A roundup of new D.C. restaurants
PHOTO: Interior of Masseria courtesy of Masseria
The churn-and-burn of new restaurants in D.C. remains stronger than ever with a phlethora of recently opened and soon-to-be opened restaurants. Below are a few to consider:
Momofuku
CityCenterDC
When David Chang announced last spring he would be opening an outpost of his cult followed Momofuku -- and his partner-in-business Christina Tosi’s Momofuku Milk Bar -- D.C. foodies waited to baited breathe for the summer opening … and they are still waiting. No further updates have been given on when the 300 seat restaurant in CityCenterDC will finally fling open its doors, but there are locations in NYC, Toronto and Sydney for the adventurous set.
Masseria
1340 4th Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
In August, former Bibiana Executive Chef Nicholas Stefanelli entered the rarefied world of restaurant owner with the opening of Masseria in hot Northeast D.C. Masseria’s cuisine is inspired by the Italian seaside region of Puglia. Three, five and eight course tastings cover items such as Open Ravioli with Zucchini, Connecticut Sweet Shrimp, Squash Blossom & Zucchini Puree and Sausage-stuffed Roast Quail with Broccoli Rapinni Puree & Pickled Cherry Pepper Sauce. Currently closed Mondays and Sunday.
Bonchon
1015 Half St, SE
Washington, DC 20003
http://navyyarddc.bonchon.com/
Bonchon founder and CEO Jinduk Seh has created a legitimate phenomenon with his fried Korean wings and the Navy yard brick-and-mortar of Bonchon provides the perfect chance to enjoy hometown favorite Korean fare. Bonchon chicken is cooked to order -- wings, drums, strips -- with a healthy dose of favorite sauces. Additional fare such as kimchi, rice bowls, bulgogi, fried rice, and various others are available as well but the spicy fried drums are a must.
Alex McCoy’s Unnamed Project
845 Upshur Street NW
Washington, DC 20011
Food Network Star guest star and, more importantly, former chef for Duke’s Grocery, Alex McCoy has decided to venture out on his own. His yet unnamed Petworth restaurant has an opening date set in October, with a focus on southeast Asian fare. No official menu released yet.
L’Hommage Bistro Francais
450 K Street, NW
Washington, DC, 20001
In early September, Mt. Vernon Square will welcome Hakan Ilhan’s (Alba Osteria) foray into French cuisine. L’Hommage Bistro Francais will be steered by Executive Chef Joshua Laban Perkins, who worked closely under famous celebrity chef Eric Ripert (Le Bernardin). In addition to regular French culinary classics like duck terrine and boeuf bourguignon, L’Hommage will also offer Moules-frites four different ways, all priced at $18 each: Marinière, white wine, butter, shallots and garlic; Moules à la Diable, spicy tomato broth; Curry Lime Broth with coconut milk and kefir, as well as Monagasque, chopped tomato, red onion, garlic and basil.
The Dabney
122 Blagden Alley, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Owner Jeremiah Langhorne will be making his D.C. debut in Blagden Alley -- La Columbe coffeeshop -- with The Dabney’s seasonal mid-Atlantic fare. No indication of yet as to what “seasonal mid-Atlantic fare” means but consider his former kitchen was McCrady’s and be on the lookout early fall for the doors to open.
SER
1100 North Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22201
http://www.ser-restaurant.com/
While a Spanish-focused cuisine is the goal, SER is not a tapas restaurant. Ambitiously trying to cover every food region of Spain, Executive Chef Josu Zubikarai partnered with husband and wife team Christiana Campos-Candon and Javier Candon to open their first restaurant. Decide for yourself whether they succeeded or not.
Centrolina
974 Palmer Alley
Washington, D.C. 20001
This mix-use Italian market and restaurant in CityCenterDC is the first restaurant for Executive Chef Amy Brandwein but not her first foray into the D.C. restaurant scene. Formerly helming and opening Alba Osteria as well as Casa Nonna, the Italian food scene in Northeast D.C. just got a bit more competitive with Centrolina.
