As springtime begins to reach Washington, a bit later than the cherry blossoms, outdoor dining is finally an option. Whether you're looking for lunch, dinner, or drinks, here are two new eateries with outdoor spaces for entertaining.
1. Bookhill Bistro will be the newest eatery to hit the Georgetown area when it opens Monday. The 2,000-square-foot restaurant is in a converted row house, complete with a patio that can seat 18 or host about 24 for receptions.
Inside, the bilevel eatery has three separate dining areas. On the first floor, 22 can be seated in the main bar. Upstairs, the front room can accommodate 24 and the back can hold an additional 10. Buyouts are available for groups of as many as 84.
The menu blends a variety of international dishes, such as a croque-monsieur (classic French ham-and-cheese sandwich); a Mediterranean wrap with sliced beef and lamb with cilantro, olives, onions, and a yogurt dressing; and an old-fashioned American hamburger. The restaurant will offer separate menus for brunch, lunch, and dinner.
2. Further down M Street, New Orleans-inspired Bayou restaurant opened on January 8 in the space formerly occupied by the Rookery. The two-floor restaurant can seat 80 throughout, with full-service bars on each floor and a built-in stage for entertainment upstairs. For a more scenic atmosphere, the front patio can accommodate 40 and can be tented for inclement weather. For receptions, about 75 can be accommodated on the first floor, and an additional 100 can fit upstairs.
The menu features classic New Orleans dishes, including red beans and rice, gumbo, po’boys, and jambalaya. Signature cocktails like the Sazerac, Streetcar, and Hurricane are also available, as are seven brews of Louisiana-based Abita beer. In keeping with its Louisiana vibe, Bayou has jazz musicians perform during dinner Wednesday through Saturday.
