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The Week in Restaurant Openings, Including Paper Horse and Pupusa Kitchen

Tracking winter’s restaurant openings here

The new Paper Horse and Kikka stands at H Street Whole Foods Market.
Tierney Plumb

March 17, 2017

1) BETHESDA—Hanara Sushi owner Wesley Yao is expanding his restaurant portfolio today with the debut of Pupusa Kitchen. Bethesda Magazine reports that the new takeout spot will share a kitchen with the adjoining Asian restaurant but is expected to focus on Salvadoran food. Status: Certified open; 7812 Norfolk Ave., Bethesda, Md.; website.

March 16, 2017

1) LOGAN CIRCLE—The latest Shake Shack opens doors at 11 a.m. As is tradition, the shop will feature a custom concrete, the Logan Swirl (vanilla custard, salted caramel sauce, Pollystyle toffee shortbread and chocolate toffee) in addition to existing ice cream offerings. Status: Certified open; 1400 14th St. NW; website.

March 15, 2017

1) H STREET—In addition to carrying products sourced from local merchants — including Cava, Maketto and Atlas Brew Works — the new Whole Foods Market also houses the latest iteration of restaurateur Erik Bruner-Yang’s Paper Horse concept, with Chinese-style mains and sides in addition to ramen. Status: Certified open; 600 H St. NE; website.

March 10, 2017

1) H STREET—Hill Prince officially opens tonight, and right out of the gate there are cocktails for $10 and under. The new neighborhood bar, nestled in a restored 100-year-old carriage house, comes from the team behind DGS Delicatessen, Whaley’s, and Little Sesame. An outside bar is on its way in the coming months. Status: Certified open; 1337 H St. NE; website.

The bar at H Street NE newcomer Hill Prince.
Photo by Rey Lopez for Eater DC

March 3, 2017

1) SILVER SPRING—The latest addition to The Restaurant Group’s wide-ranging portfolio, Lincoln’s Bar-B-Que, replaces Nuevo Latino-themed A.G. Kitchen which closed at the end of last year. Lincoln’s is the brainchild of TRG partner and Fuel Pizza co-creator Lincoln Clark. The 315-seat restaurant has a gamut of slow-cooked offerings. Status: certified open. 931 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring, Md.; website.

February 26, 2017

1) SHAW—Tiger Fork is open for dinner service, bringing a taste of Hong Kong’s fast-paced bar and dining scene to D.C. The 85-seat bar/restaurant, inside in the former Rogue 24 space, serves up both traditional Cantonese and daring dishes like chili wontons stuffed with turkey and shrimp, all under executive chef Irvin Van Oordt’s watch. There’s also Chinese herbal-infused cocktails whipped up at an octagon-shaped bar to “cure” an range of ailments. Status: Certified open; 922 N St. NW; website.

February 20, 2017

1) MOSAIC DISTRICT—Restaurateur Michael Schlow exported his brand of Italian dining across the river with the unveiling of Alta Strada in Fairfax County’s Mosaic District. The restaurant will be overseen by Matt Adler, the newly minted executive chef at Alta Strada and Casolare, and chef de cuisine Nicole Belverd, an alum of the Inn at Little Washington and Zaytinya. Status: Certified open. 2911 District Ave., Suite 150; website.

February 19, 2017

1) NAVY YARD—Bardo began a month-long soft opening in Navy Yard, welcoming craft beer lovers to its new riverfront plot. Per management, the new brewery/hangout is expected to function “sporadically” from now until April 3. Status: Certified open. 25 Potomac Ave. SE; website.

February 13, 2017

1) SHAW—A new and genuinely improved Union Kitchen Grocery opened alongside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, bringing more locally made goods and additional dining options to Shaw. Status: Certified open. 1251 9th St. NW; website.

February 9, 2017

1) DUPONT CIRCLE—Addendum opens tonight with a focus on house-made ingredients and upscale cocktails served in crystal glassware. Lukas Smith and J.D. Quioco — big names in the local bartending game — will head up the beverage program at the 20-seat bar. Status: Certified open. 1212 18th St NW. website.

