Two new restaurants opened Tuesday, Apr. 14 – one in Silver Spring and one on 14th Street NW. One was prepared and one wasn’t. One is on my list for a second visit, the other isn’t.

All Set Restaurant & Bar opened at 8630 Fenton St., Silver Spring, while Sette Osteria opened at 1634 14th St. NW. But the experience at the two was as different as night and day.

All Set Restaurant & Bar opened in the Montgomery Center on Fenton Street in Silver Spring on Tuesday.
(Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

All Set

All Set has a nautical New England-theme with a sea blue and white décor, dark woods, gold banquettes and lots of white knotted rope. It reminds you of sitting in a sea shanty on the Massachusetts coast. The bar is large, along the back wall and includes a raw bar with lobster and shrimp cocktail, oysters on the half shell and littleneck clams, all with their origin marked on tiny blackboards.

The interior of All set from the dining room to the bar is reminiscent of a New England sea shanty. (Photos: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

Chef and co-owner Edward Reavis’ appetizers include crab mac & cheese, tuna tartare, shrimp cocktail, hushpuppies, fried clams, fish dip, mussels, deep fried seafood platter and fish tacos. Sandwiches include a fried oyster burger and a lobster roll while entrees include crab cakes, clam fettuccine, rockfish and crispy skin salmon. Of course there are dishes for landlubbers too, like white bean hummus, pulled pork sliders, short ribs, brick chicken, NY strip steak and mushroom risotto, as well as a grilled chicken sandwich, edamame burger with mint dill yogurt and a bacon cheeseburger with pecan smoked bacon.

The shrimps where huge and the lobster roll was the star with chives, chervil and tarragon served on toasted rolls shaped like little loaves of bread. Another favorite was the pulled pork sliders with BBQ sauce and cole slaw.

Sunday dinner will include a $35 per person family clam bake with arugula salad, littleneck clams, mussels, shrimp, lobster, kielbasa, new potatoes, corn on the cob, corn bread and a blueberry Eskimo, a cinnamon cookie crumble with vanilla bean ice cream and blueberry compote or a $30 per person fried chicken dinner with Caesar salad, fried chicken, bacon Swiss chard, mashed potatoes, sausage gravy and a chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich for dessert.

All Set’s menu includes a raw bar (clockwise from top left), lobster rolls, BBQ pork sliders and house cocktails The Provincetown, Crazy for Layla and The Perfect Storm. (Photos: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

All house cocktails have nautical names and cost $12. My favorite was the Perfect Storm with rum, lime, pineapple, ginger and Goslings ginger beer. It was refreshing and perfect for sipping on the restaurant’s covered patio as warm weather arrives. Others include The Provincetown with cranberry-infused vodka, citrus, cucumber juice, basil-mint syrup and ginger juice; and the Crazy for Layla with Cold River gin, orange liquor, citrus and crème de violette.

Service was excellent and on point with food and drinks being passed constantly. Trash was quickly collected and even water glasses were kept filled. With plenty of on street parking as well a free parking in the county parking garages in the evenings and on weekends, All Set is certainly worth a trip to New England without leaving Silver Spring.

All Set is open from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday, 3-6 p.m. daily for happy hour and 5-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 5-9 p.m. Sunday for dinner. Breakfast and weekend brunch will be added later.

Sette Osteria also opened Tuesday on 14th Street NW, but with not so stellar food or service. (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

Sette Osteria

The décor at Sette Osteria is an improvement from the former M Café Bar, which was also owned by Iraklis Karabassis of IK Retail Group and closed in January. Gone are the Andy Warhol prints of Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni, yellow walls and modern white furniture and chandeliers, replaced by black and white décor, exposed brick walls, dark wood floors and unpadded wood booths and leather chairs. It has a more relaxed, casual atmosphere than its predecessor.

Sette Osteria on 14th Street NW has been remodeled from the former M Cafe Bar from the same owner. (Photos: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

Unlike All Set, Sette Osteria was ill prepared for its grand opening. Invitations had been sent to the media as well as tenants in many of the apartment and condo buildings in the area. All the guests were packed into the small bar area and service was slow with only one bartender making limited cocktails and another serving only beer and wine.

