The Most Anticipated D.C. Restaurant Openings, Summer 2016

Summer may not be busy season when it comes to D.C. restaurant openings, but that doesn't mean things slow down completely. The lazy months are still poised to bring several new and exciting bar and restaurant options to town. Here's what's coming soon:

the shaw bijou

Address: 1544 9th St. NW
From: Gregory Vakiner, Kwame Onwuachi
The situation: This ambitious, tasting menu-centric restaurant got even more attention when its chef, Kwame Onwuachi (an Eleven Madison Park alumnus), was featured on the most recent season of 'Top Chef.'
Projected opening: Late Summer
*Previous Coverage of The Shaw Bijou [EDC]

[R. Lopez]

The Shaw Bijou's Kwame Onwuachi [Photo: R. Lopez]

casolare

Address: 2505 Wisconsin Ave. NW 
From: Michael Schlow, Tyler Vaughan, Brian Miller (design)
The situation: Schlow opens yet another D.C. restaurant, this one in the newly-renovated Glover Park Hotel. The vibe and menus are "coastal Italian."
Projected opening: July
*Previous Coverage of Casolare [EDC]

anxo

Address: 300 Florida Ave. NW
From: Alex Vallcorba, Sam Fitz, Rachel Fitz, Tim Prendergast
The situation: Cider will be the beverage focus, while the tapas-like pintxos will dominate the food menu at this collaboration restaurant and bar.
Projected opening: June
*Previous Coverage of Anxo [EDC]

Anxo pintxos [Photo: Facebook]

haikan

Address: 805 V St. NW
From: Daisuke Utagawa, Yama Jewayni, and Executive Chef Katsuya Fukushima
The situation: This is the second of two ramen shops debuting soon by the Daikaya team. Haikan's focus is small plates and Sapporo-style ramen (though different than the ramen served at Daikaya).
Projected opening: Late July
*Previous Coverage of Haikan [EDC]

little coco's

Address: 3907 14th St. NW
From: Jackie Greenbaum, Gordon Banks, Adam Harvey 
The situation: The team from Jackie's, El Chucho, and more does Italian with this upcoming restaurant and bar. Expect a roof deck, too.
Projected opening: July
*Previous Coverage of Little Coco's [EDC]

Little Coco's [Photo: Facebook]

pizzeria vetri

Address: 2221 14th St. NW
From: Marc Vetri
The situation: Pizzas, salads, and desserts will all be on the menu at this Philadelphia transplant, from chef Marc Vetri.
Projected opening: Late June
*Previous Coverage of Pizzeria Vetri [EDC]

duke's counter

Address: 3000 Connecticut Ave. NW
From: The Duke's Grocery team
The situation: This second restaurant will be similar to Dupont favorite Duke's Grocery, with a children's menu and a bigger draft selection. It replaces longtime dive Zoo Bar in Woodley Park.
Projected opening: Late June/Early July
*Previous Coverage of Duke's Counter [EDC]

smoked & Stacked

Address: 1239 9th St. NW
From: Marjorie Meek-Bradley, Geoff Dawson, Peter Bayne
The situation: D.C.'s recent "Top Chef" challenger Meek-Bradley (Ripple, Roofers Union) will smoke up pastrami, chicken, and more for this sandwich shop at the convention center.
Projected opening: July
*Previous Coverage of Smoked & Stacked [EDC]

cotton & Reed

Address: 1330 5th St. NE
From: Reed Walker, Jordan Cotton, Lukas B. Smith
The situation: Rum will be a major focus of this brand new distillery near Union Market, which will also boast a bar with rotating cocktails featuring its drinks.
Projected opening: July
*Previous Coverage of Cotton & Reed [EDC]

Cotton & Reed [Photo: Missy Frederick]

the passenger

Address: 1539 Seventh St. NW 
From: Tom Brown
The situation: Tom Brown's beloved cocktail bar, which closed in its original location more than a year ago, plans its return in a new home in Shaw. 
Projected opening: Summer ("Soon," Brown promises)
*All Previous Coverage of The Passenger [EDC]

ALSO SUMMER: Summer will also bring two new Taco Bamba locations (late summer), the Virginia location of Cuban cafe Colada Shop (July), another Buredo location (late June/early July), Midlands Beer Garden, Del Ray's Junction (late June), Jinya Ramen in Mosaic, Timber Pizza Company's brick and mortar, Atlas Room replacement The Haymaker (late June), Ruta Del Vino, Tasty Burger (late June), Sakerum (late June/early July), Morris (September), La Ferme bar Cognac (July), two potential new locations of Fat Pete's, Lupo Verde in the Palisades (September), Umaya (September), diner Community (September), The Dish & Dram (July), LeTena (late July/Early August, The Dirty Goose, Ocean Blue (July), a third Chix location (August), Proper 21 (September), Honeygrow in Pentagon City (late July).

LOOKING LIKE LATER: With restaurant construction comes delays. Expect openings in the fall or even later for such restaurants as Pamplona, Vitality Bowls, Black Squirrel Dunn Loring, Nicoletta, Addie's, Colada Shop DC, The Rooster & Owl, The Bird, Unconventional Diner, and many others.

Colada Shop [Photo: Official]

STILL COULD BE SPRING: The Watergate Hotel's restaurants, RPM Italian, Huxley replacement Buckey + Bear, Chao Ku, Bantam King, Hazel, the next Beefsteak, La Jambe, Flavio, HipCityVeg, Slim's Diner, and Fare Well could all squeak by with spring openings before the season officially starts.

NO UPDATE AVAILABLE: No new estimates were immediately available (or the owners did not respond to update requests) for Rakuya, Homestead, Blue Diner, the Spile & Spigot, Laudree, Liu Chaosheng's Rockville restaurant, Bacaro, Khao Poon, the second Alta Strada, Live Oak, Vola's Dockside Grill, Wet Dog, Tavern, Boru Ramen, Church, Yard & Toast and Mythology Restaurant.

Have additional summer openings intel? Email dc@eater.com.