Fall Preview: 13 Bar, Restaurant and Brewery Openings in Washington, D.C.
Fall is always a magical season in D.C., not only for the break in humidity and abundance of seasonal fare, but also because it’s prime time for new restaurant and bar openings. From new breweries to celebrity-driven spots and imaginative cocktail programs, fall 2013 is shaping up to be a promising season for District drinkers. Check out 13 newcomers to look forward to.
2 Birds 1 Stone: Open as of this week, this basement-level spot beneath sister establishment Doi Moi serves up cocktails concocted by the same qualified crew from Estadio and Proof (1800 14th St. NW).
America Eats: When we last wrote about America Eats Tavern, the “pop-up” Jose Andres eatery — created in tandem with the America Eats exhibit at the National Archives — was rumored to be looking for a permanent home. That home appears to be at the Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner, where the Americana cocktails and food will soon be “reborn” (1700 Tysons Blvd, McLean, VA; 703-506-4300).
Atlas Brew Works: Though you can’t visit in person (at least not yet), the District’s newest production craft brewery — based in Northeast DC — begins distribution to local bars and restaurants this week with at least three brews: Rowdy, District Common, and one that's yet-to-be revealed.
Bar Charley: Soft-opening this week, this 18th Street eatery from El Chucho team Jackie Greenbaum and Gordon Banks — in the space formerly occupied by The Cajun Experience — boasts an inventive cocktail list with tapped tiki tipples and a sort of pickleback and Jello-o shot fusion, among other libations. Best of all: The entire menu was conceived with affordability in mind (1825 18th St. NW).
Bluejacket: It feels like we’ve put this brewery from the Churchkey crew on our “coming soon” list for at least a year, but there’s good reason to believe that the opening date will be revealed any day now. Follow Bluejacket on Twitter for up-to-the-minute information (300 Tingey St. SE).
Compass Rose: This self-described neighborhood bar coming to 14th and T streets NW is expected to open late fall, and according to its Twitter profile “will take you on a tour of the world but make you feel right at home” (1346 T St. NW).
Eat the Rich: Renowned mixologist Derek Brown is at it again, this time with cocktails by the pitcher at the forthcoming oyster-centric establishment named for the song by Motorhead (not the first song to inspire name of a Brown-backed bar — see: The Passenger). Julien Shapiro, formerly of Range, will helm the kitchen, working with Rappahannock Oyster Co. The restaurant is expected to open in late September (1839 7th St. NW).
ENO Wine Bar: With locations in San Francisco, San Diego and Chicago, this wine bar — with a focus on local cheese, charcuterie and chocolate in addition to a sizable selection of wines by the glass — is expected to open its first D.C. location at the Four Seasons Georgetown (2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW).
Iron Gate: Just in time to take advantage of the glorious gardenscape, Iron Gate, once a tucked-away institution in Dupont, is set to reopen this fall with former Vermillion chef Tony Chittum and Neighborhood Restaurant Group at the reigns (1734 N St. NW).
Maketto: The three-month preview of this forthcoming spot from chef Erik Bruner-Yang is drawing to a close at Hanoi House, but the market concept — which will include Bruner-Yang’s Asian-inspired street food as well as a Durkl retail venue — is expected to open late fall not far from the Toki Underground chef’s first establishment (1351 H St. NE).
Osteria Morini: This Italian eatery from New York chef Michael White will open its first location outside of Manhattan and New Jersey this fall in The Yards’ Lumber Shed Pavilion. The restaurant will likely anchor a slew of new eateries at the new Capital Riverfront development (301 Water St.)
Right Proper Brewing Company: Opening soon in Shaw, this locally owned brew pub debuted its first beer — Brimstone & Clover, a collaboration with The Brewer’s Art in Baltimore — at the NoMa Beer Fest. The slated location on T St NW was once Frank Holliday's Pool Hall, a favorite hangout of Duke Ellington (624 T St. NW)
Toro Toro: Richard Sandoval’s got his eyes set on expansion in D.C.: In addition to a second location of El Centro D.F. in Georgetown (and rumors of another Mexican joint near 7th and Q streets), the celebrity chef expects to open this Brazilian-influenced steakhouse —the second, after a location in Dubai — in October (1300 I St. NW).