New Restaurant Openings

New restaurants are popping up everywhere.  Here are some of the recent openings and the others that we are eagerly awaiting.

PAUL:  The aroma of authentic French bread is now filling the streets of Penn Quarter!  

PAUL, a 120 yr. old upscale authentic French bakery-café, opened the US Flagship bakery-café here in Washington, DC on Monday, May 2^nd in the Penn Quarter neighborhood.  A second PAUL store will open in Georgetown at the corner of Wisconsin Ave. and M St. NW later in the year.  The 3,220 square foot bakery offers seating for 50 at charming café tables and booth seating. PAUL offers a wide range of traditional and specialty breads, which are made by hand by authentic French bakers every day using a special water filtration system and employing a seven-hour process.  

Adding to the PAUL experience is the company’s renowned viennoiserie including melt-in-your-mouth, buttery pastries such as pain au chocolat and macarons, all prepared daily at the bakery. 

PAUL’s sweeter side is showcased with an impressive selection of seasonal cakes and tarts. 

801 Pennsylvania Ave. NW (former D'Acqua space)

Watershed:  Watershed recently opened, but I haven't been in for a visit yet.  Guests can enjoy specialty cocktails, small plates and a daily raw bar selection featuring a coast-to-coast variety of oysters from Kusshis and Hama Hamas to Chincoteagues and Wellfleets. Crudos of the day, game specials and a seafood selection including Chef Todd's signature Rappahannock River oyster sandwich, take center stage at the restaurant's Chef's Table at the top of the 65-seat main dining room. Floor-to-ceiling windows open onto an outdoor patio seating 45 guests. The restaurant also provides catering services for all grand ballroom weddings, events and corporate meetings, as well as in-room dining service for hotel guests. 

Watershed is located at 1225 First Street NE in Washington DC.

El Centro opens tomorrow!  So excited for the new addition to my neighborhood.  In the underground Tequileria, Chef Sandoval’s menu of comfort food is served alongside 200 tequilas and mezcals. The collection was curated by Danielle Griffin, Chef Sandoval’s accredited Tequila Sommelier, and Courtenay Greenleaf, who manages North America’s largest list of Tequilas at Chef Sandoval’s Biblioteca de Tequila in New York City. On the Rooftop, guests can enjoy handcrafted margaritas and Latin cocktails, served from two outdoor bars. Later this summer, this upper level will launch a signature menu of dishes baked a la lena in the Rooftop’s brick oven.

1819 14th Street, NW

SAX  is scheuduled to open on May 13th.  The SAX experience, from shocking paintings and elegant, erotic performances to a luxurious menu of modern French small plates and decadent cocktails, is an atmosphere lavishly unique in Washington, D.C. SAX is the third restaurant and lounge by Errol Lawrence and Nancy Koide, who also own OYA and SEI in Penn Quarter.

TruOrleans:  Located on the corner of H and 4^th NE, the restaurant will be open Monday thru Sunday from 7:00 am to 12:00 am on weekdays and 7:00 am to 2:00 am on weekends. The split level restaurant will offer an upscale experience featuring many Cajun Creole favorites like Po Boys, Gumbo, Jambalaya and Beignets as well as New Orleans drink favorites like the traditional Hurricane, Louisiana specialty beers and a spectacular  wine list.  The restaurant will offer bars on both levels as well as an outdoor sidewalk café.  Set to open at the end of May.

Railstop Gatropub:    Located on the second floor of the Crowne Plaza Old Town, the 76-seat restaurant channels the British philosophy of gastronomy in pub fare.  A step above bar or pub grub, this gastro pub specializes in high-quality food including house-made sausages of both pork and seafood. 

RailStop Gastropub (901 N. Fairfax; Alexandria, VA, 22314; 703-683-8793; www.railstopgastropub.com)