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News for Restaurants in Washington DC
November 2011 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Chef Mike Isabella is planning to open his second DC restaurant, located in Georgetown, and it will feature Mexican small plates, similar to his Graffiato by Mike Isabella in Penn Quarter. Called Bandolero, it will open in the space formerly occupied by Hook and Tackle Box. Bandolero's menu will highlight salsas, guacamoles, ceviches, tacos, vegetables and more. Large-format "carbons," Isabella's take on fajitas, will be available for the table. Bandolero, 3241 M St. NW, Washington, DC 20007, phone not available.
 

News Bytes

Six More Months of America Eats
Surely much to everyone's delight, José Andrés and his ThinkFoodGroup (TFG) have decided to extend the operations of the America Eats Tavern through July 4, 2012. The groundbreaking temporary restaurant, which opened on July 4, 2011 in the former Café Atlántico space, celebrates the history of American cooking, featuring a menu filled with the stories and characters of America's culinary past. Named for the Work Progress Administration (WPA) Federal Writers' Project of the 1930s, America Eats Tavern was inspired by the National Archives exhibit, What's Cooking, Uncle Sam? The Government's Effect on the American Diet. America Eats Tavern, 405 8th St. NW, Washington, DC 20004, 202-393-0812.
 
New Twists for Ping Pong’s Menu
Known for its menu of cocktails and bite-size dishes, Ping Pong Dim Sum in Chinatown and Dupont Circle is adding a new Customizable Express Lunch option to their menu along with a revamped Sunday Party Brunch. The express lunch option suits people on the run, and allows them to customize a three-course lunch for $10. The lunch price also includes a choice of soda or iced tea and is available weekdays. The Sunday brunch option offers unlimited dim sum for $25 and bottomless mimosas for $15. Ping Pong Dim Sum, 900 7th St. NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202-506-3740.
 
Chinese Tasting Menu at The Source
The Source by Wolfgang Puck is introducing several new Chinese dishes as well as a tasting menu inspired by executive chef Scott Drewno's recent two-week trip to Mainland China. During that time, Drewno visited markets, took cooking classes, and explored the regional cuisines. He discovered that the traditional Chinese dinner is a relaxed, multi-course meal --- a progression of dishes from dumplings to duck that is often enjoyed in a large group and is appreciated at a leisurely pace. Guests at The Source now can share in this experience with the Communal Chinese Tasting Menu, a nine-course meal inspired by dishes chef Drewno enjoyed during his travels through Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Xi'an and Beijing. Cost is $100 per person, excluding tax and tip. The Source by Wolfgang Puck, Newseum, 575 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202-637-6100.
 

Chef Shuffle
Chefs and longtime friends Brian McBride and Robert Wiedmaier are partnering for numerous ventures, including the opening of a restaurant in a year's time showcasing their joint culinary talents, with McBride running the kitchen. In the meantime, McBride will join his friend in overseeing the workings of Brasserie Beck and the Mussel Bar, helping to keep them true to their Belgian roots. McBride's own hearty but refined rustic cooking will enhance the comfortable, casual, old neighborhood feeling at both restaurants. Brasserie Beck, 1101 K St. NW, Washington, DC 20005, 202-408-1717.
 
Equinox chef/owner Todd Gray has named Karen Nicolas as the restaurant's first executive chef. Chef Nicolas collaborates with Gray to create a weekly menu. Nicolas' background includes training with Tom Colicchio and Charlie Palmer, while most recently she served as executive chef at Simon Pearce restaurant in Philadelphia and Soul restaurant in Chicago. Equinox, 818 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20006, 202-331-8118.
 

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.

Ray's Hell Burger Too, a sister restaurant of Ray's Hell Burger, has closed. Ray's Hell Burger Too, 1713 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209, 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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