Since 1969, restaurant, hotel, travel & other witty reviews by a handpicked, worldwide team of discerning professionals—and your views, too.


News for Restaurants in Washington DC
September 2013 Archive

Search / Openings / Closings / Chef Shuffle / News Bytes / Culinary Events / Wine Dinners / Sign up for our free, monthly newsletter / News Archive

RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Danny Meyer of Union Square Hospitality Group is opening two more Shake Shack locations in the DC metro area, one at Union Station and the other in Tysons Corner in Northern Virginia. Both Shacks are slated to launch in mid-2014, which will increase the total number of area outposts to five. Known for its all-natural Angus burger, fresh frozen custard and craft beers, the burger brand has earned a cult-like following in the region. For more information, visit www.shakeshack.com. Shake Shack, 1216 18th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036, 202-683-9922.
 
Mike Isabella, a runner up on "Top Chef All-Stars," plans a summer 2014 opening for his Greek restaurant called Kapnos Taverna. It will mirror Kapnos, his DC restaurant. While some of the dishes from the original Kapnos will appear on the newcomer's menu, there will be noticeable differences, including the addition of weekday lunch, weekend brunch and happy hour selections. Expect the largest wine program in Isabella's family of restaurants, as well as up to ten cocktails on tap. Kapnos Taverna, 4000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22203, no phone.
 
El Centro D.F. in Georgetown has a look similar to its 14th Street sibling, but with the addition of a 55-seat outdoor patio. House-infused tequilas and new dishes have debuted on the Georgetown menu, too. Guests can expect more than 270 different types of tequila and mezcal, handcrafted margaritas and classic Latin cocktails. Four variations of tableside-prepared guacamole include traditional, bacon, tuna tartar and spicy crab. Traditional Mexican braises, or cazuelas, served with warm tortillas, Mexican-style rice and creamy yogurt crema fresca are also available. Lunch & Dinner daily, Brunch Sat.-Sun. El Centro D.F., 1218 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20007, 202-333-4100.
 

News Bytes

James Beard Foundation's (JBF) Taste America Local Dish Challenge
Zengo DC has joined more than 100 other restaurants in the James Beard Foundation's (JBF) Taste America Local Dish Challenge. Come to the restaurant from September 21-October 19, order the Taste America Local Dish, take a snapshot of the dish, and post the picture to Instagram with #JBFTasteamerica with the hashtag of your city. The more often you dine at Zengo (or any of the other restaurants in cities posted on the James Beard website), the greater are the chances that your city will win up to $10K to support a local food charity. Zengo, 781 Seventh St. NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202-393-2929.
 
Thanksgiving at Blue Duck Tavern
Park Hyatt Washington DC and Blue Duck Tavern have Thanksgiving all planned out, with a three-course "brunch into dinner" service from 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. Starters will include seasonal salads, breads, meats and cheese followed by such entrées as wood oven-roasted Maine scallops; apple cider-glazed roasted turkey; slow-roasted rib-eye of beef with béarnaise sauce; and Muscovy duck breast with confit leg. Seasonal desserts conclude the meal. Cost: $95 per person for adults, $42 for children six years and older. To make reservations, call 202-419-6755. Blue Duck Tavern, Park Hyatt Washington, 1201 24th St. NW, Washington, DC 20037, 202-419-6755.
 
Special Menus at Zaytinya September 13-23
As part of ATA-DC's Turkish Cuisine and Restaurant Week, Zaytinya will offer a special three-course lunch and four-course dinner menu. For $18 at lunch and $30 at dinner (excluding drinks, tax and gratuity), guests can enjoy the traditional flavors of Turkish cooking during the weeklong event. Zaytinya requests that the entire table participate in the experience. Zaytinya, Edison Place, 701 Ninth St. NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202-638-0800.
 

Chef Shuffle
Eric McKamey has been appointed the new chef de cuisine at Masa 14. McKamey, whose menu will rely on seasonal ingredients from local farmers, will introduce Thai shrimp ceviche with coconut milk, serrano chiles, basil and mango, along with drunken adobo pork with long beans, cilantro, chayote squash and tequila for fall. Prior to joining Masa 14, McKamey was executive chef at The Curious Grape Wine, Dine & Shop in Arlington and worked as sous chef at PassionFish in Reston. He has also worked at The Oval Room, Central Michel Richard and CityZen. Masa 14, 1825 14th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009, 202-328-1414.
 
Todd Wiss has been promoted to executive chef of Firefly. He takes over from Danny Bortnick. Firefly, Hotel Madera, 1310 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036, 202-861-1310.
 

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.

After two years, Bistrot Le Zinc has shuttered. This French-influenced American eatery was located in upper Northwest DC. Bistrot Le Zinc, 3714 Macomb St. NW, Washington, DC 20016, no phone.
 
Ri-Ra in Bethesda closed its doors in September 2013 after 10 years in business. In a message on the Irish pub's web site, Ri-Ra cited the expiration of its lease as the reason and announced that a new location will open in Georgetown. Ri-Ra, 4931 Elm St., Bethesda, MD 20814, 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

Current News View archived news: November 2019 | July 2019 | May 2019 | April 2019 | February 2019 | January 2019 | December 2018 | October 2018 | July 2018 | April 2018 | March 2018 | December 2017 | August 2017 | July 2017 | June 2017 | April 2017 | March 2017 | November 2016 | October 2016 | August 2016 | July 2016 | June 2016 | May 2016 | April 2016 | March 2016 | February 2016 | January 2016 | December 2015 | November 2015 | October 2015 | September 2015 | August 2015 | July 2015 | June 2015 | May 2015 | April 2015 | March 2015 | February 2015 | January 2015 | December 2014 | November 2014 | October 2014 | September 2014 | August 2014 | July 2014 | June 2014 | May 2014 | April 2014 | March 2014 | February 2014 | January 2014 | December 2013 | October 2013 | September 2013 | August 2013 | July 2013 | June 2013 | May 2013 | April 2013 | March 2013 | February 2013 | January 2013 | December 2012 | November 2012 | October 2012 | September 2012 | August 2012 | July 2012 | June 2012 | May 2012 | April 2012 | March 2012 | February 2012 | January 2012 | December 2011 | November 2011 | October 2011 | September 2011 | August 2011 | July 2011 | June 2011 | May 2011 | April 2011 | March 2011 | February 2011 | January 2011 | December 2010 | November 2010 | October 2010 | September 2010 | August 2010 | July 2010 | June 2010 | May 2010 | April 2010 | March 2010 | February 2010 | January 2010 | December 2009 | November 2009 | October 2009 | September 2009 | August 2009 | July 2009 | June 2009 | May 2009 | April 2009 | March 2009 | February 2009 | January 2009 | December 2008 | November 2008 | October 2008 | September 2008 | August 2008 | July 2008 | June 2008 | May 2008 | April 2008 | March 2008



VALENTINE'S DAY WINES

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

Check the list.

CHAMPAGNE COCKTAILS

For a rosé bubbly Valentine's Day celebration.

Get the recipes.

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

Check the list.