St. Regis Unveils New Mediterranean Restaurant

The St. Regis hotel in downtown D.C. has officially replaced its Spanish-themed house restaurant, Decanter, with Mediterranean-focused newcomer, Alhambra.

Executive chef Sébastien Giannini, who came on board last fall after spearheading the kitchen at W Montréal, is now serving entrees ($26 to $49) such as grilled scallops with raw cauliflower, roast chicken with herb butter, and tomahawk steak with potatoes.

Small plates ($11 to $19) include tuna tartare with date puree, harissa paste, preserved lemon, marcona almond, and quail’s egg yolk. French bakery Boulangerie Christophe, which has a location in Georgetown, will serve a Mediterranean-inspired fig and walnut loaf exclusive to Alhambra. Sunday brunch offerings include lobster with poached eggs, and orange duck over polenta.

Giannini replaces executive chef Javier Cuesta Muñoz, who left after a short stint to run the kitchen at Taberna del Alabardero.

The Rockwell Group renovated the St. Regis restaurant back in 2013, leaving its historic ceiling in place and adding multiple dining alcoves with glass spheres suspended from above. The main room fits 60, with 14 in the semi-private area.

Status: Certified open. 923 16th Street NW; website.