PROJECTED OPENING: Fall 2026 3246 Prospect Street NW Skillette, a DC-based cooking school and culinary lifestyle house from founder Kelly Singer, is opening its first permanent studio this fall in Georgetown. Inspired by the culinary culture of Paris, the space will serve as Skillette’s flagship and a hub for hands-on classes, gatherings and curated retail. Skillette will introduces a first-of-its-kind retail and culinary concept to the neighborhood, blending education, community and shopping in one space. The 1,525-square-foot space will offer a cooking school, an atelier and gathering room for shared meals and culinary experiences. Designed to feel like a chef’s working home, the space will offer immersive culinary education and programming, including a core technique curriculum, the five-day Mid-Atlantic Culinary Program, seasonal and master classes, chef residencies, kids programs, and custom corporate and private events.

PROJECTED OPENING: Summer 2026 This summer, Itiyah, at an intimate 20-seats, will open in Shaw as one of the city’s only restaurants focused exclusively on Haitian fine dining. Itiyah will pay homage to Haiti's ancestral roots through a multi-course tasting menu driven by the seasons. Chef Sebastien Salomon’s culinary ethos is rooted in early memories of his grandmother’s kitchen, where dishes were passed down through observation and memory rather than written recipes.  Distinct Afro-Taíno influences that unify the Haitian people are woven throughout the multi-course tasting menu. The dining room will offer an intentionally intimate setting that translates the warmth and nostalgia of a traditional Haitian home.

PROJECTED OPENING: Fall 2026 Bethesda, MD This fall, Prato, the beloved and critically acclaimed Italian restaurant from Winter Park, Florida, will open its first expansion location at Bethesda Row. Prato has long been recognized as one of Florida’s most acclaimed restaurants throughout its 14-year history. Known for its creative interpretations of Italian traditions and one of the most vibrant dining rooms in the country, the restaurant has built a loyal following in its home region and among visitors from far beyond. Prato celebrates cuisine from Italy's rich culinary landscape, seamlessly blending Italian classics with modern techniques and seasonal ingredients. Owned and operated by Park Lights Hospitality, Prato is a Winter Park staple where the warm space welcomes guests with its contemporary design balanced by rustic elements, including a communal long bar, window paned doors and year-round patio seating, all coming together to offer one the most dynamic dining experiences found anywhere.