Requin Opens Tonight, Nando's Comes to Wheaton This Weekend

1) MERRIFIELD: The pop-up version of Requin, Jennifer Carroll's restaurant headed to the Southwest Waterfront eventually, debuts in the Mosaic District Dec. 11.

The extended pop-up gives Carroll the chance to work through dishes that might eventually appear on Requin's menu before Mike Isabella's Kapnos Kouzina opens in the same space this spring. "We're going to change up the menu as much as possible," she said, meaning even dishes that become hits might quickly disappear once she knows they work.

The restaurant, a partnership with Isabella, is actually not majority seafood, Carroll explained, despite that being what she's most known for. Expect dishes like escargots en croute, smoked blue catfish rillette, fluke ceviche and more. They'll serve seafood boards, vegetable boards (with dishes like beet jerky) and cheese boards, as well as small plates and large entrees designed for 2-4 people like a cote de bouef with aged, bone-in ribeye. The beverage program will be slightly different than the eventual Waterfront restaurant, with a smaller wine list and less of an emphasis on French bottles.

Time will tell if the clientele at Mosaic District will mirror the audience Carroll will have in D.C. "I'm hoping a lot of people will travel out here, and a lot of the clientele here will travel into D.C.; I want to get them hooked on the food," she said. Status: Opening Saturday. 8296 Glass Alley, Fairfax, Va.; website.

Correction: This article originally stated an incorrect opening date for Requin.

2) WHEATON: Nando's Peri-Peri gets a footing in Wheaton this weekend. Their latest location will open in the Westfield Wheaton Plaza Saturday. Proceeds from opening weekend will benefit Albert Einstein High School. The restaurant features original paintings from South African artists and a ceiling design fashioned from reclaimed shipping crates. Status: Opening Saturday. 11160 Viers Mill Road, Silver Spring, Md.; website.

Nando's in Wheaton [Photo: Official]