**Updated to include additional restaurants**

Who says we’re in a bad economy? Look at all these new restaurants opening up in DC. Things can’t be that bad.

We get our restaurant news from dozens of sources, and this guide is our attempt to put it in one place for our wonderful readers. Wasn’t that nice of us? What new restaurants are you excited about?

Know about a restaurant opening in the DC Area that we missed? Shoot us an email or leave a comment below.

DC

  • Elisir – Enzo Fargio will open a tasting menu focused restaurant in Federal Triangle – March 2011
  • Rogue 24 – Chef RJ Cooper from Vidalia is opening a 24-course restaurant near the Verizon Center – Early 2011
  • DC-3- From the team behind Matchbox and Ted’s Bulletin, they will open a hot dog spot on Capitol Hill – Fall 2010
  • Shake Shack – Opening up in Dupont Circle in the former Fuddruckers space – Early 2011
  • EatMore DrinkMore Taqueria*– the team behind Kaz Sushi Bistro & Masa 14 will open a Mexican taqueria in Logan Circle.  *The restaurant is unnamed, so we thought they could name it after us!– Spring 2011
  • Serendipity 3 – Opening in the old Nathans space on the Corner of M & Wisconsin in Georgetown.  – TBD
  • Cuba Libre – Bringing latin and Cuban flavor to Chinatown this September – September  2010
  • Go Burger – Adding to the gourmet burger trend in DC, the team behind BLT Steak will be opening a their take on the burger in Dupont Circle – Fall 2010
  • Casa Nonna- The BLT Steak team is busy preparing for the opening of an Italian Restaurant in Dupont Circle – September 2010
  • Italian Shirt Laundry & Italian Cinema – The group behind restaurants such as Againn and Acqua will be opening a pizzeria and bakery (Italian Shirt Laundry) in Logan Circle . They will also open Italian Cinema, an upscale Italian Restaurant in Logan Circle as well–2010
  • Brixton Pub – A new gastropub serving the U Street Corridor – TBD
  • Jack Rose – The genius behind Bourbon and Breadsoda will be bringing yet another restaurant and bar to U Street. – 2010
  • Hill Country – NY Based BBQ heading to Penn Quarter.  – Winter 2010
  • District Burger – New casual burger & shake restaurant coming to Washington Circle – TBD
  • Dino – An EM DM favorite is looking to expand to Columbia Heights.
  • Tackle Box – The seafood shack from Georgetown will be expanding to Cleveland Park – Winter 2010/2011
  • Flip Burger – Top Cheftestant Richard Blaise is searching out a location for his burger concept in DC. (via Washingtonian)
  • Smith Commons – 3 Level Bistro set to open on H-Street – Late September 2010
  • Galileo III – Roberto Donna’s return to the district.  - September 2010
  • PJ Clarke’s - 16th & K (where Olives was) – pub from NY – great burgers and atmosphere – TBD
  • Hamilton Square-  Clyde’s is behind the concept for the old Border’s space on 14th & F. Dining room upstairs, nightclub on lower level. – Late 2011
  • The Atlas Room – A seasonal, new American restaurant in the old Napa space on the 1000 block on H Street NE. – Fall 2010
  • The Queen Vic - A British gastropub will be opening on H Street – Fall 2010

Maryland

  • Uptown Deli – An authentic NY Deli is coming to the DC area. Opening any day now. Make sure to check out our interview with the owner.
  • Cava Grill – Mediterranean joint is expanding to Bethesda, they will be offering sandwiches in addition to their mezze. – December 2010
  • Food & Wine Co - Bistro in downtown Bethesda, where Uno’s was by the movie theater on Wisconsin Ave.  Plan to price wine at retail + $5, owners of the now closed Centro and Cork 57 – Fall 2010
  • Seasons 52 – North Bethesda (near White Flint Mall), seasonal ingredients - Spring 2011
  • Matchbox – Rockville – Congressional Plaza (where PGA Grill was) on Rockville Pike (two levels 10k sq ft, patio) – Fall 2010

