Shanghai Tokyo Inches Closer; Neighborhood Restaurant Group To Open Belgian Beer Bar

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS— Shanghai Tokyo is hiring and could be opening soon, according to PoPville. The restaurant already has a location in College Park and serves Japanese, Chinese and Thai dishes. [PoP]

GEORGETOWN— Washington City Paper reports Neighborhood Restaurant Group will open a Belgian beer bar called The Sovereign in the former Blue Gin space in late fall. The restaurant group's beer director, Greg Engert, will oversee the beer selection and former PS7 chef Peter Smith will be responsible for the food. [WCP]

PENN QUARTER— Daikaya Izakaya will host a burger smackdown on Saturday, August 1 from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Kitchen staff members will compete to create the ultimate burger and be critiqued by a panel of judges. Burgers will be priced at $5 each. [EaterWire]