Openings

Keeping you up to date on the absolute latest in restaurant openings in the DC Metro area.
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TOM'S WATCH BAR: NATIONAL HARBOR
200 American Way, Oxon Hill, MD Tom's Watch Bar is bringing the ultimate sports-watching experience to National Harbor with the opening of its newest location. Tom's Watch Bar provides guests with an elevated 360-degree viewing room complete with personalized audio at every table. The 12,000 square-foot bar and restaurant features more than 80 high-definition televisions, 3 central oversized "stadium" screens, and will seat over 500 guests in its indoor and outdoor spaces. Tom's Watch Bar will offer a variety of domestic, imported, craft seasonal, and local micro-brews, as well as conventional craft cocktails and a wine list. The food menu features elevated sports-fare and signature exclusives. Also available at Tom's Watch Bar are 2 Swing Suites powered by Topgolf. For more information, visit their website here. Photo by John Robinson
Openings
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KAPPO D.C.
4822 MacArthur Boulevard NW A new concept from Chef Minoru Ogawa, Ari Wilder, and Adrian Williams has officially opened. Kappo D.C. aims to offer guests an unparalleled dining experience through its intimate, 21-seat space and an eight-course tasting menu, priced at $150 per person. Combining the traditions of Kaiseki and Izakaya, the menu, which is completely under the discretion of Chef Ogawa, focuses on Japanese Wagyu, fish, and proprietary Japanese ingredients. Guests can also get excited for an extensive sake and wine program created by Ari Wilder and a cocktail program created by Corey Landolt. The restaurant is reservation only. For more information, visit their website here. Photo by Kimberly Kong
Openings
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VAN LEEUWEN ICE CREAM: UNION MARKET
418 Morse Street NE Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, known for its made-from-scratch dairy and vegan flavors, has opened its first D.C. location within Union Market. This location is the first of three that are slated to open in D.C. this year. At the Union Market location, the brand has collaborated with Michelin-Starred Chef Johnny Spero to revive his beloved "Birch" ice cream flavor that originated at Reverie. In addition to the Birch flavor, the Union Market store will boast 30 of the brand's signature flavors, such as Honeycomb, Pistachio, Earl Grey Tea, Marionberry Cheesecake, and much more. To celebrate the grand opening, Van Leeuwen will be offering $1 scoops between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 23rd. Van Leeuwen Union Market is open Monday through Thursday from 12:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., Friday from 12:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m., Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.; For more information, visit their website here.
Openings
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SHOUK: GEORGETOWN
1423 Wisconsin Avenue NW Shouk has officially opened its fifth location in Georgetown. Guests can get excited to enjoy Shouk's menu of plant-based, certified kosher street foods, including their award-winning Shouk Burger. Shouk's food is crafted from fresh vegetables, beans, grains, and spices, and the concept is inspired by the world's liveliest street markets. A grand opening celebration will take place on Friday, March 24th from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. where guests can enjoy $5 pitas, bowl, and buns, a chance to win free Shouk for a year, and fun giveaways; For more information, visit their website here. Photo from Shouk Website
Openings
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RAKUGAKI
10223 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD The owners of the popular Downtown Bethesda sushi restaurant, Raku, have opened a new restaurant, Rakugaki, at the Shops at Wildwood. This new 2,188 square-foot space is located next to Sarah's Handmade Ice Cream, and serves favorite menu options from its predecessor, as well as some new menu items. For more information, visit their website here. Photo from Rakugaki's Website
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PETITE CERISE
1027 7th Street NW The team behind The Dabney has opened an all-day, French-inspired restaurant, Petit Cerise, in D.C.'s Shaw neighborhood. Chef Jeremiah Langhorne and Partner Alex Zink say this new spot is similar to a restaurant found in France and focuses on fresh from the market cooking with simple plates. Petite Cerise serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and features a completely French wine list. Petite Cerise is on a corner, two-story spot lined with windows, and features a modern interior. This new concept is more casual than The Dabney and also boasts a bar area and outdoor dining area for guests. Peitite Cerise is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. For more information, visit their website here. Photo by Scott Suchman
Openings
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SWINGERS: NAVY YARD
1250 Half Street SE Jeremy Simmonds and Matt Grech-Smith have opened their third U.S. location of Swingers  in D.C.'s Navy Yard neighborhood. This new 23,000 square-foot location is located in the base of The Kelvin. Swingers Navy Yard features boast two floors, three nine-hole crazy golf courses ($24 each), a 750 square-foot patio, multiple cocktail bars, and gourmet street food offerings. The vibe at the new Navy Yard location differs from its Dupont Circle predecessor by featuring a classic English pub, and references to the waterfront that the location sits close to. Swingers Navy Yard has partnered with Knead Hospitality for their food vendors at the new location. Guests must be 21 years or older; For more information, visit their website here. Photo from Swingers U.S. Instagram
Openings
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BRYANT STREET MARKET FOOD HALL
680 Rhode Island Avenue NE Starting Thursday, March 9th, early access to the new Bryant Street Market Food Hall in D.C.'s Edgewood neighborhood has begun, with a full opening on Friday, March 17th. Located on the ground floor of The Chase, this new space aims to celebrate diverse cultural cuisines. Guests can take a first look at Bryant Street Food Market as vendors begin opening their stalls for service. The first stall to open is Blowfish Poke, which features signature Hawaiian food and mochi donuts. Some other vendors in the opening lineup include Taqueria Habanero, Alegria Bar, Tiger Sugar, Grassfed Griddle, and Bold Dumpling (Coming Soon). Starting on Friday, March 17th, the hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.; For more information, visit their website here. Photo Courtesy of MRP Realty
Openings
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AMBAR: SHAW
1547 7th Street NW Founder and CEO of Street Guys Hospitality, Ivan Iricanin, has opened a third location of Ambar in D.C.'s Shaw neighborhood. This new 4,626 square-foot, three-story location seats up to a total of 161 guests. Ambar features some of the best dishes from the Balkan Penninsula with a modern twist. Some highlights include slow cooked items from the Northern region of Serbia, grilled specialties from Southern Sebia, seafood specialties from the Mediterranean coast, and more. Guests can also get excited for Ambar's "Balkan Without Limits Experience". To celebrate the opening, Ambar Shaw will be offering a $10 discount on the experience from Monday, March 6th until Sunday, March 12th. A vast wine list is also available at Ambar Shaw, highlighting the Balkan region with over 80 wines available by the bottle. Lunch is served Monday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. Dinner is served Sunday from 4:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., and Saturday from 4:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.; For more information, visit their website here. Photo from Ambar Instagram
Openings
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CRIMSON LANE VINEYARDS
13334 Crimson Lane, Linden, VA Arlington residents, Tom Herrity and his wife Deanna, have opened a new vineyard in Faquier County. The property boasts 166 acres of land with ideal soil composition and elevation for growing exceptional grapes. The vineyard aims to highlight the best of Virginia and American wines by paying homage to the rich history of Virginia vineyards, the terroir, and the people who make it. Guests can look forward to varietals such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Albarino, and more. Dominick Fioresi, an apprentice of Jim Law at Linden Vineyards, leads the winemaking process at Crimson Lane Vineyards. The winery also offers wine club memberships which providesaccess to exclusive events, special vintages, and the Club Space; For more information, visit their website here. Photo by Greg Powers
Openings