A new restaurant with a rooftop bar is on track to showcase its menu of burgers, steak and drinks near the U Street corridor this Thursday.
801 Restaurant and Bar will open for limited dinner service in the former Dunya space at 801 Florida Ave. NW this Thursday, according to partner Eric Heidenberger.
“Join us for our soft opening weekend this week,” reads a Facebook post about the opening. “We will be open Thursday at 5 p.m. Stop by and say hello to the 801 family.”
On opening night, patrons will be able to order steak frites, pan seared halibut and “The Burger,” a beef patty topped with fontina cheese, sautéed onions, bacon and lettuce and wedged between brioche buns. The eatery will launch its full menu next week, Heidenberger said.
The new bar and restaurant — which according to the Washington City Paper is owned and operated by the team behind The Front Page, Bottom Line and the Madhatter — will span three floors in total, two of which will be centered around dining.
Photos via Facebook / 801 Restaurant and Bar
(Updated at 10:54 a.m.) The U Street corridor apparently now has one less rooftop deck.
Dunya Restaurant (801 Florida Ave. NW) appears to have closed its doors for good last weekend, according to a somewhat cryptic Facebook post. A PoPville reader first spotted the possible closure.
“It’s time to say goodbye… FAREWELL weekend at our bar,” the post reads. “We want to say thank You all for supporting us and enjoying with our service, staff and DJs.”
Dunya, which served Mediterranean fare and cocktails in the space, opened in 2013.
Photo via Google Street View
Dunya Restaurant & Lounge is coming to 801 Florida Avenue NW. (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Mathew Harkins. Email him at mharkins[AT]borderstan.com.
14th Street NW isn’t the only corridor in the neighborhood with new restaurants opening up. Florida Avenue has seen a share of development recently and now, it will soon be the home of Dunya Restaurant and Lounge.
Located at 801 Florida Avenue NW, this new establishment will feature Mediterranean tapas as well as high-end cocktails. The drinks will also follow the same regional inspiration as the restaurant, with beers from Spain and wines from Mediterranean.
These food and drinks are going to be served all across what is sure to be a large restaurant. Plans right now call for the ground floor, a second floor area, a rooftop bar and a summer garden. The interior is slated for 150 seating capacity and a total load of 150; the summer garden is slated to have seating for 25. Plans also include having live jazz performances for brunch.
The owner of Dunya Restaurant and Lounge is Siyamak Sadeghi, who was once the owner of both Shaw Tavern and Axis Bar and Grill. He has high hopes for this new location, which will offer a simple and relaxed atmosphere where patrons will be able to enjoy delicious foods within a space designed around Spanish aesthetics.
Dunya Restaurant and Lounge is expected to open in mid- to late-June. So when 14th Street feels a little overcrowded, too hip, or you and your friends feel like exploring the area a little bit, keep an eye out for the worldly delights of Dunya.
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