Logan Circle Beer Destinations ChurchKey and Birch & Barley Will Be Back This Fall

Neighborhood Restaurant Group’s storied bar ChurchKey and adjoining restaurant Birch & Barley have been closed for more than a year during the pandemic, and now the Washingtonian reports that the lights will turn back on in November — with lots of updates. New chef Jon Lavelle is joining on after recently working in Denver, and he is completely overhauling the menu to add fermented dishes like pork ragu-topped rye rigatoni and sourdough focaccia.

Upstairs at ChurchKey, the plan is to serve bar snacks like tater tots or more upscale options like lamb tartare. The 14th Street icon’s decor is getting a refresh, and Churchkey’s massive beer list will return. For the first time, however, customers will be able to buy cans and bottles of beer to take home.

In other news...

• A ghost kitchen devoted to pierogis will soon have three locations throughout the DMV: Rogi (formerly known as Zofia’s Kitchen) will open this weekend at Chefscape in The Village at Leesburg. Other locations include an outpost at Ballston food hall Quarter Market and a planned Tysons shop in the works. Pierogi flavors include a French onion soup-inspired version and a “Peppery Pastrami Pierogi.”

• The Rock’s tequila brand is rolling into town, passing out complementary tacos, french toast sticks, and margaritas today. Teremana Tequila founder Dwayne Johnson’s Mana Mobile food truck is criss-crossing the country and will be at The Wharf this evening, September 9th, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Photo: Teremana Tequila

• The Pretzel Bakery is cutting back on its hours, according to The Hill is Home, citing burnout. Yet the plan is to open a new location in Cabin John.
• A weekday happy hour is debuting this week at U Street’s Lulu’s Winegarden. Order a $9 Ranch Water with pineapple-infused tequila or $9 glasses of wine and $6 Tecate tallboys, in addition to other discounted drink options, with snacks available like $9 whipped feta dip accented with Hatch chile harissa. Make a reservation or walk in for “Golden Hour” at Lulu’s Winegarden, happening Tuesday through Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. and Friday from 3 to 5 p.m.

Photo: Lulu’s Winegarden