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Opening weekend is finally here for the ambitious Wharf complex, and a few of the restaurants taking up residence along the mile-long renovation are doing what they can to join in the festivities.
While certain eating and drinking spots had always been slated to come online months from now as part of a staggered roll out, many of the big name properties have increasingly fallen behind due to construction delays and other procedural hiccups.
With local politicos scheduled to speak Thursday, October 12, fireworks primed to illuminate the cloudy skies above the Southwest waterfront, and actor Kevin Bacon poised to play a happy hour concert with his band the Bacon Brothers, developers are sticking to the grand opening timeline and bringing along whichever restaurants are willing (and able) to serve the public in some form.
Here’s where to find food this coming weekend:
On Time
- The Anthem: the massive new music hall is scheduled to get underway October 12 with a performance by the Foo Fighters. Attendees can expect to find bao buns, half-smokes, and dessert waffles for sale at the bars sprinkled throughout; all orders will be delivered at the concessions stand on the ground floor.
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- Ben & Jerry’s: The chain ice cream shop is up and running, complete with a living green wall.
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- The Brighton: The latest venture from nightlife vets Eric and Ian Hilton is now open. Ian Hilton has described the cuisine as a “seaside version of the Brixton,” referring to the British pub the brothers installed along U Street NW.
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- Kirwan’s Irish Pub: this traditional pub, from the owner of Samuel Beckett’s in Shirlington, Virginia, is now open.
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- Pearl Street Warehouse: this music venue from the owners of neighboring Cantina Marina is scheduled to open October 12 with a performance by Grammy award-winning artist Booker T. Jones.
- Shake Shack: the NY-born burger chain is now open.
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Partially Open
- Del Mar: limited capacity from October 12 to October 15. The Spanish-themed eatery from restaurateur Fabio Trabocchi is currently scheduled to open in fall 2017.
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- Hank’s Oyster Bar: limited capacity from October 12 to October 15. The first waterfront eatery from restaurateur Jamie Leeds is currently scheduled to open in fall 2017.
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- Milk Bar: the burgeoning NY sweets shop is teasing out its arrival in the Wharf (winter 2018) by hosting a “bake sale” during grand opening weekend. A third location is headed to Logan Circle.
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- Requin: limited capacity from October 12 to October 15. Dinner service at this latest branch of Mike Isabella Concepts is currently scheduled to begin Monday, October 23.
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Delayed
- Cantina Bambina: TBD. A spokesperson for the Wharf declined to provide an updated status report for this new food stand/bar at Transit Pier.
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- Dolcezza: fall 2017
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- Florentijn: winter 2018
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- Kaliwa: winter 2018
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- Kith and Kin: The new restaurant from Shaw Bijou alum Kwame Onwuachi had been working to open October 12, but appears to have changed plans within the past 24 hours. In an official statement provided to Eater, the Kith and Kin crew cites a “few standard delays” as the culprit for missing opening weekend. “We still have every intention of opening this month and look forward to sharing the experience with you when we do," the release states.
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- La Vie: fall 2017
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- Lupo Marino: fall 2017
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- Mi Vida: winter 2018
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- Taylor Gourmet: The homegrown sandwich chain is now scheduled to open at the Wharf on Monday, October 23.
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- Union Stage: winter 2018
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- Velo Café at District Hardware: TBD. A spokesperson for the Wharf declined to provide an updated status report for this new coffee shop/casual eatery.
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- Whiskey Charlie: fall 2017
In the Works
- Blue Bottle Coffee: winter 2018
- District Doughnut: spring 2018
- King Ribs BBQ: TBD. The barbecue stand is projected to migrate from the park opposite Cantina Marina to an undetermined spot within the new Wharf.
- Municipal Fish Market: spring 2018
- Officina by Nicholas Stefanelli: spring 2018
- Potomac Distilling Company: spring 2018
- Rappahannock Oyster Company: spring 2018
Eater will update this list as new information becomes available.
