About Restaurant Openings Around DC
A guide to the newest places to eat and drink.
Neighborhood Restaurant Group’s food hall The Roost began its rollout in Capitol Hill two weeks ago with the debut of Cameo, an eco-conscious coffee shop, and Shop Made in DC, selling local goods. The “culinary clubhouse” will introduce ten more concepts in the coming months, starting with three this week.
The latest additions include beer garden Shelter, Hi/Fi Taco, and another location of the group’s Red Apron Butcher. Only Shelter will host seating for now, but menus from all three spots will be available on the beer garden’s 100-seat patio (plus 20 indoor seats that open up to the outside). Order in advance at theroost.menu for pickup and delivery.
Here’s what to expect:
Shelter
Opening Thursday, September 24
Greg Engert is the mastermind behind some of DC’s top beer bars, including ChurchKey, the Sovereign, and Bluejacket brewery. At Shelter, he’s giving special attention to low-alcohol brews with about half the list devoted to session drafts. The lineup won’t be quite as vast as Engert initially planned; Due to the pandemic, many brewers have slowed production of kegs and casks in favor of cans and bottles. Still, look out for everything from a lambic with apricots from Belgium’s famed Cantillon brewery to an American blonde ale with galaxy hops from Bluejacket.
You can also get a sneak peek at the Roost’s forthcoming wine and cocktail bar Show of Hands, which will debut in the next few weeks. Spirits director Nick Farrell has bottled up cocktails for two, including a Mediterranean-style sangria with pomegranate, orange blossom, and Greek honey as well as a pineapple Chartreuse rickey. The cocktails, along with a curated list of beers, natural wines, and spirits, will be available to-go via a small retail shop.
Hi/Fi Taco
Opening Thursday, September 24
Red Apron butcher/chef Nathan Anda will bring his meat expertise to tacos at this new joint. Among his creations: an orange-soda braised carnitas taco paired with curtido (Salvadoran cabbage slaw), smoked crema, American cheese, and chicharrones as well as as a crunchy-shelled ground beef, shredded lettuce, and queso taco appropriately named “Taco Night in America.” It’s not all meat though—you’ll find fried avocado and catfish options too. Queso comes three ways, including a “bacon cheeseburger” version. Try the cheese dip with chips or smothered on “kitchen sink” nachos.
Red Apron
Opening Saturday, September 26
The fourth location of this charcuterie-and-sandwich spot will offer a menu of its greatest hits. Of course that means plenty of cured meats, pickles, and hot mustard served with English muffin-like tigelles. There are a couple salads, but the heartier plates are the main attraction. Think poutine, dan dan noodles with Szechuan gravy, and burgers with beef-fat fries. RBG gets a nod with the “Roost Bader Ginsburger”—a burger with beef and chorizo patties, smoked pimento cheese, jalapeno relish, and cabbage slaw. A portion of the proceeds from the burger will go to the ACLU.
The Roost. 1401 Pennsylvania Ave., SE. Limited hours to start: Wednesday through Friday from 4 to 10 PM, Saturday from noon to 10 PM, Sunday from noon to 8 PM.
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.
