D.C.'s Most Anticipated Summer Restaurant Openings of 2015

Summer (particularly August) is traditionally a slow time in D.C. for just about everything, including restaurant openings. But that said, there are still some promising restaurants to look forward to during the warmest D.C months. Here, in no particular order, are ten to get particularly excited about; additional updates are listed below.

Hula Girl

Address: 4404 Campbell Ave. Shirlington, Va.

From: Mikala Brennan

The situation: The owner of popular food truck Hula Girl goes brick and mortar in Shirlington. This will be one of the area's only options for Hawaiian food.

Projected opening: September

All Previous Coverage of Hula Girl [EDC]

Hula Girl's truck. [Photo: Facebook]

The Riggsby

Address: 1731 New Hampshire Ave. NW

From: Michael Shlow, Philippe Reininger

The situation: Schlow made a splash in D.C. with Tico last year. His new project will be in the Carlyle Hotel, which has been acquired by Kimpton.

Projected opening: Mid-Summer

All Previous Coverage of The Riggsby [EDC]

Carlyle Suites [Photo: Official]

Beard Papas

Address: 1336 Wisconsin Ave. NW

From: Beard Papas HQ

The situation: International dessert favorite Beard Papas will open its first location in Georgetown, dishing up eclairs, cream puffs and more.

Projected opening: August

All Previous Coverage of Beard Papas [EDC]

A Beard Papas location [Photo: Facebook]

Tadich GRILL

Address: 1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

From: San Francisco

The situation: The California institution, one of the oldest in America, is expanding outside of its home base with this location. Expect steaks, lamb chops, sole and more.

Projected opening: Late August/Early September

All Previous Coverage of Tadich Grill [EDC]

The Dabney

Address: 1216 9th St. NW

From: Jeremiah Langhorne

The situation: This seasonally-influenced Chesapeake Bay restaurant from the McCrady's veteran has had D.C. excited since its announcement. One of many high-profile projects headed to Shaw this year.

Projected opening: September

All Previous Coverage of The Dabney [EDC]

Chaia TacoS

Address: 3207 Grace Street, NW

From: Bettina Stern and Suzanne Simon

The situation: Already a hit at local farmers markets, these seasonal vegetarian tacos will soon be found at a storefront location.

Projected opening: August/September

All Previous Coverage of Chaia Tacos [EDC]

Masseria

Address: 1344 Fourth St. NE

From: Nick Stefanelli

The Situation: Stefanelli left his longtime gig at Bibiana restaurant to strike out on his own with this project, an Italian restaurant.

Projected opening: July

All Previous Coverage of Masseria [EDC]

pepita

Address: 4000 Wilson Blvd.

From: Mike Isabella

The Situation: Mike Isabella is opening a Mexican cantina in the same building as his recently-opened Kapnos Taverna restaurant (which will also eventually house Jonah Kim's Yona). The restaurant is trying to recreate the theme of being at a Mexican resort.

Projected opening: July

All Previous Coverage of Pepita [EDC]

succotash

Address: 186 Waterfront St., National Harbor (Maryland)

From: Edward Lee, designers Michael Reginbogin and Jason Berry

The Situation: Succotash is the renowned Lee's (610 Magnolia, MilkWood) first foray into the D.C. market. The restaurant will be Southern cuisine with Lee's own twist.

Projected opening: Mid-July

All Previous Coverage of Succotash [DC]

Photo: Eater National

Succotash [Photo: Eater National]

Unnamed Alex McCoy Project

Address: Location unknown

From: Alex McCoy, Hunter Campbell

The situation: The former Duke's Grocery chef has two projects in the works, the first of which should debut this summer. The chef, currently appearing on Food Network Star, traveled to Southeast Asia for research. He plans to release more information in the next few weeks.

Projected opening: August/September

All Previous Coverage of Alex McCoy [EDC]

Could still open in spring: Expect openings in the next few weeks from DGS Delicatessen at Mosaic, Claudia's Steakhouse, Fig and Olive, Rito Loco, Nido, The Royal, and Loudoun's Sense of Thai.

Also this summer: Additionally, keep an eye out for these summer openings: Vienna Sandwich Shop Chase the Submarine from Tim Ma (August), Chau Ku (late summer), kabob house SKWR, the Bethesda location of PassionFish (late summer), the second Astro Doughnuts in Falls Church (mid-summer), a second Beefsteak (late summer or early fall), Gusto Italian Grill (August), Shangkai Tokyo Cafe, Not Your Average Joe's in Bethesda (July), Finnegan's Wake Irish Pub (late summer), Gaijin Ramen (June), Mia's Coffeehouse (June 29), Pennsylvania 6 (late June), Baklava Couture (July), Raku at Cathedral Commons, A.G. Kitchen in Silver Spring (late June) and Mangolia's on King (July).

Looking like fall: The much-anticipated Momofuku and Momofuku Milk Bar at CityCenterDC would not give an official opening estimate, but reps discouraged Eater from classifying it as a summer opening. Fall is the latest estimate for such projects as Jonah Kim's Yona, Sticky Fingers' Fare Well, Kapnos Kouzina in Bethesda, Shaw wine bar Bacaro, Cedric Maupillier's Convivial, Mexican restaurant Espita Mezcaleria, Neighborhood Restaurant Group's Hazel, Eric Ziebold's projects, Daikaya's second ramen shop, Twisted Horn, Hank's Pasta Bar, Umaya.

Even further away: There's still quite awhile to go for such projects as the new Aaron Silverman restaurant, Tim Ma's Shaw restaurant, Palette 22, All Purpose and Buttercream Bakeshop in Shaw, and many others.

Time will tell: No updates were available for Filipino restaurant Bad Saint, the D.C. Mad Fox Brewery, Mercadito at the Marriott Marquis, Olivia's Diner, Hill East Pizza, Texas de Brasil in Mt. Vernon Triangle, PieHouse, The Shaw Bijou, Helen's the Bar, and The Public Option.

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