Nour Chaaban also own Residents Café & Bar in Dupont Circle. The first level is a bar and lounge plus private dining while the main restaurant will be on the second floor and will feature a retractable roof. Highlights: Colorful murals, carajillo (espresso martini with Licor 43) and late-night entertainment as Nayef also owns DJ-music-centric Nü Androids music production company. Vera is named after Veracruz, Mexico which historically has welcomed Lebanese immigrants.
CH-CH-Changes: Thompson Hospitality plans to open Maker’s Union instead of its fast-casual Slice of Matchbox, at 664 Maine Ave. SW at The Wharf (Phase 2). This sports bar / coffee shop features local distillers and beers, with its own Makers IPA brewed in D.C. A Q3 opening is targeted.
Just Opened: Los Angeles-based Dave’s Hot Chicken Nashville-style hot chicken chain opened at 3301 14th Street NW in Columbia Heights, its anointed flagship location in D.C. It will be the first of many for this fast-growing, fast-casual chain known for its celebrity investors (Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Strahan).
Trouble Bird, a late-night creative cocktail bar with elevated late-night carbs, has opened where Maxwell Park used to be in Navy Yard. Brought to you by Brent Kroll and his partners in creative cocktails (Columbia Room, Silver Lyan): Andrew Hurn and Justin Cara-Donna.
Bethany Beach-based Coastline Oyster Co. opens at 319 Pennsylvania Ave SE where Zoca (and before that, Stanton & Greene) used to be. Chef/owner Danio Somoza offers live music on Wednesdays and weekend bands at his modern Mexican restaurant and tequila bar.
Jesiree’s Chop House & Lounge is slated to open in Adams Morgan by the end of Q1 2023 at 2434 18th St NW, where Copacabana used to be.
Linda Roth is Founder & CEO of Linda Roth Associates (LRA), a D.C.-based public relations and marketing firm that specializes in the foodservice and hospitality industries. Follow her at: @LindaRothPR, #LindaRothPR, or www.lindarothpr.com.
