Neighborhood Eats: Rogue 24 Opening, Good Stuff Expanding, America Eats Losing Chef

• July 21st 2011

by Rebecca Cooper

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Neighborhood Eats went on a brief hiatus last week to postulate on what neighborhood might soon be “Batalized,” but we’re back this week with a stockpile of DC area restaurant news.

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Opening Soon: The much-hyped Rogue 24, a fine dining concept in an alleyway from Chef R.J. Cooper will open July 27th at 922 N Street NW (in Blagden Alley). You may not be able to get in right away, as the 52-seat restaurant already sold out reservations for its opening weekend. However, eager foodies can try Cooper’s 16- or 24-course tasting menus in the restaurant’s salon; it doesn’t take reservations. Check out a brand spanking new photo of Rogue 24's interior above.

Opening...Eventually: Top Chef alum Spike Mendelsohn will bring outposts of his Good Stuff Eatery (map) to Arlington’s Crystal City neighborhood and Georgetown, marking the first expansion of the concept. A rep for Mendelsohn, who also owns We the Pizza right next to the Capitol Hill burger joint, says a lease is already signed for Crystal Drive in Crystal City, but the Georgetown deal isn’t done. Eventually, Mendelsohn is looking to bring his burgers -- including the blue cheese-topped Obama burger -- to other cities around the U.S.

Last week, news came that prolific restaurateur Cathal Armstrong will open a second location of his now-legendary Alexandria chipper, Eamonn’s, in the Columbia Pike neighborhood of Arlington. The restaurant is reportedly aiming for a September opening in the Penrose Square mixed-use development at Columbia Pike and S. Barton Street, which is home to a brand new Giant Food, and has leased another space to Taqueria Poblano. We’re keeping an eye on the rest of the ample retail space in this building; at the heart of the Columbia Pike ‘town center,’ and with a park about to be installed, it’s expected to be an anchor for the fledgling corridor.

Opened: Sushi is the latest cuisine to go “fast, casual” in DC with the July 20th opening of Oh Fish!, a design-your-own sushi roll spot from Kaz Sushi Bistro owner Kaz Okochi. The largely carryout spot on 19th Street between L and M Streets NW lets patrons choose a roll size, stuffing, and sauce or topping. Okochi eventually plans to offer online ordering and delivery, as well as a second location inside the Foggy Bottom Whole Foods.

TruOrleans opened July 15th at 400 H Street NE (map) bringing Louisiana-style cooking to the rapidly developing Atlas District. The mid-priced menu includes Cajun and Creole classics like gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish etouffe, grilled oysters, and ‘gator tenders (yes, they are made out of alligator).

Moving On: Just a few weeks after it launched to mixed reviews, Jose Andres’ experimental America Eats Tavern at 405 8th Street NW (map) is losing its executive chef. Richard Brandenburg, who served as chef of Cafe Atlantico for three years before helping Andres turn it into America Eats, will become the director of culinary strategy for real estate developer Edens & Avant, where he will help shape the future of the Capital City Market in Northeast, among other projects. Brandenburg’s departure set off a ThinkFoodGroup musical chairs of sorts; Joe Raffa, head chef at Andres’ Oyamel, will take over at America Eats, and Bethesda Jaleo chef John Paul Damato will come to Oyamel.

Events: Probably the coolest (and priciest) event in the next week is the five-course beer versus wine showdown dinner at Birch & Barley. Firefly chef Danny Bortnick and Birch & Barley chef Kyle MacIsaac will each prepare two courses for diners in a battle to see whose food takes the cake. There will also be another contest: Kimpton Hotels master sommelier Emily Wines will pair each course with a wine of her choice, and B&B beer director Greg Engert will provide a beer pairing. At $150 per ticket, all proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure.

For a more budget-oriented event this week, head over to Urbana at 2121 P Street NW (map), which is celebrating its 5th anniversary with a bunch of specials including $10 glasses of Veuve Cliquot and a free pizza at the bar with any purchase, provided you “Like” the restaurant on Facebook.

Rebecca Cooper is a freelance journalist and avid eater that has contributed to TBD, DCist, and Washingtonian. If you have any tips about restaurant or bars openings or closings, email Rebecca at coopscoop@gmail.com.

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.production.logicbrush.com/articles/blog/neighborhood_eats_rogue_24_opening_good_stuff_expanding_america_eats/3839.