Openings

Keeping you up to date on the absolute latest in restaurant openings in the DC Metro area.
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ASTRO BEER HALL: SHIRLINGTON
4001 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA Astro Beer Hall has expanded and opened its second location in Shirlington. This 14,000 square-foot concept is a collaboration between Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken Owners Elliott Spaisman and Jeff Halpern and Tin Shop Owners Geoff Dawson and Peter Bayne. This new Shirlington location's decor is similar to its predecessor, and guests can get excited for beer offerings and over-the-top sandwiches and donuts. Guests can also enjoy La Colombe coffee at a full-service counter available at this new spot. This new two-level beer hall features seating for up to 500 guests inside and 140 guests on the large outdoor patio. Various games are available for guests to play as they enjoy their food and drinks. For more information, visit their website here.Photo by Farrah Skeiky 
Openings
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BISTRO DU JOUR: CAPITOL HILL
20 Massachusetts Avenue NW A new Bistro Du Jour location has opened in the base floor of the Royal Sonesta DC: Capitol Hill. This new location is Bistro Du Jour's second outpost. The 6,000 square-foot space features 200 seats, a full bar, and a lounge. You can look forward to enjoying happy hour, breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner here. The menu is more vast than its predecessor at the Wharf, with the menu being 75 percent larger. Some menu highlights you can get excited for include Croque Madame, Fenioul Braise, Soufflé Au Fromage, and much more. The beverage program has also been expanded, with even more classic cocktails getting French twists and an expanded spirits selection. Senovio Pablo serves as the Executive Chef and Darlin Kulla serves as the Beverage Director. For more information, click here.Photo by Rey Lopez
Openings
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LITTLE BLACK BIRD
3309 Connecticut Avenue NW Ashok Bajaj has opened a new wine bar Little Black Bird, in the space formerly home to the original Bindaas in DC’s Cleveland Park neighborhood. This new restaurant features 30 seats in the dining room, as well as 8 seats on the outdoor patio. Executive Chef Ryan Moore oversees the wine bar menu for Little Black Bird. The wine list features about 100 wines by the bottle and 12 wines by the glass. General Manager George Manolatos oversees the cocktail program at Little Black Bird. Some menu options guests can look forward to include Icelandic Cod, Sandwich Bubble, Roasted Squid, and much more. Little Black Bird is open Sunday through Thursday from 5:00 - 9:30 p.m., and Wednesday through Saturday from 5:00 - 10:30 p.m. For more information, click here. Photo by Greg Powers  
Openings
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EL PRESIDENTE
1255 Union Street NE Stephen Starr's new endeavor, El Presidente, has opened at Signal House in Union Market. El Presidente is an ode to Mexico City and ventures beyond the scope of a typical Mexican restaurant. Some menu highlights include Baja-Style Coastal Oysters, Red-Chile Marinated Al Pastor Tacos, Whole Roasted Cauliflower, and more. Each bite is a nod to Mexico's diverse cuisine, and menu options are innovative and many can only be found at this new restaurant. El Presidente boasts three unique rooms (a bar room, a dining room, and a theater room), as well as an extensive patio that seats up to 60 guests. Complementing the food menu is a whimsical beverage program with options such as Sgt. Pepper, Air Force Uno, Michelada, and more. El Presidente is initially opening with dinner service, but will eventually expand to offering brunch and lunch as well. For more information, click here. Photo by Rey Lopez
Openings
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THE SQUARE
1850 K Street NW Richie Brandenburg and Rùben García, in partnership with developer Tishman Speyer, have opened an ambitious new 25,000 square-foot food market destination in downtown DC. This large space, which occupies a full block in Farragut Square, is a collaborative culinary marketplace featuring 16 stalls, a specialty grocery, bar, bakery, and more. The space features both indoor and outdoor seating, a 40-seat atrium, and seats for over 500 diners. The first phase is open and features 7 stalls: Cashion's Rendezvous: Oysters, crab cakes, and strong drinks by Ann Cashion and John Fulchino’s. Jamón Jamón: Hand-cut jamón Iberico, cheeses, croquetas, and charcuterie. Experience iconic Spanish ingredients sourced by Rùben García. Brasa: Grilled sausages and veggies, pan con tomato, and