January 30, 2017

1) PENN QUARTER—The Smith, a 200-seat modern American brasserie and bar, opens tonight for dinner with comfort foods to cocktails on draft. The massive 9,000-square-foot eatery replaces the shuttered McCormick & Schmick. Expect similar fare to what’s found at its four Manhattan sister spots, like steaks, salads, steamed mussels, and mac and cheese. Lunch and brunch will be added Feb. 8. Status: Certified open at 5 p.m. 901 F St. NW; website.

2) TYSONS CORNER—Southern Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão opens for lunch and dinner today, marking its first foray into Northern Virginia. An open kitchen shows off the centuries-old grilling technique of churrasco, and there’s also an expansive patio. This is its 46th location worldwide. Status: Certified open. 1775 Tysons Blvd., McLean, Va.; website.

Fogo de Chão

3) MARSHALL—Gentle Harvest, a new food retail concept in Fauquier Couny, sources from local farms, including its own Ayrshire Farm. Think certified organic and certified humane meats to grab-and-go meals, to meal kits, to coffee, flowers, local wines and beer. There’s also a casual dine-in restaurant. A second store in Winchester will open in the spring. Status: Certified open. 8372 W. Main St., Marshall, Va.; website.

January 19, 2017

1) FOGGY BOTTOM—The latest addition to the burgeoning &pizza family is serving up breakfast pies (three of ‘em), gourmet coffee (courtesy of Vigilante Coffee Company) and cold-pressed juices by JRINK. Status: Certified Open. 2224 F St. NW; website.

January 18, 2017

1) DOWNTOWN—Fast-casual chain eatsa has opened its second shop in D.C. just steps from the White House. NW. Same fully customizable menu, new two-story layout. Status: Certified Open. 1701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW; website.

January 17, 2017

1) IVY CITY—And La Puerta Verde makes it three. Mindful Restaurant Group rounds out its trio of investments in Ivy City with a splashy Mexican restaurant specializing in coastal cuisine and tequila drinks. Status: Certified Open. 2001 Fenwick St. NE; website.

January 13, 2017

1) COLUMBIA HEIGHTS—Highly anticipated Mezcalero — a project from chef Alfredo Solis, and sister restaurant to El Sol — has opened in Columbia Heights, bringing authentic Mexican street food and drink to the new spot. There will be dozens of types of mezcal and craft cocktails, along with eats certain not to break the bank. Status: Certified Open. 3714 14th St. NW; website.

[R. Lopez]

January 12, 2017

1) DUPONT CIRCLERed Apron Burger Bar, a burger-focused restaurant that is the result from a partnership between Red Apron Butcher and Neighborhood Restaurant Group, opens today on Connecticut Ave. Expect about eight different burgers and French fries cooked in beef fat. Status: Certified Open. 1323 Connecticut Ave., NW; website.

2) CLARENDON—Pamplona, the new 3,600-square-foot colorful space from Social Restaurant Group, has a running of the bulls theme and Basque country food from chef James Martin. Status: Certified Open. 3100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, Va.; website.

3) OLD TOWN—EatsPlace opened their second location at the historic Torpedo Factory Art Center. The quick-serve concept includes sandwiches, entree salads and soups. Options include kimchi grilled cheese, an Asian fermented foods board, open faced tarts and cheese and charcuterie. The cafe will also provide space for classes and demos. Beer and wine coming soon. Status: Certified Open. 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, Va.; website.

January 11, 2017

1) U STREET—A new Ethiopian restaurant has opened in the U Street corridor. Fasika specializes in super-spicy vegetarian dishes and mild meat-filled fare. It’s situated above Appioo, an African/Ghanian restaurant, making the address a veritable destination for African eats. Status: Certified Open. 1924 Ninth St. NW; website.

January 10, 2017

1) THE PENTAGON—Workers at the Pentagon got a Fresh Kitchen by Robert Irvine this week, serving up pizzas, breakfast items, sandwiches, and more. Status: Certified Open. 1 Street, D.C.; website.

