Elisir Changing Concept To Become More Casual

Penn Quarter's tasting menu-centric Elisir will completely revamp its concept to become Osteria Elisir, with a new look, lower prices and a more straightforward cooking style. Tom Sietsema reported the news during his weekly chat. Chef Enzo Fargione told the critic that the move is being made for financial reasons.

The switch isn't too surprising. Over its first year of business, Elisir made some smaller steps in that direction, lowering the price and number of courses of its tasting menus, and adding a la carte options. Osteria Elisir will have more of a country feel to its design, and serve dishes like baby chicken, meatballs and octopus steak.

Fargione, who previously cooked at Teatro Goldoni, isn't the first chef to make their concept something more casual. Falls Church's 2941 rebranded itself about a year ago in a similar vein, and L'Auberge Chez Francois added its Jacques Bistro to the restaurant to try to cater to a more casual crowd.

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