A longtime restaurateur who for the past year and a half has been cooking up salads and sandwiches in a downtown parking lot is about to open a full-service place of his own.
Steve Markham, who owns the one3five food truck stationed in the parking lot of the Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative Market (7155 Wisconsin Ave.), will take over the former Majestic Bar & Grille space just down the street.
Markham said he’ll bring in friend Billy Colliton, former executive chef at the Arts Club of Washington, to head up the kitchen operation at the new spot, which will be called Markham’s.
Markham said he’s looking for something more refined than the sports bar menu of Majestic, but he understands the desire for some to watch a game at the bar. The restaurant will be open late.
“The idea is basically a neighborhood restaurant and bar,” Markham said.
The appetizer menu will include Biscuits with Virginia Ham, Mac and Cheese, Oysters Rockefeller and some sauteed dishes. He said he’ll probably end up including some wings too.
Markham will expand upon the three-salad menu at the one3five and “kick up” the options in the brick-and-mortar restaurant. The sandwiches will also make the transition and he’ll be able to add a Bacon Duck burger and a nightly special.
The restaurant will also let him expand his catering operation.
Plans for the interior of the restaurant (7141 Wisconsin Ave.) include a wall between the front dining area and the bar. Markham also plans on redesigning the outdoor patio in the back with new fencing and some water features.
Interestingly enough, the one3five truck (actually a trailer) will remain open. Markham does pay rent for the space.
He opened the operation in December 2011 after he was laid off from his executive chef gig at the Arts Club of Washington. The Chevy Chase resident has owned a number of bars and restaurants through the years.
Markham said it should take until September to remodel the place. Expect it to open soon after.
