Get an Early Look at Garret Fleming's Gristle

Fans of Garret Fleming were curious when the opening chef of The Pig decided to leave the Logan Circle restaurant last April in the hopes of eventually opening his own gastropub. They'll get a better idea of what he's planning come September, when the chef will hold his first pop-up event, offering a preview of what's to come.

Fleming's calling his restaurant-to-be Gristle. The event is scheduled for September 15, 16, and 17 at the 3 Little Pigs charcuterie shop. For $85, customers can experience seven courses of Fleming's cooking.

Fleming, who is opening the restaurant with business partner Brian Periera, has a lease negotiated for Gristle, but is keeping the location under wraps because there's an existing business still operating there. The aim of the dinner, he tells Eater, is to showcase Gristle's menu and philosophy. "Gristle's menus are composed of foods that I am as excited to eat as I am to cook," he said. That means a menu that changes daily, and foraged ingredients will be emphasized.

Fleming is friends with Three Little Pig owners Jason and Carolina Story (Carolina is a fellow Culinary Institute of America alumnus) — the three also, naturally, share an affection for all things pork. They offered to host the pop-up for the chef. Part of Fleming's inspiration for Gristle was a restaurant in Sicily connected to one of the city's oldest salumerias. Fleming will incorporate some of Three Little Pig's products into his tasting menu. The chef expects to have a better opening date estimate for the full restaurant in the next several weeks.
· 3 Nights of Gristle [Official Site]
· Gristle [Facebook]
· All Previous Garret Fleming Coverage [-EDC-]