Tuesday’s Feature: New Restaurant Openings

Masa 14 Dining Room - Photo Courtesy of Thrillist

Even in today’s tough economy, miraculously somehow the local DC metropolitan area restaurant industry has managed to bode relatively well despite the downturn. It is even more astounding that there have been so many restaurants opening this fall. The following includes a brief listing of recent restaurant openings:

Kellari Taverna – Owner Stavros Aktipis and Partner Gregory Zapantis have brought their authentic Greek fare and fresh-from-the Mediterranean fish to the nation’s capital from New York City. Executive Chef, Anthony Acinapura will oversee the authentic Mediterranean fare menu featuring specialty appetizers designed for sharing and fresh seafood. Kellari, Greek for “wine cellar”, will feature an extensive collection of Greek and international wines. In the space formerly occupied by Restaurant K by Alison Swope, the 7,500 sqft space has been re-designed by New York designer, Yianni Skordas of Skordas Design Studio to create a warm and inviting European feeling.  Kellari boasts a new ambient lounge and bar, a chef’s table, and a wine cellar. Location: 1700 K Street NW; tel: (202) 535-5274

Masa 14 – Chef Richard Sandoval, who brought us his marriage of Latin-Asian flavors, Zengo has partnered with award winning Chef Kazuhiro “Kaz” Okochi of Kaz Sushi Bistro to bring us their new joint concept serving Latin and Asian small plates. After several months of anticipation, the 5,000 square foot restaurant just north of Logan Circle opened on Monday, October 12, 2009. The menu includes seafood dishes, meat and poultry, noodles and rice, to tacos to wood-oven flatbread pizzas ranging in price from $6 to $14. Antonio Burrell will serve as the Chef de Cuisine, formerly of the CommonWealth Gastro Pub in Columbia Heights. His career also includes working for six years at Vidalia and Bistro Bis under Chef/Owner Jeffrey Buben. Location: 1825 14th Street, NW; tel:  (202) 328-1414  

Red Curry – The family-owned Mai Thai restaurant on King Street in Old Town, Alexandria has opened a new 200+ seat pan-Asian style restaurant in the former 100 King space a so-called cursed location.  Red Curry will offer fine dining establishment with a sushi bar, and dishes representing the best of all Asian countries–Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, India, and Vietnam. On the menu includes: Sushi — selections include nigiri/sashimi/maki, plus signature rolls like the spicy tuna/crab/avocado/fish roe “Union”, the salmon/squid/fried yellowtail/Tobiko “Shogun” and the “Sumo”, stuffed with lump crab. Heartier fare includes “Asian Grill” items like the salmon/shrimp/scallop/pineapple Coconut Curry Seafood and the asparagus/zucchini/peppers Laos Steak, as well as house specials including the lemongrass/leek/okra/tumalie chili sauce Chicken Peppercorn, and Korean-style “Incheon Bulgogi”. Location: 100 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia; tel: (703) 739-9600

SeventhHILL -The owners of Montmartre took over the space next door which was formerly a Ben & Jerry’s and re-designed the inside into a galley pizzeria. Despite the French ownership, all of SeventhHill’s pizzas on the menu are named after nearby Capitol Hill locations, such as Navy Yard and Eastern Market and range in price from $9.95-10.95 for an 8″ and $15.95-16.95 for a 12″. Diners many also custom-top their pies, or go for the Soup-du-Jours or daily panini that use bread fresh-baked in the same brick oven. Location: 327 7th St., SE, Washington, DC 20003. tel: (202) 544-1911

The Reserve – The former Ollie’s Trolley L Street location which has served as a Washington landmark for over 30 years has been reopened after being renovated and renewed to reveal the new Reserve- a 140-seat restaurant/wine bar/lounge by owner and night life veteran, Moe Hamdan. The large and alluring grand castle doors invite patrons to step into the warm and seductive style of the Reserve with finished brick walls, santos mahogany hardwood floors, marble table tops, brushed spiral metal staircases and custom oak wood floors. The newly appointed Executive Chef, Frederik De Pue, a Belgian native will execute Reserve’s new menu of international tapas menu offering tapas such as beef tartar, confided duck pancakes, crusted black sesame tuna, and guinea hen jalousie, there is something for every palate on the menu. In addition, Reserve’s in house sommelier, Olivier Ledoux will preside over his handpicked 100 wines from all regions of the world. Meet Ledoux for his Wine Down Wednesdays – weekly wine tastings that will be hosted by select wineries to educate guests. Location: 1426 L Street, NW; tel: (202) 628-8900)

•  Masa 14–
• SeventhHILL –
• Sou’Wester –
• Bibiana Osteria Enoteca –
• Blue Ridge

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