Ripple’s dining room goes dark on June 24. (Photo by Joy Asico)
Perennial Cleveland Park favorite Ripple (3417 Connecticut Ave. NW) is about to make its final splash after seven years of seasonal fare, fine wine, and grilled cheese sandwiches at the bar. It’s the latest blow for the neighborhood, which in recent years has lost Lavandou French bistro, Frank Ruta’s Palena, and the original Dino’s restaurant, which will now become a 7-11.
In an email to customers, the restaurant wrote that, “Despite a great sense of pride and accomplishment for everything that our team has achieved over the last seven years, the reality of a slowing business means we will no longer be able to serve our guests in Cleveland Park.”
The restaurant’s last service will be dinner on June 24. Ripple is also known for its wine program, and it plans to offer half-price deals on some its rare and expensive wines as the clock ticks down.
Ripple opened in June 2010 with chef Logan Cox behind the kitchen. That paved the way for chef Marjorie-Meek Bradley, who maintained Ripple’s focus on refined, seasonal plates and fresh ingredients. She went on to gain fame through Bravo TV’s Top Chef show as well as other D.C. restaurants Roofer’s Union (2446 18th St. NW) and Smoked & Stacked (1239 9th St. NW).
Meek-Bradley left the restaurant in December 2016 to focus on other ventures, though it’s hard to say how much of an impact that had. Her replacement, Ryan Ratino, evolved the menu further and received acclaim from local critics, snagging a 2017 RAMMY nomination for “Rising Culinary Star of the Year.” Ratio told the Washington City Paper yesterday that he plans to stay in D.C. and work on new projects.
No matter your feelings toward the restaurant, the closing is a stark reminder that businesses rely on local support to survive.
“We grew up around here, we live around here, and we hope for the best for everyone along the strip between Macomb and Porter,” the owners wrote. “We know that many of our neighbors are also suffering, and we encourage you to support these local businesses and restaurants.”
