As always, On Tap scouts out the restaurants, bars and clubs that are new to the scene, shaking things up or throwing in the towel. Compiled and written by Ashley Estill (AE), Tory Klaubo Patrick (TKP), Melissa Howsam (MH), Kristi Guillory Reid (KGR), Jessica Strelitz (JS) and Shaun Conway (SC).
- NEW -Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca
If restaurateur Ashok Bajaj wants his newest venture Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca to be known for more than its pizza ovens, he has work to do. Not because the rustic Italian menu, ranging from baccala to beef tripe and branzino (deboned tableside), doesn’t have its sparklers -- but because the pizza and calzones are that good. Bajaj has created a space at 1100 New York Ave. that looks like the inside of a west elm set, complete with two dining rooms and a lounge and bar, with total seating for about 120 diners. Nicholas Stefanelli, formerly of Mio and Maestro, and his crew will be swapping out a few plates a week, including locally sourced meats and house-cured salumis, to see what works best. Lunch is served from 11:30-2:30 Monday through Friday; a light menu served after 2:30 in the lounge and bar, which is open until midnight; dinner is served until 11 Monday through Saturday. Closed Sundays. - JS
Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca: 1100 New York Ave., NW, DC; 202-216-9550; www.bibianadc.com
BlackFinn American Saloon
As the hours of the day pass, the Finn’s persona adapts – whether it’s for game watching, client lunching, happy hour swilling, or late night carousing. In constant conversion, the Finn’s space is sleek, open and inviting, housing two bars and a sizable dining space, 30 large flat panel TVs - including panels in every booth – and a premier sound system. This mod city saloon is complemented by an extensive, modestly priced menu of fresh, chef-prepared contemporary American fare, and classic to creative brews, wines, and libations. Open daily from 11-2 a.m., specials range from a lunch menu priced largely at $6.99, to Happy Hour $2 Miller Lite drafts, $3 wells, a $4.95 pizza menu, and a $8.95 burger menu. Mondays, delight in $3 Domestics. Tuesdays, imbibe surely sinful ½ price martinis, 7pm-close, and join in upcoming Trivia Nights. “Wine Down Wednesdays” with ½ off all bottles of wine in the dining room, or enjoy a $4 draft from 7pm-close, and future Acoustic Nights. Thursdays, ladies can again indulge in half-price martinis, 7 p.m. to close. - MH
BlackFinn American Saloon: 1620 I St., NW, DC; 202-429-4350; www.blackfinndc.com
Eola
New to P Street, Eola opened their doors to the public on September 17. This restaurant that features artwork, amazing food, and a variety of beverages will soon be another hot spot to add to your list of places to dine. A huge supporter of the arts, Eola features the artwork of Lee Dunkel, an environmental and landscape photographer, throughout the first floor dining room. Visit Eola and dine on appetizers like their Chicken Consomme, Char Grilled Ricotta Salata, or entrees like the Duroc Pork Duo and Coho Salmon. Top off your meal with any number of their sweet accents that are perfect for whatever your sweet tooth is craving. - TKP
Eola: 2020 P St., NW, DC; 202-466-4441; www.eoladc.com
Forno
Forno Italian Oven & Grill is now open in Ashburn. The new Italian restaurant features appetizers that range from fried calamari and Prince Edward mussels to jumbo bruschetta and raw Angus beef carpaccio. Their entrees are mostly made up of pizza and pasta, with pasta including single or family portions for those who don’t travel light. The menu is courtesy of D’Acqua chefs Enzo Febbraro and Francesco Ricchi and offers up some twists to traditional dishes. Even better, if you bring your kids, Forno allows kids to make their own pizza to be baked in the oven.