Most of the cocktails – named No. 1 through No. 9 on the menu – weren’t available because the fruit purees and house-made syrups weren’t available. When they are available, they will cost $12 each, $2 more than at the original, sister restaurant in Dupont. Also unavailable was draft beers because the lines hadn’t been run yet.

The printed bar menu also included sangria, Italian sodas, Prosecco, 15 white wines and 13 red wines by the glass, carafe or bottle, 11 bottled beers and another six on tap.

The passed food samples were even fewer and far between. With no dedicated wait staff, servers quickly passed the bites while waiting on tables in the dining room. The only samples I was able to try were the bruschetta, mozzarella alla caprese and tuna tartare, none of which were standout dishes. I also sampled the mini margherita pizzas, but they had become cold waiting for servers to pass them.

Sette Osteria’s menu includes bruschetta (clcokwise from top left), tuna tartare, cocktail No. 7 and cocktail No. 1. (Photos: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

The menus at the bar were missing the food pages and the 14th Street location’s website isn’t working yet – it just loops back to the homepage for both locations so I don’t really know what is on the menu, although I was told by bartender Louis that it is the same are Dupont’s. A press release said menu prices range from $8-$28.

Opening night was definitely disappointing considering the restaurant’s executive chef is Italian-born Nicola Sanna. I was expecting to sample some of Sanna’s signature house-made pasta and other Italian dishes, not the same food found at every Italian restaurant in D.C.

It’s probably best to stick with one of the other fine Italian restaurants in the city a few more weeks before checking out Sette Osteria. Here’s hoping that Sette Osteria can work out the kinks and get service on track.

The restaurant is open 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays for lunch, 5-8 p.m. nightly for happy hour, 5-11 p.m. daily for dinner and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. for weekend brunch.

All through July, both El Centro D.F. taqueria and tequileria locations on 14th Street NW and in Georgetown are celebrating National Tequila Month with tequila enriched dishes and tequila infused drinks. Plus, both restaurants are serving a tequila gelato from Dolcezza.

El Centro D.F.’s Georgetown location (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

All month long, the restaurants are pouring two new house-made tequila infusions along with their regular menu of more than 250 blue agave spirits: pineapple/sage and grapefruit/lime/lemongrass in addition to El Centro’s 10 seasonal infusion flavors. The two new infusions are served straight-up or with a splash of soda for $5 each. They can also be used for tasty margaritas. We got a preview of the menu recently.

El Centro’s grapefruit/lime/lemongrass (left) and pineapple/sage tequila infusions. (Photo: Daniel Martinez)

Margaritas made with either of infusions are a good choice, but I found the grapefruit/lime/lemongrass margarita was especially tasty and thirst quenching on the back patio in 90-degree temperatures. It was the tarter of the two with a sour punch. The grapefruit almost takes a backseat allowing the tequila to sneak through. The pineapple/sage is sweeter, the sage adds depth, and the house margarita mix is light and refreshing letting the tequila bask in the limelight. But be careful, you can easily drink three or four of these without batting an eyelash.

The three special dishes being served for tequila month include a grilled shrimp cerviche appetizer ($10), a Reposado Tequila-cured and smoked pork tenderloin entree ($22) and Dolcezza’s Anejo Tequila gelato ($7). Each can be ordered separately or as a meal for $35.

El Centro’s tequila month menu includes the Reposado Tequila-cured and smoked pork tenderloin entree (left), grilled shrimp cerviche appetizer (top) and Anejo Tequila gelato (bottom). (Photos: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

The grilled shrimp is marinated in a citrus-chile broth, along with some grapefruit, cucumber, jicama and red onion topped with a frozen margarita float. The Reposado Tequila-cured and smoked pork tenderloin is topped with chile morita sauce and served with roasted corn and epazote, and poblano rajas-potato purée. The pork has a distinct tequila flavor and was incredibly moist. The cheesy poblano-potato purée was an odd shade or green, but delicious and owner Richard Sandoval should add it permanently to the menu. The gelato is served on a house-made Mexican chocolate waffle cone bowl and topped with cajeta and berries or mint. Be warned, this icy treat has a strong tequila flavor and isn’t very sweet. It definitely isn’t for the kids. The mint and Mexican chocolate cone were tasty companions and added texture to the creamy gelato.

