News for Restaurants in Washington DC
April 2013 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

The bold and fresh tastes of Latin America will come to Rockville when Paladar Latin Kitchen & Rum Bar opens in mid-August. Paladar will feature an American interpretation of the vibrant flavors of Central and South America and the Latin Caribbean, with a special nod to the cuisine of Cuba. The Rum Bar will offer a selection of more than 50 rums. The 180-seat restaurant will incorporate a warm and sophisticated style that blends modern and rustic design elements of Latin culture. The lunch and dinner menus will feature appetizers, soups, salads, Latin comfort food, fresh seafood, steaks and chops, sandwiches and desserts. Paladar Latin Kitchen & Rum Bar, 11333 Woodglen Dr. Ste. 101, Rockville, MD 20852, no phone.

Named for Fabio Trabocchi's nine-year-old son Luca, Casa Luca will open in early summer and pay tribute to Trabocchi's family heritage and his upbringing in the Le Marche region of Italy. Casa Luca will feature the traditional, authentic and affordable cooking of Le Marche families. Expect charcuterie and cheese selections, Le Marche flatbreads such as crescia and chichì, antipasti and salads del campo (from the fields), house-made pastas, and main courses such as roasted and grilled meats and fish. Dinner nightly, Brunch Sat.-Sun. Casa Luca, 1099 New York Ave., Washington, DC 20001, 202-628-2888.

Ashok Bajaj is opening NoPa Kitchen + Bar, a 160-seat American brasserie in the heart of Penn Quarter in the former home of Zola. The name represents the restaurant’s location just north of Pennsylvania Avenue. The executive chef is Greg McCarty, a graduate of The George Brown Chef School in Toronto, Canada. His culinary career started in the kitchen of Jean-Georges in New York City. He cooked under chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten for six years, progressing from line cook to executive sous chef of Dune in the Bahamas. He returned to Manhattan to open Nobu 57. NoPa’s bar has expansive windows that overlook 8th St. The adjacent lounge has raised banquette seating and there is also a communal table for six and accommodations for 14 along the lounge's windows. Lunch & Dinner daily, Brunch Sat.-Sun. NoPa Kitchen + Bar, 800 F St. NW, Washington, DC 20004, 202-347-4667.

Chef Victor Albisu, formerly executive chef of BLT Steak, has opened Del Campo, his first full-service restaurant, in Penn Quarter in the space once occupied by PS 7's. Both rustic and refined, the dining room reminds visitors of the rural life of South America. Those influences also inspire menu choices, which represent favorites in grilled meats and typical street foods. Besides the roomy dining area and bar, there is a nine-seat Asado Bar located at the heart of the restaurant overlooking the open kitchen. Dinner nightly. Del Campo, 777 I St. NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202-289-7377.

News Bytes

May is Salad Month
To celebrate National Salad Month in May, Blue Duck Tavern executive chef Sebastien Archambault and chef de cuisine John Melfi are debuting new salads. Look for a charred baby lettuce salad with spring onions, green peas and anchovy emulsion paired with Virginia ham or chicken breast; a shaved Brussels sprouts salad with apple, walnuts and Parmesan with duck leg confit or prawns; and a baby carrots salad with fennel, orange, pickled shallots and olive oil croutons complemented by scallops. Blue Duck Tavern, Park Hyatt Washington, 1201 24th St. NW, Washington, DC 20037, 202-419-6755.

El Centro D.F. Opens for Lunch
El Centro D.F. now offers a special lunch menu Monday through Friday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. that includes soups, salads, tacos, tortas and burritos, grilled quesadillas, enchiladas and chef's specials. Diners can also order from the list of over 200 tequilas, mezcals, traditional Mexican beer and crafted Latin cocktails to complement their meal. The taco selection is extensive --- choices include the al pastor, adobe marinated pork belly with grilled pineapple, cilantro and onions; pork carnitas, pork shoulder, pickled onion, cilantro and salsa verde; and grilled steak with onion, cilantro and salsa verde. El Centro D.F., 1819 14th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009, 202-328-3131.

Beuchert's Saloon Offers Farm-Friendly Brunch
Eastern Market's new Beuchert's Saloon is offering a new Saturday and Sunday brunch service. Just like with his dinner menu, executive chef Andrew Markert presents creative "farm American" cuisine, with much of the produce and meats sourced from co-owner Brendan McMahon's family-owned East Oaks Organics Farm in Poolesville, Md. Markert has broken the menu down into two sections, Brunchish and Lunchish, with bottomless mimosas made with fresh-squeezed juice. For those who don't make it to brunch until the afternoon, the Lunchish section of the menu offers several more savory options like the grilled steak frites with shallot sauce, house-made frites and salted herb butter, or the Cumberland and mash, a house-made Cumberland sausage topped with charred onions, house mustard, whipped potatoes and pickles. Dinner nightly, Brunch Sat.-Sun. Beuchert's Saloon, 623 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003, 202-733-1384.

Co Co. Sala's New Brunch Menu
Executive chef Santosh Tiptur spices up Co Co. Sala's spring menu with some exciting new brunch entrées such as lox flatbread and caprese frittata. But don't worry: the restaurant's popular brunch dishes such as the french toast s'mores, breakfast flatbread, and crispy Creole crab cakes remain on the menu. Cost for the multi-course prix-fixe brunch is $26 per person, or order items à la carte. Co Co. Sala, 929 F St. NW, Washington, DC 20004, 202-347-4265.

Chef Shuffle

Toronto chef Susur Lee is no longer be involved with Zentan, the restaurant at Donovan House. Jennifer Nguyen will take over and introduce a new menu in May. Zentan, Donovan House, 1155 14th St. NW, Washington, DC 20005, 202-379-4366.

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.

Frozen yogurt spot Pink Smile in Georgetown has closed. Pink Smile, 1332 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20007, 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 2013 Archive

News for Restaurants in Washington DC
April 2013 Archive