1355 U Street NW A new Middle Eastern restaurant, Yalla, has opened on U Street. Yalla offers guests Lebanese-forward Middle Eastern cuisine from Chef Marcel Chehaieb. He seeks to transport guests to downtown Beirut, the capital and largest city in Lebanon, with his menu that features dishes such as Jinbeh Rolls and Beet Kibbeh Nayeh. Guests can enjoy their meals on the rooftop, with seating arranged in a way that that each party can enjoy family-style meals in an intimate way. Guests can also enjoy traditional Moroccan tea service or herbaceous cocktails made with Middle Eastern oils and spirits, as well as beers and wines from the region. For more information, visit their website here.

39 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD Little Miner Taco has officially opened a location in Rockville Town Square. This new Rockville location brings many firsts for Little Miner Taco, with it being the first location to feature their colorful new branding, a full salsa bar, and a new initiative to support Montgomery County children by helping to pay off student meal debt. Guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner to go, al fresco or dine in the space that seats 30 inside.  The Rockville location will also be Little Miner Taco’s first to include a full-service bar, which is expected to open in 2025. For more information, visit their website here.Photo from Little Miner Taco Website

1401 Pennsylvania Avenue SE The Roost has officially welcomed Buttermilk, the latest culinary venture by seasoned pitmaster Shannon Bingham, known for his exceptional barbecue expertise. After gaining recognition for his Central Texas-style smoked meats at Emmylou’s, Bingham is now bringing his love for comfort food to Buttermilk, where fried chicken takes center stage. Guests can indulge in mouthwatering sandwiches like the #1 with coleslaw, pickles, and honey mustard, or the #3 with pimento cheese, jalapeno jam, and BBQ sauce, all served with crispy waffle fries. The menu also features snacks, hearty salads, and chicken fingers. Buttermilk is open Monday - Friday from 4:00 - 10:00 p.m., Saturday from 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. For more information, visit their website here.

1400 Bridgeport Way #103, Suffolk, VA Sojourn Fermentory has officially opened in Suffolk, Virginia. The brewery and cidery with a tasting room and full kitchen is the first of its kind in the Suffolk market. This new venture is a partnership between Jinson Chan and Michael Pawley. Sojourn Fermentory offers progressive European-style lagers, ciders and American ales, including limited releases of barrel-aged stout. Czech Republic-inspired lager service, complete with dedicated Lukr faucets, are the highlight of the taproom. The taproom also features a family-friendly area and an indoor and outdoor beer garden with live music. The kitchen offers Roman-style pizzas made from in-house 72-hour fermented organic dough, Florence-style sandwiches with freshly baked bread, and small plates that pair well with craft beer. For more information, visit their website here.

4001 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA A new concept, 1969, has opened in the basement of Astro Beer Hall in the Village at Shirlington. This new vintage themed bar is a throwback to 1969, celebrating milestones and events from that year with custom art and retro pieces. 1969 features a 50 seat bar and 12 tap lines, as well as classic diner booths and custom art and murals from Billy Colbert. Guests can get excited to enjoy a sip from their extensive beer list or enjoy a bite from the $5 late night menu. 1969 is open Monday - Friday from 4:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.Photo by Scott Suchman

1280 4th Street NE La Cosecha in Union Market has welcomed a vibrant new addition with the opening of Apapacho from husband-and-wife duo Alam Mendez and Elisa Reyna. Rooted in tradition and inspired by a deep love for Mexican cuisine, Apapacho promises to be a culinary haven where every dish is crafted with the finest ingredients and made entirely by hand. The new taqueria offers a variety of traditional and inventive dishes, all showcasing the rich flavors and textures of authentic Mexican cuisine. They pride ourselves on using native Mexican corn for our tortillas and adapting their recipes to incorporate local ingredients, ensuring a fresh and genuine culinary experience. Guests can also look forward to Elisa’s desserts at the end of their meals. Apapacho is open Monday - Thursday from 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m., and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. For more information, click here.

 2950 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington, VA The iconic pan-Asian chain from London has opened its first location in the D.M.V. , in the space fromerly home to Oz. Wagamama is best known for its ramen served in a communal setting. Guests can get excited to enjoy gyoza, donburit rice bowls, curries, and more. Wagamama will also boast a bar program, that offers options such as hot teas, cocktails, sake, and more. This 5,100 square-foot space boasts 221-seats and features an expansive outdoor patio, where guests can enjoy lunch and dinner service; For more information, visit their website here.Photo from Wagamama Website

7056 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, MD Cielo Rojo Owner's David Perez and Carolina  McCandless have opened a new concept, San Pancho Burritos, in Takoma Park. Cielo Rojo is relocating down the street to a bigger location and San Pancho Burritos has taken over the old space. San Pancho Burritos aims to bring their version of San Fransico Mission-style burritos to the area. Vegan and vegetarian options are also offered, as well as beverage options, salads, desserts, and more. For more information, visit their Instagram here.Photo from San Pancho Burrito Website

1321 Linden Court NE Chef Erik Bruner-Yang, Pedro Tobar, and Daniel Gonzalez have opened a new neighborhood cocktail bar, Providencia in DC’s H Street neighborhood. The dinner and drinks menu at this new concept highlights the ingredients from their home countries (Taiwan, Mexico, and El Salvador). The two-story space features a large bar with 15 seats and an intimate lounge with 8 - 12 seats. Guests can also get excited for a cocktail menu that is inspired by Signature Memories. Some snack offerings guests can enjoy include Avocado & Caviar, Tamale del Dia, Ensalada de Carne, and more. Providencia is open Tuesday - Saturday evenings on a walk-in only basis.Photo from Providencia DC Instagram

6641 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA Celebrity Chef David Guas has opened his first full-service restaurant, Neutral Ground Bar + Kitchen, in McLean, Virginia. The name Neutral Ground is a nod to Guas' Louisiana hometown. The restaurant aims to capture the very essence of American cuisine and culture. Some dishes guests can get excited for include Wood-Fired Double Pork Chop, Wood-Fired Roasted Oysters, NG Burger, and more. The spacious dining room feels like a shared, comfortable space with a fresh and casual appeal. Guests can also get excited for cocktails grounded in American classics, as well as curated beer and wine list that is focused on regional favorites. For more information, visit their website here.Photo from Neutral Ground Bar + Kitchen Website