6939 Laurel Avenue, Takoma Park, MD Restaurateur Chris Brown and Executive Chef Danny Wells have teamed up to open Motorkat in the space formerly home to Republic in Takoma Park. Motorkat aims to celebrate Takoma Park's history by honoring the famous Takoma Park story of Motor Cat and her co-pilot J. Catman. This new concept is an eatery that also features a raw bar and wood fired dishes. Some of Motorkat's menu highlights include Sourdough Toast ($13), Mediterranean Sardines ($14), Atlantic Bluefin Tuna ($24), and more. For more information, visit their website here. Photo from Motorkat's Website

1630 Columbia Road NW Hollis Well's Silverman's Eastern Point Collective has opened their newest concept, Méli. Méli is a members-only wine and mezze club located at The Silva in the Reed-Cooke neighborhood. Méli offers dine-in service of Greek-ish wine and mezze with both indoor and outdoor seating available. Membership includes access to the club, Méli's virtual market, subscription services to the Méli wine club, grill boxes, and more. The membership fee is $25 annually with the majority of the proceeds going to The Reed Cooke Club. For more information, visit their website here.

Parked at District Wharf Accessible by boat, by foot, by bike, Thrasher's Mobile Rum Bar from Todd Thrasher has opened at the District Wharf for the Summer. This new concept allows guests to gather by the Potomac River and enjoy a front-and-center water view with cocktails. The restored trailer offers a menu featuring noteworthy spirits that complete the urban, tropical scape that surrounds it at Thrasher's Distillery and Tiki TNT. Some menu options include No Straws in this Rum Bar, Dreaming of Crystal Blue Waters, Temporary Solutions to Permanent Problems, and more. Names of many of the cocktails have underlying messages, focused on working together to protect and save the ocean for the future of the planet. For more information, visit their Instagram @thrashers_rum.

514 Rhode Island Avenue NE Kraken Kourts & Skates, from President and Founder Anna Valero, has officially opened in the Edgewood neighborhood's Bryant Street NE development. This new concept is a 70,000 square-foot space that features 14 pickleball courts, a tavern, and the District's only indoor roller-skating rink. The bar features a selection of drafts, cans, wines, and ciders. The concept is a multi-generational space with family programming and courtside cabanas for cheering on the matches with cocktails and drinks. Guests can also enjoy indoor lawn games such as Cornhole, Jenga, Shuffleboard,a nd more in the beer-garden like atmosphere. Kraken Kourts & Skates is open Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 6:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m.; For more information, visit their website here. Photo by Fredde Lieberman 

676 Maine Street Suite 710 SW Milk & Honey, known for its take on New Orleans specialties and decadent brunch options, has opened its tenth location at The Wharf. This new location stands out as it offers an updated spin on their beloved favorites, with inventive flavor combinations and plating offered in an atmosphere that overlooks the D.C. waterfront. Menu highlights from Executive Chef Chadrick Roberts and Chef Sammy Davis include Chef Sammy's Award-Wiining Shrimp & Grits and Jumbo Smothered Chicken & Biscuits. Some new menu options include Vegan Junk Food, Blackened Salmon BLT, Berry French Toast, and more. The full bar and cocktail menu is coming soon to the new location. The modern space features up to 100 seats for guests. Milk & Honey at The Wharf is open Monday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.; For more information, visit their website here.  

3245 Prospect Street NW A new Van Leeuwen Ice Cream location has officially opened its second D.C. location, right in the heart of Georgetown. On opening day, Van Leeuwen will be offering $1 scoops from 12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Additionally, free, limited-edition D.C. totes will be given to the first 100 customers in line. For the opening of the Georgetown location, Van Leeuwen has partnered with Baked & Wired to create a limited edition ice cream flavor, Dirty Chai Cupcake, exclusive to the D.C. locations. For more information, visit their website here. Photo Courtesy of Van Leeuwen Georgetown

9811 Washingtonian Boulevard, Gaithersburg, MD D.C. Restaurateurs Jackie Greenbaum and Gordon Banks have opened a new modern American restaurant at the Rio Lakefront Mall in Gaithersburg, located in the space formerly home to Tara Thai. Chef/Partner Adam Harvey leads the kitchen at this new concept, along with Russell Pike. The space seats up to 90 guests inside, with an additional 100 seats available for guests on the expansive outdoor patio. The team envisions this new concept to be a matured version of their D.C. restaurant Bar Charley, with an expanded menu, but keeping the concept cocktail forward. The broader menu is steak forward, featuring menu highlights such as Five Spice Pork Shoulder & Crispy Rice, Roasted Lamb French Dip, a Wagyu menu, and much more. The cocktail program, which features about 50 options,  is a collaboration between co-owner Gordon Banks and Beverage Director Paul Hofford. For more information, visit their website here. Photo by Deb Lindsey

201 Waterfront Street, Oxon Hill, MD Gaylord National Resort has officially opened its all-new, completely reimagined and modernized Old Hickory Steakhouse. The steakhouse is the third dining experience to debut to Gaylord guests and offers a timeless fine dining experience with locally sourced ingredients to create meals. The new 10,000 square-foot space is divided into four unique spaces, and features windows along the outside wall for guests to view the Garden Atrium. Some highlights of the space guests can get excited for include the Old Hickory Bar (an all-new wrap around bar), The Den (a secluded room with cozy seating), The Terrace Room (a room for all occasions), and more. A new experience for guests prepared tableside are a Maryland Jumbo Lump Crabcake Cocktail and an Old Fashioned Cocktail. Old Hickory Steakhouse offers Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Lunch, Dinner Service, Dessert, and Libations. Some menu highlights include Hickory Smoked Shrimp Cocktail, Lobster Rolls, Yuzu Pineapple Tart, and much more.  For more information, click here.

2002 Fenwick Street NE Nayef Issa and Nour Chaaban, have opened a new Lebanese-Mexican Restaurant, Vera, in Ivy City. The new concept aims to create its own modern take on the two cultures. Some menu highlights guests can get excited for include a Fattoush Tostada, a Kousa Relleno, a Crab Guacamole, and much more. Director of Operations Paolo Salinas created the cocktail program at Vera, which also combines ingredients from Mexico and Lebanon. with ingredients such as basil and cactus. The two-story space boasts a desert-chic vibe within, with a 100-seat dining room and an upstairs bar serving as highlights of the space. Vera is open Thursday and Saturday from 5:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5:00 p.m. until 11:00 a.m.; For more information, visit their website here. Photo from Vera Ivy City Instagram/Gallery Armada

200 Massachusetts Avenue NW Internationally renowned Japanese chef and restaurateur Makoto Okuwa returns to D.C. with the opening of Love, Makoto, a culinary love letter to the city that welcomed him long ago when he opened Sushi Taro. Okuwa has partnered with Chef David Deshaies and Restaurateur Eric Eden to bring this concept to light and make his return. Love, Makoto features 20,000 square-feet of space and is located in the Capitol Crossing development in D.C.'s East End, adjacent to L'Ardente. The concept will be opening in two phases. Phase 1 features three full-service concepts: Dear, Sushi, which offers a chef selected tasting menu that will share the best of Japanese traditions; Beloved BBQ, a Japanese steakhouse where diners can grill their own American-rasied beef or Japenese Wagyu; and Hiya Izakaya, a sleek and modern bar that pays homage to Japan's storied nightlife. Phase two is projected to open this Summer and will be a fast-casual food hall that serves Chef Makoto's takes on Japanese favorites. Director of Beverage Micah Wilder worked with Hunter Douglas and Ian White to design distinct cocktail menus for each full-service concept. For more information, visit their website here. Photo by Nycci Nellis