Meet the Maker dinners

On July 14 and 21, both restaurants will hold Meet the Maker dinners allowing tequila aficionados to meet representatives from the world’s leading tequila companies. Seating is available from 6-8 p.m. Dinner begins with a private reception with passed hors d’oeuvres and tequila cocktails followed by a three-course dinner including ceviche, a signature entrée and dessert, all paired with tequila. Guests will go home with a gift bag that includes an El Centro D.F. T-shirt. Meet the Maker dinners are $69 and limited to 50 guests at the 14th Street location and 32 guests at Georgetown. Reservations can be made through Living Social.

National tequila month party

On July 28, the two restaurants will hold a National Tequila Month party from 5-8 p.m. Guests will receive three drink tickets and be served a buffet that includes carnitas; brisket and nopal tacos with molcajete, verde and morita salsa, pico de gallo, creama and lettuce; refried beans; Mexican rice; chips with salsa and guacamole; mini chorizo empanadas; chicken tinga flautas; mini mushroom quesadillas; and mini open-face tortas. There will also be DJs playing music throughout the restaurants from 5 p.m.-closing. Regular dinner service will resume at 8 p.m. Tickets are $39 each and available on Living Social.

El Centro D.F. is located at 1819 14th St. NW and 1218 Wisconsin Ave. NW in Georgetown.

Dolcezza gelato’s sixth location opened this morning at 8 a.m. at 1418 14th St. NW in a 1878 building that formerly housed a deli and was originally a pharmacy.

Dolcezza’s newest location at 14th & P streets NW opened at 8 a.m. today. It features a “to-go” window on the left. (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

The 1,000 square-foot store, at the corner of 14th and P streets NW, is the first Dolcezza to feature a “to-go” window that will allow customers to order gelato, pastries and Stumptown Coffee from the street. It is also the first location to have a sundae bar where customers can enjoy a rotating seasonal sundae or “coppetta” – which means little dish in Italian – menu with homemade whipped cream and fresh seasonal toppings to their favorite gelatos and sorbettos. Coppettas are priced between $7 and $10.

The coffee & cookies coppeta (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

The opening menu features five coppetas: the Fruitty Pebbles made with Indonesian vanilla bean gelato, crushed Marcona almonds and house-candied citrus zest; the coffee & cookies with espresso Hair Bender gelato, biskoff cookie pieces, Perrydell whipped cream and espresso powder; the strawberry gnocchi with lemon ricotta cardamom gelato, strawberry broth, fresh chopped mint and shaved white chocolate; the strawberry tarragon daiquiri with strawberry tarragon sorbetto, tequila-spiked whipped cream and Maldon sea salt flakes; and the chocolate Mexicano with Valrhona dark chocolate gelato, smokey and spicy nuts and cinnamon whipped cream.

Designed by Groupo 7, Dolcezza kept the original front entrance door and retail shelving. The store has an apothecary feel with light fixtures from Housewerks Salvage in Baltimore and seats 30. The patio will seat another 10 people.

The 14th Street store will be open from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. on Monday, 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 7 a.m.-midnight on Friday, 8 a.m.-midnight on Saturday and
8 a.m.-10 p.m. on Sunday.

Dolcezza is also celebrating National Ice Cream Month and its 10th anniversary in July. On Tuesday, July 1, the first 100 customers at each of the six locations will receive a free chocolate suizo (Swiss) gelato mixed with chocolate pieces and dulce de leche gelato mini cone. This was the first flavor co-owner Robb Duncan tasted while traveling with his wife Violeta Edelman in Argentina and was the inspiration for Dolcezza.

