The Latest Dish: Sizzling Summer Openings, Reopenings
By • July 17, 2024 0 372
Ch-Ch-Changes: Duke’s Grocery has arisen at 1513 17th St. NW in the Dupont Circle neighborhood with a new draft beer system, a bigger kitchen, new HVAC, wood and steel support beams and floors that no longer shake. What’s the same? Burgers made from Creekstone Farms patties.
Neighborhood Restaurant Group launches Mallard, featuring Southern fare, at 1337 14th St. NW, where Birch & Barley used to be, with chef Hamilton Johnson at the helm. Hamilton previewed Mallard’s menu at Gravitas in Ivy City and at Le Mont Royal in Adams Morgan. Before that, he had opened Honeysuckle in the former Vidalia space, where he cooked under chef Jeff Buben. NRG’s beverage team (Greg Engert, Nick Farrell, Erin Dudley) will orchestrate the beer, cocktail and wine offerings. An opening late in the third quarter is targeted.
Quick Hits in Adams Morgan: College Park restaurateur Lisa Nash plans to open The Jerk Pit at 2436 18th St. NW, where Baja Tap used to be (and Mellow Mushroom before that), early in the third quarter … Cana – Brazilian Caipirinha Bar is targeting the middle of the third quarter to open at 2412 18th St. NW … By the end of the third quarter, former GM Kelly Laczko plans to reopen 18th & U Duplex Diner at 2004 18th St. NW with a new name.
More Quick Hits: Alam Méndez and Elisa Reyna (formerly of Maïz 64) plan to open Apapacho Taqueria at 1280 4th St. NE, where Las Gemelas used to be, in the third quarter … Around the end of the third quarter, owners Pete Sitcov and Emily Cipes will open Compliments Only, a sandwich shop that made its debut in Logan Circle, at 526 8th St. SE, on Barracks Row … Keith McNally’s Greenwich Village-based Minetta Tavern is coming to Union Market at 1287 4th St. NE in the fourth quarter … Also in the fourth quarter, a D.C. location of U.K.-based F1 Arcade — featuring a Formula 1 theme and a big bar open late — is due to cross the finish line at 440 Penn St. NE … Chai Pani, based in Asheville, North Carolina, is looking to open in the second quarter of 2025 at 1325 5th St. NE, in the new Gables Union Market apartment complex.
Chef Update: Scott Han has been appointed sous chef for Wren at The Watermark Hotel in Tysons. Han was featured in the Washington Post’s “Ultimate Guide to Ramen” for Kizuna.
Linda Roth 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. Follow her at: @LindaRothPR, #LindaRothPR or lindarothpr.com.
