The Latest Dish
By • May 14, 2025 0 363
Adam Shulman, a maestro of evening entertainment when he was director of nightlife and events for MGM Resorts International, will debut his own show when he opens Lobby Bar at 224 7th St SE where Boxcar Tavern used to be. It will feature 18 bar seats inside plus booths, outdoor patio seating as well as a communal table for larger parties. Adam tapped Tory Pratt of Pratt & Standard Cocktail Company, to orchestrate Lobby Bar’s cocktail program. She is working with local vendors and farmers from directly across the street at historic Eastern Market. An early Q2 2025 opening is planned.
Dean Mosones and Mark Minicucci of Rhythm & Eats plan to open Bar Chinois on May 15 at 244 19th Ct S. The Rhythm & Eats team introduces their fusion of Chinese cuisine with French influences to Arlington’s National Landing. The design will resemble their flagship Bar Chinois in DC.
Lobby nuggets at The Lobby Bar. Photo by Nina Palazzolo.
From the Popal Group, who brought you Pascual, Lutèce, and Lapis, comes Maison Bar à Vins, slated to open at 1834 Columbia Rd NW in Adams Morgan with executive chef Matt Conroy at the helm, joined by chef de cuisine Jason Chavenson (Frenchie in Paris, Reverie in DC, and Lutèce’s Advanced Sommelier Chris Ray. A late Q2 2025 launch is targeted.
Massachusetts-based Life Alive Organic Café, backed by Ron Shaich of Panera Bread, is slated to expand into Ballston at 818 N Quincy St where Bruegger’s Bagels used to be, in late Q3 2025. Another unit is slated to open at 400 King St in Old Town, Alexandria in the Alexandrian Hotel. Their first café opened in DC’s West End.
Quick Hits: Sam Shoja will open Jinya Ramen where Lucky Buns was at The Wharf in SW DC. It has 200 seats with a big bar and patio… Tim Ma opens Taco Cat at 2000 Pennsylvania Ave NW at Western Market food hall in early Q2 2025… Elias Taddesse is slated to open Melange Foods in Q2 2025 where Roy Boys used to be in Shaw at 2108 8th St NW, the Atlantic Plumbing Building. New York-based Springbone Kitchen is slated to open its first DC store in Georgetown at 1426 Wisconsin Ave. NW where Shouk used to be, in Q2 2025. It will be the first of many planned in the DMV… From the folks who brought you Balos, comes Bar Angie, at 2300 N St NW in DC’s West End, a bistro that offers jazz, to open in Q2 2025.
On May 21, NYC-based Fireman Hospitality Group opens Cafe Fiorello at 10th & Pennsylvania Ave NW where Tadich Grill and Ten Penh used to be. Their first restaurant in the DMV, Fiorella Italian Kitchen, opened at National Harbor in 2011.
Linda Roth is Founder & CEO of Linda Roth Associates (LRA), a DC-based public relations & marketing firm that specializes in the foodservice and hospitality industries. Follow her at: @LindaRothPR #LindaRothPR or www.lindarothpr.com
