Interested in discovering the newest spots for food and drinks downtown? From a coffee roastery to a high-end Mexican restaurant, read on for a list of the newest destinations to open for business in this part of Washington.
Kintsugi
1201 K St. NW
Kintsugi is a coffee shop and bakery on the ground floor of the Eaton DC Hotel.
Named for a Japanese technique of repairing cracks in pottery with gold, Kintsugi has an in-house bakery that turns out sweet breads like pain au chocolat and cinnamon swirl, plus pastries, cakes and dessert bars. Coffee, which comes from Virginia-based Red Rooster, includes espressos, lattes and small-batch brews.
Strong Wi-Fi and a mix of group and solo seating spots make it an ideal place for working.
Kintsugi has already made a positive impression with a current Yelp rating of 4.5 stars out of three reviews.
Kimberly S., who reviewed the new shop on Sept. 11, wrote, "There are vegan and gluten-free pastries on display, fair trade chocolate and coffee, and a latte menu that includes tumeric and matcha (most shops in the area cater to just one) as well as a bunch of teas and mushroom drinks. Color this semi-crunchy hippie impressed."
Yelper Austin G. added, “Kintsugi cafe is hands down the best coffee shop in downtown DC. They brew only the best beans and craft unique drinks like mushroom coffee or caramel lattes. They bake all the pastries in house. The staff are friendly and know coffee. The space is beautiful.”
Kintsugi is open from 6:30 a.m.–8 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m.–3 p.m. on weekends.
Zeke's Coffee of DC
731 15th St. NW
Zeke's Coffee of DC is another place for coffee, located near Lafayette Square and the White House.
It's the latest outlet from the Baltimore-based roastery. It specializes in organic, fair trade and sustainable Arabica beans, available in single-origin varietals and as blends. You can take away whole beans by the pound, or ask for an espresso drink, cold brew, pour over, French press or other in-house option.
In addition to coffee, you'll find a selection of sandwiches, pastries and snack boxes.
Yelpers are excited about Zeke's Coffee of DC, which currently holds 4.5 stars out of three reviews.
Laura O., who reviewed the new spot on Sept. 12, wrote, "I always love getting Zeke's Coffee at DuPont farmers market on Sundays, and so I was happy to learn they'd be getting a new location in McPherson Square. The space itself is not large, but there's seating inside and outside (picnic tables) with plenty of room."
Yelper Austin G. added, “Zeke's roasts their own beans and now brews it at their first downtown DC location. They have drip coffee, lattes, cold brew and more. I stopped in for a nitrobrew and it was good.”
Zeke's Coffee of DC is open from 7 a.m.–6 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m.–3 p.m. on weekends.
Poca Madre
777 I St. NW
Next, Poca Madre is a new high-end Mexican restaurant in the former Del Campo location in Chinatown.
It comes from Del Campo's owner, chef Victor Albisu, and sits alongside his taqueria concept, called Taco Bamba.
As for the food, expect modern Mexican with a seafood bent. For example, you'll find hamachi ceviche, crispy octopus with mole blanco, ink pepper jam and artichoke, and grilled whole lobster. If you like agave spirits, you'll love the huge mezcal selection.
Poca Madre currently holds 4.5 stars out of 52 reviews on Yelp, indicating good reviews.
Yelper Mary L., who reviewed it on Sept. 9, wrote, "From the moment we sat down, the experience was amazing. Our waiter was very knowledgeable of the menu and greeted us with a sample of their seasonal cocktail. The dishes are pretty good. Just know that it is not cheap."
Yelper Kimberly S. wrote, "Located in an alley way behind the Taco Bamba flagship, Poca Madre hits all the senses. I tried the pulpo laminado, which seriously took my tastebuds for a ride. It was crunchy, sweet, tangy, salty, chewy and creamy at the same time."
Poca Madre is open from 5–10 p.m. on Sunday-Thursday and 5–11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Sushi Nakazawa
1100 Pennsylvania Ave.
Finally, Sushi Nakazawa is the Japanese spot from famed sushi chef Daisuke Nakazawa. It's located at the Trump International Hotel.
Sushi Nakazawa brings the same omakase approach that has made his New York restaurant of the same name famous. According to the Washington Post, chef Nakazawa — who trained under Jiro Ono of "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" fame — is "by many measures, the best sushi chef in the United States and perhaps the best outside Japan."
Sample menu items — the actual selections change based on freshness and availability — include soy-marinated king salmon, California sea urchin and a toro hand roll.
With five stars out of 24 reviews on Yelp, Sushi Nakazawa appears to be developing a local fan base.
Chau N. noted, "In terms of service, Sushi Nakazawa certainly tries to appeal to the posh crowd — which is fine! While I often prefer more laid-back service, sometimes it's nice to be in this type of establishment. Twenty-one pieces of fish feel like they come to an end way too quickly, most likely because it's so delicious that you don't want it to stop."
Yelper Sunny X. wrote, "Definitely the best sushi I've tried in D.C., and I am so glad I no longer have to go to New York for a nice sushi experience."
Sushi Nakazawa is open from noon–1 p.m. and 5–10 p.m. on Monday-Saturday. (It's closed on Sunday.)