Virginia

  • Virtue Feed & Grain – Cathal Armstrong is expanding in Old Town with an Irish American Pub – Spring 2011
  • Cava – Mediterranean joint is expanding to Clarendon, underneath the Gold’s Gym. –Early 2011
  • Ray’s the Catch – Michael Landrum’s long awaited take on seafood is slated to open this fall. Not sure I believe it, but I have my fingers crossed.
  • Crumbs Bake Shop – Yet ANOTHER cupcake shop is opening in DC. This time right smack dab in between Lululemon & Red Mango. How many sun salutations, do I have to do, to burn off a cupcake? – December 2010
  • Lost Dog – The puppy friendly pizza parlor will be opening a location in Mclean
  • Clarendon Grill – Closed this summer for renovations, and will be reopening in September 2010.
  • SweetGreen – Local favorite for yogurt and salads will be opening up a location in Ballston – September 2010
  • Taylor Gourmet – Will open up a restaurant in the Mosaic Development in Falls Church – Fall 2012
  • Society Fair – located at the corner of Washington and Duke Streets, will combine a market, butchery, bakery, wine bar, and restaurant with 30 outdoor seats and 50 indoor seats.
  • Brgr:Shack – Opening across the street from the Ballston Metro – Fall 2010
  • Whitlows on Wilson – They are adding a huge rooftop bar to their existing location. – September 2010
  • Rooftop Bar & Grill – Opening up in Courthouse – Fall 2010
  • Pete’s New Haven Apizza – Opening up in Clarendon in the Clarendon Center Development.  – Winter 2010
  • BGR Joint – The local chain expands to add a location in Clarendon – Winter 2010
  • Tangy Sweet/Red Velvet – MORE CUPCAKES are coming to Clarendon, well cupcakes and frozen yogurt – Winter 2010
  • District Taco – From food cart to restaurant, this taco joint is opening a location in the old Restaurant Vero space on Lee Highway – October 2010
  • Bayou Bakery – Originally slated for the space currently occupied by Northside Social, David Guas will be bringing his New Orleans concept to Courthouse – TBD
  • The Alpine – This iconic (well… old) restaurant changed hands to the Liberty Tavern Group, and thus far their lips are sealed on their plans.
  • Rustico & Buzz Bakery – These old town favorites for pizza, beer, cupcakes and coffee will be opening up in Ballston this fall – Fall 2010
  • Mad Rose Tavern – An American Bar opening up in the Lady Hamilton space in Clarendon – Fall 2010
  • Trader Joes – Thus far, it is just a RUMOR, but I am hearing that they may be opening a store in Clarendon.
  • Michel – The new Tyson’s outpost from Michel Richard will be located in the Ritz Carlton – September 2010
  • Matchbox is RUMORED to be looking for a location in Arlington. *Correction, ArlNow confirms they are definitely looking for a space in Arlington.  - 2013
  • Circa is expanding their presence in the DC area with another location in Clarendon. – Winter 2010
  • Ozzie’s - The Great American Restaurant Group (Carlyle, Sweetwater Tavern, Coastal Flats) is opening an Italian restaurant in Fairfax, near Fair Oaks mall – Fall 2010

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Beat the heat tonight with a lobster-themed happy hour as Chinatown Coffee Co. celebrates its new liquor license! From 6:30-8:30 PM, Red Hook Lobster Truck will be offering their amazing rolls, and diners can choose either Lagunitas IPA, Dale’s Pale Ale ($3 each) or select wines to complement.  Live music too!  Happy almost holiday weekend!

Chinatown Coffee Co.  H and 5th sts. NW; 202-559-7656

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An interview with Bethesda’s New Deli Maven

by Britt on September 2, 2010

Howard posing outside of Uptown Deli in Bethesda

So I’ve been stalking the entrances of the soon-to-open Uptown Deli for a while now. On my most recent pass by I noticed I sign saying “knock loudly I’m in the back” So that’s exactly what I did and lucky for me, I had the chance to chat with self-proclaimed Deli Maven, Howard Wasserman. The deli isn’t quite open yet but he agreed to give us an interview anyway and I have to say this has been my most entertaining one yet! Read below to find out why.

With the amount of New York & New Jersey transplants, and large Jewish population, why is DC lacking really good deli?
HW:
How many of those transplants want to go into the deli business? Its hard work and a lot of stress and aggrivation. Plus a huge investment to do it right. Plus the fact that not too many people are actually Deli Mavens like me.

How big are your sandwiches? We like big deli sandwiches.
HW:
Our sandwiches will be huge, 8oz of meat and we also have “the Big Fresser” sandwich for someone who thinks they can eat 2lbs of meat at one sitting plus the cheese and bread.

Latkes… Applesauce or Sour Cream?
HW: I like both plus chives on my sour cream.

How exactly is your corned beef made? Do you brine your meats in-house?
HW:
We do not brine our meats in house, we have a comapny that does this for us and the corned beef gets delivered in 150lb barrels, and then we boil the corned beef in 80 quart pots. We are making our own brisket, roast beef, and turkey breast, non brined.

I take my rye seriously. Are you making it in house, sourcing it from a baker?
HW:
I have a bakery making it for us par baked, meaning its 3/4 baked and we bake it the rest of the way to finish it and put a crust on it. I like my rye crusty, but not my customers!

When I was at Penn State there was this great restaurant, The Deli, and they served a sandwich called the Meshugana. Basically it was a pastrami sandwich that used latkes instead of bread. Any chance you can put it on the menu and name it after me? I’m alright if you just want to nickname it the Shiksa.
HW: Only if it has your picture next to it:) LOL! I’ve seen that before, but not doing that here, but maybe as a special. We are stuffing a potato knish with hot pastrami instead.

Why should people come out to the Uptown Deli? Anything special our readers should know about it? HW: Because we will be a true NY style Deli with authentic NY cheesecake, great huge and awesome tasting sandwiches, great breakfast too, NY egg creams, Dr Brown’s soda, fantastic rugelach, smoked fish from NY, bialies, NO insulting crusty NY waiters, a Yiddish Glossary on the walls, atmosphere and me, a Boston Red Sox Fan!

