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

M. FRANCES

PROJECTED OPENING: Summer 2024 1452 4th Street NE M. Frances, a non-profit fine dining restaurant from The Lee Initiative, will be opening in DC's Union Market neighborhood this Summer. M. Frances's mission will be to serve as a think-tank project, implementing real time research and solutions for independent restaurants to be more sustainable, innovative, and fair. With the help of university partners, mentor chefs, and an in-house research team, M. Frances will tackle some of the most pressing issues facing the restaurant industry and publish the findings in an open-source method. M. Frances will be the first of its kind in America. The restaurant will offer a hyper-local and seasonal seven-course tasting menu which will be created by a collective of chefs rather than the traditional Executive Chef method. The all-female culinary team will consist of: Chef Amy Brandwein, Chef Lisa Donovan, Chef Liliana Myers, Chef AuCo Lai, Chef Taylor Davis, and Lindsay Ofcacek. For more information, visit The LEE Initiative's website here. 
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{Keeping you up to date on the absolute latest in restaurant openings in the DC Metro area.

KINFOLK SOUTHERN KITCHEN

685 Wharf Street SW Kinfolk Southern Kitchen has opened at The Wharf. Created by EATernity Hospitality Group, this 5,500 square-foot Americana restaurant combines Southern home-cooked comfort foods with a warm and welcoming dining experience, so guests feel like they are at home. Some menu highlights guests can get excited for include Shrimp and Grits, Halal-certified Barbecue, 100-year-old Tandoori Chicken family recipe, and more. There are also craft cocktails, barrel-select bourbons, and classic-Southern-inspired desserts for guests to complement their meals with. For more information, visit their website here.Photo Courtesy of Kinfolk Southern Kitchen
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All the food news that you can use.

What You’re Drinking: The List’s Weekly...

