Osteria Morini Temporarily Closed After Kitchen Fire in Navy Yard

Flames in Navy Yard

A kitchen fire at Osteria Morini, the ballpark-adjacent pasta place from New York-based chef Michael White, drew firefighters to Navy Yard last night. Public Information Officer Vito Maggiolo told Washington City Paper that no one was hurt, but the damage was “significant” as the fire made its way through the restaurant’s ductwork and onto the roof. A subsequent post on the restaurant’s Facebook page said it hoped to re-open Wednesday. [WCP]

Update: A representative for Osteria Morini tells Eater that the restaurant will likely remain closed through the weekend. The rainbow almond Pride cake from pastry chef Tova Hillman that the restaurant planned to sell for this weekend’s festivities will be available at sister spot Nicoletta Pizzeria on the boardwalk nearby. The restaurant group will send 20 percent of the proceeds from the cake to Casa Ruby.

Osteria Morini [official]

Black hole on 14th Street?

Signage for a new restaurant landing at 2005 14th Street NW, right by the corner of bustling U Street NW, has triggered some speculation that the building might be cursed. The address last housed Diet Starts Monday, which sold poutine, fried pickles, and bacon-wrapped hot dogs in addition to streetwear. It closed at the end of 2018 after a run of less than two years. As Popville and Washingtonian’s Jessica Sidman noted, the location has also been an inhospitable home to Blackbyrd Warehouse, Hanoi House, Den of Thieves, and the BBQ Joint (all since 2011). Next up: a Mexican cantina called Bar Lorea that’s promising mezcal pours and tortillas made from imported heirloom corn. [Popville]

Asian barbecue in Rockville

A former Mellow Mushroom pizza parlor in Rockville is being converted into three different Asian restaurants. Bethesda Magazine reports that Gyuzo Japanese BBQ, Kyoto Matcha (tea and desserts) and Cents Taro Family (Taiwanese sweet taro balls) will go into the building at 33 Maryland Avenue in Rockville Town Square. New York-based fast-casual chain Friendship BBQ is also coming, bringing Asian meat skewers and seafood dishes. [BM]

Metro “stop” in Alexandria

In an empathetic gesture for Metro riders affected by closures to the Blue and Yellow Line stops south of Reagan National Airport (May 25 to September 8), the Bastille French brasserie in Alexandria is offering guests who flash their Smart Trip Cards a 10 percent discount on lunch dishes and extending weekday happy hour until 9 p.m.