Hot summer D.C. bar and restaurant openings to try now
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Little Birdie's caviar-topped chicken nugget is a peckish indulgence. Photo: Courtesy of LeadingDC
A flurry of late June and early July openings brought fresh bars and restaurants to the D.C. area, from neighborhood taverns and coffee shops to splashy steakhouses.
Why it matters: Checking out a cool new restaurant > Braving summer heat.
Here's what we're checking out.
Little Birdie | Alexandria
From the team behind Matt & Tony's comes a playful, chicken-centric spot that leans into accessible indulgence.
- Think crispy chicken sandwiches on Japanese milk bread, caviar-topped nuggets and a shareable "tendie tower" piled with sidewinder fries, slaws and dipping sauces. Go for lunch, brunch or dinner, with boozy punches served any time for flock fun.
Café Cino | Bridge District
After three-plus years inside Dupont's PLNTR, husband-and-wife team Ron Collins and Carolina Meurkens have expanded their cafe to a brick-and-mortar in Southeast D.C.
- The neighborhood spot serves single-origin coffee alongside espresso drinks, smoothies and sweet and savory pastries. The owners are fundraising for an all-day "brother concept," Nico's Kitchen, for Brazilian and global fare.
Oak Room and Bernadette's | Georgetown
Georgetown's latest splashy opening comes from Ten Five Hospitality (Desert 5 Spot, Mother Wolf) and James Beard-winning chef Tim Hollingsworth.
- Downstairs is an upscale American grill carving koji-rubbed prime rib, dover sole and chocolate pudding pie; upstairs is a candlelit supper club serving cocktails, caviar and raw bar, and late-night tunes. A seasonal outdoor wine bar, The Garden, completes the three-part concept.
The Angie | Ballston
A spinoff of D.C.'s popular Bar Angie brings its all-day American bistro format to Ballston, with burgers, sandwiches, seafood plateaus, steaks and plenty of martinis.
- The restaurant is designed to work for everything from a solo lunch at the bar to a celebratory dinner. For special occasions, check out the martini fountain: a vintage absinthe-style dispenser filled with classic gin, vodka or espresso martinis for the table.
The Grace | Shaw
Chef Sanjay Mandhaiya (Pappe) has revived Shaw's former Passenger space as a neighborhood tavern serving elevated comfort food.
- Executive chef Courtney Evans (Netflix's "Next Gen Chef") is behind dishes like crab-and-corn hush puppies and butter-based steak alongside classic cocktails, happy hour and a late-night menu aimed at keeping the former industry hangout's spirit alive.
Oribu | Downtown
The revamped Grand Hyatt's new restaurant blends Japanese and Mediterranean flavors with inspiration from the "Maritime Silk Road."
- Chef Joevel Magpantay's menu pairs hamachi crudo and spicy tuna crispy rice with octopus à la plancha and drinks ranging from sake to European wines in a rattan-accented space.
Tenley Provisions | Tenleytown
Former late night-legend Steak 'n Egg has been reimagined as a food hall-style neighborhood hub with three local concepts under one roof.
- Stop by Sofie's for crêpes and all-day breakfast, El Jefe Woodfired Pizza for handcrafted pies, and Bistro Metzger for global pub grub like fish and chips and bánh mì from Wolfgang Puck alum Colin Graham. Nearly everything is available for dine-in or takeout, plus a family- and dog-friendly patio.