Also, anyone whose birthday is in July can take a valid ID to any location and receive a free small gelato of their choice. Dolcezza’s other locations include Union Market, Fairfax’s Mosaic District, 1560 Wisconsin Avenue NW in Georgetown, 1704 Connecticut Ave. NW in Georgetown and 7111 Bethesda Lane in Bethesda.

Cava Grill introduces summer menu items

Cava Grill will add new summer juice, tea and gazpacho to its menu starting July 1 at all six locations. In addition to seasonal, handmade juices, sweet tea infusions and roasted tomato gazpacho, the Mediterranean fast casual restaurant is rolling out a series of culinary collaborations with local DC-based artisan producers including Whisked!, Gordy’s Pickle Jar and RunningByrd Tea.

Cava Mezze Grill in Columbia Heights. (Photo: Zagat)

The restaurant serves up five seasonal homemade juices and teas made from fresh fruit and herb flavors ($2.50/regular; $2.95/large) including pineapple coriander and watermelon mint juices, raspberry ginger lemonade, peach black tea and hibiscus green tea.

Chef Dimitri Moshovitis has also created a cold roasted Gazpacho with roasted tomatoes from Hummingbird Farm in Ridgely, Md., roasted jalapeño and garlic and basil-infused olive oil ($3.25) with a sprinkle of feta or fresh cucumber topping.

Other menu additions rolling out this summer include a salted dark chocolate chip oat cookie ($2.75); a pickled banana pepper, which will become one of the restaurant’s on-going toppings; and seasonal bottled sweet teas from D.C.-based RunningByrd Tea handmade at Union Kitchen. The four summer flavors will be Summer Rain, an Indian masala chai with a peppery finish; Montgomery Mint, a lightly minty tea; Shenandoah Smoke, a smoked hazelnut tea a spiced finish and almost coffee-like flavor; and unsweetened white peach blended with lemongrass and a touch of lavender.

GCDC to offer free ice cream sandwiches on new patio July 2

To celebrate the opening of its new 16-seat patio for summer, GCDC, D.C.’s only grilled cheese restaurant at 1730 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, is launching new cheese ice cream sandwiches.

The strawberry cheese ice cream sandwich from GCDC. (Photo: GCDC)

The new cream ice cream sandwiches feature scoops of homemade fruit and chocolate-infused cream cheese ice cream sandwiched between brioche French toast, and half-dipped in house-made sauces like chocolate ganache and bourbon caramel. Made with cream cheese, heavy cream, vanilla, sugar and spices, the ice creams are infused with fresh, artisan ingredients like strawberries, red delicious apples, coffee beans and Grand Marnier for a boozy touch, and then served on French toast made from Lyon Bakery’s brioche pullman loaf. The ice cream sandwiches will be available evenings from 4-9 p.m. and are $7 each.

The three varieties include chocolate and Vigilante coffee made with milk chocolate, Grand Marnier, cardamom and cinnamon, half-dipped in house-made chocolate ganache; strawberry with fresh strawberries, bourbon vanilla, brown sugar and lemon zest, half-dipped in house-made chocolate ganache; and the caramel apple with red delicious apples and cinnamon, half-dipped in house-made bourbon caramel.

To celebrate the official opening of its patio on July 2, the first 40 customers starting at 4 p.m. will receive a free ice cream sandwich.

The 2,100 square-foot restaurant has indoor seating for 42. GCDC is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for lunch and 4 p.m.-9 p.m. for dinner with happy hour from 4-6:30 p.m. It is closed Saturday and Sunday.

Arlington chef hosts Travel Channel show

Chef David Guas, who owns Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery at 1515 N. Courthouse Road, Arlington and will open a second location at 901 Pennsylvania Ave. NE this fall, will host Travel Channel’s American Grilled, a grilling competition on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. from July 2 through Sept. 24. Guas will also be a judge on the show.

