A bout of bad weather doesn’t appear to be delaying this week’s planned restaurant openings in Greater Washington, which include Mike Isabella’s first spot in Arlington and the first of two restaurants from a national restaurateur at the Pike & Rose development in Rockville.
Kapnos Taverna: This second Greek restaurant from “Top Chef” alum Mike Isabella opens Tuesday in Ballston, featuring cuisine from the coastal region of Greece such as swordfish kebabs, crispy calamari and and a seafood tower. The restaurant, located at 4000 Wilson Blvd., includes 165 seats inside and will add a 65-seat patio when the weather warms up.
Kapnos Taverna will be the first of three restaurants Isabella is opening in the Liberty Center building from The Shooshan Cos. in Ballston. He also has plans for Pepita, a Mexican cantina, and is partnering with chef Jonah Kim on Yona, a Japanese restaurant.
Summer House Santa Monica: The California-style Summer House restaurant from Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises opened Thursday, bringing a seasonally-inspired menu of dishes to the Pike & Rose development at Rockville Pike and Montrose Parkway. The restaurant, which is a collaboration between chefs Jeff Mahin and Francis Brennan, features a bakery counter offering breakfast pastries, muffins and cookies.
This is the second location for Summer House; the first is in Chicago. The Rockville restaurant is located next door to Stella Barra, a pizzeria from the same parent company set to open in early February. Stella Barra will offer pizza along with small plates, salads and sandwiches. Both restaurants will eventually be open for lunch and dinner on weekdays as well as brunch on weekends.
Old Town Pour House: Gaithersburg’s latest restaurant offering, the Old Town Pourhouse from a Chicago-based restaurant group, is coming to the Downtown Crown development in late February or early March. The restaurant, which will be located at 212 Ellington Blvd., will feature more than 90 beers on tap and a menu that features specialties such as Chicago dogs and filet mignon sliders.
