Every week, Washingtonian food editor Jessica Sidman rehashes the latest news from Washington’s food and drink scene in a newsletter, which you can subscribe to here.
Hi there.
Big news, everyone. Restaurateur Stephen Starr of the uber-popular Le Diplomate is preparing for DC restaurant number two. His next spot will serve “steakhouse cuisine from the grill” near Union Market, according to a liquor license notice. Yes, Washington is getting yet another steakhouse. Stay tuned for more details.
Meanwhile, you may have heard of the new Capo Italian Deli in Shaw, which serves some serious subs plus eggplant parm and cannolis. But did you know there’s a secret cocktail bar in the back? (Well, sort of secret—they told us about it.) Dubbed the BackRoom at Capo, the bar is hidden behind a walk-in freezer door, and to get in, you’ll need for someone on its “register” to send you an access code. At least that’s the way it works for the first month or two. After that, it will be open to all.
If speakeasy gimmicks aren’t really your style, surely Franklin Hall is. The huge new beer hall near U Street has adopted a fast-casual ordering model so you can get your beer and pay fast (from your smartphone, if you want). Gravitas chef Matt Baker is behind the food, which includes mozzarella sticks and five types of sausage.
Over in Union Market, there’s a new take on Ethiopian food. Chef Hiyaw Gebreyohannes, who previously launched a line of microwavable Ethiopian meals available in Whole Foods and on AmazonFresh, has launched a fast-casual stall called Gorsha. You’ll find rice bowls and injera tacos with traditional recipes reinterpreted. For example, Gebreyohannes swaps yellowfin tuna for raw beef in his version of kifto.
And while you’re at Union Market, you should also really try the ramen hot dog at Honeycomb Grocer. Just trust us.
Comments? Questions? Gossip? Email me at jsidman@washingtonian.com.
Jessica Sidman covers the people and trends behind D.C.’s food and drink scene. Before joining Washingtonian in July 2016, she was Food Editor and Young & Hungry columnist at Washington City Paper. She is a Colorado native and University of Pennsylvania grad.
