06-03-2025
Exclusive: Get a taste of the DMV's hottest new restaurants at this festival
Long-running food festival New Kitchens on the Block is back, and the preview party for upcoming DMV bars and restaurants is as exciting as ever.
Why it matters: NKOTB is a rare chance to try local businesses before they open — some from star chefs (hey, Marcus Samuelsson) and others from rising talents you should know.
How it works: Co-founders Al Goldberg of Mess Hall — which hosts the Saturday, April 26 event — and food writer Nevin Martell curate a dynamic lineup of forthcoming bars and restaurants for their 11th festival. Some will open soon, others are still searching for spaces.
The past 60+ participants include Rose Previte with Maydan, Call Your Mother (before it was CYM), and Oyster Oyster.
Guests will sample food and drinks from nearly a dozen vendors over two afternoon sessions, plus cocktails, Right Proper beers, and stuffed goodie bags for VIP ticket holders. Limited early-bird passes (starting at $99 or $139 VIP) are now available via Eventbrite.
We got an exclusive sneak peek at who's coming, what they're planning and when(ish) they'll open.
Marcus DC, a seafood-focused brasserie from celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson (Harlem's Red Rooster), is opening by Union Market. ETA: Spring
Samuelsson, an Ethiopian-born, Swedish-American chef, has taken over three venues in The Morrow Hotel (deets coming soon). The brasserie will serve global fin fare—raw, cured, and dry-aged—plus steaks and comfort food classics. Chef Anthony Jones, a Food Network and Dirty Habit alum, will helm the kitchen.
Barbouzard, a French-Mediterranean restaurant helmed by chef Cedric Maupillier (ex-Convivial), is opening near Farragut Square. ETA: Spring/Summer.
The former Kellari Taverna space is getting a lively coastal med makeover with indoor and outdoor dining, a piano and DJ booth, and a Champagne lounge. Côte d'Azur-chic is matched with Maupillier's Francophile fare, high-end seafood, and in-house bread and pastry program.
Electric Bull, a new-wave steakhouse by chef Victor Albisu (Taco Bamba), is opening in Vienna, VA. ETA: Summer.
Albisu, a former BLT Steak chef who opened South American steakhouse Del Campo, is back to his roots with a unique 80-seat steakhouse. Expect Latin spins on raw bar and grilled apps, classic and lesser-seen cuts, lamb ribs, homemade chorizos, and the return of Albisu's signature burger and rolled skirt steak. Also: a butcher counter for meats to-go.
Chai Pani, a smash-hit Indian restaurant by Meherwan Irani out of Asheville, NC, is opening near Union Market. ETA: Late summer.
Look for Irani's James Beard Award-winning street foods like crispy okra fries, bhel puri chaats, "sloppy jai" sandwiches, and homestyle thali platters in Chai Pani's signature kaleidoscopic setting.
Burnt Hill Farm, a destination overlooking the Appalachian Mountains from the siblings behind Old Westminster Winery and chef Tae Strain (D.C.'s Momofuku). ETA: Fall
The estate vineyard in Clarksburg, MD (roughly 40 minutes outside D.C.) will host an immersive fine dining experience from Strain, who blends local ingredients and traditions with his Asian-American heritage.
Marv's Dogs, a lively fast-casual from Diane Gross (Cork Wine Bar), is opening in Tenleytown. ETA: Fall
Hot dogs and video games — that's one of Gross's fondest childhood memories with her late dad, Marv, which is the inspiration for this family-friendly concept. The restaurant will dish up nostalgic dogs, soft-serve and canned beer and wine, while guests can play vintage arcades in a game room below.
Nhau by Moon Rabbit, a cocktail bar from chef Kevin Tien and bar director Thi Nguyen, is opening near Dupont Circle. ETA: TBA.
An offshoot of the modern Vietnamese restaurant's award-winning cocktail program, Nhau will highlight Southeast Asian flavors in boldly flavored drinks and snacks.
Snow Crane, a Japanese ice cream concept by former Rose's Luxury chef Takeshi Nishikawa. ETA: TBA
Fine dining chops meet Japanese ice cream in Nishikawa's concept, which is currently on a pop-up circuit and will likely open near his Hyattsville home. Look for artful scoops using sweet and savory ingredients from Japan, like milk ice cream topped with Okinawa black sugar syrup.
