News for Restaurants in Washington DC
April 2009 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Chef Robert Wiedmaier has opened The Butcher's Block, a Market by RW next door to sister restaurants BRABO Tasting Room and BRABO by Robert Wiedmaier. The establishment brings a chef-driven market with a wide selection of value wines, international beers, artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, desserts, dry goods and home cooking accessories. In addition to the charcuterie, pâtés, sausages and terrines, The Butcher's Block, a Market by RW sells prime cuts of rib-eye, fillet, lamb tenderloin, veal chops, pork loin, rabbit and chicken. Chef Wiedmaier sources much of his meat from the region. The Butcher's Block, 1600 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314, 703-894-5253.

News Bytes

Michel Richard Looks Forward
Contrary to rumors, we are happy to report that Michel Richard Citronelle in Washington, DC, one of our Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S. for five years in a row, will not be closing or relocating. The industrious Richard indeed has ideas for opening another restaurant, one of them being a burger joint, in the metro area, but the concept will be dependent on the type of space he finds for his new venture. As soon as we hear more, we will let you know. Michel Richard Citronelle, Latham Hotel, 3000 M St. NW, Washington, DC 20007, 202-625-2150.

Zaytinya Celebrates Greek Easter
Until April 26, José Andrés and the culinary team at Zaytinya will celebrate Greek Easter with a festival showcasing dishes specially crafted by chef Mike Isabella. Patrons can toast the holiday at a special Chef's Wine Dinner on April 22, featuring wines from Dionysos Imports paired with chef Isabella's menu. During Zaytinya's Greek Easter Festival, chef Isabella will offer holiday menu items such as a whole spring lamb carved tableside with oregano potato and latholemono. The Greek Easter menu will also feature rarer traditional treats. These Greek Easter specials will be priced from $9-$12. Two specialty cocktails in honor of Greek Easter will also be featured throughout the festival and priced at $10, such as the Thalia: Goddess of Good Cheer, combining grape vodka, lime syrup and lemoncello with a sour cherry reduction. Zaytinya Easter, Edison Place, 701 Ninth St. NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202-638-0800.

New Menus at Bastille
Bastille is offering guests a new bar-only menu, ideal for those seeking a light, inexpensive meal on a warm spring evening. Chef-owner Christophe Poteaux offers this new menu that includes all of the regular dinner menu's appetizers, salads and desserts, as well as small plate versions of dining room favorites. Bastille's bar-only menu is available every evening from Tuesday through Saturday. Additionally, Bastille plans to take patrons across the Atlantic with their new spring menu, featuring such French fare as chilled asparagus and crème fraîche soup, "lapin aux cerises" (braised rabbit leg and seared tenderloin) and orange polenta cake with poached rhubarb and strawberries. Other French sweets include warm mango tatin with Muscat Beaume de Venise sabayon, the Valrhona double chocolate truffle cake drizzled with chocolate sauce, and an olive oil cake with white chocolate, candied olives and oranges. Bastille, 1201 N. Royal St., Alexandria, VA 22314, 703-519-3776.

Chef Shuffle

Leaving his post as executive chef at the Hill's Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar, Drew Trautmann heads down the hill to Georgetown's Mendocino Grille & Wine Bar, where he was once the executive chef. Mendocino Grille & Wine Bar, 2917 M St. NW, Washington, DC 20007, 202-333-2912.

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.

Yannick Cam's very elegant restaurant Le Paradou in Penn Quarter is closing, marking the end of an era of his fine dining in the nation's capital. One of the most noteworthy of DC's chefs, Cam has fed the dining public on truly memorable and classic French fare for years, and his departure will be marked with sadness among those who value fine French cuisine. Le Paradou, 678 Indiana Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20004, no phone.

As of mid-April, the very elegant The Willard Room at the Willard InterContinental Washington is a private events space (and also host for Sunday brunch), ending its long run as a high-end restaurant open to the public. Its passing as such will be marked and its presence, missed. The Willard Room, Willard InterContinental Washington DC, 1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20004, 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

WINE OF THE WEEK

GAYOT's Wine of the Week is a Pinot Gris from old vines in New Zealand.

Read the article.

WINTER BEERS

Check out GAYOT's list of Best Winter Beers to find good bottles for enjoying in chilly weather.

Check the list.

GAYOT'S RESTAURANT AWARDS

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

Check the list.

News for Restaurants in Washington DC April 2009 Archive

News for Restaurants in Washington DC
April 2009 Archive