New Restaurants
| Name |
Address |
City |
Phone |
| Clyde's |
707 Seventh St. NW |
Washington |
202-349-3700 |
| Gallery |
1115 East-West Hwy. |
Silver Spring |
301-589-2555 |
| Lima |
1401 K St. NW |
Washington |
202-789-2800 |
| Quarry House Tavern |
8401 Georgia Ave. |
Silver Spring |
301-587-9406 |
| Simply Home |
1410 U St. NW |
Washington |
202-232-8424 |
| Temperance Hall |
3634A Georgia Ave. NW |
Washington |
202-722-7669 |
New Nightspots
Coming Soon
Agraria
North Dakota farmers will be the proprietors of as well as the suppliers to this Modern American restaurant also showcasing locally sourced foodstuffs. Its sprawling Georgetown riverside space, last occupied by the Harbour Club (3000 K St. NW), will be transformed by the award-winning design firm Adamstein and Demetriou in preparation for its opening later this year.
ArtOutLoud
Eurasian cuisine and sushi will be served at this forthcoming Del Ray art gallery, wine bar and bistro complex (1901 Mt. Vernon Ave.) also housing studios and a darkroom available for rent.
Eamonn's/A Dublin Chipper
A sibling of Old Town's Eve, this casual Irish-inspired eatery will occupy the nearby space that was once the tartan-clad Scotland Yard (728 King St.). As its name suggests, the menu will feature fish 'n' chips, not to mention deep-fried "battered burgers," while upstairs, a 1920s-themed speakeasy will pour nostalgic Rob Roys.
Indigo Landing
The picturesque site overlooking the Potomac River that used to be Potowmack Landing (1 Marina Dr., near Reagan-National airport in Alexandria, VA) will reopen as this Southern Low Country–themed retreat with indoor and outdoor seating taking advantage of the spectacular views.
Mai Tai
The Golden Triangle space that once anchored Fin (1200 19th St.) is being transformed into a glitzy setting for fiery Thai fare and colorful cocktails. The owners also operate the original, more modest Mai Tai in Old Town Alexandria.
Overwood
Old Town Alexandria's shuttered Ecco Café (222 N. Lee St.) will be replaced with this New American from the owners of Boulevard Woodgrill; its name nods to the menu's many dishes cooked over wood.
PGA Tour Restaurant
A big stone fireplace, an inviting bar/lounge and a glass-walled conservatory dining room will set the stage for wood-fired pizza, roasted chicken and other American fare when this Professional Golf Association–backed restaurant tees off in Rockville (15201 Shady Grove Rd.) later this month.
Praline
This cheery Bethesda bistro and bakery is set to open shortly at the new Sumner Place shopping mall (4611 Sangamore Rd.); it will feature a bar/lounge, a ground-floor retail bake shop and an American bistro upstairs.
Good Deals and Other News
Wine Flights Take Off...
as small plates and tasting menus land on local dining room turf. At 2941, every wine by the glass can be had in both three- and six-oz. pours; at Zaytinya, patrons can assemble their own trio of two-oz. wines for $10.50; and at brunch, Firefly offers a sampler of three sparkling wines for $12.
Bistro Asiatique
New partner Jason Tepper (chef-owner of La Miche) is tweaking this Bethesda French-Asian by adding more classical French preparations to the menu, expanding the wine list and introducing a creative bar menu (including raw oysters and clams) to capitalize on the dramatic bar/lounge.
Is exploring American winemaking by showcasing a different state's producer each Wednesday (in alphabetical order by state), and offering discounts on the featured wine (by the glass or bottle) at lunch and dinner. February's lineup: California's Beaulieu Vineyard (February 8th), Colorado's Two Rivers Winery (February 15th), Connecticut's Sharpe Hill Vineyard (February 22nd) and Delaware's Nassau Vineyards (March 1st).
Will open two outlets in Dulles Airport this spring – one will sell soup, salads and sandwiches to carry onboard (located in the pre-security area); the other will be a full-menu bistro (in Terminal B).
Is about to open an offshoot called Indique Heights in a sweeping second-story space in Chevy Chase (2 Wisconsin Circle, 301-656-4822) that will feature a spiffy lounge for sampling its signature Indian small plates.
Has transformed its dining room into a luxurious Venetian palazzo where custom woven tapestries, ruby silk-lined damask drapes and oriental rugs create a sumptuous backdrop for its famed cosseting and seasonal American cuisine.
The Crystal City location's recently opened wine shop stocks over 150 Spanish wines ($10–$200/bottle) and hosts free sampling sessions Wednesday through Saturday (5–7 PM).
A recent romantic redo has ushered in dark-wood antiques and lots of candles, not to mention a new menu format offering five courses ($58, Tuesday–Saturday) with à la carte choices also available Tuesday–Friday.
Throughout the month, choucroute (sauerkraut) will be offered with its traditional Alsatian partners – including veal sausages and pork loin ($18) and links made of seafood and duck ($20).
This New American's matchboxlike slim profile is filling out as it expands into a neighboring space that will house a glass-enclosed dining room with another pizza oven, an outdoor deck and private dining quarters.
New toque Matthew Secich (former chef de cuisine at New Jersey's Ryland Inn) is employing eclectic ingredients in French-influenced preparations. His foie gras three ways (cured, seared and in an ice cream) is accented by Coca-Cola – in a gelee, in a reduction and poured over the ice cream to make a mini-float, respectively.
Palette
This Downtown New American is displaying lobbyist/artist Dan Berger's politically themed abstractions, and serving a winter menu featuring internationally accented appetizers and hearty entrees.
New chefs are revving up the menu with interesting raw fish and vegetable creations, as well as chic cold-weather plates like coffee-crusted beef tenderloin with a vegetable gratin and apple steak sauce.
The winter menu offers new dishes such as duck breast with sweet potato and duck confit hash, and butternut squash and chestnut ravioli in celery root cream, while keeping some old favorites, including the crispy oysters and crab cakes.
Will revitalize the Foggy Bottom dining scene when it turns the historic Quigley Pharmacy building (619 21st St. NW) into a multilevel bistro serving American comfort food; the new branch is not expected to open till year's end.
On Thursdays from 5–7 PM, the menu's small plates, including its popular black-eyed pea fritters, are half price.
Opening chef Sidra Forman, who created this Logan Circle spot's vegetable-strong menu, has turned the kitchen over to co-chef Rebecca Byrnes, who will keep the menu's seasonal focus while adding some non-vegan desserts.
Zagat
Wants your views of Washington, DC, area restaurants for its latest survey; click on www.zagat.com/survey to register (free) and vote; everyone who participates by March 12th will receive a free copy of the next edition.
- Rocklands (Arlington branch only)