Michelin-Starred Siren Is Moving Out of Its Hotel Digs In Search of a ‘Better Location’

Robert Wiedmaier’s prestigious seafood spot in Logan Circle is checking out of its inaugural location inside the Darcy hotel next month.

Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema broke the relocation news with a tweet over the weekend, confirming Wiedmaier plans to close at 1515 New Hampshire Avenue NW February 19 and re-open in “a better location — out of a hotel.” Its departure comes just months after Siren was crowned with its first coveted Michelin star, sparking an expected reservations frenzy for Wiedmaier and executive chef John Critchley’s ingredient-driven menu that celebrates the bounty of the sea.

The sprawling restaurant brought the neighborhood crustacean-filled seafood towers, surf-and-turf platters, and locally sourced crab cakes upon opening inside the Darcy in spring 2017.

Polly Wiedmaier, chief marketing officer at RW Restaurant Group (Marcel’s, Brasserie Beck), tells Eater via email that “at this time we don’t have a confirmed location,” but an update could come within weeks.

Siren has an inconspicuous location, tucked inside the 226-room hotel lobby level and next to prominent, green signage for the Holiday Inn next door. It’s arguably hard to access by foot and car due to its placement along traffic-plagued Scott Circle. Chef David Guas’s Lil’B Coffee Bar & Eatery is also located off of Darcy’s lobby.

The hotel, which debuted as D.C.’s first and only hotel in Hilton Worldwide Inc.’s Curio Collection, was sold late last year to private real estate investment group Northwood Investors. Eater reached out to its new independent ownership for comment.

Next month Hilton will unveil its 360-room CityCenter hotel, the Conrad, and its signature Estuary restaurant from Top Chef alums Bryan and Michael Voltaggio.

Siren was hailed by outgoing Michelin guide director Michael Ellis for the “freshness and quality” of its product and masterful cooking techniques. Michelin categorizes one star as “high quality cooking, worth a stop.”

Along with Siren, the third edition of the Michelin Guide to the DMV also welcomed Ryan Ratino’s bistronomie-focused Bresca, upping the number of local Michelin-rated restaurants to 16 for 2019.

• D.C.’s only Curio Collection by Hilton hotel is sold, goes independent [WBJ]
• Here Are Washington, D.C.’s Michelin Stars for 2019 [EDC]
• Inside Estuary, the Voltaggio Brothers’ Hotel Restaurant in CityCenter [EDC]
• D.C.’s 2019 Michelin Stars, Mapped [EDC]
• Siren, Opening Night, Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. [EDC]