The upstairs seating area at the new Ten Tigers Parlour. (Photo by Mykl Wu/Fatback Media)
There’s more Petworth restaurant news to report. This time it’s Ten Tigers Parlour (3815 Georgia Ave. NW), a new casual Chinese tea house and bar opening Saturday, Dec. 10 at 5 p.m.
The restaurant features a Victorian-era decor and replaces the original Chez Billy, which closed in August.It’s a project from restaurateurs Ian and Eric Hilton, Scott Herman (former general manager at U Street Music Hall), and Chef Tim Ma (Kyirisan). Unlike Chez Billy, which struggled to fit into the neighborhood as an upscale spot, Ten Tigers Parlour is designed to be a casual location for lunch, tea, dinner, or cocktails.
“We really want this to be an everyday place, if you were so inclined,” says Ma, who is chef and owner at Kyirisan in Shaw and Arlington’s Water & Wall. “It’s your anti-special occasion restaurant.”
The food takes inspiration from the Chinese street food Ma ate growing up (though he’s quick to give Herman credit for developing the concept). Even before opening, Ma has seen the soup dumplings ($12 for an order of two), in varieties like pork and chive and beef and carrot celery, already drawing interest. Some of the other options include bao buns ($9 for two), and a selection of noodles ($11) and rice donburi bowls ($10). Pastry chef Mollie Bird will offer desserts such as egg tarts, almond breads, and other selections.
Ten Tigers also has a robust beverage program. Think everything from boba tea to Vietnamese iced coffees and a wide variety of hot teas. Specialty cocktails such as the Mekong Manhattan and Singapore Sling will all be priced at $10 each.
Above all, Ten Tigers hopes to be a true neighborhood hangout for everything from an afternoon tea to a late-night dinner among friends. There will be Wi-Fi, plenty of plugs, and simple, easy cooking.
Ten Tigers Parlour is located at 3813 Georgia Avenue NW. It will be open from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday. On Friday and Saturdays, the kitchen will be open from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. and the bar will stay open through 3 a.m.
