The Most Anticipated D.C. Winter Restaurant Openings

Winter may not be prime season when it comes to restaurant openings. But several restaurants and bars plan to soldier on and make their mark, even in the cold, less crowded dining months. There are so many high-profile debuts, it almost feels like fall again. There's a promising opening from a 'Top Chef' contestant, multiple Neighborhood Restaurant Group projects, lots of action in the Shaw neighborhood, and more. Here are 15 major highlights, presented in no particular order, as well as updates on some additional projects in the works.

The Shaw Bijou

Address: 1544 9th St. NW
From: Gregory Vakiner, Kwame Onwuachi
The situation: This ambitious, tasting menu-centric restaurant got even more attention when its chef, Kwame Onwuachi (an Eleven Madison Park alumnus), was featured on this season of 'Top Chef.'
Projected opening: First quarter 2016.
*All Previous Coverage of The Shaw Bijou [EDC]

ANXO CIDERY & PINTXOS BAR

Address: 300 Florida Ave. NW
From: Sam Fitz, Rachel Fitz, Tim Prendergast, Cooper Sheehan, Brad Walker.
The situation: Expect cider made from locally-sourced ingredients and a Basque menu at this concept, which already has a second location in the works.
Projected opening: Early February
*All Previous Anxo Coverage [EDC]

Kyirisan

Address: 1924 8th St. NW
From: Tim Ma, Nyi Nyi Myint
The situation: Ma hopes to pay homage to his Chinese roots with this homey restaurant, which is being designed by GrizForm Design Architects.
Projected opening: Late February
*All Previous Tim Ma Coverage [EDC]

Tim Ma [Photo: R. Lopez]

KINSHIP/METIER

Address: 1015 Seventh St. NW
From: Eric and Celia Ziebold
The situation: This a la carte restaurant from Ziebold will feature both plays on his popular CityZen dishes and new offerings. The modern American restaurant's menu design will have categories like Craft, History, Ingredients, Indulgence, and For the Table. Darryl Carter is designing the space. Metier (Ziebold's attached, tasting menu restaurant) will follow later this winter.
Projected opening: Mid to late December for Kinship, February for Metier
*All Previous Coverage of Eric Ziebold [EDC]

THE SOVEREIGN

Address: 1206 Wisconsin Ave. NW
From: Neighborhood Restaurant Group
The situation: Greg Engert's Belgian beer bar will also serve Belgian-influenced cuisine from former PS7's chef Peter Smith. 
Projected opening: Late Fall
*All Previous Coverage of The Sovereign [EDC]

ALL PURPOSE

Address: 1250 9th St. NW
From: Michael Friedman, Michael O'Malley, Sebastian Zutant, Gareth Croke and Colin McDonough
The situation: This pizza restaurant from the Red Hen and Boundary Stone crews will also serve charcuterie and antipasti.
Projected opening: February
*All Previous Coverage of All Purpose [EDC]

The future location of All Purpose [Photo: The Colonel]

SLIM'S DINER

Address: 4201 Georgia Ave. NW
From: Paul Ruppert
The situation: Slim's will be a new D.C. diner from the owner of such places as Room 11.
Projected opening: February
*All Previous Coverage of Slim's Diner [EDC]

TWISTED HORN

Address: 819 Upshur St. NW
From: Jamie Leeds, Megan Coyle
The situation: This new cocktail bar from Jamie Leeds and her team will be a mix of modern and classic cocktails, plus snacks and pickles.
Projected opening: December
*All Previous Coverage of Twisted Horn [EDC]

BUTTERCREAM BAKESHOP

Address: 1250 9th St. NW
From: Tiffany MacIsaac
The situation: The beloved local pastry che will finally get a shop of her very own in Shaw.
Projected opening: February
*All Previous Coverage of Buttercream Bakeshop [EDC]

Cake by Buttercream Bakeshop [Photo: Official]

espita Mezcaleria

Address: 1250 9th Street, NW
From: Josh Phillips, Alexis Samayoa
The situation: Mole and mezcal will be the main focuses of this new Mexican restaurant.
Projected opening: January
*All Previous Coverage of Espita Mezcaleria [EDC]

hazel

Address: 808 V St. NW
From: Rob Rubba, Michael Babin, Jeff Faile, Brent Kroll, Greg Engert
The situation: Tallula veteran Rob Rubba will lead the kitchen at this new American restaurant.
Projected opening: March
*All Previous Coverage of Hazel [EDC]

pineapple and pearls

Address: 715 8th St. SE
From: Aaron Silverman
The situation: The Rose's Luxury chef is opening a second restaurant just next door to his original hit. It will be smaller and take reservations. Coffee and sandwiches will be served earlier in the day, with a prix-fixe dining menu at night.
Projected opening: Mid-January for the cafe; the restaurant should come six to eight weeks after that.
*All Previous Coverage of Aaron Silverman [EDC]

Aaron Silverman [Photo: R. Lopez]

Tail Up Goat

Address: 1827 Adams Mill Rd. NW
From: Jon Sybert, Bill Jensen, Jill Tyler
The situation: The restaurant is a partnership between former Little Serow and Komi team members. It's an a la carte menu, and pastas and breads will be a focus.
Projected opening: February
*All Previous Coverage of Tail Up Goat [EDC]

archipelago

Address: 1201 U St. NW
From: Owen Thomson, Joseph Ambrose, Ben Wiley and Noah Broaddus
The situation: This tiki bar in the former home of The Islander will be cocktail-centric and have a kitschy theme.
Projected opening: Winter
*All Previous Coverage of Archipelago [EDC]

LEFT DOOR

Address: 1345 S St. NW
From: Tom Brown, Mick Perrigo
The situation: Tom Brown's intimate cocktail bar will feature drinks from bartender Mick Perrigo in a small space.
Projected opening: December
*All Previous Coverage of Left Door [EDC]

Tom Brown (left) at the former Hogo [Photo: R. Lopez]

Also this winter: Get ready for the openings of restaurant and beer garden Takoda (late December/early January), New York-based Quarter & Glory (December), DGS's Little Sesame (January), Neighborhood Restaurant Group's unnamed Barracks Row Bar (early 2016), Korean place Seoulspice (January), distillery Cotton & Reed (winter), diner Fare Well (first quarter), Hank's Pasta Bar from Jamie Leeds (first quarter), Kapnos Kouzina (first quarter), the second Fat Pete's (late February/early March), Shake Shack Arlington, Palette 22 (February), New District Brewing Co., Chao Ku (January), the D.C. Bozzelli's (late winter), Morris from Spike Mendelsohn (late February/early March), Declaration (early January), Drift on 7th (January) and The Drop from Bart Vandaele.

Looking like spring (or later): Places such as La Jambe, the return of The Passenger cocktail bar, the second Lupo Verde, both new restaurants from the Daikaya team and more probably won't open this winter after all.

No update available: Upcoming projects Bar A Vin, Umaya, Khao Poon, Laudree, Bacaro, Burn and Nicoletta could not be reached or did not respond to inquiries.

Know of a winter opening not included here? Send a note to dc@eater.com.