New Restaurants
New Nightspots
Coming Soon
Blue Duck Tavern
When this seasonal New American opens in April as part of the $24 million Park Hyatt Hotel (1201 24th St.) overhaul, it will turn the concept of a chef's table in the kitchen on its head: top toque Brian McBride, who helmed Melrose, its predecessor, will preside over an open kitchen with a wood-burning oven that will extend into the dining area.
EC-12
A vintage firehouse in the gentrifying area near Gallaudet University (1626 North Capitol St. NW) is being restored to its 1920s glory by the Café Saint-Ex and Bar Pilar talents, who plan to transform it into both a restaurant serving brick-oven pizza and a performing arts space.
Good Deals and Other News
Capitol Eel
Eels are adding excitement to dining as expat chefs bring their culinary traditions to local tables – notably Cathal Armstrong (Eve), who sources these bony fish locally to add authenticity to bouillabaisse, Fabio Trabocchi (Maestro), who grills medallions of their meat and serves them topped with foamed sunchoke puree as a "cappuccino," and Jose Andres (Jaleo), who accompanies them with a red-wine sauce for a classic Spanish tapas dish. Not ready for the real thing? Santi Zabaleta (Taberna del Alabardero) makes a mock baby eel dish using a surimi of eels and fish called gulas.
Cherry Amour
During the Cherry Blossom Festival (March 25–April 9), cherry-infused dishes will be plated all over town. At Bangkok Joe's, a three-course menu will use the fruit in a sauce to accent potstickers, roasted duck and a custard-filled cake roll, while Finn & Porter will pair grilled rib-eye steak with a cherry mole, and Zengo will enliven pan-roasted snapper with a shiso-cherry salad. And from March 25th through April 9th, the Willard InterContinental will serve a formal cherry-themed afternoon tea amid hundreds of live blossoms in its Peacock Alley space (daily from 2:30–5:30 PM; $32). For a full list of restaurants paying tribute to the fruit, go to www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.
Bobby Van's Steakhouse: Another link in this old boys' network of power dining spots will open Downtown mid-month with the moniker Bobby Van's Grill; it will feature New American fare, a huge wraparound bar and outdoor seating (1201 New York Ave. NW, 202-589-1504).
Ceviche: New chef Cristina Kiewek (ex Oyamel) is exploring Central and South America's complex cuisines in menu items like chaufa (Peruvian fried rice accented with chile, cilantro, citrus and soy sauce) served with duck confit, and BBQ tuna in a Jamaican sauce flavored with tamarind and mango.
Gerard's Place: Chef-owner Gerard Pangaud just refashioned his bill of fare to make his seasonal, modern French cuisine more affordable. Dinner is now prix fixe only, with patrons selecting three courses ($59) from a menu that lists starters like a feuilleté of snails and entrees such as roasted pheasant; a $95 tasting menu is also offered. At lunch, there is a three-course menu (two choices per course) for $29.50, or à la carte choices of appetizers ($12), main plates ($24) and desserts ($10).
Kaz Sushi Bistro: A six-course miso tasting menu ($65) will demonstrate that this nutritious Japanese soybean product is not simply a base for soup; a first-course raw miso tasting will compare differences in ingredients, manufacture and aging, and in subsequent dishes it will be used to pickle vegetables, in a stew and in ice cream. Offered in addition to the regular menu from April 3rd through 15th as part of the Cherry Blossom Festival.
701: This Penn Quarter New American says "let them eat caviar" (at peasant prices). A $15 sampler of domestic fish roe – which can be paired with a flight of three sparkling wines for an additional $15 – is being offered through the end of April at lunch and dinner.
Tandoori Nights: A second location of this glamorous Indian just opened in trendy Clarendon with a swank bar/lounge called Agni (fire) serving street food (small plates) and creative drinks (2800 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, VA; 703-248-8333).
Tosca: Imports the Italian "Festa della Donna" tradition – a time for women to dine out together and celebrate their friendships, family and achievements – by offering a three-course menu (besides the usual fare) that will present each distaff diner with a customary yellow mimosa flower; the menu ($22 at lunch and $35 at dinner) is available through March 11th.
Vegetate: Consulting chef Sidra Forman (ex Viridian) has brought her greenmarket sensibility and imaginative vegetable recipes to spark this hip spot's meatless menu
- La Colline
- Flying Scotsman