Food

Chefs on the Move: Akhtar Nawab Takes Over at Table

Chef de cuisine Patrick Robinson says farewell to the Shaw restaurant as the New York toque moves in.

Chef de cuisine Patrick Robinson (pictured) departs Table as new head chef Akhtar Nawab moves in.

Popular Shaw restaurant Table has seen big changes over the past few months, namely the somewhat dramatic departure of opening chef/partner Frederik de Pue late last year. Now word comes from the modern American eatery that chef de cuisine Patrick Robinson, who’s helmed the kitchen since de Pue’s exit, is moving to the Virginia suburbs; Robinson has cooked at the eatery since its debut in 2012. Taking his place: Akhtar Nawab, who’s been appointed executive chef.

Nawab comes from New York with a number of big-name Manhattan kitchens on his resume, including Gramercy Tavern, Craftbar, and La Esquina. Don’t expect a concept overhaul at Table—representatives from the restaurant say they’re sticking with the local, rustic theme—though a new summer menu is expected to launch on June 21. The eatery will also start a new family-style wine dinner series on June 22.

Food Editor

Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.