Bar Deco, Beef n Bread Now Open

1) PENN QUARTER: Beef n Bread, the new roast beef sandwich shop from the Wiseguys team, is in soft-opening mode. A spokeswoman confirmed they are open; the website isn't running yet (though they have a Facebook page). Status: Soft opening. 750 6th St. NW; website (not operational).

2) PENN QUARTER: Noe Landini had no real plans to open up a place himself outside of Alexandria (where he operates Landini Brothers and others), though he was going to help his friend open a cigar lounge here (that project will eventually be Burn Cigar Bar downtown). But when touring spaces with him, he found a location he couldn't resist at 717 6th Street, NW, in the historic Bulletin Building.

That place is now Bar Deco, which is in soft-opening mode, serving up wood-fired dishes like smoked turkey on a pretzel run, flat-iron steaks and a smoked chicken burrito (important: they also have poutine) from chef Steve Rosenthal. "It's stuff that's not so exotic you're only going to come by once a year," said Landini. The restaurant has its own takes on classic cocktails, like a "Backyard Martini" spiked with cachaca and wheatgrass, among other ingredients.

The design, from CORE DC, plays up the art deco theme, with big windows acting as a bar backdrop and a bare-bones, industrial look. There's also a rooftop bar. They're still finishing up some construction details. Status: Soft-opening. 717 6th Street, NW; website.