About a year ago, Giada De Laurentiis let it slip that Mike Isabella was opening a Mexican place in Georgetown. Now Dana Cowin—as in, the editor of Food & Wine magazine—is getting into the Washington food news games. Cowin announced on Twitter today the Neighborhood Restaurant Group, which recently took over the former Yola space on Connecticut Avenue, will open a fried chicken and doughnut restaurant there. Expect craft beer and a “focus on spirits,” says Eater. [Eater]
Jessica Sidman’s column in the City Paper this week centered on the myriad ways cheftestants keep it sneaky while taping Top Chef. Sidman also learned that Jorge Pimentel has taken over for Top Chef Seattle contestant Jeffrey Jew in the kitchen at the Brixton. A new fall menu launches Monday. [WCP]
Speaking of Top Chef, the series will debut its first branded pop-up next month. [Washingtonian]
Hudson will become Greenhouse Bistro. [WaPo]
ARLNow says Marvelous Market is closed in Ballston; meanwhile, Prince of Petworth marvels at the name of the cafe taking over the former MM in Eastern Market: the Silver Spork. [ARLNow]][PoP]
PoP also received a tip that Georgetown Italian restaurant Fino is moving into an increasingly interesting section of Ninth Street in Shaw. [PoP]
A burger chain called Mooyah will franchise locally, says the Washington Business Journal. [WBJ]
Road food:
Now there’s a Nutella truck—and it will be here on October 16. [Eater]
Pepe takes to the suburbs. [FTF]
Crime and controversy:
A pistol whipping—and robbery—at Pret a Manger. At least one of three suspects has been arrested. [HuffPo] [Washingtonian]
What did the CFO of Clyde’s restaurant group learn from having $650k embezzled by a longtime employee? “Trust, but verify.” [Washingtonian]
