New Dupont Restaurant Promises ‘Aggressive Happy Hour,’ Plus More Intel

Coming attractions

Washington City Paper reports that Anthony Lupo, co-founder of Southern Hospitality in Adams Morgan and Scarlet Oak in Navy Yard, intends to open Magnolia Kitchen & Bar this spring in the Dupont Circle location (1601 Connecticut Avenue NW) formerly occupied by local chain, Circa. An alum of the Circa family of restaurants, Lupo plans to focus on American fare (burgers, steaks) and wants to implement an “aggressive happy hour” focused on local beer, wine, and whiskey.

S.O.S.

The cold blast that’s kept everyone indoors the past few days has wreaked havoc on local restaurants. Neighborhood eatery Capitol Hill Crab Cakes has started an online fundraiser to raise the money required to reopen (approximately $15,000) after a frozen pipe flooded the entire establishment, while Bethesda Row’s Redwood works to resume operations sometime this week after a water pipe burst on New Year’s Day.

Reopenings report

Local standby Amici Miei is back in business — albeit at a smaller location (6 N. Washington Street, Rockville, Md.). “Finally we are open,” the homegrown Italian eatery announced following its relocation from Potomac to Rockville.

Old Town quiere Taco Bell?

Washington Business Journal reports that Alexandrians may soon be privy to boozy slushies and burritos. An alcohol-friendly, carryout-centric Taco Bell Cantina may be headed to 417 King Street.