allioli. Chef Rubén García offers Spanish street-food hot off the open-flame. Taqueria Xochi: From the José Andrés Group vets Teresa Padilla and Geraldine Mendoza, Taqueria Xochi serves authentic dishes such as birria, tacos guisados, and street tacos, alongside margaritas and palomas. Yaocho: Fried chicken, deep-sea snapper, superfood juices, sweets, and libations. Bidwell Chef John Mooney brings Polynesian flavors to the mainland. Junge's: Churros and soft serve, sweet and simple. Street food treats inspired by the heritage of The Square visionaries Richie Brandenburg and Rùben García. Atrium Bar: The Square’s central watering hole for good pours and high spirits, Atrium Bar serves cocktails, wine, and beer curated by Beverage Director Owen Thompson. Photo by Scott Suchman  
Openings
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THE ROYAL SONESTA WASHINGTON DC: CAPITOL HILL
20 Massachusetts Avenue NW Sonesta International Hotels Corporation has opened The Royal Sonesta Washington DC in Capitol Hill. This new hotel is the first luxury hotel to open in Capitol Hill since 1984, and offers its guests an elevated hospitality experience with a modern, high-touch approach to service. Some highlights from The Royal Sonesta Capitol Hill include the 10-story atrium, art installations that reference the surrounding neighborhood, 274 guest rooms, as well as extensive amenities for guests like a large fitness center, private yoga studio, filtered water stations, and much more. The hotel also boasts a Sonesta Work Suite, which provides a variety of meeting spaces for its guests. KNEAD Hospitality + Design provides the food and beverage service at the hotel with the opening of a new Bistro Du Jour location on the hotel's bottom floor. For more information, click here.
Openings
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FILLING STATION
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA A new live music and performance venue, Filling Station, has opened in Arlington. The intimate space features an elevated stage that hosts a rotating schedule of musicians, bands, and comedians. The space features community-style and small group tables, and also boats mounted TV's. The food menu comes from El Rey's Kitchen and features options such as Quesadillas, Nachos, Fries, and more. The bar serves 17 beers on tap. Filling Station is open Friday and Saturday from 5:00 p.m. until close. Beginning in September, Filling Station will be open Wednesday - Sunday from 5:00 p.m. until close. For more information, click here, Photo by Filling Station/Mykl Wu
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HOT LOLA'S: LE FANTOME FOOD HALL
4501 Woodberry Street, Riverdale, MD Hot Lola's, the Nashville hot chicken concept with a Sichuan twist from Chef Kevin Tien, has opened a location within Riverdale's Le Fantome Food Hall. Hot Lola's offers a variety of sandwiches, fried chicken, sides, and drinks. Some menu highlights you can enjoy include the Hot Lola's Original ($12), the Taj Mahawt ($12), the Seoul Hot ($12), and more. You can enjoy your food on-site or order carryout. Hot Lola's is open daily from 11:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. For more information, click here.
Openings
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LOS CINCOS TACOS
711 Florida Avenue NW The team behind Capo Deli has opened a new late night eatery, Los Cincos Tacos. Lead by Jose Candelero, Los Cincos Tacos offers authentic Mexican street tacos, serving as a nod to recipes passed down from Candelero's grandmother. The menu consists of four permanent tacos (Carne Asada, Pollo Asado, Al Pastor, Nopale), with a rotating taco of the week ("Especial de la Semana"). Tacos cost $4 each, and the menu aslso includes chips and house-made guacamole for $4.50. Los Cincos Tacos is open Thursday from 3:00 - 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m., and Sunday from 1:00 - 10:00 p.m. For more information, visit their website here. Photo by Tim Chin
Openings
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TAIM MEDITERRANEAN KITCHEN
7502 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA A new location of taim mediterranean kitchen has opened in Tysons Corner. This new 1,849 square-foot location is the first of two new Fairfax County locations opening this year. Guests can get excited to enjoy menu highlights such as the Original Falafel Pita and the Chicken Schwarma Bowl. In addition to their pitas and bowls, taim also offers salads. taim's award-winning is made fresh daily, with no microaves or freezers in any of its restaurants. For opening week, there will be a variety fo celebrations, that include a community fundraiser. For more information, click here.
Openings