D.C.’s W Hotel Will Roast Chickens in a 15-Foot Wood-Burning Hearth

The W Washington D.C. is close to opening a new lobby restaurant and basement bar, and the swanky hotel has named a new chef for the occasion. Will Morris, formerly of Vermilion in Old Town, will lead the kitchens at hearth-driven restaurant Cherry and Corner Office bar.

Washingtonian first reported the news, and Eater confirmed details with representatives for the W.

The hotel has slowly been revealing its piecemeal renovation, starting with a modern, snazzy lobby area in February. The latest additions will replace Mediterranean restaurant Pinea and its companion Root Cellar bar, which were overseen by DGS alum Barry Koslow. The W (515 15th Street NW) is located in the historic Beaux Arts building that was built in 1917.

Here’s a summary of the latest arrivals coming this spring:

Cherry

W Washington DC [official]

• The glowing, amber-lit restaurant is centered around a 15-foot hearth fueled by cherry wood, hickory, and oak. The name is an ode to D.C.’s official fruit and the historic fable about George Washington chopping down a cherry tree.
• The hearth and two wood-fired ovens will cook locally sourced, seasonal dishes like overnight-brined chicken, crab cakes, and charred avocado.
• Large parties can order ahead to reserve platters of lamb shoulder, whole suckling pigs with caramelized apple compote, or whole cuts of beef rib. Penn Quarter’s new Boqueria is also serving whole animal feasts at the table.
• Unlike its former life as Pinea, which went dark in November after four years, the 60-seat revival will be opened up so lobby guests can catch a glimpse of the wood-burning action.
• The bar area will grow to 110 seats and serve 24 draft beers, rail spirits, bitters, and shrubs all sourced within a 50-mile radius of D.C. Mixed drinks come from Amsterdam-based cocktail consultant Jarl de Vries of Cocktail Professor, who’s crafted various W hotel drink menus around the world.

Corner Office

W Washington DC [official]

• The bar menu stars 12-inch, thin crust pizzas that get the wood-fired treatment, along with appetizers and salads.
• There are 38 beers on tap, in addition to draft wines and cocktails.
• An outdoor patio, covered in a retractable awning, will function as a beer garden and host seasonal activities like bocce and curling. More upscale hotels are getting into the beer garden game as of late. In the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, the Standard has its Biergarten.

W Washington DC [official]

The finale of the W’s $50 million makeover is a renovation for its scenic rooftop bar overlooking the White House and monuments. Details are still under wraps for now, but Eater has learned the retooled rooftop will still be called POV. Expect new Brutalist-style architecture with floor-to-ceiling glass leading to the terrace.

• D.C.’s W Hotel Has a Brand New Lobby But No Restaurant Yet [EDC]
• DC’s W Hotel Is Opening a New Restaurant and Bar Centered Around Live-Fire Cooking [W]
• W Hotel plans $50 million renovation [WBJ]
• Boqueria Brings Suckling Pig Feasts to Penn Quarter [EDC]