This is Eater’s guide to all the new restaurants, bars, and cafes that have opened in August. If there’s an opening in your neighborhood that we’ve missed, let us know at dc@eater.com.
Spotlight
Georgetown: After gaining plenty of online virality, an Alexandria,
Virginia, food truck expanded to its seventh location and first permanent outpost in the District on Thursday, August 27. Known for South Asian-meets-Middle Eastern quesadillas, dal puri (Indian flatbread) tacos, and rice bowls, Flavor Hive gained a following for loading up BYO chips with huge portions of meats, vegetables, and sauces for only $10 (that price has gone up to $12 to $18). They were also featured in Keith Lee’s middling review of restaurants and food trucks across the D.C. area. 3287 M Street NW
And the rest..
Arlington: All-you-can-eat sushi spot MoMoGoGo opened for business at Penrose Square with bottomless options for sushi, sashimi, and nigiri. Offerings include a crunch roll with spicy crab and avocado or the “ultimate” roll with fried shrimp, crab, and eel sauce. Booths resemble Japanese gazebos, and nods to the land of the rising sun are displayed on TVs. 2501 Ninth Road S., Arlington, Virginia
Dupont Circle: La Merna brings extremely thin-crust Chicago tavern-style pizza to D.C., plus plenty of other cheese-covered pastas, toasts, and salads from husband-wife duo Bradley Shorten and Meg Schmitt. After running a few successful pizza shops in Chicago, Shorten turned his eye to D.C. and brought his wife, Meg Schmitt, who runs a cheese-making business, on board to expand the menu to playful takes on classic Italian food. The design and cocktails from the retro bar evoke a Midwest supper club, with dark wood panels on the walls, comfy red leather booths, and vintage decorations they sourced from Wisconsin and Chicago. After opening in early August, the couple plans to expand to a late-night menu with two Juicy Lucy burger options, plus they’re opening an adjoining sandwich shop in October. 2153 P Street NW
Falls Church: Tam Tam Brunch and Dinner joined the dining roster at the Vietnamese Eden Center in early August. Restaurateurs Thao Tran and Tin Truong envision the venture as an upscale addition to Eden Center that serves salmon crudo, abalone soup, and hot pots. 6767 Wilson Boulevard, Falls Church, Virginia
Navy Yard: Caribbean-themed Croix opened on Friday, August 14, at the top of the Cambria Hotel. The restaurant celebrates the ingredients and culture of St. Croix, the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, with a menu full of casabes (circular cassava discs topped with braised beef, herbed shrimp, and vegetables); lamb ribs over sweet potato hash; whole sea bass with escovitch; and Crucian callaloo from chef de cuisine Malika King. The dining room is joined by the indoor Botanic Bar, which works with lots of native elements like fever grass, tonka bean, and sorrel, and a rooftop patio dubbed Croix Veranda serving smaller bites and frozen cocktails. 69 Q Street SW
Takoma: Award-winning pizzaiolo Giulio Adriani’s pizza chain, Slice & Pie, is finally debuted its fourth location at the Parks at Walter Reed. The pizza shop started selling its New York- and Detroit-style pies and slices on Tuesday, August 25, with a grand opening party coming up on Tuesday, September 8. Starting at 3 p.m., the first 100 guests will receive a free slice of cheese or pepperoni pizza during the event. Beyond pizza, the new outpost serves meatballs, garlic knots, and Italian sandwiches. The new shop is open from noon to 9 p.m. daily. 1155 Dahlia Street NW
Union Station: Shaw-born Capo Deli continues on its growth spurt with an arrival inside Union Station train hub in late August. The Italian deli’s seventh location to date, located inside a former Potbelly’s, serves its greatest hits of hot and cold subs packed with lots of meat. 50 Massachusetts Avenue NE
Woodley Park: El District 24, a color-soaked Mexican restaurant with Guerrero roots, debuted in Upper Northwest in late August with fried quesadillas, flautas, six types of tacos, and a vibrant bar slinging a long list of margaritas and micheladas. 2605 24th Street NW
