Cajun Destination Acadiana Is Closing — But Could Reopen Nearby

Acadiana, Passion Food Hospitality group’s tribute to Louisiana fish houses, will close after 13 years of serving gumbo and po’boy sandwiches to downtown’s expense account-set — but there’s a good chance another will reemerge somewhere nearby.

The live jazz brunch and happy hour haunt (901 New York Avenue NW) announced the upcoming shutter on its social media channels, and a message on its website reads: “we will close permanently after New Year’s Eve as our lease is terminating.”

Manager Tavarus Flores tells Eater the team is currently on the prowl for a space in the same vicinity to eventually revive the brand.

“It’s a very good possibility we would probably be opening another Acadiana somewhere in this general area. They are actively looking,” says Flores, in a phone call Thursday.

Acadiana 2.0 will likely be a downsized version of its current setup. The cavernous 4,000-square-foot space features two large banquet rooms.

“We are the largest restaurant in our company. D.C. dining is not about bigger restaurants anymore,” says Flores.

Passion Food, run by chef Jeff Tunks, David Wizenberg, and Gus DiMillo, also includes D.C.’s District Commons and Burger, Tap & Shake and TenPenh Tysons Corner.

To mark its last month of service, Christmas-meets-Mardi Gras programming kicking off Monday, December 3, calls for special menus packed with some of its most popular dishes and cocktails.

Greatest hits over the years at the white tablecloth-covered venue have included blackened swordfish, beer-battered soft shell crabs with ricotta dumplings, flaky hand pies, and garlicky charbroiled oysters.

Acadiana plans to go out with a bang: Its last night of service on Monday, December 31 coincides with a big New Year’s Eve bash.