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News for Restaurants in Washington DC
December 2012 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken will open in Metro Center in January, hopefully in time for the inauguration. Pastry chef Jason Gehring and founder Elliot Spaisman are structuring a menu that will feature doughnuts and fried chicken in their take-out restaurant. Look for such flavors as Brooklyn Blackout (devil's food cake with chocolate glaze), Peanut Butter and Jelly, and Twink-nut (golden vanilla cake with butter cream filling). Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken, 1308 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202-809-5565.
 
Serbia native Ivan Iricanin and partner-restaurateur Richard Sandoval have opened a new Balkan restaurant, Ambar, located in the Barracks Row neighborhood of Capitol Hill, SE. Both partners traveled recently to Serbia to gather recipe ideas from each region throughout the Balkan peninsula, and the dishes include slow-cooked meats and numerous cheese and potato-based fare. Iricanin's hometown of Trstenik, Serbia, is known as the "Land of Wine Goddesses," therefore patrons can expect imported Balkan wines and beer, as well as several types of Rakija, a fermented fruit brandy that is a mainstay in Serbia. Ambar, 523 8th St. SE, Washington, DC 20003, 202-813-3039.
 

News Bytes

Dramatic Renovation at Nage Bistro
DC's Nage Bistro (formerly known as just Nage) has reopened after an extensive facelift and the hiring of a new executive chef, Miles Vaden, who previously worked with Jean-Georges Vongerichten in Chicago and Fabio Trabocchi at his Fiola in DC. Vaden has found a home to blend modern American dishes with his innovative ideas and desire to use local ingredients. While embracing Nage classics --- wild mushroom baklava, truffled frites and the brunch-time kill-it skillet --- Vaden has made the menu all his own and really lives out his culinary mood on the restaurant's large chalkboard of daily specials like crab gratin and braised rabbit with buttermilk spätzle. He also recently launched a series of special tasting menus every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday featuring his spontaneous creations. Nage Bistro, Courtyard Washington Embassy Row, 1600 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036, 202-448-8005.
 
Farmers Fishers Bakers Restaurant to Release Cookbook
Good news for local farm-to-table foodies: the restaurant management company behind the popular Founding Farmers and its new sister restaurant, Farmers Fishers Bakers, plans to compile recipes for a cookbook to be released in the fall 2013. The title, The Founding Farmers Cookbook: 100 Recipes for True Food + Drink, will be available just in time for the holiday season for gift-giving. The book will be written in collaboration with Washington, DC-based food writer and author Nevin Martell, and the photography team of Renée Comet and Lisa Cherkasky. Farmers Fishers Bakers, Washington Harbour, 3000 K St. NW, Washington, DC 20007, 202-298-0003.
 
Eric Ripert Cuts Ties with Westend Bistro
Chef Eric Ripert has ended his affiliation with Westend Bistro by Eric Ripert as of the end of 2012. The restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C. is now called Westend Bistro. Westend Bistro, The Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C., 1190 22nd St. NW, Washington, DC 20037, 202-974-4900.
 

Chef Shuffle Check back soon for more news.

Closings

CLOSED FOR GOOD
Take your taste buds on a walk down memory lane! Check out our exclusive closed restaurant database for Washington D.C. to virtually visit your favorite dining spots from the past. La Colline, R.I.P.

Downtown British gastropub Againn closed its doors in November. Againn, 1099 New York Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001, no phone.
 

CULINARY EVENTS
Want to learn to cook? Try new dishes? Meet a foodie friend for fun? Check out our compilation of culinary events in your area.


View our calendar of Wine Dinners & Tastings in Washington DC

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VALENTINE'S DAY WINES

Add wine to the celebration of love, curated by GAYOT´s Wine & Spirits Editor.

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CHAMPAGNE COCKTAILS

For a rosé bubbly Valentine's Day celebration.

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GAYOT'S RESTAURANT AWARDSOver the years, we have been electing restaurants to be on GAYOT's Yearly Restaurant Awards.

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