FOOD & WINE

Dessert at chef Bin Lu’s The Restaurant at Blue Rock in Rappahannock County.

THE LATEST DISH

BY LINDA ROTH

Adams Morgan Update: A variety of new places are opening up in their BID, in addition to Ann Cashion and John Fulchino’s recently opened Los Compañeros, at 1819 Columbia Road NW where their Johnny’s Half Shell used to be: Big Sky at 2436 18th Street, NW where Mellow Mushroom was, is slated to open in December, serving (a cut above) American favorites; Manifest, a juice bar, barbershop and (maybe) speakeasy on Florida Ave, NW where Salon XYZ was; Entice, an Ethiopian Restaurant & Lounge, where Chief Ike’s was.

Surreal, an all-day outdoor eatery from Enrique Limardo’s Seven Restaurant Group (Seven Reasons, Imperfecto, Immigrant Food) is slated to open at 2121 Crystal Drive in Crystal City. This hybrid dining space, brought to you by JBG Properties, has a targeted opening in 2023.

Quick Hits: Matt Sloan of Mitten Hospitality is slated to open Matt & Tony’s in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood at 1501 Mt. Vernon Ave where Charlie’s on the Avenue (and before that, Fireflies) used to be…. The owners of Georgetown Italian restaurant, Flavio, plan to open a second location in Cathedral Heights where Café Deluxe used to be at 3228 Wisconsin Ave NW. A late Q1 2022 opening is targeted… New Haven, CT-based Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana plans to open at Alexandria Commons, where Baja Fresh was at 3231 Duke Street. Their first store in the metro area will be in Bethesda.

Chef Bin Lu, formerly of Pineapple & Pearls, is at the helm of The Restaurant at Blue Rock in Rappahannock County. Formerly known as the Blue Rock Inn, the renovated property at 12567 Lee Hwy, includes a fivebedroom guest house, the restaurant, a tasting room and outdoor fire pits -- a very convenient way to roast s’mores.

Victor Chizinga plans to open Lydia, an Afro-Caribbean restaurant and bar before Q4 2021 ends, at 1427 H Street, NE where Halftime Sports Bar used to be. It’s a sports bar, a tropical patio, a dining room and a VIP cocktail bar – complete with cocktail classes by Victor. Co-owner Erin Davis is the general manager.

Just Opened: Philippe Massoud’s Ilili, at 100 District Square SW at the Wharf, where Requin used to be. This Lebanese restaurant features a large limestone fountain, citrus trees, and suspended bird cages…. Eric Eden of Unconventional Diner opened L’Ardente, a wood-fired Italian restaurant at Capitol Crossing at 200 Massachusetts Ave., NW…. Chef/owner Danio Somoza opened a D.C. location of his Lewes, Delaware-based Harvest Tide Steakhouse, at 212 7th Street SE where Acqua al 2 used to be…. Chef/owner Matt Baker of Gravitas opened Michele’s, a 132-seat French-American restaurant inside the Eaton hotel at 1201 K Street NW. Also packaged into the deal -- his Baker’s Daughter cafe. Andrew Cleverdon, who previously worked at Bourbon, is the chef de cuisine. Aisha Momaney is the pastry chef… Lady Bird, a rooftop bar named after President Lyndon B. Johnson’s wife, “Lady Bird,” opened at Kimpton’s Banneker hotel at 1315 16th Street, NW near Scott Circle…. And, Cork

Collaborates Food Market @Pizza Paradiso

at 4850 Massachusetts Ave, NW in Spring Valley, featuring grab n’ go meals, gourmet snacks, and grocery items from local women and minority-owned food businesses.

Linda Roth is Founder & CEO of Linda Roth Associates (LRA), a D.C.-based public relations and marketing firm that specializes in the foodservice and hospitality industries. Follow her at: @LindaRothPR @LRAPR #LindaRothPR or www.lindarothpr.com. Lebanese mezze at Philippe Massoud’s Ilili at the Wharf.