After nearly 30 years, Sequoia just revealed a renovation that includes a multimillion-dollar art installation. The Georgetown restaurant on the waterfront unveiled its new design in October, and is meant to evoke an art gallery. The restaurant seats 400 inside and 460 on its outdoor terrace. Inside, the main dining room now features Japanese artist Hitoshi Kuriyama's neon and glass vacuum tube light installation. Artist David Higginbotham designed hand-applied graphite finishes on the walls, and the restaurant's custom carpet is inspired by New York artist Jacob Hashimoto. The terrace now includes a new bar and new furniture, along with a large-scale sculpture by Belgian artist Arne Quinze.
Restaurant and candy shop Sugar Factory American Brasserie opened its Pentagon City outpost in May, its first location in Northern Virginia. The 5,500-square-foot Sugar Factory is located at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City Mall. Besides the grab-and-go bulk candy store, an ice cream and coffee shop, and outdoor sidewalk seating, there’s room for 200 diners at the black and white brasserie-style dining room. Menu items include shakes, candy-inspired martinis, ice cream sundaes, and savory dishes like burgers and red velvet pancakes.
Dupont Circle club and event space Saint Yves opened in May on Connecticut Avenue. The club features dramatic decor by design firm Swatchroom, including a tulle ceiling installation, grand chandeliers, tufted booths, custom artwork, and a color scheme of gold and navy. The 5,000-square-foot space can accommodate a total of 336 guests: 279 standing and 56 seated.
What once was the stately home of the Equitable Bank in Penn Quarter is now Succotash, a new Southern restaurant from star chef Edward Lee and Knead Hospitality & Design founders Jason Berry and Michael Reginbogin. Architecture firm 3877 worked with the D.C. Preservation League and used the building’s original blueprints from the Library of Congress to bring the space back to its former glory. Decor accents include mahogany trim and mosaic tile floors. The most popular private dining options include full buyouts for 300 seated or 400 standing guests, or buyouts of the full mezzanine for 140 seated or 170 standing guests. The mezzanine can also be divided. The rear mezzanine bar and lounge can hold anywhere from 16 seated in a semiprivate dining nook to 45 seated or 60 standing for the full area. The private dining room seats 35 guests or holds 40 for receptions.
