PROJECTED OPENING: Fall 2021 13th and I Street NW After originially opening on H Street back in 2016, Shawn Sharkey and Stephen Cheung are opening another Pow Pow location in the Northeast Corridor of Washington, with an exact opening date to be announced. Pow Pow is known for its version of "new asian" food. Guests can get excited to enjoy food such as plant-based salads, bowls, and egg rolls the size of an arm. Sticky Rice owner, John Yamashita will be in charge of creating the menu. 

PROJECTED OPENING: October 2021 1825 Capital One Drive South, Tysons, VA The Watermark Hotel has announced a new restaurant that will be opening on the eleventh floor of the hotel, Wren, this October. Guests can dining at Wren will be able to experience a bird's eye view of the surrounding city while enjoying the Japanese-American cuisine. Leading this new concept is Chef Yo Matsuzaki, who will draw from locally-grown ingreditents to provide guests with sophiscated cuisine that combines Japanese street food and modern American elements. Luis Mantilla will act as the Beverage Director for Wren, offering guests curated cocktails and local craft beers. For more information, visit The Watermark Hotel's website here. Photo by Greg Powers

PROJECTED OPENING: Fall 2021 7237 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda, MD A new fast-casual, vegetarian taco restaurant, Chaia, is coming to Downtown Bethesda this Fall as a pop-up. Founded by Suzanne Simon and Bettina Stern, Chaia will serve a taco menu including menu options such as braised mushroom, creamy kale and potato, chipotle sweet potato hash, and more. Tacos start at $4.50 per taco. Chaia's food will be cooked at their Chinatown location, and brought to Bethesda to be served. For more information, visit their website here.

PROJECTED OPENING: January 2022 3525 12th Street NE Christine Lilyea, the owner of Slash Run in Petworth, will be opening a similar concept, The Runaway, in D.C.'s Brookland neighborhood early next year. Located in the space formerly home to Steel Plate, this incoming concept is expected to serve pub grub, cocktails, local craft beers, and more. Guests can expect this new spot to have a similar feel to Slash Run, with some of the same menu items while incorporating new options as well. This multi-level space is expected to feature a dedicated music venue side, a dining room, and a patio. For more information, visit their Instagram here.

PROJECTED OPENING: Fall 2021 2100 2nd Street SW Beside The Point will be opening this Fall, right next door to The Point at Buzzard Point. This new spot will operate as a carryout shop, and guests can get excited a variety of specialty items such as Ivy City Smokehouse items, pizza, salads, ice cream, and more. Local craft beers and wine will also be available for carryout. For more information, visit The Point's website here.

PROJECTED OPENING: Winter 2021 3345 Prospect Street NW Virginia-based health food chain, Greenheart Juice Shop, will be opening its first D.C. shop this Winter in Georgetown. Guests can get excited to show menu options such as avocado toast, salads, smoothie bowls, and more. Greenheart Juice Shop also makes all of its products in-house and they have a goal of spending one million dollars nearby farms. The shop will have a bright pink ambiance and neon signage throughout. For more information, visit their website here. 

PROJECTED OPENING: Late 2021 200 Massachusetts Avenue NW Chef Makoto Okuwa and Eric Eden are teaming up to bring a new Japanese food hall to D.C. later this year. Love, Makoto will be a 9,000 square foot concept, located in the new Capitol Crossing. This new food hall will serve as a "love letter" from Okuwa, showcasing all the things he loves about his homeland. While final plans are still in the works, guests can expect a ramen shop, a Japanese bakery, a robata grill, a dining room, and a smaller sushi offering in this food hall.  Photo by PGP

PROJECTED OPENING: September 20th, 2021 11807 Grand Park Avenue, Rockville, MD Call Your Mother, D.C.'s popular "Jew-ish" deli, is set to open its fifth location in Pike and Rose this September. This new 2,283 square foot space will offer pick-up service through online ordering, and on-site ordering will be available Monday through Friday. Similar to their other locations, guests will be able to enjoy menu favorites such as the Royal Palm, which has plain cream cheese, smoked salmon, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and capers. The menu will also feature lunchbox items. For more information, click here.  

PROJECTED OPENING: Fall 2021 1817 M Street NW Dina Daniel will be opening a second Fava Pot location on M Street this Fall, replacing OKI Bowl D.C. The menu will be similar to that of the Union Market location but will include some specialities. This downtown location will also have the fast casual restaurant feel . Guests can get excited to try menu options such as scratch falafel, kebab bowls, kofta sandwiches, and more. This small space will have 12 seats and a limited amount of seats outside. For more information, visit their website here.

PROJECTED OPENING: Late 2021 900 16th Street NW Restauranteur Hakan Ilhan has announced he will be opening a new concept, Il Piatto, in the space formerly home to Mirabelle later this year. Christ Lanydrek will serve as the Executive Chef for this new restaurant, helping to serve an approachable Italian menu that is a modern take on classic Italian cuisine. Some menu highlights include Fettucine alla Bolognese, Meatball Cacciatore, Chicken Parmesean, and more. Ilhan has also prepared a beverage menu for Il Piatto, offering wines from both Italy and America, ranging from $35.00 to $250.00. For more information, visit their website here. Photo by Rey Lopez