New to CityCenterDC is Mango Tree, the first United States location of a global Thai chain. The two-story, 6,800-square-foot space was designed by Spanish designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán and incorporates nods to Thailand as well as a Europe. Details include dark wood, cement tiles, and decorative light fixtures. The main dining room seats 130 or holds 225 for receptions. The Dining Room East seats 50 or holds 100 for receptions, while and the Dining Room West seats 60 or holds 100 for receptions. The upper bar reception area holds 40 guests and the bar/lounge holds 25. For full buyouts, the restaurant seats 130 guests or holds 300 for receptions.
Chef José Andrés's much-anticipated Peruvian restaurant China Chilcano opened in the beginning of January on 7th Street in Penn Quarter. The 158-seat restaurant offers tastes from Peru's native Criollo, Chinese Chifa, and Japanese Nikkei cuisines. All three cultures have inspired the restaurant’s vibrant design. There’s a huge mural of a woman’s face on one side of the restaurant, decor inspired by shipping containers, and neon lighting installation inspired by Peru’s ancient Nasca lines. The restaurant offers unique semiprivate dining options from seating at the ceviche bar to seating at a recessed Japanese tatami table.
Popular local chain Founding Farmers’ newest location opened in Tysons Corner in February. At 12,000 square feet and with 280 seats, it’s the largest of the four Founding Farmers outposts. Designed by GrizForm, the farm-to-table restaurant is meant to look like a Virginia farmhouse.
Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks is newly renovated after a refresh to the hotel’s 316 guest rooms, lobby, bar, and restaurant that finished in December. Completed by Studio3877 and P3 Design Collective, the suburban Virginia hotel now offers new public areas, updated technology, and a contemporary design concept. The renovation included a spacious new concierge lounge where hotel guests can dine, work, and relax. Overall, the property has nearly 9,000 square feet of event space.
Chef Mike Isabella opened an offshoot of his Kapnos restaurant in Arlington in January, located blocks from the Ballston Metro stop. The 165-seat Kapnos Taverna is influenced by the cuisine of coastal Greece, and its design by Streetsense incorporates Mediterranean blues. The mezzanine can seat as many as 50 for a private event or 300 for receptions. The restaurant plans to add a 40-seat patio.
In February, the Graham Georgetown hotel opened a new lounge and dining room space called the Alex. Designed by Swatchroom, the intimate cocktail lounge’s inspiration comes from the early 20th century steampunk aesthetic. A 20-foot brass pipe ceiling installation captures the theme, and accents include shade of bronze, black, and emerald green as well as crystal decanter light fixtures and privacy drapes. The 620-square-foot venue holds as many as 45 guests.
The California-inspired restaurant Summer House Santa Monica opened in the Pike & Rose development in North Bethesda in January, offering seasonal entrées and wines from the Golden State. The decor is appropriately beachy with retractable glass walls that can open on nice days. The dining room is 1,660 square feet, while the 4 Seasons room is 1,020 square feet. This is the second Summer House Santa Monica outpost, with another location in Chicago.
Adjacent to Summer House Santa Monica in North Bethesda is sister restaurant Stella Barra. Chefs and partners Jeff Mahin and Francis Brennan opened the downtown Los Angeles-inspired pizzeria in February. The 1,704-square-foot dining room has exposed brick, a cement-topped bar, and other industrial touches. The restaurant’s design focal point is a Shinola-brand bike mounted on the wall along with bicycle-theme artwork. Its the fourth location of the Stella Barra chain, which serves artisanal pizzas, salads, and small plates.
Healthy fast-casual concept Hälsa opened in January in D.C.’s Brookland neighborhood. The menu includes health-minded options like cold-pressed juice, bone broth, and gluten-free items. The restaurant’s decor embraces minimalism, and a reading nook in the corner includes books, magazines, and gifts available for purchase. It seats 24 or holds 40 for receptions.
Alexandria’s Bastille moved to a new location in January, and the new space now better accommodates groups for private dining and special events. The restaurant is designed as a contemporary take on classic French café culture with dark wood, cool green accents, and French photography and artwork. The restaurant has a semiprivate space that seats 26 as well as private dining for groups of as many as 50. There will also be a patio that seats 40.
