All Your 2011 Restaurant Openings to Look Forward To (Part 1)

courtesy of Tricia BarbaIf you love food as much as I do, then you eagerly track what DC restaurants are opening plus where and when. With this list, we hope to do that work for you, so that all you have to do is head to the new place and try it out!

I included every restaurant I knew of, but I’m obviously not perfect. So please email me at Tricia@welovedc.com or send me a tweet at @SoooDC if I’m missing something. I’m always up for gossip too! This list is your list.

Bullfeathers

If there’s such a thing as a Capitol Hill watering-hole, Bullfeathers is it.  House staffers and lawmakers who have missed this mainstay, can stop worrying because the hangout is reopening on January 24. The new Bullfeathers is now owned by the team behind Stoney’s, Tunnicliff’s Tavern, and Ulah Bistro. It will be fun seeing what trademarks from those restaurants make it over to Bullfeathers.

410 First St. SE

Arrival: January 24, 2011

Mandu

The popular Korean restaurant did so well in Dupont Circle that is is opening up in City Vista too.  Mandu was started by the Lee family — mother Yesoon and children Jean & Danny.  They saw many traditional Korean restaurants in the suburbs (hello, Annandale) but none in the District.  Mandu means dumpling in Korean, and here you can find beef & pork, shrimp, and vegetable dumplings.

475 K St. NW

Twitter: @ManduDC

Arrival: January 24

Jack Rose

This new upscale restaurant/lounge is expected to open in late January 2011, and we can’t wait for parking in Adams Morgan to get even harder to find. At the site of an old gym, I bet this 2-story and almost six thousand square feet building will be a new hot spot on the “strip.” One of the minds behing this venture is Bill Thomas, also the owner of Bourbon and Breadsoda.  The other is Michael Hartzer, who’s worked at Citronelle and IndeBleu. I wonder if the classic cocktail will always be on special.

2007 18th St NW.

Twitter: @JackRoseinDC

Expected Arrival: Late January 2011
Photo Courtesty Serendipity
Serendipity 3

One can never have too much ice cream, I guess. This dessert mecca based in New York was originally expected in the spring of 2010 in Nathan’s old home, but we hear that it will now start scooping (get ready for long lines, people!) in January or February.  Remember that Serendipity does have food other than ice cream, including salads, pastas and burgers. The New York institution is a favorite of politicos (Sarah Palin loves the hotdogs), so maybe you could head out if you’re looking for sightings. Who’s running the place? That would be L2’s Rodrigo Garcia and Rhino’s Britt Swan, so expect a lot of personality!

3150 M St. NW

Twitter: @Serendipity3DC

Expected Arrival: January/February 2011

Roti Mediterranean Grill

The NoMa BID is definitely staying busy.  Standing between Potbelly and Tynan Coffee & Tea, the 2,386-square-foot space at Constitution Square will offer healthy foods.  You can choose between Falafel, Mediterranean rice bowls, and toppings like eggplant and olives.  Hello lunch line.  This will be the area’s second location.

1275 First St. NW

Twitter: @RotiUSA

Expected Arrival: February 2011

District of Pi Pizzeria

Coming to us straight from St. Louis is District of Pi Pizzeria. The restaurant prides itself in its award winning deep and thin crust pizzas, and attention vegans, they also have vegan cheese. On an even better note, District of Pi will have a mobile pizza truck too — surprise. Story has it that our most famous resident loves this pizzeria, with Pres. Obama placing a call to owner Chris Sommers thanking him for the pizza.  Mathematicians, remember that pi is the ratio of a circle’s diameter to its circumference, as the restaurant’s website tells us.

914 F St. NW

Twitter: @pi_dc

Expected Arrival: February 2011

Toki Underground

If you’ve been waiting for DC’s “first Taiwanese Ramen & Dumpling House,” then you’re in luck.  Not only will Toki stay open until 5am on the weekend (!) but it will also feature some delicious sounding dishes.  Think charred pork belly and Ramen topped with pork slices. Chef and restaurateur Erik Bruner-Yang is no stranger to H St as he was the kitchen manager at Sticky Rice.  Fyi, Toki Underground is actually ABOVE ground, on top of The Pug to be exact.

1234 H St. NE

Twitter: @TokiUnderground

Expected Arrival: Early February 2011

The Queen Vic

The restaurant trend on H St NE just keeps moving forward. Owner Ryan Gordon tells us this British gastropub was named after a bar in the British soap, EastEnders. Originally expected to be up and running last year, The Queen Vic will finally get to open its doors between February 15-26. What can you look for on the menu? English breakfast, game meat, cornish pasties, and, of course, British ale.

1206 H St. NE

Twitter: @QueenVicDC

Expected Arrival: February 15-26

photo courtesty Bobby's Burger Palace

Hill Country BBQ

How much love can Penn Quarter get?  This New York joint is coming to DC thanks to Bethesda native Marc Glosserman.  DC seems to do well with self-serve restaurants and can we can definitely use another place for biscuits, baked beans, and Blue Bell ice cream.  Developer Tom Papadopolous (who also had a hand with Bobby’s Burger Palace) hints that there might also be other projects on the way.  Hmmm.  Howdy.

