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Critically acclaimed Mirabelle will have a new competitor come spring, when the neighboring Sofitel hotel’s new French restaurant begins serving bistro favorites such as croque monsieur and steak frites.
Opaline, which translates to different types of glass in French, is expected to join downtown’s expense account-friendly dining scene in April inside the hotel at 806 15th Street NW. The sleek space includes a 90-seat bar and 84-seat brasserie, with modern brass lighting fixtures, wood flooring, and pops of blue and gold tones throughout. It replaces the red-heavy ICI Urban Bistro, an Asian-French fusion eatery.
The menu, which is still in the works, will feature traditional French fare like steak tartare, tartines, and pate to share. A chef hasn’t been picked yet.
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James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef Frank Ruta’s latest restaurant is located just two blocks away. The impeccably designed Mirabelle instantly elevated downtown’s dining landscape upon its arrival last spring; pastry chef Aggie Chin was just named a James Beard Foundation Awards semifinalist for outstanding pastry chef.
The Fairmont in the West End, which also falls under the Accor Hotels umbrella, is expected to announce a replacement to its Juniper restaurant this year.
