The Latest Dish: Sizzling, Sultry Summer Openings
By • June 10, 2026 0 730
Elli Benchimol (Apéro and La Bohème) is slated to open Ellizabetta La Strega at 2401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW near Washington Circle, where Marcel’s used to be. The restaurant will feature modern American Italian cuisine. La Strega means “the grandmother” or “the witch” in Italian. An opening in the third quarter is targeted. Jenn Castaneda-Jones (Marcel’s) is culinary director and her husband, Stephen Jones, is executive chef.
Franks Wild Years, a neighborhood (dive) bar named after a Tom Waits album, opened at 1345 S St. NW, just off 14th Street, where a dry cleaner was. Inside: a 30-seat 1930s bar from Chicago and a cigarette vending machine (special permit needed). The owners are Kate Talbert, Sean Ryan (Snappy’s Small Bar) and Nick Bernel (Snappy’s, The Pub & The People) and Nik Makris (The Blaguard).
Darren Norris is the chef at Hank’s Pasta Bar at 600 Montgomery St. in Old Town Alexandria. Before he became known for his take on Japanese food, Norris was the chef de cuisine at Scalini Fedeli in New York and at the late, great Red Tomato, a legendary Italian restaurant in the DMV. Hank’s Pasta Bar is an offshoot of Hank’s Oyster Bar.
By the end of this month, Chicago-based Giordano’s plans to open its first D.C. pizzeria in Hamilton Square at 600 14th St. NW. Besides a 130-seat dining room, there is a 16-seat bar, a 20-seat outdoor patio and a 20-seat private dining room. The Windy City institution has 60 locations.
Quick Hits: The newly renovated Ala in Dupont Circle at 1320 19th St. NW now offers lunch for patio dining as well as in the indoor dining room … South Florida-based Talkin’ Tacos signed a lease for 2,500 square feet at Oakville Row in Alexandria.
Just Opened: Michael Schlow’s The Riggsby 2.0 opened in Dupont Circle at the Royal Sonesta hotel, 2121 P St. NW. The supper-club vibe includes deep corner booths and a dimly lit snug bar … Antonis Karagounis opened Solset, a 60-seat rooftop bar atop The Boulevard at 2915 Wilson Boulevard in Clarendon, where Wilson Hardware used to be. Glendon Hartley (Service Bar and Amazonia) manages the beverage program … Thompson Restaurants opened a Velocity Bar + Kitchen in Fairfax at 10697 Braddock Road and another in Purcellville at 1020 E. Main Street. It’s the next incarnation and full-service version of the group’s Velocity Wings concept.
Linda Roth is the founder and CEO of Linda Roth Associates, a Washington, 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.