Forno: 43150 Broadlands Center Plaza, Ashburn, VA; 703-723-2922; www.fornoashburn.com
G Street Food
Mere steps from the White House, G Street Food , the brainchild of Mark Furstenberg and owned by the Choi family, is uniquely un-DC with its international “street food.” G STREET’s interior boasts sleek lines of unfinished wood and “One Way” signs to channel the authenticity of street cars, whose vendors dole out local comfort foods, be it empanadas in Latin America, papusas in India, or savory pancakes in China. The eclectic menu features categories of street food (like stuffed breads or sausages) and each day has a different version of each category (Monday=North African sausage, Tuesday=Chicago hot dog). The menu is set to expand based on demand. Open from 7 AM (for all those early birds) until 4-ish, G STREET seats 58 inside and has ample outside seating, which should be available nearly year-round thanks to heat lamps. - SC
G Street Food: 1706 G St. NW, Washington, DC; 202-408-7474; www.gstreetfood.com
Plume
Since 1923, the Jefferson has been a fixture in Washington on the corner of 16th and M Streets, NW. And now, after an almost two and a half year renovation, the Jefferson Hotel has reopened. New to The Jefferson Hotel, Plume is one of the area’s premier restaurants headed by award-winning Executive Chef Damon Gordon. When you walk into Plume, you will notice the many sketches of Monticello, President Jefferson’s home for 56 years. Chef Gordon has taken painstaking care to create a contemporary menu that reflects the types of foods that Jefferson was known for but also created a menu described as “lite contemporary fare” made from local ingredients described by Gordon as “classic dishes with modern execution.” The menu, which will change seasonally, has a range of items such as risotto with lamb, filet of bass and filet of dry aged beef. A daily tasting menu is available. Chef Gordon has big plans for Plume and his eye for great local fare will entice even the pickiest palates in DC. - KGR
Plume at The Jefferson Hotel: 1200 16th St. NW, DC; 202-448-2322; www.jeffersondc.com
The Reserve
The Reserve, a modern fusion tapas restaurant has now opened on L street with owner Mo Hamdan and executive chef Frederik De Pue at the helm. With a menu that changes seasonally, look for items like the crusted black sesame tuna, guinea hen jalousie, or the beef tartar as delicious options. The restaurant décor includes hardwood floors, finished brick, and contemporary furnishings. Seating about 200, The Reserve has plenty of room for their lunch, dinner or lounge goers. The Reserve: 1426 L St. NW, DC; 202-628-8900
Seventh Hill Pizza
Let’s be honest, you can never have enough pizza places nearby. Well add one more to the Eastern Market neighborhood because Seventh Hill Pizza is now on 7th Street. The owners of Monmarte, located next to Seventh Hill, recently opened Seventh Hill, featuring brick oven delights. In addition to pizza, you have the option of enjoying paninis and soup as well. Take out, dine on the patio, either way you’re sure to enjoy whatever you get.
Seventh Hill Pizza: 327 7th St., SE, DC 202-544-1911
- NOTABLE -
701 Restaurant
Ashok Bajaj’s 701 Restaurant has just finished an interior design transformation with newly appointed Executive Chef Adam Longworth taking charge of the kitchen. Taking their updates a step further, 701 has also appointed Roger Potter as the new pastry chef, with Potter whipping up creations that include a Vanilla Angel Food Cake with Sliced Plum Compote and a Chocolate Peanut Pave, just to name a few. Head to the Pennsylvania Avenue hot spot and check out the spectacular and delicious changes for yourself.
701 Restaurant: 701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, DC; 202-393-0701; www.701restaurant.com
Art and Soul
Although summer has come to an end, don’t be sad that Art and Soul’s Crab and Beer Wednesdays has ended too. In order to replace this popular night at Art and Soul, the restaurant is continuing the tradition and replacing it with the Wednesday Patio BBQ Feast. Venture out into the restaurant’s seasonal patio, complete with a fire pit, for a delicious mid-week barbeque. This feat includes a plate piled high with an assortment of smoked and barbequed dishes, all with the appropriate and complimentary sides, for $25 per person.
