This is Eater’s guide to all the new restaurants, bars, and cafes that have opened in September. If there’s an opening in your neighborhood that we’ve missed, let us know at dc@eater.com.
Spotlight
Tenleytown: The newest extension of the Chai Pani universe touched
down in Upton Place on Wednesday, October 14. Botiwalla serves grilled chicken, lamb, and paneer skewers tucked into buttered naan, basmati rice bowls, and crunchy cabbage-heavy salads for a quick and affordable meal that ranges from $12 to $15. There are also street food snacks that are basically the highlights from sibling Chai Pani, including layers of puffed and fried bits in the bhel puri, well-spiced matchstick okra fries, and vada pav, where two fried potato patties are served on toasted buns. The space itself stands out from other fast-casual restaurants with vibrant colors, detailed murals, and bright marigolds everywhere. It’s an especially fun opening for families in the area, with a kids menu featuring grilled naan stuffed with cheese, chicken bites, and a fun paper menu that comes with games, crossword puzzles, and colorful crayons for kids to make their mark. 4000 Wisconsin Avenue NW
And the rest..
Alexandria: South Korea’s popular dessert cafe made its stateside debut on Saturday, October 17, in Old Town in 2,600-square-foot digs. Twosome Place is particularly known for its specialty coffee and cakes; a strawberry chocolate cream variety joins a best-selling ice box cake. The Alexandria cafe will also introduce diners to drinks like a Dalgona cream top, black sesame latte, and Misugaru frappe, alongside an all-day menu spotlighting its K-toast with bulgogi and egg, K-chicken panini, and bibimbowl. 404 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia
Arlington: PopUp Bagels, the NYC bagel sensation backed by celebrities like Paul Rudd and Michael Phelps, made its debut in D.C. this summer and the most recent addition to its projected 20 DMV locations just touched down in Virginia. The rapidly expanding (and yes, private equity backed) bagel chain stands apart with its “rip-and-dip” menu mantra — where you rip off chunks of a hot bagel to dip into an open container of cream cheese. Bagels are sold by the bag, and rotating schmears of choice include Guinness chocolate cake or pesto butter. The most recent location opened on Friday, October 23, and an exclusive salted caramel cider doughnut schmear in collaboration with Good Company Doughnuts. 4300 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia
Cathedral Heights: A new beer garden with roots in Old Town Alexandria recently expanded to D.C., landing just a block away from the National Cathedral on Monday, October 26. Augie’s Mussel House & Beer Garden is focused on mussels and clams in a variety of preparations, including a beer and bacon broth, Creole seasoning with andouille sausage, and a Tex-Mex variation with chorizo and grilled corn, paired with local and Belgian beers. The 150-seat space is set up to stream sporting events, with 15 TVs and a 180-inch projector screen. A fabulous mural shows love for D.C. sports teams, its mussels menu, and location near the National Cathedral. 3228 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Chevy Chase: Neighborhood favorite Buck’s Fishing & Camping quietly rolled out a next-door wine bar this month, as first reported by Washingtonian. The pint-sized bar, with only 20 seats, offers about six wines by the glass and 400 bottles alongside some rotating snacks. The wine bar is always open on Saturdays, but will only be open to the public for a few extra days each week to stay available for private events, according to Washingtonian. 5027 Connecticut Avenue NW
Navy Yard: A Latin-leaning portal to seafood, meats, pastas, build-your-own martinis, and midcentury-chic vibes from the restaurant group behind Colada Shop debuted on Wednesday, October 28. Located at the foot of the luxury apartment complex Urby, Bar Nuestro casts classic European dishes through a Latin lens. Executive chef Harper McClure brings her brasserie knowledge, after leading the kitchen at French favorite Le Diplomate, to dishes like yellowtail crudo with soursop leche de tigre, mango, and serrano; yuca beignets with truffle and huitlacoche; and charred picanha (top sirloin cap) with leek chimichurri. At the bar, beverage director Josh Murski showcases a fun build-you-own martini menu, an espresso martini tower, a brown-butter washed Negroni, and other whimsical cocktails. 1345 Yards Place SE
Penn Quarter: A new American restaurant with “celestial” flair opened at the foot of Arlo hotel on Thursday, October 15, taking over the former Arrels space. Altair, situated under a glassy, greenhouse-like ceiling, provides vantage points of the night sky as diners enjoy everything from glistening oysters to hearty duck courses. The 82-seat newcomer comes from NYC-based Renwick Hospitality and follows the lead of the NYC original, themed after four ancient elements: earth, air, fire, and water. The menu has smoked potato gnocchi sitting in the earth section and rack of lamb setting in the fire section of the menu, while cocktails infused with mushroom butter and other creative flavors are also organized by element. The sprawling restaurant is anchored by a tree with hanging lanterns, casting a moody canopy over lounge-style seating with earthy colors and wooden finishes. 333 G Street NW
