{What’s in that empty storefront? Which favorite chef is opening up where, and when? All those details and more in Coming Soon.

HOTEL HERON

PROJECTED OPENING: Spring 2024 699 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA A new hotel, Hotel Heron, will open in the heart of Alexandria this Spring. Originally opened in 1926 as the George Mason Hotel, Hotel Heron will combine the iconic inn with a new building that houses a modern event space and elevated guest rooms. This new 134 room boutique hotel will have a ground floor restaurant serving hearth inspired Mid-Atlantic cuisine, a cozy craft cocktail bar in the heart of the hotel, and an open-air seasonal rooftop bar with views of the Potomac. Some amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center and meeting spaces. For more information, click here.
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{Keeping you up to date on the absolute latest in restaurant openings in the DC Metro area.

Cucina MORINI

901 4th Street NW The team behind Osteria Morini and Matt Adler have opened a new Southern Italian restaurant, Cucina MORINI, in the space formerly home to Nicoletta Italian Kitchen and Brew'd in DC's Mount Vernon neighborhood. Cucina MORINI spotlights flavors from the Italian coast, with options such as Fresh Crudo, signature small plates, handmade pastas, and more. Some Osteria Morini classics are also available at Cucina Morini like Zuppa di Pesce. Guests can also enjoy drinks like the Morini Martini ($7) at the aperitivo bar. For more information, visit their website here.Photo Credit Nina Palazzolo
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All the food news that you can use.

Spring in a Glass: The List’s Weekly...

Though the weather outside may seem chilly, our spirits are warmed by delightful cocktails! Whether you prefer a cozy warm sip or a refreshing over-ice concoction, come join us across the DMV to savor beverages that promise to bring a touch of warmth to your spring evenings: NEW & NOTEWORTHY: So Social (Happy Hour Alert) : Say C’est La Vie to the work day every Wednesday-Friday; 5pm-6:30 PM at Bresca for a special happy hour. Sip $9 classic French Cocktails as you relax after the work day. 1906 14th Street NW; brescadc.comThe Third Wave of Coffee: Nativo, a third-wave coffee shop from two coffee-industry players has officially opened. The stall brings a full range of coffee and espresso drinks and a menu reflecting the homelands of owners Victor Nazar Navarro and Nakita Reid. The slate of drinks includes cortado, cappuccino and cold brew,  as well as a sunshine latte (with a housemade turmeric-ginger syrup). The cafe bombon, typically made with espresso and sweetened condensed milk, is vegan at Nativo: the shop makes its own sweetened condensed coconut milk. All syrups here are homemade, as well. Beyond coffee, there are teas, a chai latte and a matcha latte. Bites include arepas and more. 1850 K St NW; instagram.comColada Shop: The Clarendon Colada Shop location will boast an unrivaled cocktail menu, featuring rum-focused classics and inventive concoctions. From the iconic Piña Colada to the refreshing Mojito and everything in between, each sip is a journey to the heart of Cuba. You can also enjoy flavorful seasonal slushies and convenient on-the-go cocktail pouches,. 2811 Clarendon Blvd; coladashop.comFore!: As the weather starts to heat up and people look for ways to stay cool while having fun, Swingers Crazy Golf offers an adults-only escape, blending a stunning mini golf course inspired by the English countryside with great food, craft cocktails, and DJs for the ultimate party vibe. Swingers offers a selection of craft cocktails made with premium spirits and fresh ingredients that can be delivered to guests while playing through the course or ordered from the bar. Cocktail menus vary at each location, but can include Stroke of Luck made with Ilegal Mezcal, Giffard Pamplemousse Liqueur, ginger syrup, lime juice, cucumber, and a spicy tincture; Lychee Mandarini featuring Absolut Vodka, Giffard Lichi-Li Lychee Liqueur, Mandarine Napoleon, lime juice and club soda; and Copper Dog made with Copper Dog Whisky, apple juice, Orgeat, and a hint of absinthe. Book here. Spring in a Glass : Smoke & Mirrors has launched a new cocktail menu. These include the Maverick with Lemon Juice, Chamomile Tea, Amsterdam Gin, Lillet Blanc and Orange Bitters, the Border Crossing with Lime Juice, Tamarind/Thai Chile Syrup, Ilegal Joven Mezcal and Triple Sec, and Dark Brandon with Dark Cherry Syrup, Dashes Mole Bitters, Bulleit Bourbon and Hennessy VSOP. There's also Kryptonite made with Kiwi, Lime Juice, Absinthe Spray, Velvet Falernum, Bacardi Superior and Topped Dry Cyder. 867 New Jersey Ave; smokeandmirrorsrooftop.comBinge x Vegan = Delicious: Binge Bar is now collaborating with Gingerbeet to have alcohol-free and vegan-friendly food to the DMV. After a DUI in 2016, th founder, Gigi, knew she needed to cut out alcohol from her life but she didn't want to give up her desire for human connection and social interactions. Rather than distancing herself from bars and restaurants, she dedicated herself to establishing a unique haven in Binge Bar, where she could authentically express herself, relish in the vibrant bar atmosphere, and connect with friends and like-minded individuals, all without the presence of alcohol. Gigi along with Chef Jenny have joined forces to create an alcohol-free oasis with elevated cocktails, authentic Filipino food paired with vegan culinary delights. 506 H Street; bingebar.comSunset Social Hour (Happy Hour Alert): The Conservatory at Gravitas is making happy hour even better with this Social hour from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm with Light Bites, First pours: $10, Selected beers: $7, Selected cocktail: $12.. 1401 Okie St NE; conservatorydc.comMichelin Pours at Home: Immerse yourself in the world of fine wines without leaving your space with private tastings curated by Washington, D.C.'s esteemed Michelin Sommelier of the Year, Sarah Thompson. They will guide you through a selection of handpicked wines, each bottle revealing a unique story and flavor profile. 3410 11th street; queensenglishdc.comNOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY: Greens for Your Heart: Greenheart juice shop has opened a new location in the DMV. Greenheart Juice Shop serves cold-press juices, smoothies, bowls and bites. The Courthouse location will be debuting new menu items at its grand opening, including a Hummus and Veggie Toast and a Banana Waffle that’s completely dairy-free. Greenheart will also be launching a line of citrus juices and two types of eight-ounce kids juices, Strawberry Apple and Mango Orange. All menu items are designed to support customers’ well-being. 2016 Wilson Blvd; greenheartjuiceshop.comTea for Two: Park Hyatt Washington D.C. will celebrate the return of spring with the addition of tableside tea service in the Tea Cellar, which will now be available on both Saturday and Sunday, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  The Tea menu offers pastries with accompaniments and seasonally inspired small plates. The tea experience includes Herbals and Tisanes such as Chamomile, Secret Garden, Icy Mint - Green Tea Blend and Melange Du Cap.  White Tea offerings include Silver Needles and The Des Songes Blanc. Chinese Green Tea offerings include Japanese Green Tea Jasmine Beauty Pearls and Bi Lou Chun.  Japanese Green Tea includes Genmaicha Yama.  1201 24th St NW; hyatt.comFlights of Mezcal: Mezcal tasting flights are now available at Taco Bamba's City Ridge location. You are invited to explore the mezcals in a flight of Rey Campero spirits (including the restaurant's own signature label), a flight featuring brands made with Tobala agave, and a flight of Ensamble spirits (mezcals made with a blend of agave varieties).3930 Wisconsin Ave; tacobamba.com
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Where is Nycci? Here, there, and everywhere in media outlets across the city.

