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Big news for Bryan Voltaggio fans: on July 18 he will open VOLT in his hometown of Frederick, Maryland, in the city's downtown historic district. Voltaggio is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park and former executive chef and partner of Charlie Palmer Steak on Capitol Hill. He and business partner Hilda Staples are currently overseeing the renovation and restoration of the historic brownstone mansion originally built by the Houck sisters in 1898. VOLT will offer guests a menu of modern American cuisine that emphasizes seasonal ingredients. VOLT, 228 N. Market St., Frederick, MD 21701, 301-696-8658.
Rustico’s Brew Pops Gain Legal Status in Virginia
Rustico Restaurant & Bar's brew pops can cool patrons down during the long, hot summer. The beer-infused treat is making its way back onto Rustico's dessert menu this summer, and will be available through September. Priced at $5 a pop, the icy treats, subject to beer availability, come in seven flavors: Framboise, Cherry Kriek, Peche, Cassis, Banana, Plum and the new and improved Chocolate Stout. Rustico Restaurant & Bar, 827 Slaters Ln., Alexandria, VA 22314, 703-224-5051.
Ardeo's Three-Course Sunday Menu
Summer is back and to celebrate, Ardeo is offering diners a prix-fixe Sunday in the Neighborhood menu for $30.08 per person. The restaurant serves dinner on Sunday from 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. and its rooftop deck is now open for the season as well. Executive chef Trent Conry's Sunday in The Neighborhood menu includes seasonal dishes such as grilled calamari with pineapple relish and red curry coconut emulsion; and Chilean sea bass accompanied by parsnips, Brussels sprouts leaves, green lentils and citrus-cumin jus. Desserts include a warm raspberry pudding and chocolate pistachio torte with raspberry sorbet. Ardeo, 3311 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008, 202-244-6750.
Hudson Presents Island Patio Happy Hour
Every Friday throughout the summer, Hudson Restaurant & Lounge brings a hint of the Caribbean to DC's West End. Sit on the patio, and enjoy island-inspired cocktails, such as Jamaica's own Red Stripe Beer ($5), Dark & Stormy (Gosling's rum and extra ginger beer, $9) and the new island classic Cruzan rum 1944 mai tais ($9). Adding to the ambience will be live steel drum music for the complete island experience. Complimentary jerk chicken wings will be served from 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Hudson Restaurant & Lounge, 2030 M St. NW, Washington, DC 20036, 202-872-8700. 
Proof Celebrates Its PatioProof Restaurant, the wine-centric destination restaurant located in DC's Penn Quarter neighborhood, has just opened its 50-seat patio, giving alfresco fans one of the largest outdoor dining spaces in downtown DC. To coincide with the opening of the patio, chef Haidar Karoum has added several dishes to his menu of small and large plates, including a chilled seafood and hearts of palm cocktail; grilled house-made lamb sausage with cucumber, mint and feta; and blue prawns with white bean-fennel salad and Limoncello vinaigrette. Wine director Sebastian Zutant complements these additions by offering a Rosé of the Day for $9 a glass, rotating the wines to offer domestic and international selections such as the Lauderbach, a Syrah from California's Russian River Valley, and the Susanna Balboa, an Argentinean Malbec. Proof Restaurant, 775 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202-337-7663.
Asia Nine Presents the A-9 Oyster Bar
Asia Nine's new oyster bar includes not only a daily changing choice of three kinds of oysters ($12 for a half dozen), but serves them with a choice of a distinctive Asian seafood sauce or a zesty wasabi cocktail sauce. For true seafood aficionados, a seafood tower is available featuring hoards of shrimp, mounds of King crab and oodles of oysters ($39.99 for one; $75 for two). During happy hour, 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m. weekdays, oysters are half price at the bar; and for late diners, oysters are half price after 9 p.m. daily. Asia Nine, 915 E St. NW, Washington, DC 20004, 202-629-4355.
Morton's Updates Lunch Menu
Morton's, The Steakhouse has rolled out additions to the lunch menu currently being offered at locations in Bethesda (7400 Wisconsin Ave.), downtown DC (1050 Connecticut Ave. NW), Tysons Corner (8075 Leesburg Pike) and the Reston Town Center (11956 Market St.). Of the dishes, the sashimi tuna burgers ($16) and the prime rib French dip sandwich ($19) use items from Morton's menu. In addition, there's the Morton's classic club sandwich. For the sweet tooth, Morton's has also added a new carrot cake ($8) to the menu of dessert options available at both lunch and dinner.
James Beard Winners
Congratulations to the Washington DC chefs who took home James Beard Foundation awards. Chef/owner Michel Richard of Central Michel Richard won for Best New Restaurant and Eric Ziebold of CityZen was named Outstanding Chef for the Mid-Atlantic region. For more winners, including Rising Star Chef and Outstanding Restaurateur, check out our coverage here.
Music as the Food of Love
Extra Virgin restaurant presents Extra Virgin Lounge---replete with comfortable sofas and cushy chairs; good wine selections; and classic and contemporary creative cocktails. But the standout here is the sound. Every night from 7 p.m.-11 p.m., libations and bar snacks are accompanied by live music, from classic tunes to classic rock, to the blues to jazz standards. There's no cover charge. Extra Virgin, 4053 Campbell Ave, Arlington, VA 22206, 703-998-8474.
Asia Nine Debuts Sunday Brunch
Asia Nine now offers Sunday brunch from noon-3 p.m. Selections include eggs Florentine made with fresh spinach and vine-ripened tomatoes; a chicken omelet with peppers, onions, fresh basil and a hint of chili pepper; and coconut french toast with an Asian-accented maple and ginger syrup. Brunch comes with a choice of a mimosa or a Bloody Mary---all for $15. For those wishing to dine on more traditional Asian fare, Asia Nine's regular menu of sushi, noodle dishes, soups, salads, signature entrées and desserts is available all day long. Asia Nine, 915 E St. NW, Washington, DC 20004, 202-629-4355.
Clyde's Restaurant Group has appointed Daniel Giusti as the new executive chef of 1789 Restaurant. Giusti honed his culinary skills at some of Clyde's Restaurant Group's most notable restaurants, including the original Clyde's of Georgetown. 1789 Restaurant, 1226 36th St. NW, Washington, DC 20007, 202-965-1789.
2941 Restaurant has two new hires for its kitchen: Anthony Chavez as pastry chef and Stefano Cappelli as sommelier. 2941 Restaurant, 2941 Fairview Park Dr., Falls Church, VA 22042, 703-270-1500.
The news is out: Barton Seaver, the young executive chef at Georgetown's Hook, is unhooked. Destination: unknown. Hook, 3241 M St. NW, Washington, DC 20007, 202-625-4488.
Yasmine Sandhu is the new pastry chef at Rock Creek at Mazza Gallerie. She will offer alternatives to high-fat, highly caloric meals by baking her desserts without heavy cream or butter. She plans to focus on the local fruit coming into the markets this summer, pairing it with complementary flavors and spices, and utilizing the unique sugar substitute Whey-Low in place of regular sugar when needed. Rock Creek, 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20015, 202-966-7625.
The funky uptown restaurant known as Colorado Kitchen shut its doors with the promise by its co-owner and chef, Gillian Clark, to open a bigger, and different, venue in Maryland in the upcoming months.
In a surprise move, Restaurant K by Alison Swope, which had just undergone a dramatic menu makeover to feature her take on Southwestern and Southern classics, closed its doors the last week in June in a decision undertaken by the property's owners, McCormick & Schmick's. The news is that Swope will continue on with the restaurant group in an advisory capacity.
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