Michelin-Starred Chef Matt Baker’s Chinatown Cafe Opens Today

The chef behind Michelin-starred Gravitas opens his second location of all-day cafe Baker’s Daughter today. Matt Baker’s new Chinatown location (675 I St. NW) is doubling down on breakfast, serving taquitos, baked goods from pastry chef Aisha Momaney, and a stellar breakfast sandwich with a fried egg, Virginia ham, applewood-smoked bacon, gruyere cheese.

Baker told Washingtonian that dishes available throughout the day will include jambon-beurre baguette sandwiches, ready-to-eat lasagna, matzoh ball soup, and cheese boards. He has yet another Baker’s Daughter location in the works to add to the Chinatown and Ivy City outposts, taking over the Kintsugi space as part of his deal with K Street’s Eaton hotel.

In other news...

• The Black Bourbon Society (BBS) nationwide tour, in partnership with Jim Beam, will stop in D.C. on Saturday, July 24 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Smokin’ Pig (1208 H St. NE). The organization’s mission statement focuses on “bridging the gap between the spirits industry and African American bourbon enthusiasts across the globe.” At the D.C. event, there will be samples of Jim Beam’s portfolio, and barbecue on offer too.
• There’s demo happening right now at 9:30 Club’s shuttered Satellite Room, a PoPville reader reports, specifically on the patio.
• People can’t get enough of photogenic charcuterie and cheese boards, and Washingtonian tracks down five new businesses supplying spreads with olives, prosciutto, and honey.
• Popular breakfast destination Heat Da Spot is working on a new location in Petworth, per PoPville.
• Celeb sightings: singer Ne-Yo gave an impromptu concert at Casta’s Rum Bar over the weekend.