Butter Chicken Company Adds a New Shop by Union Station, With More on the Way

Fast-casual hit Butter Chicken Company has opened its third location in the span of a year, adding a shop close to Union Station on Monday, October 19. The new outpost (601 Second Street NE) has a big weatherized patio and the same short menu as the others. All of the restaurants stay open until they sell out of 300 orders of butter chicken, with a short list of combo options like saag paneer, vegetable biryani, and chicken tikka masala. Adjustments for the pandemic include social distancing in the kitchen and upping to-go orders and delivery through UberEats and GrubHub.

According to restaurateur Asad Sheikh, the fast-growing company already has plans to open at least two more locations across the city. A fourth outpost is coming to Dupont Circle (1506 19th Street NW) this winter. Next year, Butter Chicken 5 will land in Penn Quarter, in the former Merzi space (415 Seventh Street NW).

Sheikh, a Bombay native and Northern Virginia restaurant vet (Curry Mantra London Curry House and 1947), will also expand his Bombay Street Food portfolio in early January with a new location in Adams Morgan (1915 18th Street NW). Bombay Street Food landed in both Columbia Heights and on Capitol Hill in 2019.

In other news...

• A new Bavarian beer hall serving pork schnitzel sandwiches, boots of European beer, and bratwurst opens in Mt. Vernon Triangle on Thursday, October 22, Washington City Paper reports. Restaurateur Eric Heidenberger’s new Prost DC replaces American bistro Silo (919 Fifth Street NW).
• Michelin-rated Mid-Atlantic restaurant the Dabney will reboot indoor dining in Blagden Alley for the first time in seven months on Friday, October 23, Washingtonian reports. The D.C. favorite plans to reopen with a four-course prix-fixe menu for $75, along with takeout on a sampling of la carte dishes.
• Chef Nicholas Stefanelli’s tri-level Italian eatery Officina just rolled out an $11 all-night pasta special for dine-in and carryout orders every Wednesday through the winter. Options at the Wharf include pumpkin-filled ravioli, Shenandoah lamb ricotta gnocchi, and bucatini all’ Amatriciana.
• Starting Wednesday, October 21, the newly reopened Punch Bowl Social Arlington will roll out happy hour (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.) with drinks and bites starting at $3 and half-off all available activities like bowling, karaoke, bocce ball, darts, and arcade games.