Chef David Guas of Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery in Arlington will host American Grilled on the Travel Channel this summer. (Photo: Travel Channel)

The first episode was filmed in Ashville, N.C., followed by Annapolis on July 9 and Charlottesville on July 16. During the 13 episode summer series, grill aficionados with experience ranging from backyard grillers to small town cooks, battle one another in the ultimate outdoor cooking challenge for a $10,000 prize. In each episode, four contestants use locally sourced ingredients – blue crab in Maryland, quail in Georgia and T-bone steaks in Texas to name a few – to test their backyard skills. They’ll serve up delicious and original plates that skillfully showcase the grill and embrace the amazing local flavors.

Guas, originally from New Orleans, will appear on the Today show July 2 at 9 a.m. to talk about the new show with hosts Al Roker, Natalie Morales, Tamron Hall and Willie Geist.

Rural Society by Jose Garces to open July 3

Rural Society, the highly anticipated Argentine steakhouse from Iron Chef Jose Garces, will open in the Loews Madison Hotel, 1177 15th St. NW.

Jose Garces’ Rural Society will open in the Lowes Madison Hotel on July 3. (Photo: Rural Society/Facebook)

“I’ve always had the urge to explore Argentine cuisine, particularly the parrilla aspect that’s so ingrained in the culture. We want the fire to be a presence, the way it was during so many of our experiences during our trip to Argentina. We’re going to cook as much as we can over that flame,” Garces said in a release.

Dinner offerings will include Argentinian charcuterie, grass-fed Urguayan rib-eye, jumbo
cardinal prawns and a variety of grilled vegetables. There will also be Argentinian pizzas and some pasta dishes.

Avroko is handling the restaurant’s design, which is inspired by the South American cowboy. Imagery of horses, leather banquettes and wooden tables are among the accents. There are private dining rooms inspired by tack rooms. An outdoor terrace will open eventually.

Belga Café, B Too offer exclusive Chimay Red draft

As of this past Thursday, Belga Café and B Too, both owned by chef Bart Vandaele, are the first restaurants in the U.S. to carry Chimay Red beer on draft. The draft will be exclusive to the two restaurants for two weeks.

The red, white and blue Chimay beer flight being offered at Belga Cafe and B Too. (Photo: Belga Cafe/B Too)

This is the first time ever that kegs of Chimay Red are available in the U.S., and Vandaele purchased 50 of the 700 limited keg release for B Too, 1324 14th St. NW, and Belga Café, 514 8th St. SE. The monks at Scourmont Abbey have been brewing Chimay Red since 1862. The copper-colored ale boasts flavors of apricots, brown sugar and nutmeg with aromatics made all the more dramatic by the draft.

The two Belgian restaurants are also offering an exclusive red, white and blue Chimay beer flight (15 ounces total) for $19.50. Glasses of Chimay Red are $12, Chimay White are $13 and Chimay Blue are $14.

Both always carry bottled versions of all three and have the white on tap. The flight will include drafts of the Red and White, while the blue will be poured from the bottle.

Ripple offers free Friday wine tastings

To celebrate being named one of Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Wine Restaurants, Ripple, 3417 Connecticut Ave. NW in Cleveland Park, will offer free tastings of wine director Danny Fisher’s favorite wines every Friday through Aug. 29.

Ripple in Cleveland Park. (Photo: Clevelandpark-dc.com)

Fisher will stand at the front window to offer free tastes of his favorite, rare wines from 5-7 p.m. He plans to showcase interesting wines inspired by his travels while sharing his extensive wine knowledge and answering questions for eager to learn patrons and passers-by.

In addition, special flights will be available featuring three wines highlighting one particular region for $20.

“We are incredibly … thrilled to put Cleveland Park on the map once more as a destination for upscale casual dining and great wine,” said Fisher. “Our guests are the reason we are celebrating these wins as well as our fourth anniversary this month.”

Fisher’s ability to source rare wines at an incredible value has helped Ripple build a reputation as a destination for area wine connoisseurs. Executive chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley fuses classical cooking techniques with millennial tendencies, while Fisher’s list of wines offers standbys alongside rarer labels, all of which focus on sustainable, biodynamic and organic practices.

Ripple stocks more than 3,000 bottles in their wine cellar and offers 50 wines by the glass. Its wine program highlights small family producers, with a commitment to sustainable, organic or biodynamic production.