Spring has sprung, so let's raise a glass with delightful drinks of the season. With warming temperatures, we are ready for the refreshing over-ice concoction, and we found you delish libations that promise to add a touch of warmth to your spring evenings: NEW & NOTEWORTHY: A Word: Immigrant Food (Planet Word only) is launching their Spring Cocktail Flight, the “America Del Sur” Flight this spring. The $23 flight features a selection of brand new cocktails inspired by South America’s most beloved liquors like Pisco, Aguardiente, Rum, and Cachaça. Highlights include Cuzco’s Lemonade (Barsol Torontel Pisco, mint, lemon, simple syrup) and Spicy Llama (Chacho, passionfruit, and elderflower). Photos available by request. 925 13th St. NW; immigrantfood.comWorld’s 50 Best: North America : The list of North America’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier has been announced, and some DC favorites are on it. The ranking for North America’s 50 Best Bars will reflect the best bar experiences based on the votes of the Academy members, who comprise anonymous North American bar industry experts (including bartenders, bar owners, drinks media and well-traveled cocktail connoisseurs) from the USA, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. In 2023, the Academy expanded to 270 members. Both Service Bar and Allegory were ranked number 22 and 23 on the list. See the full list here. Too Hot Too Handle: Ilili has new beverages for when the summer heats up. You can indulge in cocktails including Too Hot To Handle featuring mezcal, passion fruit, faccia brutto, and tinctured spices, and Fig and Olive, with zaatar and olive oil fat washed vodka, steeped dried figs, and black pepper mist. 100 District Square SW; ililirestaurants.comCucina Cocktails: Cucina Morini has a new selection of light and bright cocktails. Try the Vignola Punch - Blossoming with clarified milk punch, Sakura Gin, Aperol, Luxardo Maraschino, grenadine, pineapple and lime, the Morini Martini - Signature libation, featuring Skyy Vodka, Bombay Dry Gin, Cinzano Bianco, caper, dill and white pepper , and more. 901 4th street; cucinamorini.comHora feliz (Happy Hour Alert): The newest happy hour in downtown is at Casa Teresa, featuring cans of Spanish beer (Estrella Galicia, $4), assorted Spanish wines and sparkling by the glass (cava, albariño, rosado, tempranillo, $12) and a vermouth flight ($18). Deluxe “vermut service” can be added: a silver tray delivers a build-your-own experience with a siphon of sparkling water, olives and citrus segments. Tapas for happy include a selection of cured meats and cheeses, pan con tomate and patata bravas served with aioli and D.C.’s favorite condiment, mambo sauce. 919 19th St NW; teresadc.comNew on the Roof: Rooftop Kitchen has new drinks available for the warmer weather. Try the Santorini Spritz (Blends blood orange-infused Aperol with passion fruit, elderflower, prosecco and soda), Sorrento (eaturing Grey Goose, Cointreau, lemon, hibiscus, melon, sevilla, orange, lemon and honey), and more. 14 Ridge Square; rooftopkitchendc.comA Drink a Day : HIFI has all new drink specials during the week. Dive into Wednesday Schooner Night, where big glasses of Lager Beer await you for just $5 all night long. Thursdays are full of $12 Beer + Shot Combos, Fridays have Giant Margaritas priced at just $15. 200 Mt Vernon Ave; hifitexmexbbq.comWine @ Night: Takoma Bev Co has come out with a new way for you to experience wine. The new Wine Bar experience will give our customers more opportunity to explore some of these special wines that aren't normally available by the glass. From a rotating list of premium pours to special events with winemakers. 6917 Laurel Takoma Park; takomabevco.comWine Wednesdays: St. Vincent has new activation on Wednesdays called Wine Wednesday. From 5-7pm on Wednesdays explore a guided wine tasting lead by a wine expert, on the cocktail deck overlooking the wine garden. Enjoy 2 ounce pours from 4 different wines from their list. 3212 Georgia Avenue; stvincentwine.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.comNOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY: Oh Joy (Happy/Yappy hour alert): Chef Enrique Limardo and Chef William Morles just updated their “Yappy Hour” menu at JOY, which is available on weekends during brunch from 11:00-3:00pm. Highlights from the dog-friendly menu include “Mini Burgers,” a “Tropical Pupsicle (Coconut milk, pineapple, orange and mango), a Watermelon Strawberry Mint Frosty, and Salmon w/ Rice and Veggies. A range of $10 cocktails include a White Cosmo, Cucumber Gimlet, Caribbean Margarita, and Aperol Spritz. Beer is available for $5 and white, red, sparkling, and rosé are also available for $9. 931 H St NW; sevenreasonsgroup.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. All Day is Not Unconventional : Unconventional Diner has new frozen drinks to take in during the heat of spring and summer. Try the Miami Vice, and other drinks like the Mezcal Martini and matcha lattes. 1207 9th St. NW; unconventionaldiner.comFour Seasons Vibes: Bourbon Steak has a new selection of season beverages. Try drinks like the Power of Pink - Berry pink, featuring strawberry-infused vodka and goji berry liqueur with the tang of lime and garnished with delicate edible flowers, the Put the Lime in the What? - coconut oil-washed cocktail featuring lemongrass infused gin, Bermutto Japanese Sake Vermouth, lime juice, coconut water, coconut milk and garnished with a coconut foam, and more. 2800 Pennsylvania avenue; bourbonsteakdc.comLike a Vacay to the Greek Isles (Happy Hour Alert): Join Balos for a brand new Greek-inspired happy hour from 4-6pm M-F featuring specials from the fresh raw bar like $3 oysters and $4 shrimp cocktail, as well as Meze bites like Feta Fries , Spanakopita , Grilled Haloumi , and Balos Chips . Drink specials include $10 glasses of wine, the Filthy Greek Martini ($15), and $7 Greek beers. Join Balos for a brand new Greek-inspired happy hour from 4-6pm M-F featuring specials from the fresh raw bar like $3 oysters and $4 shrimp cocktail, as well as Meze bites like Feta Fries ($10), Spanakopita ($10), Grilled Haloumi ($14), and Balos Chips ($20). Drink specials include $10 glasses of wine, the Filthy Greek Martini ($15), and $7 Greek beers. 1940 N St NW; balosrestaurants.comNew on the Roof: Rooftop Kitchen has new drinks available for the warmer weather. Try the Santorini Spritz (Blends blood orange-infused Aperol with passion fruit, elderflower, prosecco and soda), Sorrento (eaturing Grey Goose, Cointreau, lemon, hibiscus, melon, sevilla, orange, lemon and honey), and more. 14 Ridge Square; rooftopkitchendc.comAn Extra Hour of Happy: Charlie Palmer now has happy hour every weeknight from 3-6pm. Their signature cocktails are all part of the Happy Hour fun. Meet the Monument Mule, Political Pain Chiller, and Long Live The Old Fashioned. 101 Constitution Ave. NW; charliepalmersteak.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.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.

The Largest Self-Funded Female Wine Importer:...

Hey All, and thanks for joining me again. It was patio season and no…now it isn't. This is spring in DC. One day it’s sunny and 70 and one day it’s sunny and 30. ANYWAY. The ridiculous weather doesn’t take away my excitement from taping this month’s show at Tony & Joe’s. I am down on the sparkling Potomac water, watching the boats go by. This is a so “if you know you know” situation. Tony and Joe’s has one of the best patios in DC with views of the Kennedy Center. As I have said, once the weather hits an acceptable temperature, find me out on that patio with a tray of fresh shucked oysters and a glass of rose. Thanks as always to Greg Casten for being such a tremendous supporter of me, this show, and the work that I do.Later in the show, I’ll be chatting with Mary Taylor of Mary Taylor wines. For the span of her professional life, she has been active in all aspects of the wine industry, whether selling high-end French and Italian wines at the Sotheby’s auction, opening a retail store in lower Manhattan, serving as the president of a Tri-state area wholesale company, or working as a portfolio manager for a major distributor covering the entire United States. Fast forward to now and Mary Taylor Wine is the largest self-funded female wine importer in the United States. If you don’t know Mary Taylor - you are about to…Listen to the podcast interview here, or watch the full episode here.  
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