New and Notable

NEW

Bakeshop
Throw all your healthy habits out the window once you step foot into Bakeshop, Arlington’s newest bakery. Owner — and confectionary genius — Justin, has opened a simple-yet-classic shop, complete with baked treats, layer cakes, cupcakes, cookies, pies, puddings and more. After previously working at a bakery in Brooklyn years ago, Justin moved back to Virginia and began selling his creations at Murky Coffee in Arlington and DC. After word-of-mouth spread, business began to boom and he began decided to open his own bakery. Just like his treats, Bakeshop was created from scratch. Justin designed the menu and is constantly coming up with new creations. Stop by and sample his red velvet cupcakes, oatmeal blueberry cookies, oatmeal cream pie or anything else your sweet tooth desires. —Ashley Estill

Bakeshop: 1025 N. Fillmore St., Suite G, Arlington, VA; 571-970-6460; www.bakeshopva.com

Big Chair Coffee n’ Grill
With Big Chair’s even bigger footprints, Anacostia perks up with its first — and only — stand-alone java joint. Giving Ward 8 some buzz — even Marion Barry stopped in — this two-story shop and lunch counter is keepin’ jonesers east of the river juiced and burger-fed, and soon, maybe even a ‘lil sauced (liquor license pending, wine and beer only). Take a seat at Big Chair daily 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. —Melissa Howsam

Big Chair Coffee n’ Grill: 2122 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., SE; DC; 202-525-4287; www.bigchaircoffee.blogspot.com

Bistro La Bonne
Chef Daniel La Bonne swanks up U Street with his long-awaited bistro. Graze on famed French fare like escargot, foie gras or moules mariniers, while you sip a glass of wine from amongst the 25 plus choices from La Seine’s north bend. Open daily for dinner from 5 p.m. to midnight, with lunch hours Tuesday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., brunch hours Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and late-night eats Thursday through Sunday from midnight to close. —Melissa Howsam

Bistro La Bonne: 1340 U St., NW, DC; 202-758-3413; www.bistrolabonne.com

Bond 45
This landmark hot spot in New York’s theater district has now set up shop at the National Harbor. A steak and seafood house, Bond 45 specializes in Italian cuisine and classic dishes. With over 20 options of hot and cold antipasti dishes prepared daily, there is a little something for everyone. For starters, try their calamari salad for $8, the bowl of fried shrimp for $12 or their imported Italian cheese plate for $12. When it’s time to get down to business, try any number of their dry-aged beef dishes from the porterhouse to rib-eye to filet. If you’re in the mood for seafood, their surf and surf option includes a one-pound lobster, shrimp, mussels, manila clams, linguini and tomato sauce for $36. Bond 45 also boasts Italian steaks that are mouth-watering, including Tagliata (aged flat iron steaks) and butcher’s tenderloin (16 oz. skirt steaks). See for yourself what has got everyone talking about this Italian steak and seafood restaurant. —Ashley Estill

Bond 45: 149 Waterfront St., National Harbor, MD; 301-839-1445; www.bond45.com

Ghana Café
No longer a resident of 18th Street, Ghana Café has relocated and opened up shop just off Thomas Circle. The 14th Street café opens daily at noon and features an array of diverse dishes that include entrees, vegetarian options, appetizers and more. True to their name, Ghana Café also serves up dishes like Banku, fermented and cooked corn made into balls; Kelewele, a Ghanaian-spiced diced fried soft plantain; or Joll of Rice, a Ghanaian-style rice cooked in delicious seasonings. If you can’t decide what to get, I’d recommend the sampler; you’ll get the chef’s choice so you won’t have to pick for yourself. If you want to work off your food, head upstairs to their dance floor, which always spins a diverse selection from Reggae to Afropop to Soukous. —Ashley Estill

Ghana Café: 1336 14th St. NW, DC; 202-387-3845; www.ghanacafe.com

Homemade Pizza Company
Homemade Pizza, the 14th Street Corridor’s newest pizza joint, is different from most: your pizza comes unbaked, on purpose. You can make your own … well, actually, the staff makes your pizza; you pick the toppings and bake it. Customers have a myriad of choices from all-natural meats, cheeses, vegetables and herbs. Or you can order a recommended favorite like the B.L.T. with hickory-smoked bacon. With options like whole wheat dough and fresh spinach, you will never feel guilty about pizza again. And don’t miss out on the Monday through Wednesday $3 Happyronis and Salads. Basic 12″ pies start at $11 ranging up to $17, and a basic 14″ costs between $13 and $20. Pop your personal pizza in the oven and fill your home with the smell of homemade pizza; leave the messy work to the professionals. Open Monday through Thursday 3 to 9 p.m. and Friday through Sunday 1 to 9 p.m. —Shaun Conway

