Fall/Winter Forecast: 10 New Food Concepts

By now, the District has settled into a new normal, with limited indoor dining, innovative outdoor dining, and takeout and delivery staying strong. Many restaurateurs are now more confident about opening concepts that were underway before the pandemic and have been strategizing how to open under the new circumstances. They are finding new ways to operate, balancing hospitality with enforcement of safety measures and offering customers something fun and unique to leave their homes for. District Fray compiled a list of some new concepts that opened recently or are slated to open within the next few months.

Colony Grill
Opens: October 2020
A pizza that is designed to be held in one hand, this one-of-a-kind thin crust version from a longstanding Irish tavern in Connecticut makes its debut at Arlington’s Colony Grill. The bar pie is drizzled with a signature “hot oil,” a spicy, pepper-infused oil topping that pairs perfectly with a cold drink. According to co-owner Ken Martin, comfort is what they are going for. “Restaurants, at their best, make people feel welcome, exuberant, cared for [and] at home,” he says. “That is what we try to do at Colony. The pizza, of course, needs to taste good and the drinks have to be cold. But beyond that, we want guests to feel like the entire experience of visiting Colony equates to one big hug.” 2800 Clarendon Blvd. Arlington, VA; www.colonygrill.com // @colonygrill on Instagram

Daru
Opens: Winter 2020
Named after a Hindi slang word for alcohol, Daru will be a new spot to enjoy fun takes on Indian-inspired dishes like bison cheddar kulcha, or bread, and paneer pesto korma. Ultimately, it’s a place for the neighborhood and the community to get together. “What makes Daru notable [is] our hospitality,” says owner Dante Datta. “It is our first focus. And then there’s the food and drink: India-inspired, but Indian-ish.” 1451 Maryland Ave. NE, DC; www.fb.com/daru.dc // @daru.dc on Instagram

Good Eats Emporium
Opens: October 2020
This new fast-casual food hall from Great American Restaurants features four different concepts: Stupid Good BBQ for barbecue meats and sides, Best Buns Bakery and Café for pastries and cookies, Taqueria Loca for Mexican inspired tacos and tortas, and Good Eats Burgers & Wings. This spot is family-friendly with something for all tastes. 45990 Waterview Plaza, Sterling, VA; www.goodeatsemporium.com // @goodeatsemporium on Instagram

Hi-Lawn
Open: September 2020
At this expansive open-air restaurant on the rooftop of Union Market, benches and designated areas on newly fitted AstroTurf provide a safe, fun and elevated alternative to a picnic at the park. Cocktails on draft, adult juice boxes and other drinks are doled out from an artsy shipping container bar, along with items from a grill and a picnic basket to share. Partner Paul Carlson says, “Hi-Lawn has some of the best views in D.C., and despite being a massive space that can accommodate a couple hundred guests, feels so open and airy – exactly what people want when dining out during Covid. It’s almost like your own picnic, but you’re guaranteed to be socially distanced from everyone and we serve you delicious food and drink.” 1509 5th St. NE, DC; www.hilawndc.com // @hilawndc on Instagram

Jam Doung Style
Opens: Winter 2020
This longstanding takeout-only spot is opening up a to full-service dining room and an expanded menu of traditional Jamaican dishes. Expect to see favorites such as oxtail, goat curry and jerk chicken, as well as festive island drinks, at this dining escape to the Caribbean. 1726 North Capitol St. NW, DC; www.jamdoungstyle.com // @jamdoungstyle on Instagram

Magdalena at Ivy Hotel
Opened: September 2020
Located at The Ivy Hotel in Baltimore’s historic Mount Vernon neighborhood, this is a stunning restaurant that just reopened with a new focus on the cuisine and ingredients of Maryland. Executive Chef Mark Levy, who conceptualized and oversaw the new restaurant concept, puts it best: “Magdalena is the most beautiful restaurant in the city, and as the only Relais & Châteaux hotel in the state, we are dedicated to their ethos of immersing our guests in the terroir of where they are: Maryland.” He adds, “While the concept feels very ‘Maryland,’ the original Magdalena French techniques and British flair will be ever-present.” 205 E. Biddle St. Baltimore, MD; www.theivybaltimore.com // @magdalenabaltimore on Instagram

Market 7
Open: Winter 2020
This new food hall is the anchor tenant in a new multiuse development east of the river including several food stalls, a community grocery store and retail options. Food stalls will highlight Black-owned businesses representing cuisines from across the diaspora and spearheaded by lifelong Ward 7 resident Mary Blackford. 3451 Benning Road NE, DC; www.market7dc.com // @market7dc on Instagram

Mosaico
Opens: October 2020
An exciting addition to Latin American market La Cosecha, Mosaico founder Gabriela Febres is “happy to be surrounded by likeminded entrepreneurs with similar backgrounds as us.” She says, “Our neighbors share similar stories of immigration [as] minority business owners and [are] doing everything possible to succeed in a competitive market. At Mosaico, you can find favorites from our sister concept Arepa Zone and new items such as pepitos, (Venezuelan-style grilled chicken or steak sandwiches) and perros calientes (loaded hot dogs, an homage to Latin American street food.)” Additionally, Mosaico has a mercadito: a small market where you can purchase all kinds of items such as cookbooks focused on Latin cuisine, CBD chocolate by Flor de Maria Chocolates, and an assortment of candies, condiments and flours from Latin America. 1280 4th St. NE, DC; www.lacosechadc.com // @mosaico.dc on Instagram

Napoli Salumeria
Opens: November 2020
Sister restaurant to neighborhood pasta join Napoli, this new salumeria will function as a gourmet Italian market with a deli, fresh pastas, and Neapolitan staples such as sandwiches, street food, wine and beer. They will offer fresh dishes as well as jarred sauces and pasta to take home. Owner Antonio Ferraro says, “We create an authentic experience that brings anyone in the D.C., Virginia and Maryland area as close as possible to the dining culture I was fortunate enough to grow up around in Naples, Italy.” 1301 South Joyce St. Arlington, VA; www.napolisalumeria.com // @napolipastabar on Instagram

Side Door Pizza
Opens: October 2020
Fans of Detroit-style pies will be happy with this new addition: a pizza project from the folks at Scarlet Oak featuring the typical Wisconsin brick cheese and race stripe sauce display. Fittingly named Side Door Pizza, customers can pick up the pies from the somewhat covert side door of the restaurant. There is a lot of love that goes into the pizzas. Doughs are made 48 hours in advance and require eight to nine hours to rise. Only a limited quantity is available each night, so we highly recommend ordering in advance. It’s a fun experience to pick up, too. As owner Brian Schram puts it: “The pickup location is literally out of the side door of Scarlet Oak and has minimal signage, creating a sort of speakeasy-like location.” 909 New Jersey Ave. SE, DC; www.sidedoorpizza.com // @sidedoor_pizza on Instagram

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