Other local restaurants to make the magazine’s list also includes Doi Moi, Estadio, Fiola, Minibar and The Red Hen in the District. No Virginia restaurants made the cut and Woodberry Kitchen in Baltimore was the only Maryland restaurant.

Sticky Fingers opening second location on H Street

Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats in Columbia Heights will open Sticky Fingers Bakery and Bistro on H Street NE in a currently vacant space between Fitness Together and Khepra’s Raw Food Juice Bar in early 2015.

Sticky Fingers bakery will open a second location on H Street NE between Fitness Together and Khepra’s Raw Food Juice Bar in early 2015. (Photo: Google)

The second location for the vegan bakery will be at 406 H St. NE in a 2,600 square-foot space featuring an expanded bakery program, bistro dining menu and a full bar.

“The second location of Sticky Fingers has been in the making for a long time now, and H Street is the perfect spot for us to expand into,” said owner Doron Petersan, a two time winner of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars. “The neighborhood is really coming into its own, and with the addition of the street cars it’s only going to get better. The area has the same kind of young, active and compassionate residents that our Colombia Heights location has been serving for years.”

Sticky Fingers originally opened in north Dupont Circle in 2002 with the mission of bringing baked goods made without the use of animal products to the District – a mission that eventually expanded to include a full menu of savory plant-based comfort food with a move to Columbia Heights.

The new location will offer an expanded menu and more dining space than the original location. The bakery and bistro will have the look and feel of a classic mid-century American diner, featuring a lunch counter as well as “grab-and-go” service and table service for approximately 50 diners. It will be open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and have bar hours on Fridays and Saturdays.

The expanded bakery program will include Sticky Fingers classics, like sticky buns, cookies, cakes and cupcakes, and new items like Italian-style breads, scones, Danishes, croissants and pies. The bistro menu will focus on vegan and gluten-free comfort food and the bar will serve beer, wine and cocktails.

This year has been a bonanza for D.C. foodies. 2013 saw many restaurant openings, a few sad goodbyes and more than a little drama.

Without a doubt, most of the attention in 2013 was focused on 14th Street NW. You just can’t argue with a list stacked from top to bottom with trophy winners like Le Diplomate, Kapnos/G, Ghibellina, Pearl Dive, BakeHouse, Doi Moi and Garden District. Plus, Ted’s Bulletin has tip top doughnuts and there’s Peregrine for killer coffee.

The restaurants of 14th Street NW. (Photo: Luis Gomez)

There is no other neighborhood with the number of restaurant openings that has created a huge impact on D.C.’s restaurant scene, even drawing national attention. From out-of-towners such as Stephen Starr and local chefs Ari Gejdenson, Mike Isabella, Peter Pastan and Amy Morgan all opening up shop.

With the empty buildings dwindling, we can’t imagine we’re going to see too many more new establishments opening in there in 2014, although we reluctantly anticipate a few closures — competition and all — but it’s not easy to get a table without a hefty wait, even on a weekday.

It’s too early to say the 14th Street corridor is the “best” neighborhood for dining. There are too many newcomers who will have to prove they can flourish with the increased competition. But 14th Street is the most exciting dining neighborhood of the year. But Penn Quarter with Jaleo, Rasika, The Source, Minibar, Fiola and Zaytinya are in for the long haul and will give the new 14th Street establishment a run for their money. And the Shaw neighborhood with its new food offerings like Baby Wale, Tally, Southern Efficiency, Mandalay, Mockingbird Hill and Right Proper Brewing Co. will challenge the 14th Street eateries as well.

Fat Shorty’s sausage grill in Clarendon was one of 2013’s restaurants that didn’t last a year. (Photo: Rock Harper via Instagram)

Come and gone

Two notable restaurants opened and closed in 2013. The first was Fat Shorty’s, the sausage grill with mussels and Belgian beer from Hell’s Kitchen winner Chef Rahman “Rock” Harper and restaurateur Aaron Gordon, which opened in Clarendon in April and had closed by October. Gordon is also the owner of Drafting Table, which opened on 14th Street NW in October 2012, and Bar di Bari, both of which opened in the same neighborhood in June of this year. Gordon said he had a buyer for the building and had decided to concentrate on his other ventures.

