News for Restaurants in Washington DC
February 2013 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Los Angeles-based Umami Burger is expanding across the country, including Washington, D.C. Adam Fleischman's gourmet burger concept has made a name for itself with signatures like the Umami Burger made with umami ketchup, roasted tomato, shiitake mushrooms, caramelized onions and a Parmesan crisp. For more information, visit www.umami.com.

Eric Rohleder, founder and president of Cordial Fine Wine, opened his first wine shop, called Cordial Fine Wine & Spirits, on February 1. A boutique store, it offers 216 small production artisanal wines and 35 craft beers from around the world: Oregon, Washington, Spain, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa, South America and Eastern Europe. Most wines are priced at about $20 or less. Store hours are Wednesday to Sunday, from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Cordial Fine Wine & Spirits, Union Market, 1309 5th St. NE, Washington, DC 20002, 202-548-2450.

Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken opened in Metro Center in January. Pastry chef Jason Gehring and founder Elliot Spaisman structured a menu that features doughnuts and fried chicken in their take-out restaurant. Look for such flavors as Brooklyn Blackout (devil's food cake with chocolate glaze), Peanut Butter and Jelly, and Twink-nut (golden vanilla cake with butter cream filling). Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken, 1308 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202-809-5565.

News Bytes

Minibar's Barmini Carries Big Tabs
Located within the new minibar by Jose Andres, this cocktail/bar bites destination reputedly does not offer big bargains. But if you are searching for high-end cocktails and interesting bar snacks, you might find Barmini a great happy hour destination. Check on reservations first before dropping by. Open Tues.-Sat. Barmini, 855 E. St. NW, Washington, DC 20004, 202-393-4451.

Oyster-Wine Special Treats
Executive chef Dimosthenis "Dimo" Kolouas and general manager Kaine Gish of Tel'Veh Cafe & Wine Bar will debut a new series of oyster classes to be held the first Monday of each month at the restaurant's 12-seat bar. Priced at $35 per person (all inclusive), guests will enjoy eight different varieties of raw oysters (both East Coast and West Coast varietals) followed by two cooked oyster preparations and an oyster shooter. Guests will also receive one glass each of Domaine Chandon Brut and Melon de Bourgogne. Tel'Veh Cafe & Wine Bar, 401 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202-758-2929.

Art and Soul Reopens
After a brief hiatus for some renovations, Art and Soul has reopened with its full-service menus for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. New menu sections called "For the Table" and "Pots" encourage family-style dining on treats like deviled eggs and pork rinds, and shareable entrées such as seafood gumbo and duck and rice bean stew. The "Bacon Corn Bread," baked and served in a tin can, is also available, as are signature dishes like the fried free-range chicken and waffles. New bar snacks include Cajun boudin balls, a scotch egg, and fried pickled green tomatoes. Beginning March 4 and through March 17, Art and Soul is offering the "Welcome Back, Art and Soul Menu," a three-course $35 dinner option to give guests a taste of the new Art and Soul. Art and Soul, The Liaison Capitol Hill, 415 New Jersey Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202-393-7777.

Chinese New Year at Zengo
Zengo will celebrate Chinese New Year 2013, the Year of the Snake, on the weekends of February 9-10, 16-17 and 23-24, from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Brunch dishes include scallop and bacon gyoza dumplings, which symbolize wealth and luck; crispy skinned Peking duck with flour tortillas, orange coriander sauce, hoisin, leek and pickled cabbage, which symbolize family and good fortune; and pork and shrimp lo mein with crisp pork belly, bell pepper, water chestnut and scallion. Guests can come for brunch and then head to the Chinese New Year Parade and Festival, which will be held on Sunday, February 10, from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. on H Street, NW, between 6th and 8th Streets. The event features the traditional Chinese dragon dance, Kung Fu demonstrations, live musical entertainment and firecrackers at 3:45 p.m. Zengo, 781 Seventh St. NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202-393-2929.

Chef Shuffle

John Critchley has been named executive chef at Bourbon Steak at Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC. He will be replacing Adam Sobel, who is departing the restaurant for San Francisco to be executive chef and partner at Michael Mina's RN74. Critchley was most recently executive chef at Urbana Restaurant & Bar at Hotel Palomar Washington DC. Bourbon Steak, Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC, 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20007, 202-944-2026.

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.

Punk's Backyard Grill in Annapolis has closed. This fast-casual place offered quality contemporary eats in a festive backyard-cookout setting. Punk's Backyard Grill, Annapolis Mall, 2188 Annapolis Mall, Annapolis, MD 21401, 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

BEST SPRING BEERS

Check out GAYOT's list of Best Spring Beers to find crisp brews, wheat ales and American IPAs.

Check the list.

BEST SUPERFOODS

GAYOT's list of the Best 10 Superfoods covers the most health-promoting fruits, veggies, and more.

Read the article.

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 February 2013 Archive

News for Restaurants in Washington DC
February 2013 Archive