For his second restaurant in the nation’s capital, celebrity chef and TV personality Edward Lee went big. So big, in fact, that the Top Chef alum relocated to the D.C. metro region earlier this year from Louisville, Kentucky to personally oversee both the original Succotash at National Harbor, and the nearly twice larger sibling opening Monday night inside the District.
The new Succotash Lee has installed inside the historic Equitable Bank building (915 F Street NW; just a few doors down from super-sized New York export The Smith) occupies 9,000 square feet and is spread across multiple stories.
Design accents include a glass atrium, two bars, a wraparound mezzanine that overlooks the main dining room, lots of restored wood, private dining areas, and leather-wrapped chairs and banquettes. Partner Knead Hospitality and Design worked to maintain the integrity of integral components such as the original marble floors and mahogany paneling.
The menu mirrors the Asian-spiced, Southern-style preparations at the initial Succotash, with some updates. Lee continues the Nashville-hot everything trend by applying the heating agent to fried oysters; He caters to rice bowl junkies with an iteration composed of barbecue leeks, roasted carrots, salted blueberries, and the optional fried egg. (See full menu below)
The restaurant is expected to serve dinner nightly to start. A company spokeswoman tells Eater lunch and brunch service should follow “in a few weeks” (National Harbor offers lunch, dinner, happy hour, and brunch).
Succotash DC dinner menu by Eater.com on Scribd
Succotash DC drink menu by Eater.com on Scribd
Once fully operational, the new Succotash is projected to operate from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 11:30 a.m. to midnight on Friday, from 10 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, and from 10 a.m to 11 p.m. on Sunday.
Status: Opening at 5 p.m. 915 F Street NW; website.