410 7th St. NW

Expected Arrival: Mid-March 2011

Unnamed Restaurant #1

I hate unnamed restaurants because I rack my mind trying to think of a cool name, and am instead always reminded about how painfully NOT creative I am.  Aman Ayoubi of Local 16 plans to open this unnamed restaurant and lounge in early 2011.  The Feast first reported that the building at the corner of 14th and U will feature a restaurant and lounge on the second and third floors (expected to open in January), a basement club similar to 18th Street Lounge (expected in March), plus a roof deck in the spring.  With Adamstein & Demetriou hired for design, whatever concept Ayoubi has will surely be executed well.  We hear he’s also planning another restaurant as well…

2001 14th St. NW

Expected Arrival: Early 2011

Lincoln Restaurant

I was hoping this restaurant would open the day of President Lincoln’s birthday in February, but alas, everything is still on schedule with a projected March 2011 opening. At the site of the old Il Mulino, the upscale-casual Lincoln Restaurant will serve contemporary American food on small plates. The team behind this restaurant also runs the popular Hudson’s, with Chef Demetrio Zavala running both kitchens, so it looks like we will not be disappointed.  In the meantime, you can check out the restaurant’s progress on Facebook.

1110 Vermont Ave. NW

Expected Arrival: March 2011

901 Restaurant & Bar

Personally I love the creativity of naming a place after the street address. I kid, I actually DO like it because then I always know where to go.  901 promises “edgy urban dining,” and contemporary fusion tapas. 901 comes to you from David Van Storch, also the owner of Vida Fitness, Capitol City Brewing Company and the hair salon, Bang. The executive chef is no stranger either, but Tom Hall of Passion Foods LLC.

901 9th St. NW

Expected Arrival: Mid-April 2011

Bobby’s Burger Palace

When I think what food we are missing the most of in DC, I immediately think of hamburgers. Oh, wait, no I don’t. But Bobby’s Burger Palace seems to be a good addition to an already robust burger capital. Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay is bringing his New York restaurant to the site of the old Mr. K’s. The Food Network star already owns 5 restaurants, and a little bird tells us he might not just stop at one in DC.  With his ten burger offerings, looks like you won’t be able to go wrong at the Palace.  Plus, you gotta love hot peppers on burgers.

2121 K St. NW

Expected Arrival: Mid-April 2011

Watershed Restaurant

If you’re a fan of their Equinox, Chef Todd Gray and his wife Ellen, are counting on you to check out their new Watershed Restaurant in NoMa’s Hilton Garden Inn.  The on-site seafood restaurant will offer a seasonal and Eastern Shore inspired menu, so think clam chowder, hush puppies, and more.  The shrimp and crab burger looks very, very promising.  Watershed is a very welcome addition to NoMo, no doubt.

Expected Arrival: April 22, 2011
Photo Courtesy Chef Gillian Clark
Kitchen on K Street

Chef Gillian Clark’s second DC area locale could be ready before you know it. Because I’m already a fan of her Silver Spring General Store, I know Kitchen on K Street will not disappoint (plus I love a good biscuit). Inside the Loree Grand Building in NoMa, the Kitchen promises to bring back Clark’s popular Colorado Kitchen concept and offer breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a full bar. The NoMa restaurant will offer meatloaf, roasted chicken, and weekend brunches. Clark says in a press release that it will be like “Betty Crocker gone Cordon Bleu.” Love it. Plus with seating for 100 plus a patio, looks like the wait (hopefully) won’t be too bad.

250 K St. NE

Twitter: @ChefGillianInDC

Expected Arrival: Spring 2011

Senart’s Oyster House

Xavier Cervera will soon be the man to know on Capitol Hill, owning more restaurants on the always changing Barracks Row than his other competitors. In the spring of 2011 Cervera plans to open Senart’s Oyster House, at the sight of the old veterinary clinic. The restaurant will feature a 45-foot long Oyster Bar, likely constructed with the same craftsmanship found at his other locations.  Remember that Cervera also owns Lola’s Barracks Bar & Grill, Molly Malone’s, and the Chesapeake Room.  Cervera doesn’t plan to stop there; he’s also working on a chophouse-type concept for, where else but 8th St, later this year.

520 8th St SE

Expected Arrival: Spring 2011

Stay tuned for more tomorrow…

Tricia is a native Washingtonian, born and raised in Columbia Heights. She loves DC so much that she was only able to leave the city for one year after college and immediately came running back. Tricia works in PR during the day, and spends her nights trying out new restaurants in DC with friends or watching The Good Wife, Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice. Tricia recently decided to eat her way though all of Zagat’s 2011 restaurants until she realized she would be old and broke by the time she finished. Follow her on Twitter and email her at Tricia (at) welovedc.com.

12 thoughts on “All Your 2011 Restaurant Openings to Look Forward To (Part 1)

  1. Anyone know what’s to come of the space at 9th and E where Soho used to be? Or the former d’Acqua or Manhattan Deli spaces at 801 Penn? Inquiring minds are…inquiring.

  2. Pingback: Tweets that mention All Your 2011 Restaurant Openings to Look Forward To (Part 1) » We Love DC -- Topsy.com

  3. Pingback: Tweets that mention All Your 2011 Restaurant Openings to Look Forward To (Part 1) » We Love DC -- Topsy.com

  4. It is amazing. Best calamari in dc. Soussi on 18th and kalorama – so Adams morgn. Hookah bar.

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