Fill in the blank – A customer walks into the Uptown Deli, they order Pastrami on White Bread and Mayo. You say…
HW:
No problem, what ever you want you can get at Uptown Deli or (Alice’s Restaurant), now what I’m thinking may be different!

Are you going to do bulk orders for the High Holidays?
HW: Since we have yet to open I may cancel doing orders for Rosh Hashanah and just take platters for Yom Kippur instead. We need to get the kinks (You Reallly Got Me) out for the restaurant first.

What about Matzoh Balls? Are yours light and fluffy or dense?
HW:
Well, how do you like your balls (don’t answer that) ? We will make them light and fluffy!

How about pastries, we love black & White cookies and rugalech? What does Uptown Deli offer?
HW: Oh my god, My pastries are going to rock this town (Stray Cats). Black and white cookies, the rugelach are made with Philly cream cheese, fresh product daily, Danishes made in?? Denmark, I’m not kidding. We are making our own muffins, brownies, bars and cookies are locally made also.

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In honor of 9/02/10 day… peaches for all!

by Jenna on September 2, 2010

My generation grew up with Beverly Hills 90210 every Wednesday night. It’s a show that brings us together as we all spent ten years of our life wanting to be Kelly Taylor, hating Brenda Walsh, and having a crush on Dylan McKay (I even had the Dylan Barbie doll). Therefore, today is a special day as it is 9/02/10 day, and in honor of the gang and their favorite hangout, The Peach Pit, I pulled together a few “peachy” options to enjoy today while paying homage to our favorite Beverly Hills teens.

The original gang of Beverly Hills 90210

  • Sweetflow Mobile will be hitting up 20th and L, McPherson Square, and then GWU this afternoon serving fresh peach topping for their yogurt.
  • Rugby Cafe serves a fabulous spinach, peach, and pecan salad with goat cheese and champagne vinaigrette.
  • PS7′s delivers a wonderful peaches and cream dessert with basil, broken shortbread, and Riesling granite. This is one tasty treat.
  • EMDM’s own Britt shares why donut peaches rock but don’t roll!
  • Enjoy a bellini at Founding Farmers with pureed white peaches, Prosecco, and peach cordial.

Enjoy! I know Brandon and Andrea would be proud.

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Jalapeño Corn Muffins

by Lindsey on September 1, 2010

When I was invited to a big crab feast (starting by us actually pulling a friend’s crab traps out of the river), I wanted to bring a side that would go well and was easy to eat with the crabs. Jalapeño corn muffins sounded perfect! I found Bobby Flay’s recipe for the ones he serves at Mesa Grill and I was sold. They have a nice kick and were perfect for the occasion. I even started dipping them in the vinegar and old bay that I was using for the crab meat. Bobby Flay uses blue and yellow corn meal but I stuck with yellow and they turned out just fine. This recipe makes 6 muffins but I doubled it and made about 3 dozen mini muffins.

Jalapeño Corn Muffins
adapted from Bobby Flay’s Blue Corn Muffins
  • 2 ounces (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons finely diced onion
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup finely diced red bell pepper
  • 1 jalapeno peppers, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup corn
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro leaves
  • 3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon honey (can use sugar instead)

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a muffin pan (regular or mini) with non-stick spray.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Add the onions and garlic and cook until soft.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, bell pepper, jalapeno, corn, and cilantro. Whisk in the butter mixture.

In a separate bowl, stir together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. Mix into the liquid mixture and stir in the honey.

Divide the batter evenly among the muffins slots and bake for 16 minutes or until set, check after 6 minutes if making mini muffins.

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Rosa Mexicano: A chipotle (like the pepper) haven

September 1, 2010

Last weekend my parents were in town visiting. After a morning of mueseum touring we decided to head over to Rosa Mexicano for lunch. I’ve walked past this place a hundred times but have never stopped in. I’m so glad I did! Most people you talk to will mention how pricey it is which, is for [...]

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David Alan Grier Really Hates Food Trucks

August 31, 2010

It is a good thing that he lives on the west coast, I don’t want him messing with our food trucks in DC. If you don’t read David Alan Grier’s food blog, Chocolate Glutton, you should. It is a hilarious read and his passion for cooking really shows. // Share|

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Travel Tuesdays: Florence

August 31, 2010

So I will admit that I have not been to Florence since 2004 (so sad), but I did live there for about six months and given that it is a tiny little town, I got to know it incredibly well. It is easily my favorite place in the world because of its charm, history, beauty… [...]

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DC’s Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

August 31, 2010

One of the wonderful things about getting married is the “in-law” family you get along with the spouse.  In my case, I was especially lucky to marry into such good cooks and bakers (no offense mom, wink-wink:)…Since Chad does most of the cooking (and by most I mean all unless we are craving that occasional [...]

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Bethesda’s Booming Restaurant Business

August 31, 2010

This is shaping up to be a big week in Bethesda restaurant openings and news. In just under 48 hours three restaurants, American Tap Room, Vapiano, and Taylor Gourmet are all opening up shop. Even more ridiculous is the fact that they are all on the same block. Talk about some serious competitive drive! I haven’t had a [...]

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