Named for the North African winds that warm southern Italy, Siroc, an Italo-Med trattoria, opens later this week in the stylishly transformed Downtown space vacated by Gerard Panguad Bistro; chef/co-owner Martin Lackovic (ex Galileo and the Caucus Room) will serve a seasonal menu built around housemade pastas, interesting salads and contemporary entrees in an intimate, earth-toned room, and, in warm weather, on its sidewalk seating overlooking McPherson Square (915 15th St. NW; 202-628-2220).