Art and Soul: 415 New Jersey Ave., NW, DC; 202-393-7777; www.artandsouldc.com
Belga Café
Belga Café will be celebrating their 5th Birthday on Barracks Row, Friday, October 23. To commemorate this event, Chef Bart Vandaele is hosting a weeks worth of activity from Wednesday, October 21 through Tuesday, October 27. Throughout the week, enjoy beer tastings, an authentic Belgian brunch, and a special day featuring “Mussels from Brussels.” On October 21, Chef Bart will prepare a special tasting menu for guests with the help of guest chef Jen Pieter Van Haute, Executive Chef at the Belgian Ambassador’s Residency. On October 23, enjoy Belga’s original menu from 2004, and on October 27, join Chef Bart for a four-course dinner with beer pairing, highlighting some of the 15 new Belgian brews that have arrived. For details or reservations during this special week, call Belga Café at 202-544-0100.
Belga Café: 514 8th St., SE, DC; 202-544-0100; www.belgacafe.com
Birch & Barley
This Logan Circle beer paradise is now open and starting to serve 50-some draft choices, which guests can enjoy either downstairs in the American dining room, or in the upstairs pub, Churnkey. Owner Michael Babin and chef Kyle Bailey have much more planned for this hot spot, so keep them under your radar before they blow up the DC beer scene.
Birch & Barley: 1337 14th St., NW, DC; 202-518-7549
BOURBON Steak
Michael Mina’s restaurant within the exclusive Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown, has already revealed their Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve menus for the upcoming seasons, prepared by Executive Chef David Varley. Thanksgiving Day, BOURBON Steak will offer up an a la carte menu that features a Brown Butter-Basted Maine Lobster and Salt Roasted Prome Rib. On Christmas Eve, be prepared for holiday specials that include a Caviar Parfait with Smoked Salmon, and Roasted Chestnut Soup with Foie Gras. Finally, ring in the new year with your choice of two seatings, and a four-course menu for $80 per person.
BOURBON Steak: 2800 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, DC; 202-944-2026
CommonWealth Gastropub
There are now two more reasons to head to CommonWealth, the Gastropub in Columbia Heights that is as interesting as it is delicious. On Sunday, October 4 and 18, CommonWealth will feature a trivia night, hosted by neighborhood quiz master Dalton Hirshorn. Be there by 6:30 p.m. to make sure you can compete. Come back on Tuesday night as the Gastropub introduces BritComs Night & Late Night Happy Hour beginning at 10 p.m., an evening that features the best of British television comedies and drink specials.
CommonWealth Gastropub: 1400 Irving St., NW, DC; 202-265-1400; www.cwgastropub.com
Et Voila
Chef and Owner of Et Voila, Claudio Pirello, is bringing a handful of hearty dishes back to Et Voila, just in time for the season to change. Pirello will bring the autumnal cuisine of Belgium to this DC spot, showcasing dishes ilke Waterzooi, a warming stew of fresh fish, potatoes and vegetables, as well as Housemade Lamb Sausage with Creamed Potatoes and Chimay Cheese. Additionally, Pirello will introduce several culinary concoctions with chestnuts, a signature of Belgium.
Et Voila: 5120 MacArthur Blvd., NW, DC; 202-237-2300; www.etvoiladc.com
Evo Bistro
Evo Bistro, the wine and tapas bistro of McLean, is so popular that they’ve had to expand their restaurant to next door. The Mediterranean bistro is usually packed, however this new expansion will allow plenty of room for guests to enjoy Evo Bistro’s delicious food, while maintaining the quaintness of the venue.
Evo Bistro: 1313 Old Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, VA; 703-288-4422; www.evobistro.com
Harry’s Tap Room
Alex Reyes from Babalu Grill in Baltimore and the Caucus Room has been named Corporate Executive Chef for Harry’s Tap Room. On tap for Reyes, he will be changing the menu seasonally, working with local farmers, and host cooking classes at the Pentagon City location. In addition, for those close to Clarendon, Reyes will offer a tasting menu to serve at the Chef’s table with advance reservations.
Harry’s Tap Room: Locations vary, visit www.harrystaproom.com for restaurants and hours.
Inox Restaurant
As the seasons begin to change, so has the menu at Inox Restaurant. Now boasting a heartier menu in time for Fall, Inox now introduces their Potage of Green Lentils with Salt-Cured Foi Gras and Braised Pork Belly with Black Eyed Peas and Swiss Chard. There are several other creative dishes on hand at the McLean restaurant, which include lamb and rabbit. It will take you several trips to eat your way through this hearty menu.
