Smith Commons hopes to be open by New Years Eve

Smith Commons was officially planning to open  its doors to the H St. corridor dining scene on Tuesday, December 21, but have since had to postpone due to final inspections. The three-level vintage building underwent a complete renovation, transformed from a carpet warehouse to a contemporary neighborhood bistro.  The dining room and public house, a culinary destination in the Atlas Arts District, will open at 5:00 pm daily, Tuesday through Sunday to offer a worldly menu and extensive list of craft beers, wines and artisanal cocktails.

Executive Chef, Frederik De Pue, developed the internationally-inspired menu with comforting dishes like free-range roasted chicken and penne carbonara, as well as gourmet treats like confit of duck leg and Maine lobster. Well-paired bar food compliments the vast array of libations, beer and wine selections. Smith Commons is a different kind of dining destination in Washington, DC serving artfully crafted dishes prepared by chefs with multi-continental flare, without the white tablecloths or the pretense.  From charcuterie to wood-grilled entrées and classics like fish and chips, this neighborhood restaurant offers enticing comfort food for every palate.

Born and culinary trained in Belgium, Chef Frederik arrived in Washington, DC in 2001 to become Executive Chef of the European Commission Delegation Ambassador. After six years on Embassy Row, Chef Frederik opened 42º Catering in 2007. Smith Commons is his first restaurant in the District.

Daily dinner and bar service Tuesday through Sunday begins at 5:00 pm. The Smith Commons rendition of ‘happy hour’ – the Smith Hour – features a curated selection of beer, wine, cocktails and small plates – for $5 each, served at the bars on all three levels from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Tuesday through Friday. Beer guru and Smith Commons Managing Partner, Miles Gray has assembled a diverse selection to make Smith Commons the District’s newest destination for craft beers from all over the world.  Nearly 40 permanent and seasonal selections are served on tap and in bottles from breweries across the United States, Canada, Belgium, Germany, Scotland and Italy.

Similarly, the wine list offers 60 carefully selected choices, which the wine director can pair with any of Chef Frederik’s dishes. General Manager, Sheldon Robinson, tapped Sommelier Andrew Stover to consult on the wine list of small production, boutique wines. Drawing from his experience with unusual domestic wine regions, Stover has amassed a selection of more than 10 domestic wines by the glass, hailing from California, Idaho, New York, Oregon, Virginia and Washington plus a bottle list from both domestic and iconic international regions. Handcrafted cocktails will add another layer of distinct flavor to this neighborhood destination.

Can't wait to try!