Does Downtown need another celebrity chef? You betcha! Superstar chefs not only bring name recognition, but also food extraordinaire and flair to the city’s booming restaurant scene. It’s in this vein that restaurateur Aziz Safi, of Panache fame, has partnered with out-of-towner Todd English—yes, that Todd English!—to open MXDC. The Mexican restaurant with a 135-seat dining room will occupy space at 600 14th Street, the former home of Galileo II. You may recall that English, best known for his Food Trip with Todd English TV show and flagship restaurant, Olives, scrapped plans in 2009 to open a new restaurant at the Donovan Hotel (1155 14th Street). But that was then, and this is now. Safi and English plan to open MXDC in early June. Expect house-made tortillas, whole grilled fish and much more.
Heard on the street, but not yet confirmed: Downtown’s very own celebrity chef, Jose Andres, and his ThinkFoodGroup (717 D Street) are opening a new restaurant in space originally reserved for Wagamama at 418 7th Street. The Pan-Asian chain signed a lease four years ago but never moved in, despite suggestions that it might. Will Andres’ Las Vegas concept, China Poblano, assume the space instead? Let the waiting game begin.
Meanwhile, there’s talk of yet another luminary heading this way—Chef Daniel Boulud of Daniel and Café Boulud fame in New York. According to the Washington Business Journal, his Dinex Group is negotiating to secure space at the 10-acre CityCenterDC mixed-use development located on H Street and New York Avenue and 10th and 11th streets. A concept hasn’t been finalized yet, nor a deal signed. The WBJ says Daniel in New York has been one of the city’s top restaurants for two decades. Boulud has locations in Palm Beach, Fla., Toronto and other cities.
Remember TenPenh (1001 Pennsylvania Avenue), which closed nearly two years ago? Well, a California-based seafood restaurant, Tadich Grill, will occupy its old space come early 2014. Tadich Grill started as a coffee stand in 1849 but now has a menu consisting of locally sourced fare transformed into savory stews and casseroles.
Finally, let’s talk sweets. IT’SUGAR, the specialty candy shop and gift retailer, plans to open at 714 7th Street in August. Now in 20 U.S. states as well as Venezuela, the Cayman Islands and the United Arab Emirates, this will be IT’SUGAR’s first D.C. location. The store will occupy 1,775 square feet and offer a wide assortment of chocolate, gummy, novelty, supersized, sugar free and retro items, including Sugar Babies, Charleston Chew and Clark Bar. The sweet shop also sells accessories, jewelry, beauty and brand items such as Hello Kitty. Get ready for pure, sugary bliss.