Capitol Hill’s New Dining Complex Will Sling Its Own Absinthe

More details are emerging about Neighborhood Restaurant Group’s mega eating and drinking destination, which will bring in-house spirits and lots of beer to a Capitol Hill residential complex this fall.

The 12,500-square-foot Southeast venture, two years in the making near the Potomac Avenue Metro, now has a name: The Roost (1401 Pennsylvania Avenue SE). The multi-part venue will sit inside a new residential building dubbed Blackbird. WCP has the latest intel on the project on Thursday, and NRG also confirmed updates with Eater.

Spirits director Nick Farrell will run the cocktail and wine bar inside. He’ll call it Show of Hands and focus on lower-ABV drinks made with 10 spirits (limoncello, absinthe, vermouth, seasonal fruit liqueurs, and an amaro of sorts) Farrell will make himself. He’s already experimenting with his own limoncello at Dupont Circle sister spot Iron Gate.

NRG says a second unnamed bar at The Roost, manned by NRG beer director Greg Engert, will naturally be big on brews.

The Virginia-based hospitality group behind Bluejacket brewery, and beer-centric restaurants Birch and Barley, Rustico, and The Sovereign, partnered with real estate operators CAS Riegler and May Development in 2017 to develop a dining hub that ropes in existing NRG brands as well as outside chefs and operations. Plans for The Roost’s cluster of eateries are still in the works.

The evolving Southeast neighborhood is getting ready to welcome an anticipated 100-seat restaurant from chef Kevin Tien, owner of Petworth’s critically acclaimed Himitsu. Emilie’s (1101 Pennsylvania Avenue SE) is projected to play up lots of seasonal and local ingredients with large plates and an a la carte menu.

• Neighborhood Restaurant Group’s Working on a Beer Bar-Led Dining Hub in Southeast, Plus More Intel [EDC]
• Neighborhood Restaurant Group Announces First Bar Planned for ‘The Roost’ on Capitol Hill [WCP]
• Himitsu’s Chef Is Opening a New Capitol Hill Restaurant [EDC]