Homemade Pizza Company: 1522 14th St. NW, DC; 202-588-0808; www.homemadepizza.com

il Canale
Georgetown’s newest restaurant, il Canale, just became my new favorite place. Located off M Street at 1063 31st Street, this high-style, sleek and modern Italian eatery is nothing short of a delicious success. Owner Giuseppe “Joe” Farruggio has put together a menu of Italian dishes, meats, pastas, panini and pizzas that will make you a frequent guest…and wish you had a bigger stomach. Seating 100, the Georgetown restaurant boasts some of the best Italian wine you’ve ever had, al fresco dining and an Italian pizza oven that heats up to between 800 and 900 degrees and cooked my Margherita pizza in a matter of seconds. Their specialty is no doubt the pizza — my Margherita pizza tasted so fresh, you would have thought they picked the basil from a garden right outside. I also sampled the Linguine Alle Vongole, baby clams served in a spicy olive oil with roasted garlic and white wine, which put me over the edge. I’ll have to return to il Canale to try the rest of their dishes, especially the Filetto in Padella, filet mignon served with sautéed spinach, potatoes in a porto wine reduction, served of course with a glass of their Falanghina, Campania vino blanco. —Ashley Estill

il Canale: 1063 31st St. NW, DC; 202-337-4444; www.ilcanaledc.com

 Patty Boom Boom
As if to answer the crooned call of reggae regal Bob Marley comes Patty Boom Boom — and “people get ready to feel alright” at this U Street mash-up of Caribbean eats and beats. Don your Rasta head wrap, suck down a Red Stripe tallboy and jam out like you’re in Jamaica. Shake your boom boom daily at 11:30 a.m. until 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday. —Melissa Howsam

Patty Boom Boom: 1359 U St. NW, DC; 202-629-1712

Puro Café
This whitewashed, Euro-inspired nosh and sip spot brings the posh and politesse of Paris — the city, not the heiress — to Wisconsin Ave. A nod to its simple-and-fresh quest, Puro’s brand is in its name. So, go au naturale by copping a squat at a tree stump in this chic oasis; get nutty for Nutella with Nutellino — a Nutella-swirled espresso drink — or put a “giggle in your talk” with a lacy Chantilly Panini. Perkin’ you up daily, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. —Melissa Howsam

Puro Café: 1529 Wisconsin Ave. NW, DC; 202-787-1937; www.purocafe.com

Rogue States
“Now and Zen” you get “Curried Away,” which just might be the case with Lima-famed Raynold Mendizabal’s newest barn-burner and aptly named burgers. Inside these barn-wood walls, the trad-gone-mad fast food patties are as much of an outlaw as a gun-slingin’ Palin on the campaign trail — but, far more bangin’. Wash down the quick eats in chic seats with beer or sweet potato fries. It’s also a great place to grab a bite late-night as they are open from 11 a.m. until 5 a.m. daily! —Melissa Howsam

Rogue States: 1300 Connecticut Ave. NW, DC; 202-296-2242; www.aburgergrillingcompany.com

Sauca
Rackin’ up street cred and wheelin’ out global goodies, this streetwise bites bus is at once sophisticated and hip. A mobile techno-food fusion, Sauca (pronounced “saw-suh”) dishes everything from pond-jumping eats to beats to bleeps — you can even make international calls with Sauca tokens. The resto-ride will be roaming a street near you daily breakfast to dinner. Get the location lowdown online or via Twitter @eatSauca.com. Late night service is expected to be added in the spring. —Melissa Howsam

Sauca: 202-609-7207; www.eatsauca.com

NOTABLE

OnBoard Tours
OnBoard Sightseeing Tours has unleashed a new project for those that love bar crawls but hate taking cabs to five different bars in a night. With the introduction of DC Party Shuttle, OnBoard tours plans to be your guide to getting around DC’s nightlife. Your ticket price includes admission to seven of DC’s hottest clubs; VIP, no-line access; free or half-priced drinks at a dozen bars; unlimited transportation around DC all night; and transportation between DC and the National Harbor. An unlimited pass is just $49. The DC Party Shuttle operates between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, plus Sunday nights on major holiday weekend. Stops include Georgetown, Washington Circle, Logan Circle, Connecticut & M Street, Adams Morgan, U Street, Chinatown and the National Harbor. For more information, visit www.OnBoardDCTours.com.

Lounge 201
For the first time, Lounge 201 is going to have the March Madness package. Opening early for some of the games, Lounge 201 will also be offering half-price draft beers and $10 flatbread pizzas during the games. Get your basketball coverage and some good eats while you cheer for your alma mater.

Lounge 201: 201 Massachusetts Ave. NW, DC; 202-544-5201; www.lounge201.com

Meridian Pint
John Andrade, owner of Asylum, has opened his second bar in Petworth. Enter Meridian Pint, a two-story dwelling full of vegetarian and vegan food.

Meridian Pint: 3400 11th St. NW, DC; www.meridianpint.com

Velocity Five
Velocity Five has expanded their brand with the opening of a new lake side location at the Trinity Center in Centreville, VA. The fourth Velocity Five location, the Centreville spot will boast 40 large flat screen HDTV’s, state-of-the-art surround sound, two large full service bars, a heated outdoor bar, dining and smoking areas and nightly entertainment.

Velocity Five: 5825 Trinity Parkway, Centreville, VA; 703-825-7080; www.velocityfiverestaurant.com

Zentan
If you’re a sushi fan, this is for you. On Wednesday, March 3, Zentan will host an exploration of sushi with author Trevor Corson, the only “Sushi Concierge” in the U.S. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. the five-course dinner will include Zentan’s signature dishes, sushi and premiere sake for $59 per person. For reservations, call 202-379-4366.

Zentan: 1155 14th St. NW, DC; 202-379-4366; www.zentanrestaurant.com