January 9, 2017

1) ANNANDALE—The Block, a new food court filled by Asian-themed eateries, welcomes its final piece on Monday: Block Bar. The 18-stool space features comfy wingback chairs and a video projector with live TV. The Block also has Roots (Thai street food), Balo Kitchen (Asian “comfort food”), SnoCream Company, and Pokeworks. Status: Certified Open. 4221 John Marr Drive, Annandale, Va.

2) CAPITOL HILL—Joselito Casa de Comidas is a 70-seat intimate eatery from Spanish native Javier Candon (who also owns SER in Arlington). He’s rolling out tapas to family-style portions in what he describes as an “unpretentious” setting. Status: Certified Open. 660 Pennsylvania Ave. SE; website.

January 7, 2017

1) WOODBRIDGE—Prince William County got a little nerdier with the arrival of the superhero-themed Heroic Aleworks. The 15 barrel, four-vessel production system plans to explore new styles, while specializing in the best of European lagers and ales. Status: Certified Open. 14910 Persistence Drive, Woodbridge, Va.; website.

January 5, 2017

1) ROSSLYN—Quinn’s On the Corner debuts today with Irish and Belgian fare like mussels, steak frites, waffles, and specialty burgers. The 60-seat pub, from the owners of Copperwood Tavern, boasts one of the largest selections of Irish whiskey the area, poured from a custom 22-foot oak bar. Status: Certified Open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. 1776 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va.; website.

Fish and chips at Quinn’s
Official

January 4, 2017

1) IVY CITY—Pidzza is a burgeoning local chain that just opened its first location in Ivy City. It’s pizza (featuring options to DIY or go ready-made) with a Turkish flare — think roasted curried cauliflower as a stand-out ingredient — as well as gussied-up salads. It’s open as of 11 a.m. Status: Certified Open. 2000 Hecht Ave. NE; website.

2) CHINATOWN—Free State Atlantic Bar, a Mid-Atlantic-themed bar has opened in Chinatown, underneath Bantam King. The theme means local and local-ish brews and snacks, from Dogfish Head drinks and salt water taffy. Status: Certified Open. 501-B G St. NW; website.

3) BLOOMINGDALE—DCity Smokehouse’s handsome new digs are open to the public starting today. This location is decidedly bigger than the restaurant’s former home, which wasn’t too far away. Status: Certified Open. 203 Florida Ave. NW; website.

January 3, 2017

1) BETHESDA—Olivia Macaron has a new location within the Westfield Montgomery Mall, which opened Jan. 2. It’s a kiosk off-shoot of the Georgetown stand-alone shop, though plan is to expand into malls, like this location, as well as in Tysons Corner. Status: Certified Open. 7101 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, Md.; website.

2) BETHESDA—Yum Crepes has reopened within the Westfield Mall. Status: Certified Re-Opened. 7101 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, Md.; website.

3) BETHESDA—Ditto Shanghai Bao Kitchen — the spot has reopened in the Westfield Montgomery Mal. Status: Certified Re-Opened. 7101 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, Md.; website.

December 29, 2016

1) FALLS CHURCH—A location of boba tea specialists Kung Fu Tea has arrived to Eden Center. Find customizable beverages and treats here. Its grand opening took place on Christmas Day. Status: Certified open. 6757 Wilson Blvd., #10-11, Falls Church, Va.; website.

December 28, 2016

1) MERRIFIELD—Choolaah Indian BBQ, a Cleveland-based brand, has expanded into the D.C. area, with its first location at the Mosaic District. They serve up customizable dishes and utilize the tandoori to make food in plain sight. Status: Certified Open. 2911 Mosaic District, Suite 100, Fairfax, Va.; website.

2) CHINATOWN—Another out-of-town chain has opened up in the city today. Honeygrow, a Philadelphia-based brand, has opened its second D.C. location, in Chinatown today. The two major menu items are stir-fry and salad. Status: Certified Open. 716 Seventh St. NW; website.

Honeygrow
Official

December 22, 2016

1) ALEXANDRIA—D.C.’s newest Sweetgreen is now open in Old Town Alexandria, on King Street. It’s the chain’s first location in Alexandria, and 9th in Virginia. All opening-day proceeds benefit Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture. Status: Certified Open. 823 King St. Alexandria, Va.; website.

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