Interested in exploring the newest businesses to open in Capitol Hill? From a grocery store with a bar to an Asian fusion restaurant, read on to see the newest destinations to arrive in this area of Washington.
District Soul Food
500 Eighth St. SE
First, District Soul Food is new on Barracks Row, in the former Banana Cafe & Piano Bar location.
The multi-level bar and restaurants offers Southern, soul and comfort food, from macaroni and cheese and a shrimp po'boy to braised oxtails, smoked ribs and fried chicken. A full bar offers cocktails, beer and wine. A separate ventilated cigar room is also on the premises, as is a performance space for live music.
District Soul Food currently holds 4 stars out of nine reviews on Yelp, indicating good reviews.
Danette T., who was among the first Yelpers to review the new spot on Feb. 2, wrote, "I sat at the bar with four strangers at noon. We were family by the two hours we were there. We shared all our food together. All four of us gave it our eight thumbs up."
Yelper Sae W. added, “The fried chicken was seasoned well and cooked to perfection. The sweet potato hush puppies were a hit and were served with a honey butter aioli. I love the concept of the restaurant, and the owners were extremely personable.”
District Soul Food is open from 10 a.m.–11 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday and 10 a.m.–2 a.m. on Thursday-Saturday.
The Red Boat Asian Fusion
500 H St. NE
Next, Baltimore-based The Red Boat Asian Fusion has opened a D.C. outlet.
The new restaurant on H Street offers a customizable, post-modern take on classic Vietnamese and Korean dishes. For example, the phở comes with beef broth (regular or spicy), a vegan broth, or a spicy and tangy vegan tom yum soup. There's also rice and noodle bowls, which can be built on lemongrass pork or chicken, bulgogi beef or tofu. Likewise, banh mi sandwiches, kimchi fries, tacos, hotdogs and spring rolls come filled or topped with these cross-cultural ingredients.
The Red Boat Asian Fusion currently holds four stars out of five reviews on Yelp, indicating good reviews.
Yelper Aminata S., who reviewed The Red Boat Asian Fusion on Feb. 2, wrote, "I opted for the phở with beef broth, chicken and shrimp, and it's amazing. You get all of the standard fixings, and the serving size is great, as well. When I dined in, the wait time was a bit longer than usual for phở, but it was totally worth it."
Lianne R. noted, "Note that the brisket and steak comes cooked, which would likely anger someone who wants the meat to be raw as in traditional phở. I didn't mind it at all though, just grateful to finally have a phở spot in the neighborhood."
The Red Boat Asian Fusion is open from 11 a.m.–9 p.m. on Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.–8 p.m. on Sunday.
Streets Market
51 M St. NE
Finally, Streets Market is a new grocery store, bar and restaurant in NoMa.
Part of a regional mini-chain, the small, urban market is packed with natural and organic grocery staples, fresh produce, meat, seafood, baked goods, alcohol and prepared meals, as well as pet products, household goods and nutritional supplements. It also boasts a bar serving cocktails, wine and beer, as well as rice bowls, tacos and other snacks.
Yelp users are excited about Streets Market, which currently holds 4.5 stars out of 10 reviews on the site.
Yelper Katrina L., who reviewed Streets Market on Jan. 1, wrote, "Came here with coworkers for happy hour and enjoyed everything on my plate. I definitely plan to come back to enjoy more food and to check out the grocery store attached. Prices in the store appear to be very competitive, and food looks very fresh."
Jess C. noted, "I found their dried nuts and fruits to be pricey. But they have some niche items in the store, like five-ingredient nut milks. As for the bar in the back, I cannot stop thinking about their bulgogi fries. Perfectly crunchy, not drenched in sauce, perfectly seasoned and a decent amount of bulgogi."
Streets Market is open from 7 a.m.–11 p.m. on Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.–midnight on Friday and Saturday, and 8 a.m.–11 p.m. on Sunday.
