PROJECTED OPENING: Fall 2025 8551 Chevy Chase Lake Drive, Chevy Chase, MD Elena James, the all-day neighborhood restaurant and café that opened in Chevy Chase in late 2024, has announced its newest partnership with Chef Sergeii Mainyi. This fall, Chef Mainyi will bring his new Japanese and sushi concept, Ro Sushi and Co, to the café space within Elena James. Ro Sushi and Co, will feature a carefully curated menu of signature sushi rolls, sushi bowls, bento boxes, and beloved Japanese favorites. Leading the kitchen at Ro Sushi and Co is Chef/Co-Owner Sergeii Mainyi, who has honed his craft in Japanese cuisine and sushi for over 15 years in the DC area. Known for his classical training and dedication to authentic technique, Chef Mainyi brings both expertise in pristine ingredient sourcing and creativity to this new concept

PROJECTED OPENING : Fall 2025 899 O Street NW Realm Rooftop Bar & Lounge, a sophisticated new rooftop in Shaw, will be opening next month. Offering panoramic views of the nation’s capital, handcrafted cocktails, and a superb dining experience, Realm is poised to become a premier rooftop venue in DC. The newly reimagined outdoor rooftop will feature chic, modern seating, ambient lighting, and an energetic yet relaxed vibe. The indoor-outdoor rooftop bar and restaurant will offer sweeping birds-eye views of DC and the area below. Realm will have a comfortable range of indoor seating options, and an expansive patio featuring fire pits and modern lounge seating. Executive Chef Keem Hughley will serve up a chef-driven perspective with a bold menu that merges French culinary technique with the vibrant, sun-soaked flavors of the Indian Ocean—particularly those rooted in Seychellois Creole cuisine. For more information, click here.

PROJECTED OPENING: Fall 2025 713 8th Street SE This Fall, acclaimed restaurateur Rajiv Chopra is set to debut Taki Taki and Rumba Rumba, two new concepts, in the heart of Capitol Hill in Crazy Aunt Helen’s former space. The vibrant two-level dining destination will showcase two distinct culinary experiences under one roof: Taki Taki, a modern South Asian restaurant on the first floor, and Rumba Rumba, a stylish global tapas and cocktail lounge on the second. Taki Taki will offer a fresh interpretation of Southeast Asian cuisine, where time-honored flavors meet modern technique. Diners can expect a menu driven by vibrant spices, refined ingredients, and imaginative plating. Upstairs, Rumba Rumba will deliver a completely different—but complementary—experience. This chic cocktail lounge and tapas bar is designed for sharing and socializing, with an eclectic menu drawing inspiration from global cuisines.