Buck’s Fishing & Camping chef Vickie Reh will leave that kitchen to devote herself to wine consulting. (She’s currently doing the list for a new place, the name of which she would not share with Tom Sietsema). Also, the decade-old restaurant is on the cusp of unveiling a new 45-seat patio. Reh clocks out for good on April 20; a new chef has not yet been named. [WaPo]
The team behind Balkan small-plates newbie Ambar—that includes Richard Sandoval and Serbia-born Ivan Iricanin—is opening a Latin small-plates restaurant, Toro, in Iricanin’s home country. It is similar in concept to Sandoval’s Toro Toro, a branch of which charges onto I Street, Northwest, this year. [Y&H]
Elsewhere, Sandoval finally make the new El Centro location (in the former Third Edition space) official. The Georgetown outpost opens in June. [Eater DC] This can’t be welcome news for nearby taco and tequila spot Bandolero—a restaurant already plagued by a landlord that wants to break up and persistent rumors that celebrity chef Mike Isabella may be backing away slowly. [Y&H]
Speaking of Isabella, he’s opening an outpost of G, his New Jersey-style sandwich shop, in—yup—New Jersey. The first G is set to debut on 14th Street, Northwest pretty soon. [Washingtonian]
Nanny in the house: Fran Drescher ate at Ripple. [Twitter]
And you thought “Policy” took the most-serious-name-for-a-DC-bar award. Adams Morgan, get ready for Federal Restaurant & Lounge. Popville popped on to the Open Table site for some sleuthing, where he found indication that the project belongs to the owners of Dupont Circle Italian spot Floriana—the two friends also opened Pulpo in Cleveland Park last June. Federal takes over the Saki Asian Grille space at 2477 18th Street, Northwest. [Popville]
Public to District of Columbia: “Please stop with the food truck regulations.” [WaPo]
Bikes vending ice cream sandwiches: totally happening. [Y&H]
Frozen Tropics reports that Tree House Lounge welcomes a soft-opening crowd Friday at 1006 Florida Avenue, Northeast—the focus is on live music. [Frozen Tropics]
Another beer draw near the stadium: Park Tavern opens its doors. [Popville]
