New & Improved: Industry Night, February 15, 2024

Do you recognize where I am? I have to be honest, I cannot believe I am in the space that once housed Coco Sala. For those of you who remember, Coco Sala was love letter to chocolate in a variety of forms and this space was…chocolate-y. But if you know who took over the space here in Penn Quarter, then you know I am in the greatly anticipated and just re-opened Moon Rabbit. Less than a year ago, we were all shocked when the original Moon Rabbit suddenly closed in the Wharf’s InterContinental Hotel. David and I, our kids, the whole family loved the beautiful and delicious take on Vietnamese cuisine that Kevin Tien, Susan Bae, and team were serving. We were heart broken and we were not alone.
And here we are! And with the whole team with me now!
Chef Kevin Tien
Pastry Chef Susan Bae
Chef Judy Beltrano
Bar Director Thi Nguyen
And oh we are going to get into all the things! But first, so you know, I have been out and about —
-Beloved BBQ
-Cut
-Fairfax City Restaurant Week — I am your Restaurant Week Lady
-Mama Chang & The Wine Hour
-James Beard Long List aka Semi-Finalists alert!
-Centrolina
-Pastis - What is New in The Neighborhood
-Duck & The Peach
So I first met four-time James Beard Foundation semifinalist, 2023 RAMW Chef of the Year, Food and Wine Best New Chef 2018, chef Kevin Tien when he was in the kitchen at Himitsu. But it wasn’t until he started coming into in the Foodie & The Beast studio that I really got to know him, his heart, and his passion better. Pastry chef Susan Bae joined him a few times and now I totally have a girl crush on her. Chef Judy Beltrano & Speed Rack finalist bar director Thi Nguyen round out his team here, and I am so excited for them and this beautiful space, and for me — because the Moon Rabbit is back.

Listen to the full episode here, and watch it all unfold here.