Dinner Party Trends: Axios

Read Brianna Crane & Sami Sparber's interview with Nycci, and get all the deets on hosting trends in 2024~Find out more here. Photo: A tablescape by North Carolina-based dinner party wares rental company Canary. Photo: Emily Bennett, courtesy of Beth Nash 
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Take a deep dive into the Industry and beyond.

Bubbles for the Winn: Industry Night, March...

Hey all and thanks for joining me again on this week’s Industry Night. So excited to spend this month at Tony & Joe’s down on the waterfront in Georgetown. If you live in the DMV or have ever visited this city, chances are you’ve been here. They have one of the best patios. It looks out on the Potomac with views of the Kennedy Center. Seriously, on a gorgeous day, you want to sit out on that patio with a tray of fresh shucked oysters and a glass of rose and watch the boats go by. So special thanks as always to Greg Casten for being such a tremendous supporter of me, this show, and the work that I do. I’m going to chat with Greg in a minute about the history of Tony & Joes and Tony - Greg’s Uncle Tony - who was such a character and just recently passed away. Later in the show, I’ll be chatting with good friend and wine authority Winn Roberton. Winn runs the show at Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak and I love talking wine with him. And by the end of today’s show, you will too.But first — one of my favorite things to do is talk about where I am eating and I kid you not, I have been seriously out and about and eating all the good things — mostly!- I celebrated the Lunar New Year with Scott Drewno & Danny Lee at Chiko for their Lunar New Year Tea — They brought in Jill Nguyen of Capitol Jill Baking and Caroline Ta of Sweets by Caroline with ginger scones, dumplings, tea sandwiches, and milk buns- Popped into Fiola for a glass of Mt Etna Bianco & airy gnocchi- Love a Rasika check in and on a Friday, it is hopping- I’ve been to Moon Rabbit twice in the last two weeks — it is that good — you may have listened to my show with Kevin Tien & Susan Bae and team that I did there before they opened, and everything that we talked about — their intention, commitment, passion — it all ends up on the plate. There’s also a really sunny vibe — they are all so happy to be there and be open and be serving delicious mod -Vietnamese. Do not miss the pate chaud or any of Susan’s desserts- I stopped by Tail Up Goat. They are now doing a tasting menu only in the dining room so I just sat at the bar had a wonderful glass of La Croix Gratiot Les Zazous — a truly lovely white that Bill Jensen recommended. He also poured me a funky wine - Sipon from Slovenia — and of course, he poured me a Riesling because it makes him crazy that I don’t like it. And I have to tell you — he didn’t even try. He poured me a Riesling that had a sweet finish and I was like, you gotta be kidding me. When I bring in Winn we are going to talk about Somms and their love of Resling!- Last one — although I have so many more places that I have been — I went to Service Bar. Now if you know me you know I’m not really a cocktail drinker. But it had been a minute since I had been in and I was looking forward to catching up with Christine Kim. Again, the city was pretty lit up. U Street had bars filled, with people waiting on lines to get in and other people pouring out. So fun. They play amazing music, and if you are a cocktail drinker while, the place looks like a hole in the wall — the cocktails are thoughtful, balanced and well madeOkay! On to today’s show!When you are at Bourbon Steak there is a very tall individual walking around busily taking care of all the patrons — you cannot miss Winn Roberton, the head sommelier. And there’s over 750 labels on that wine list!A local boy, raised in Washington, DC, Winn's journey into the world of wine started as a server at Bourbon Steak in 2008.Listen to our full conversation here, or watch it unfold on YouTube, here. 
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