The Latest Dish: ’Tis the Season of Innovative Tradition
By • December 11, 2024 0 374
Just Opened in DC: Chef-owner Danny Lledó’s El Taller del Xiquet, which translates to “the workshop of Xiquet,” made its debut on the first floor of his fine-dining restaurant Xiquet at 2404 Wisconsin Ave. NW in Glover Park. Xiquet’s tasting menu is renowned. The more casual 14-seat restaurant offers shareable à la carte dining that marries Lledó’s Valencian heritage with contemporary American innovation … Jinya Ramen Bar opened at 1258 4th St. NE in Union Market District, its seventh location. Executive chef Kazuya Takebe reigns over the culinary program.
Just Opened in VA: Atlas Brew Works takes flight — having launched its first airport location at DCA (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport), serving breakfast, lunch and dinner fare alongside Atlas’ signature beers and seasonal drafts. Travelers can also purchase post-security six-packs to go.
Seven Restaurant, in the AC Hotel & Residence Inn by Marriott Reston, is slated to open early in the first quarter of 2025. Executive chef Alexis Hernandez crafted a menu rooted in European culinary traditions with inspiration from his South American heritage. In time for the chilly winter weather, Seven’s lounge features a cozy fireplace. Its name is a tribute to Reston founder Robert E. Simon’s seven principles.
Great American Restaurants’ Stupid Good BBQ has been revived in Concord Center at 6125 Backlick Road in Springfield, Virginia. The name Stupid Good comes from the late GAR executive Dwight Fuller, who liked to say “stupid good” when trying something truly exceptional. GAR’s 16 restaurants include: Best Buns Bakery & Burgers, Carlyle, Coastal Flats, Jackson’s, Mike’s “American,” Ozzie’s, Patsy’s, Randy’s Prime and Sweetwater Tavern.
David Testa, formerly at The Bazaar by José Andrés, was named executive chef for the upcoming Ned’s Club Washington, DC’s three restaurants — Italian, American and pan-Asian — in the former Riggs Bank building by Lafayette Square at 734 15th St. NW. This will be the first Ned’s Club location for members only; others are in New York, London and Doha. Mixologist Vlad Novikov, previously at Silver Lyan in the Riggs Washington DC hotel (another former Riggs Bank), will manage the two bars. An opening early in the first quarter is targeted.
A D.C. location of Keith McNally’s famed Minetta Tavern in Greenwich Village is slated to open this month in Union Market District. Its Lucy Mercer Bar, an upstairs, reservations-only lounge named after Franklin D. Roosevelt’s mistress, will display photographs of prominent political figures with their mistresses … or rumored mistresses.
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.
