All the Things to Devour at Chevy Chase Newcomer Little Beast

Family-friendly newcomer Little Beast opened this week in Chevy Chase, bringing the neighborhood a whimsical place to feast on hearty comfort foods like wood-fired pizzas and meaty pastas.

The colorful indoor-outdoor space (5600 Connecticut Avenue NW) comes from Aaron Gordon (Red Velvet Cupcakery, Bakers & Baristas), who lives in the area and spotted a shortage of restaurants where young families and couples can wine and dine.

Little Beast, now open for dinner service, includes a 74-seat cozy dining area with reclaimed wood and an open kitchen, joined by a 44-seat outdoor patio with neon chairs that match playful animated “monsters” created by a Berlin-based graffiti artist.

Executive chef Nicholas Martino, most recently chef de cuisine at Tredici Enoteca, is also making house-cured and smoked bacon, house-made sausage, smoked pork and chicken for the menu, as well as mini pizzas and buttered noodles for kids. Here’s a look at the opening food and drink menu:

The restaurant, open daily at 4 p.m., will be joined by a daytime cafe component later this month. Scroll on for a look at some of the dinner dishes:

Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Rey Lopez/Eater DC

• A Berlin Muralist Puts His Mark on Chevy Chase’s New Little Beast [EDC]