The Latest Dish: Where Wine-on-Tap, Lebanese, Italian and Greek Restaurants Collaborate
By December 6, 2023 0 1526
•Dallas-based FB Society is slated to open Sixty Vines at Reston Town Center at 11905 Market Street on December 11. The nearly 13,000 sq. ft restaurant with indoor and outdoor patio seating will feature 60 wines from around the world on their sustainable tap system, complemented by vineyard-inspired cuisine in a communal seating setting. Sixty Vines is known for their innovative and sustainable approach to serving wine by flight, half glass, or bottle. They will be open for lunch, dinner, and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. A second Sixty Vines is slated to open in Foggy Bottom, D.C. in the old District Commons and Burger Tap & Shake space at 2200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW by the end of Q1 2024.
The Kitchen Collective’s iconic Lebanese-inspired kebab shop, Yasmine, opened at The Heights Food Hall at 5406 Wisconsin Ave. in Chevy Chase. Their menu, offered daily, is inspired by Beirut’s iconic kebab shops. There are also Yasmine locations in D.C. at Union Market and in The Kitchen Collective’s Virtual Food Hall (near their restaurant, Joon) in Tysons.
Jill Erber (Cheesetique) and Cathal Armstrong (the late great Restaurant Eve, Kaliwa, Mattie and Eddie’s, Hummingbird) will open Corso Italian in Shirlington at 4024 Campbell Ave., where a Cheesetique used to be. Expect generous Italian-American platters and well-known regional specialties that include shavings of Jill’s favorite Italian cheese — piave vecchio. There will be a small Italian gourmet shop sharing the restaurant address.
Philip Ajaj and Pierre Stone (Just Jerk in Lanham, MD) opened Falafel Brothers where Andy’s Pizza used to be at 2016 9th St, NW. It features a special “Scott’s Amsterdam” wrap, paying homage to the late Scott Bennett, co-founder of Amsterdam Falafel Shop.
Ted Xenohristos, Dimitri Moshovitis, and Ike Grigoropoulos plan to open their third operation at North Bethesda’s Pike & Rose, 11580 Old Georgetown Rd. Joining Melina and Julii, will be Bouboulina, an American grill with Mediterranean influence. A summer (Q3 2024) opening is targeted. It’s named for Bouboulina, the “Greek Joan of Arc,” who commanded her own fleet and private army during the Greek War of Independence. Not to be confused with my dog, Bubbalina.
Seven Reasons Group’s Enrique Limardo and Ezequiel Vázquez-Ger have opened Surreal, their sixth restaurant, an all-day American diner near Amazon’s HQ2 at 2117 Crystal Drive, Arlington. It also has a small market selling grab-and-go meals. One more restaurant (#7) completes the corporate name.
Quick Hits: Kevin Tien is slated to re-open Moon Rabbit in early Q1 2024 in Penn Quarter at a new location where Co Co Sala used to be at 927-929 F St., NW. The 3,500 sq ft space will seat 100… Sisters Thai will open its fifth location Q2 2024, which will also include their coffee and dessert cafe, Magnolia…. Sebastian Zutant, Erin Im, and Oliver Friendly of Brookland’s Primrose wine bar, opened Parachute Pizza, where Red Apron used to be at Union Market, 1309 5th St, NE…. Chef Christian Irabién, formerly of Oyamel and Muchas Gracias has opened Amparo Fondita Mexican restaurant in Dupont Circle at 2002 P St, NW…. Chef/owner Rick Allison opened his fifth King Street Oyster Bar, at City Ridge, 7 Ridge Sq. where Fannie Mae was in NW D.C.… Chris Zhu (Han Palace, China Garden, Ginza, and Live K) opened Omakase@Barracks Row at 522 8th St., SE, (above Han Palace) with sushi chef Ricky Wang, formerly of Sushi Nakazawa. It offers a prix-fixe 21-course menu.
Linda Roth is Founder and 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.
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