Dining Notes by Celeste McCall
W
e’re ready for spring, and lots is happening. In the Atlas District, Nando’s PERi-PERi, the African-Portuguese restaurant group known for spicy, flamegrilled chicken, has hatched its latest chick. For this new endeavor Nando’s has transformed two storefronts at Fourt. and H streets NE into a soaring, two-story space. A former staircase is embedded in one wall. The interior is festooned with original art works reflecting the group’s African heritage, including a 25-foot-tall chandelier made with 400 pieces of rebar (reinforcing steel or mesh), inspired by South African beadwork. Customers place their orders at the counter, and servers whisk food to the colorfully striped tables. (There’s also carryout.) Peter ordered a quarter chicken breast and sides: Portuguese-style rice and spicy peas. I went for the chicken “burger” topped with cheese and a pineapple slice. The non-poultry items include ribeye steak sandwiches, veggie burgers, and salads. For firepower choose plain, medium, hot, or extra hot. Among South African wines is a pleasant Mulderbosch sauvignon blanc; you can also sip beer or interesting sodas. Service is friendly and helpful. We were warned of a 20-minute wait the day Nando’s was slammed, partly due to the Metro shutdown. Open daily for lunch and dinner, Nando’s PERi-PERi is at 411 H St. NE; call 202-821-4155.
New on the Avenue A pleasant, inexpensive lunch spot has arrived on the avenue: Let’s Mix Bibija, 209 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, formerly Cafe Recess. Operated by David and Danny Ho, the Asian newcomer invites customers to concoct their own tasty meals. Here’s how it works. For bibambap start with a base: brown or white rice, or noodles, then add chicken, beef, pork (spicy or plain), or shrimp and top it off with a zesty sauce. Peter built his own banh mi on delicious crusty bread. You can also do this with pho (Vietnamese soup). Let’s Mix also carries ready-made ramen dishes and sides plus teas and soft drinks. Open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call 202-544-3049.
Pricey Pearls Chef Aaron Silverman’s Pineapple & Pearls is set to open on April 7 at 715 Eighth St. SE, next to parent restaurant Rose’s Luxury. Price – gulp – is $250 per person, which includes a multicourse dinner, drinks, taxes, and gratuity. When patrons – who may choose the eight-seat chef’s counter or the 22-seat dining room – make reservations they pay half up front and the remainder the day they dine. If they cancel 72 hours in advance, they are refunded their initial payment. (At least they don’t have to wait in line for hours.) Meanwhile the casual Pineapple & Pearls
54 H Hillrag.com
Customers place their orders at the busy counter at Nando’s Peri-Peri, a recent addition to H street NE.
Cafe serves coffee, tea, pastries, and sandwiches. Hours are Tuesday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday.
On the Waterfront Coming to the Southwest Wharf waterfront in 2017: Fabio Trabocchi is unveiling Del Mar, a two-level Spanish seafood restaurant ... Mike Isabella and Top Chef finalist Jennifer Carrol are collaborating for Requin, bringing Mediterranean of France to the Wharf’s District Pier … Jamie Leeds is opening her fourth Hank’s Oyster Bar along Seventh and Wharf streets ... mixologist Todd Thrasher will create exotic cocktails at his Potomac Distilling Company, a rum distillery and twostory tavern.
Cousins Travis and Ryan Croxton’s Rappahannock Oyster Bar (their original is in Union Market) will occupy the restored circa 1912 oyster-shucking shed at the Municipal Fish Market … nearby Irish-born Mark Kirwan is creating an authentic Irish Pub complete with live Celtic music … Taylor Gourmet, known for Philly-style hoagies, will settle in the Wharf’s District Square … Dolcezza Gelato, which operates a shop near Union Market, will open a waterfront cafe, adding beer and wine to its menu of cool sweets and savories. No worries: Cantina Marina, a waterfront mainstay, is not going anywhere, having reopened last month after a major facelift.