1905 Opens Thursday

The Shaw neighborhood will welcome a new bistro Thursday night when 1905 opens on Ninth Street NW.

I got a peek inside the new space last week. The restaurant is located on the second floor of the building that once housed the wine shop Grape Legs. The decor makes the place feel comfortably worn-in, from the gold pressed tin ceiling to the aged copper bar and exposed brick. Large ornate mirrors line the walls, and a communal table runs through the center of the 60-seat dining room.

The team behind 1905 includes Phil Rodriguez and Joey Belcher of Sticky Rice and Mick Mier and Joe Steger, the design duo responsible for Science Club, Napoleon and Sesto Senso.

The menu is French-inspired, but Rodriguez stresses that the place shouldn't be strictly defined that way. Diners will find dishes such as grilled merguez sausage with polenta and piquillo pepper, a ham and Gruyère croque monsieur on buttered brioche with English mustard, pan roasted gnocchi with duck confit, and cinnamon spiced beignets for dessert.

Entree prices range from $8 for a burger with red onion marmalade, gouda and steak fries to $22 for a grilled sirloin.

1905
1905 Ninth St. NW
202.332.1905
Open for dinner at 5 p.m., seven days a week

Photo courtesy 1905

Comments

Anonymous said…
Does anyone know why Grape Legs closed or whether Franco will have anything to do with 1905? He had a great wine in the shop and seemed almost ready to open the restuarant upstairs when everything just shut down.
9/24/2008 2:09 PM
Anonymous said…
Does it sufficiently bring "sexy" to the neighborhood, like they promised?
9/24/2008 9:27 PM
Anonymous said…
Franco is not affiliated with 1905. However we too liked a lot of the wines he sold and teamed up with the same distributor that Grape Legs was using to provide our wines.

As for sexy, I'd like to think we accomplished our goal, but I guess you'll have to drop by and see for yourself...

We look forward to serving you,

-phil
9/25/2008 7:38 AM
Amanda said…
Thanks for chiming in, Phil!
9/25/2008 10:12 AM
Jim said…
Went to the soft opening last night. Small but cool place. Limited menu and wine list but both are good and offer good value. Good scene and should be a success.
9/26/2008 9:30 AM
Anonymous said…
this place will be the talk of the town in no time. the owners 'get' it. friendly people, cool vibe, amazing decor...its in the details...cowhide barstools...well done.
9/27/2008 12:31 PM
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