After three years of planning and speculation, noted chef Ris Lacoste opened her namesake 240-seat restaurant, Ris, Monday in the West End. Lacoste, long a fixture on the local dining scene and formerly executive chef of 1789, says she wants her restaurant to be “a neighborhood gathering place.”

Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the spacious 6,800-square-foot straw- and cream-colored restaurant has eight dining spaces that stretch around the northeast corner of L and 23rd Streets, on the ground level of the upmarket Ritz-Carlton Residences. Design elements include floor-to-ceiling windows, slate floors, and fabric accents in the ceiling panels. Works by noted artists are on display.

Just inside the door is the informal café area with a wall of kitchen doors that, when parted, givve a view of Lacoste’s stainless steel headquarters. Guests pass through a bar and lounge to the two main dining areas: first, the casual Living Room, furnished with tables and booths, and on to the more formal dining room, which has a retractable glass dividing wall and separate entrance. For private dining, Ris offers the 10-seat State Room, which is draped with a jacquard tapestry by Donald and Era Farnsworth, and the 40-seat Federal Room, decorated with original art by Sam Gilliam and artisan pieces by local potters. An additional 60-seat alfresco dining area along 23rd Street is slated to open in spring. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.

On the menu are Lacoste classics such as rabbit stew, as well as grilled octopus and sardines. Everyday specials include her 1789 signature, rack of lamb, each Thursday.