Inox Restaurant: 1800 Tysons Blvd., McLean, VA; 703-790-4669; www.inoxrestaurant.com
Jose Andres Catering with Ridgewells
Chef Jose Andres with his company ThinkFoodGroup and CEO of Ridgewells Catering Susan Lacz have partnered up to launch Jose Andres Catering with Ridgewells. The new venture will feature cuisine found in Jose’s popular ThinkFoodGroup restaurants like Jaleo, and Café Atlantico. Just in time for the holiday season, check out all that this new catering company has to offer at www.joseandrescatering.com.
Legal Sea Foods
Prepare to be shell chocked. Through October 17, Legal Sea Foods is celebrating everything oysters with special menu features, in addition to a special signature cocktail. Legal’s menu will feature oysters on the half shell at $2.25 per oyster, or the Oyster Choister, featuring a selection of varieties, priced at $12.95 for a six-piece, and $25.95 for the 12-piece. Taking it a step further, top off your meal with the Belvedere Deadrise cocktail, the perfect cocktail to compliment your seafood plate.
Legal Sea Foods: 704 7th St., NW, DC; 202-347-0007; 2301 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA; 703-415-1200; Tysons Galleria, McLean, VA; 703-827-8900; www.legalseafoods.com
Madhatter
Rumor has it that Madhatter, at 1831 M St., will be moving to 1319-1321 Connecticut Ave. this November. Keep on the lookout for the move with even larger party spaces for you to enjoy.
Madhatter: 1831 M St., NW, DC; 202-833-1495; www.madhatterdc.com
Nage Restaurant
Nage welcomes Glenn Babcock to the team, as Chef de Cuisine and co-owner of this popular spot in DC Coming to Nage with a strong background in classical French cuisine and a flair for creative combinations, Chef Babcock is sure to bring innovative features to Nage. Babcock was formerly the sous chef at The Oval Room under Tony Conte.
Nage Restaurant: 1600 Rhode Island Ave., NW, DC; 202-448-8005; www.nagerestaurant.com
Restaurant 3
In honor of the “Week of Bacon,” running from October 21-27, Restaurant 3 has designed a week-long celebration with tastings, festivities and bacon-themed happy hours to pay homage to bacon. Each day during the “Week of Bacon,” enjoy bacon happy hour, featuring bacon bites and $3 craft beer specials. Executive Chef Brian Robinson has also created a three-course menu priced at $30 per person with each course having a unique bacon flare to it.
Restaurant 3: 2950 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, VA; 703-524-4440; www.restaurantthree.com
Social
Joining the scene in the up-and-coming Columbia Heights neighborhood, Social has opened their doors, revealing a family dining meets lounge restaurant. Reminiscent of a home donned with leather couches, dining room chairs, and even sharing plates on the dining side, Social is the perfect spot for dinner, followed by cocktails downstairs in the ultra chic cellar. Open seven nights a week, stop by and see what innovative dishes and drinks they’ve come up with.
Social: 14th St., and Meridian Pl., NW, DC
Spezie Ristorante
Explore Italy through food, culture and wine with Spezie’s Chef, Cesare Lanfranconi. The talented chef is hosting a cooking class/wine seminar and dinner for the all inclusive price of $85, which provides the cooking class, the meal that you help prepare, wine, and a recipe booklet. The Saturday class schedule is from noon to 4 p.m. with available dates of October 17, November 7, and December 5. Be sure to take advantage of Chef Lanfranconi’s talents so you can show off what you learned when you get home.
Spezie Ristorante: 1736 L St., NW, DC; 202-467-0777; www.spezie.com
- NO LONGER -
Black Rooster Pub
After nearly 40 years, the Black Rooster Pub on L Street has been forced to close their doors. The Pub that has been home to a diverse crowd for years, is being kicked out by the building owners who will now lease the space to the Peace Corps. Thank you Black Rooster Pub for years and years of great service!