New Notable No Longer: April 2017

On Tap keeps locals in the know about the latest and greatest food and drink locales around town, our top foodie picks for the month, and spots that have recently closed their doors. Read on to get the inside scoop on what’s new, notable and no longer in the DC area.

NEW

Hill Prince
Open: March 10
Location: H Street Corridor
Lowdown: Classic neighborhood bar
Fourth-generation Washingtonians Nick and David Wiseman are excited to join the H Street community with their newest spot, Hill Prince. Nestled between the Atlas Performing Arts Center and the Rock & Roll Hotel, the duo is aiming to bring another option to the burgeoning area in their stripped-down version of a classic bar. “H Street is such a vibrant place, and steeped in so much history,” Wiseman says. With a mix of local brews and more traditional cocktails, and a few snacks on the menu (like the delicious pretzel freshly baked by Maketto Chef Erik Bruner-Yang), Wiseman is aiming for his spot to become a staple on the H Street drag. “Our vision was to become a neighborhood bar, so we designed the menu to appeal to everyone. You can sip on a hopped, locally-made IPA or throw back a good, old-fashioned American beer.” When asked about the cocktail selection, Wiseman says the classics are classics for a reason. “They are really good drinks. We use quality spirits and fresh juices for added punch.” Hill Prince will feature an outdoor courtyard with patio parties as the weather begins to warm up, as well as the location’s first annual Preakness party. Hill Prince: 1337 H St. NE, DC; www.hillprince.com 

Le DeSales
Open: March 29
Location: Golden Triangle
Lowdown: French hits with curated drinks
With a vast range in style and approach, there are numerous ways to conjure up French dishes in the kitchen. For new DC restaurant Le DeSales, executive chef Raphael Francois is excited to bring simple, bistro-style dishes to the supremely decorated tables. “French cuisine has a vast range. It can be traditional classic, bistro, fine dining and also inspired by other cultures. The idea is to make simple comfort food and mix American foodie culture [and] local products with a European twist.” Couple these options with cocktails from consulting mixologist Lukas B. Smith (featured in this month’s “A Day in the Life” column), and you begin creating a dining experience comparable to other stellar restaurants in the area. Le DeSales: 1725 DeSales St. NW, DC; www.ledesales.com

Mirabelle
Open: March 20
Location: Downtown (near the White House)
Lowdown: French fine dining headed by a former White House chef
When Mirabelle opened its doors in mid-March, Chef Frank Ruta took his traditional cooking skills, once used at the White House, and combined them with a more contemporary twist on French cuisine. “From my vantage point, Mirabelle offers a unique experience in that we try to provide everything in-house,” says the restaurant’s pastry chef, Aggie Chin. “We want everything to be the best of the very best.” Ruta, Chin and the rest of their team are looking to put Mirabelle on the downtown map, while cultivating entrees and desserts that stick with patrons even after they leave the restaurant’s decadent interior. Though everything on the menu is prepared at a high level, Chin’s yuzu sesame mille crepe is a standout dish. “I love yuzu as a flavor – it is so floral and vibrant, more so than just lemon. I wanted to incorporate it into the menu as a bright point to the mainstays of winter.” Mirabelle: 900 16th St. NW, DC; www.mirabelledc.com 

Taqueria del Barrio
Open: March 30
Location: Petworth
Lowdown: Made-from-scratch tacos paired with top-notch cocktails
With décor inspired by Mexican culture and heritage, and a menu prepared from scratch, Taqueria del Barrio is a must-visit spot for the rest of the year, especially when the weather heats up and tacos become a hefty part of your diet. “Making food from scratch is the single most important goal of our menu,” says owner and chef Anna Bran-Leis. Mexican cuisine comes from centuries of traditions, and it’s important for us to honor and respect those traditions.” The menu offers up to 14 different taco varieties, and includes other traditional Mexican dishes such as pozole and albondigas. The taqueria also features an impeccable cocktail program run by Chris Martino, who “brings a chic sophistication to the bar menu, which doesn’t fall victim to the typical clichés of Mexican restaurants,” according to Bran-Leis. Taqueria del Barrio: 821 Upshur St. NW, DC; www.taqueriadelbarrio.com

NOTABLE

Good Life Cocktail Club
Open: Every second Saturday
Location: Wicked Bloom in Bloomingdale
Lowdown: One of DC’s most creative mixologists kicks off inspired initiative
In an effort to curate unique and engaging events that center around music, art and cocktails, Torrence Swain has combined multiple mediums to create one engaging experience with his Good Life Cocktail Club. “I think about what I want to do with the cocktails and then Tanya [Ellis] curates a playlist that corresponds with the idea or theme I’m going with,” Swain says. The themes vary from Freaky Tiki, with afrobeat tunes instead of traditional surfer sounds, to his disco-era theme coming up in May. Though Swain’s club hosts virtual events through Facebook Live, his in-person events are held at Wicked Bloom in Bloomingdale. “This venue is well-suited for the event in that it is able to take on any theme rather easily,” he says. With that kind of adaptability, expect many more twists from Swain. “We have not collaborated with any local artists as of yet, but are looking to do so in the near future.” Follow Good Life on Instagram @goodlifecollective and Twitter @goodgirlsnboys. Good Life Cocktail Club at Wicked Bloom: 1540 N Capitol St. NW, DC; www.glcollective.com

NOW OPEN

DC
Arroz: Marriott Marquis Washington, 901 Massachussetts Ave. NW, DC; www.arrozbymic.com
Barrilito Bar & Restaurant: 3911 14th St. NW, DC; no website
Choong Man Chicken & Seafood: 1125 H St. NE, DC; no website
Cuba Cuba Corner: 2309 18th St. NW, DC; www.cubancornermd.com
Dacha Beer Garden: 1600 7th St. NW, DC; www.dachadc.com
Pidzza: 740 6th St. NW, DC; www.pidzza.com
Quickway Hibachi: 81 H St. NW, DC; www.quickwayhibachi.com
Rosario: 2435 18th St.  NW, DC; www.rosariodc.com
Shake Shack: 1400 14th St. NW, DC; www.shakeshack.com
Stable: 1324 H St. NE, DC; www.stabledc.com
Taylor Gourmet: 1116 H St. NE, DC; www.taylorgourmet.com

Maryland
Alatri Bros.: 4926 Cordell Ave. Bethesda, MD; www.toasttab.com/alatri-bros
Lincoln Bar-B-Que: 931 Ellsworth Dr. Silver Spring, MD; www.lincolnsbbq.com

NO LONGER

Armand’s on Capitol Hill
Darnell’s at Manchester in Shaw
DGS Delicatessen in Mosaic District
Fast Gourmet on U Street
Flying Fish Coffee & Tea in Mount Pleasant
High Dive in Adams Morgan
ShopHouse (all locations)
Tienda La Union in Petworth