New Restaurants
| Name |
Address |
City |
Phone |
| Morty's Delicatessen |
4620 Wisconsin Ave. NW |
Washington |
202-686-1989 |
| Wasabi |
908 17th St. NW |
Washington |
202-822-0646 |
New Nightspots
Coming Soon
Farrah Olivia
Chef Morou Ouattara (ex Signatures) will showcase distinctive, African-accented New American cuisine in the Old Town Alexandria dining space (600 Franklin St.) that last housed Blue Point Grill; an early September opening is planned.
At this outpost of the NYC Italian classic, gut-busting, rustic fare will be ceremoniously served in the continental manner by a tuxedo-clad staff. Catering to Downtown heavy hitters, the clubby setting (1110 Vermont Ave. NW) will feature a large bar and private dining rooms when it opens in November.
Mahogany Restaurant & Lounge
The new owners of the legendary Bohemian Caverns jazz club are remastering its on-site restaurant (2001 11th St. NW) into a Southern-accented dinner venue that will give country fried steak and other classics a citified twist; scheduled to debut in July.
Also Coming Soon
A yet-to-be-named Paris-inspired bistro will open in the Willard InterContinental in November; expect an upbeat alternative to the more formal Willard Room.
Good Deals and Other News
American Originals
Top dining rooms are making creative use of local foods in honor of the recently reopened Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. Offered through Labor Day, notable dishes include President Bush's favorite Texas pecan pie at The Caucus Room and fried chicken jazzed up with jalapeño ketchup at Citronelle. For more details, go to www.washington.org/americanoriginals/.
Newly named top toque Ricky Moore (formerly of The Parrot Cage in Chicago) arrives in mid-July, just in time to take advantage of this region's mid-summer bounty in his ingredient-focused New American cuisine.
A menu upgrade finds organic potatoes fried in olive oil and served with saffron aïoli replacing the signature tater tots. The Italian-influenced New American small plates can be paired with selections from a similarly enhanced by-the-glass wine list.
Chef Travis A. Timberlake, who recently moved from sister restaurant Ceiba, will add some regional Mid-Atlantic dishes to the New American menu. Meanwhile, at Ceiba, chef Victor Albisu, who has cooked at both restaurants, brings his Latino heritage to the top toque position.
Helix
During the "Dog Days of Summer," pooches and their two-legged patrons are welcomed on the patio for a Wednesday happy hour (5–8 PM) featuring themed cocktails and small plates like corn dogs ($6) and "no bones about it" Buffalo chicken tenders ($7), along with complimentary doggy treats.
Through the end of August, this West End sophisticate is serving summer cocktails, grilled appetizers like lamb lollipops (three for $12) and frozen housemade treats such as a peanut butter ice cream, raspberry jelly and fudge concoction in its secluded, flower-filled courtyard patio.
Is offering discounted appetizers ($5.50–$7.75) and pastas ($8.75–$10.75) for happy-hour patio and bar dining, along with a specially priced cocktail and wine of the day (Monday–Friday from 5:30–7 PM).
Through September 13th, $35 will buy a three-course dinner with a choice of any appetizer or salad, entree and dessert from the regular menu. There's a $10 surcharge for foie gras, lamb and steak, and guests must download the offer from www.1789restaurant.com and present it at the restaurant; call 202-965-1789 for more details.
New chef Daniel Kenney (formerly of Boston's Julien and Cafe Fleuri) has created Contemporary American dishes that reflect his bent toward lighter, locally sourced cuisine. Note: this venue will close for refurbishing from July 31st–August 31st.
- Blue Point Grill
- Queen Bee