Signs of Spring: Dacha Reopens Tomorrow with a New Chef and Menu

Here's a sign that spring is near — Dacha, the German themed beer garden in Shaw, reopens tomorrow. And this year, the outdoor restaurant and bar is planning for some big changes — including a new chef, new beer program, and a wine and cocktail menu.

Chef Quinten Frye, formerly with Big Bear Cafe and Cocina Tortas, will lead the kitchen. His new menu will feature charcuterie, monster-sized pretzels that can feed upwards of three to four people, buckets of mussels, and German-style brats. Dacha is also planning to offer a lot more in the way of drinks, too.

"We are still first and foremost a beer garden. But, we realize that not everyone is a beer drinker, so this year we tripled the size of our wine list and added three cocktails at $10 each," says Nina Liggett, Dacha's general manager.

Food service will also be a bit different from last year. Instead of an order and pick-up window, Dacha is planning to offer table service for dine-in patrons.

There's also going to be new theme nights throughout the week. On Mondays, a select number of wine bottles will be half-off, and on Wednesdays there will be a beer club special. For this week's beer club, Dacha is serving Town & Country, a Belgian strong Ale, from Atlas Brew Works. The club is kind of like a rewards program for regulars, a system in which drinkers can rack up points for freebies and other special events offered at local breweries, including DC Brau and Flying Dog.

Just like last year, Dacha's happy hour runs from Monday to Thursday from 4-7 p.m. with a few expanded beer options, including a Flying Dog IPA for $5 by the glass and $10 by the boot.

Dacha opened up a few times intermittently throughout the winter when the weather peaked above 50 degrees and drinkers could still feel their toes. After tomorrow, they'll be open through the warm months.

The menu:

Dacha New Menu