Along with spring, our glorious cherry blossoms and the Washington Nationals, restaurants are arriving on and around Capitol Hill.
In the shadow of Nationals Park, El Rey has been unveiled at 79 Potomac Ave, SE. The sprawling, 300-seat taco and tequila palace includes a spacious patio. Overlooking the water, El Rey is the latest project for DC hospitality brothers Ian and Eric Hilton, who operate other local hot spots. Emerging from El Rey’s kitchen are corn fritters, salt and pepper calamari, and assorted tacos. Complementing these feisty dishes are sassy cocktails like Bonita en Rosa (grapefruit syrup and prosecco), tequila and mezcal martinis, margaritas (naturally), beer and wine. For hours and more information visit elreynavyyard.com.
Dressy Hotel Newcomer
At the District Wharf, Willowsong, 801 Wharf St. SW, made a splashy debut last winter in the posh InterContinental Hotel. You’ll find Willowsong in Kevin Tien’s former Moon Rabbit slot. (Moon Rabbit reopened downtown in Penn Quarter.) Chef Jeffrey William’s “modern American” kitchen offers pricy, locally sourced breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch.
Heading the menu are wagyu steak and eggs, Hamachi tartare, duck tagliatelle, dry-aged strip loin. The restaurant’s lyrical moniker honors the numerous willow trees growing around the Washington region. For more information visit wharfdc.com.
Something’s Fishy
More news from the Wharf, this with a royal bent: Fish Shop, a spinoff of the Scottish restaurant favored by King Charles and Queen Camilla, is set to dock at 610 Water St. SW. Operated by the London-based hospitality group Artfarm, Fish Shop will troll local waters for its eclectic menu. Expect the likes of crab crumpet and lobster tagliarini. For updates visit fishshopdc.com.
On a blustery spring day, we checked Fish Shop’s progress. The restaurant’s debut apparently is not imminent. But Peter was in the mood for fish and chips. So, we headed to Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips, which opened almost three years ago at 665 Wharf St, SW. (Ramsay’s upscale, sibling restaurant, Hell’s Kitchen, is nearby at 652 Wharf.) As we ordered at the front counter, we decided on Gordon’s Combo: deep-fried fish (cod), shrimp, and chicken, plus fries, for $19.99. The basket fed two, almost. The coatings were gossamer light, almost like tempura. My better-than-decent-pinot gris was canned, perhaps a pandemic holdover?
Wharf, casual
Gordon Ramsay’s
Fish & Chips serves a
combo of cod, shrimp,
chicken and fries.
Lunch for two, which we enjoyed by a sunny window, came to $40. You can also get cod with fries, chicken or shrimp combo, fish (or chicken) sandwiches, lobster and shrimp, “just chips” with assorted toppings, and milk shakes. There is a small beer and wine listing. For hours and more information visit gordonramsayrestaurants.com.
History Repeats
Whitlow’s Bar & Grill, the historic watering hole that quenched the thirst of downtown Washington for a quarter century before moving to Arlington, then Shaw, is opening its second location at 949 Wharf St. SW. Look for the spinoff later this spring. Owner Jon Williams is transforming the former Brighton site into a waterfront “dive bar” slinging burgers and wings while pouring beer and cocktails. For updates visit whitlows.com.
And…
Nearby, at 635 Wharf St. SW, look for Merchant’s Marina, a “satellite” bar operated by the talented team behind the dressy Chinese restaurant Philippe. For updates Visit merchantsmarina,com.
Oodles Noodles
Also in Southwest, 54 Noodles has opened at 1101 Fourth St. SW, an offshoot of a Vietnamese restaurant group with umpteen locations throughout the DMV. At 54 Noodles, Chef Hi Danh creates several kinds of pho, dumplings, Singapore noodles and banh mi sandwiches. Beverages include coffee, fruit tea, smoothies. An alcohol license is in the works. For updates visit 54Noodlesbar4th.com.
New on the Row
Union Kitchen opened recently at 430 Eighth St. SE. The Barracks Row location—one of six such stores in the region—is part of a program which helps launch local food and beverage businesses. At Union Kitchen, we encountered an attractive grocery store, with fresh produce, frozen pizza, condiments, cured meats, dairy products coffee, tea and an excellent wine selection. We also found household goods including cleaning supplies, glassware, soaps and greeting cards. The deli counter offers coffee drinks, salads, sandwiches, bagels, pastries, cookies and more.
Union kitchen is every day. For hours and more information visit unionkitchen.com.
And…
Any day now, look for Lobby Bar, 224 Seventh St. SE, in the spot vacated by Boxcar Tavern. Proprietor Adam Shulman plans an 18-seat bar with cozy booths, a communal table and outdoor patio. The “playful experimental bar” will showcase jazzy martinis, a happy hour, funky décor and late-night service.
Italy Returns
Nearby, Acqua al 2, at 212 Seventh St. SE (across from Eastern Market), is resurrecting. The upscale Italian restaurant, a favorite of House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, closed in 2020, and Harvest Tide occupied the space until about a year ago. Now, Acqua al 2, with original owners, will soon reopen with a sidewalk café and live entertainment. For updates visit acquaal2dc.com.
Another Rebirth
Mott’s Market, 233 12th St. SE is being developed at the former Mott’s corner store site, which dates from 1916. New owner Peyton Sherwood has partnered with Mastina Taverna to order made-from-scratch Greek carryout dinners. Eventually, plans call for a grocery/deli/sandwich shop. For updates visit mottsmarket.com.
