On the Horizon

Two new spots that seem ready to open any day (if they haven't already) are Jin (pictured), next door to Busboys and Poets, and Open City, from the owner of Tryst and The Diner.

Inside the "Asian Caribbean soul lounge" Jin, just south of 14th and V streets, you'll find red leather couches and orderly rows of low tables and white ottomans. The Web site indicates there's WiFi, happy hour and a dinner menu, but I haven't done enough sleuthing to know much more.

Open City, reports On Tap, "will offer WiFi and feature a gourmet coffee bar, a full-service (cocktail) bar with beer on tap and some 12-or-so wines by-the-glass, and plenty of seats in the dining area to order upscale-ish diner food like Italian-style pizzas, eggs all day, sandwiches and salads." Open City is located at 2331 Calvert St. NW.

Also on the horizon, stay tuned for news of changes at OYA, including a revamped menu.

Comments

Anonymous said…
We were at Jin on Wednesday for a premier party for "Sugar Rush" by Warren Brown (of CakeLove bakery), a new show on Food TV.

The food served by Jin's kitchen was not that great. There were these enormous grilled chicken skewers and platters of some kind of grilled shrimp on an enormous bed of yellow (saffron?) rice. Rice was gummy and shrimp not seasoned enough.

Bar wait was terrible. For a party they had 2 tenders who were nice but not efficient and for some reason to open a tab they took my I.D. AND credit card. New to me. I spent about 15 minutes waiting to close out my tab. Note: nothing is more frustrating than being told "you're going to do it" while I watch you take drink orders and make 4 martinis and 6 mixed drinks.

Luckily we could snack on Warren's cupcakes which were great!
Amanda said…
Thanks for the report from the field. If they whipped their bartenders into shape, does the place at least have lounging potential? Would you go back?
Amanda said…
Oh yeah... and how was the show?
Anonymous said…
The new OYA menu has already debuted.
Anonymous said…
Oh, and regarding OYA, what some are mistaking as being insufficiently full (unpopular) is, in actuality, management's purposeful restriction of the number of reservations.

The new chefs--who came from French kitchens--are working to become more comfortable with higher-volume output and to reduce ticket times. When that happens the restaurant will open up more seats.
Amanda said…
I hear the new crew in the kitchen is quite talented...
culocho said…
One of then came from Le Paradou. He's talented, and crushable.
Anonymous said…
RE:Jin, yes the space is cool and the location is good. I'll go back and give it another shot, no doubt.

On Busboys & Poets, next door, though: I have walked in a few times and been put off by the insane crowded conditions in there. Good for them for packing in a crowd but it is keeping me away for the time being. Also my girlfriend complained of a heavy BO odor from the bar.

Any reviews of OYA yet?

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