A Dozen Fall Openings to Get Excited About

Yeah, spring was nuts. But fall is shaping up to be a jam-packed season as well when it comes to restaurant openings. Many long-awaited projects, from breweries to ambitious suburban restaurants, should finally come to fruition this season. Here are 12 to keep an eye out for, listed in no particular order, as well as updates on some other soon-to-come projects.

1) Navy Yard: Bluejacket
Address: 300 Tingey St. SE Washington, D.C.
Major Players: Megan Parisi, Kyle Bailey, Greg Engert, Tiffany MacIsaac, Michael Babin
The Situation: Bluejacket is Neighborhood Restaurant Group's large scale brewery, which will serve as the home for beers served at all the company's various restaurants. Birch & Barley's Bailey is handling the menu.
Projected Opening: Fall

2) Tysons Corner: America Eats
Address: 1700 Tysons Blvd. Tysons Corner, Va.
Major Players: ThinkFoodGroup, Jose Andres
The Situation: Andres will bring back his Americana-themed restaurant for good in the Ritz-Carlton hotel. The restaurant will be where Michel used to be. America Eats, which used to be a pop-up restaurant within the former Cafe Atlantico building, takes diners on a culinary tour of the country's history.
Projected Opening: Late November

3) Dupont Circle: Iron Gate
Address: 1734 N St. NW
Major Players: Michael Babin, Tony Chittum, Neighborhood Restaurant Group
The Situation: NRG has been working tirelessly to get their new version of an old D.C. classic open soon, but the historic building has been a challenge. The restaurant, though, will serve Chittum's cuisine in a romantic setting.
Projected Opening: Fall

4) Barracks Row: Rose's Luxury
Address: 717 Eighth St. SE
Major Players: Aaron Silverman
The Situation: Silverman's 40-seat restaurant is expected to have experimental, festive food like popcorn soup. The Momofuku veteran gave diners an early preview when he was a guest chef at Hogo.
Projected Opening: Late September

5) H Street: Maketto
Address: 1351 H St. NE
Major Players: Erik Bruner-Yang, James Wozniuk, Ansuron Plyraharn, Chris Vigilante, Angel Franco
The Situation: Bruner-Yang and company are opening a combination restaurant and Asian market within the H Street NE building. Vigilante Coffee will also make its home there. Diners can sample dishes from the Cambodian- and Taiwanese-influenced restaurant at the pop-up, now running at Hanoi House.
Projected Opening: Late fall

6) Takoma Park: Republic
Address: 6937-6939 Laurel Ave. Takoma Park, Md.
Major Players: Jeff Black, Danny Wells
The Situation: This American restaurant will feature a raw bar, live entertainment and plenty of vegetarian options. Wells, a native of Takoma Park, will oversee the cooking.
Projected Opening: Late fall

7) Shaw: Eat the Rich
Address: 1839 7th St. NW
Major Players: Derek Brown, Travis Croxton
The Situation: The partnership between Brown and Rappahannock Oyster Company's Croxton is all about oysters and cocktails by the pitcher.
Projected Opening: Fall

8) Navy Yard: Osteria Morini
Address:
Major Players: Michael White. Altamarea Group
The Situation: Osteria Morini will be White's first foray into the D.c. dining scene, serving up rustic Italian food.
Projected Opening: Late October/Early November

9) Merrifield: Gypsy Soul
Address: 2905 District Ave. Fairfax, Va.
Major Players: R.J. Cooper, Bryan Tetorakis
The Situation: Gypsy Soul is Cooper's restaurant within the bustling Mosaic District project. The menu will include unique snacks, sharable plates and offal. A big roof deck is planned as well, along with interesting cocktails.
Projected Opening: Fall, permits allowing

10) Metro Center: Toro Toro
Address: 1300 Eye St. NW
Major Players: Richard Sandoval, Ivan Iricanin
The Situation: Sandoval's next project in D.C. is Toro Toro, a Brazilian-inspired steakhouse. The restaurant will also feature a selection of small plates.
Projected Opening: October

11) Arlington: Water & Wall
Address: 3811 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Va.
Major Players: Tim Ma, Joey Hernandez, Nyi Nyi Myint
The Situation: Water & Wall will be the second restaurant from Maple Ave. Restaurant's Ma. Menu items will have some similarities, though the restaurant is expected to have its own identity.
Projected Opening: Early November

12) U Street: Compass Rose
Address: 1346 T St. NW
Major Players: Rose Previte, David Greene
The Situation: It's been an uphill battle for Compass Rose, but the protest against its liquor license was just shot down. The restaurant hopes to be a neighborhood tavern specializing in international street food,
Projected Opening: Late fall

Editor's Notes: Other restaurants slated for fall: Eno Wine Bar at the Four Seasons, condescending steakhouse STK, Mandalay in Shaw, Copperwood Tavern, Fish Taco, Campono, Red Apron Penn Quarter (though it may well be winter), MGH Group's three Merrifield restaurants, multiple Smashburgers, Baltimore's Shoo-fly, Alba Osteria, Right Proper Brewing Company, Carolina Kitchen's D.C. location, Agua 301, La Colombe. Places like Thally, Doi Moi, Baby Wale, Salamander Resort, Newton's Noodles, Bar Charley and Atlas Brew Works should still squeak by with a summer opening. Customers will likely have to wait until winter for such places as Lunchbox, Fiola Mare, Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab and Nicoletta. No updated projection available for Barcelona Wine Bar, Bolt Burgers, Lupo Verde, Ben's Chili Bowl H Street,Gristle, Ivy & Coney or John Mooney's Union Market restaurant.