There’s never a dull moment in D.C.’s food scene, with new restaurants and producers opening on what seems like a daily basis. By the time you manage to snag a seat at the city’s hottest restaurant, something even trendier has already popped up.
All that movement is hard to keep track of, even for the most devoted food and dining enthusiast, so it’s a win whenever a group of up-and-coming restaurants can get together in one place, which is exactly what went down at the “New Kitchens on the Block” party at the Mess Hall culinary incubator on July 31. Eight restaurants and producers gathered to showcase their food and give the city a taste of what to expect in the coming months and weeks.
DCist stopped by to check in on the city’s dining pipeline. There was plenty to sample, including dishes from Gravitas, a local American restaurant coming to Ivy City later this year, and Rooster & Owl, opening in 2017. Here are five things we’re most looking forward to:
1. Top Chef-caliber breakfast sandwiches
If there’s one thing D.C. sorely lacks, it’s decent breakfast (read: not brunch) options. Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley’s (Ripple, Roofer’s Union) forthcoming Smoked & Stacked (1239 9th St. NW) will serve a variety of sandwiches, including a breakfast sandwich with pastrami, runny egg, Comte, and hot pepper jelly served on homemade milk bread. There’s no official opening date, but Meek-Bradley says September is a good bet.
2. Cuban food and creative cocktails
The new Cuban cafe Colada Shop is preparing to open two locations: one in Sterling, Virginia (21430 Epicerie Plaza) and the other at 1405 T Street NW. It’s a project from Barmini veteran Juan Coronado and partner Daniella Senior. Don’t miss the signature peanut-infused Negroni (yes, peanut) and the classic Cuban guava and cheese pastelitos and croquetas. Expect the Virginia location to open in August and the D.C. spot to follow in October.
3. Farm-fresh “Seed to sip” beer
The District’s craft beer scene continues to grow, and Loudoun County has been a big part of the recent boom. One of the latest additions is Vanish Brewery out of Leesburg (42264 Leelynn Farm Lane), and they were on site with pours of a grapefruit IPA and a juicy tangerine white ale. The brewery produces and farms its own products, including the hops. The beer is currently available only at the brewery—where you can stop in for live music and barbecue—but a move to distribute in D.C. is imminent.
4. Crab nachos, aka the rebirth of Addie’s
Jeff Black’s Addie’s left behind a disappointed group of followers after its Rockville location closed back in 2013, but the good news is that the spot is getting a second life at the Park Potomac development in Potomac, Maryland. They served up a fantastic crab nacho with curried sweet corn and cherry tomatoes at the Mess Hall event. Look for the new menu to incorporate favorites like mussels and a raw bar along with vegan options. No opening date has been announced.
5. Tiki on the D.C. waterfront
Tiki TNT is the brainchild of Todd Thrasher, who’s known for his work in Alexandria at Bar PX and Restaurant Eve. The tiki bar will open along the in-progress Wharf development and be appropriately paired with the rum-focused Potomac Distilling Co. You’ll have to wait a while though, since The Wharf development is still more than a year away from completion.
