A Splashy Stephen Starr Mission Leads DC’s Greatest New Eating places

Massive names returned with new concepts this month in DC, led by power-restaurateur Stephen Starr, who debuted El Presidente, a killer spot with a superb, Mexico Metropolis-inspired menu. In the meantime, Kwame Onwuachi shares an interim challenge earlier than his full return in 2024, whereas Ashok Bajaj launches his newest for the Knightsbridge Restaurant Group, an eclectic wine-and-food spot incomes consideration for whimsical pairings (suppose: an Almond Pleasure and a glass of Sauternes.) Oh, and also you’ll by no means guess: DC has (one other) new meals corridor. Learn on for particulars. 

Union Market

You might or might not know Stephen Starr by title, however we promise his affect on the DC eating scene. The artistic pressure behind St. Anselm and a little bit place known as Le Diplomate simply opened El Presidente within the Union Market space (not removed from the aforementioned Anselm). The inside incorporates all kinds of motifs — from a tiki bar-inspired part or the stage-like seating — to spice issues up for patrons seeking to take pleasure in an evening out in beautiful style. Impressed by Mexico Metropolis, the menu presents a wide selection of choices, together with mahi mahi tacos, nachos served on a pizza tray for a greater distributed toppings, a uncooked bar (seafood tower included!) and rather more. Cocktails deal with “agave-forward tequila and mezcal.” Simply the splashiest opening of the month, there’s a stable probability El Presidente is already making the rounds in your IG feeds — and will likely be for fairly a while. 

1255 Union ST NE

Downtown

One other month, one other meals corridor. Only a stone’s throw from the White Home, The Sq. is billing itself as “a world of taste,” bringing collectively a dozen-plus “chef-driven ideas” for a type of culinary city sq.. Spearheaded by Richie Brandenburg (Union Market) and Rubén García (Minibar), The Sq. may have every little thing from drinks from Atrium Bar to grilled veggies and meats at Brasa to seafood at Cashion’s Rendezvous. Anchoring the entire challenge is García’s Casa Teresa, an open-fire Spanish restaurant that honors the grandmother who impressed his love for cooking. 

1850 Ok St NW

The Wharf

Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s everlasting return to the DC eating scene will are available in 2024, on the Salamander Lodge — however the interim idea, the aptly named Salamander Grille, is not any slouch. Helmed by government chef Marco Fossati, who received his begin in Italian kitchens earlier than shifting to non-public eating golf equipment like Harry’s Bar and Anabel’s, the Grille makes a speciality of handmade pasta, seafood and chosen butcher’s cuts. Drinks clock in round $24 and embrace a martini with a nori-infused vodka and gin, in addition to the “Maryland Ave” with tequila, ardour fruit liqueur, orange Curacao and extra. 

1330 Maryland Ave SW

Cleveland Park

Little Blackbird, the most recent opening from restaurateur Ashok Bajaj’s Knightsbridge Restaurant Group, comes on acquainted territory: the previous Bindass/Bardeo area. Patrons will discover a various, worldwide choice of wines, with choices from France, South America, Italy, Greece, Israel, Morocco and the U.S. A cheerful, inexperienced inside evokes a winery, with plush seating and a formidable marbled bar. Meals-wise, the menu is simply as eclectic because the wines, that includes socca flatbreads, charcuterie, lamb loin, roasted halloumi and extra. A sequence of “playful pairings” are value a selected shoutout, like cream sherry served with Oreos or a sauv blanc with Cheetos.

3309 Connecticut Ave NW