The other closing was Azur, the three-story seafood restaurant in Penn Quarter from chef Frederik De Pue. It opened in June, but by October it had also closed. De Pue said the number of diners just wasn’t enough to keep the large restaurant open. The chef, who owns the building, will next try a multi-concept plan to get customers in the door. Set to open in January, Menu will be a market on the ground floor, serving up produce, sandwiches and soups. A bar will open on the third floor with a lounge component during later hours. There will also be a 40-seat restaurant on the top floor serving pastas and American fare, with a bigger beer program than Azur had. The second floor is all kitchen.

Coming in 2014

This week is a time to reflect on 2013. But it’s also an opportunity to look ahead to next year, which should still provide plenty of restaurant excitement.

Some restaurants set to open this winter in addition to Menu include:

1. Lupo Verde from Med Lahlou and Antonio Matarazzo at 1401 T St. NW, is expected to open any day now. The intimate 100-seat restaurant, from the owner of Ulah Bistro and Tunicliff’s Tavern, will serve authentic, rustic, Italian fare.
2. Flight Wine Bar from Swati Bose, Kabir Amir, Bradley Curtis will open in early January at will open at 777 6th St. NW. The casual, neighborhood wine bar will focus on wines by the glass from all over the world, as well as light fare such as flatbreads.
3. Roofers Union from Marjorie Meek-Bradley, Roger Marmet and Daniel Lobsenz at 2446 18th St. NW is scheduled to open in January. The restaurant, in the former Reef space, is the second project from the Ripple team. Expect dishes like sausages, corn dogs with homemade Whiz and more.
4. Bidwell, from John Mooney and Edens at 1309 5th St. NE is scheduled to open in January. It will be Union Market’s first sit down, full-service restaurant. New York chef Mooney is leading the operation, which will have a local, American bent.
5. Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab from Mike Rotolo at 740 15th St. NW is set to open in January. This is the first D.C. outpost of the Florida-based chain, particularly known for its seafood and key lime pie.
6. Pinstripes, a chain, is expected to open at 3222 M St. NW in January. The combination restaurant, nightclub, bowling alley and bocce court is opening in the Shops at Georgetown Park. The restaurant leans Italian, with dishes like pizzas and chicken marsala.
7. GCDC, a grilled cheese restaurant at 1730 Pennsylvania Ave. NW from Bruce and Steven Klores and Sophie Slesinger, is set to open in early February. In addition to various spins on grilled cheese, there will be options like tater tots and egg creams.
8. Nicoletta from Michael White and the Altamarea Group at 301 Water St SE is projected to open in March. White has already made a splash in D.C. with his Osteria Morini restaurant. Nicoletta will sell pizza out of two kiosks in Navy Yard.
9. Toro Toro from Richard Sandoval and Ivan Iricanin at 1300 I St. NW is expected to open in March. Sandoval’s new project is a Brazilian-inspired steakhouse. The restaurant will also feature a selection of small plates.
10. Maketto from Erik Bruner-Yang, James Wozniuk, Ansuron Plyraharn, Chris Vigilante and Angel Franco at 1351 H St. NE is expected to open sometime this winter. Bruner-Yang and company are opening a combination restaurant and Asian market in the building. Vigilante Coffee will also make its home there. Diners can sample dishes from the Cambodian- and Taiwanese-influenced restaurant at the pop-up, now running at Hanoi House.

Also expected in January are Ivy and Coney, TKO Burger, Carolina Kitchen and Ri-Ra. February’s expected openings include Compass Rose and Heavy Seas Alehouse. Other expected winter openings include STK, Lunchbox and Fiola Mare. Tentatively set to open in the spring are American Eats, China Chilcano, District Doughnut, Gypsy Soul and Mad Fox Tap Room.

Which are you anticipating? Let us know in the comments, on Facebook or on Twitter.