Now open: Pho DC

Chinatown has a new Vietnamese restaurant. Pho DC, located at 608 H St. NW, opened yesterday, and will continue their soft launch through the weekend.

The 65-seat eatery features several variations of the restaurant’s namesake, including a vegetarian version of the Vietnamese noodle dish. There’s little surprise that the restaurant offers pho. But one doesn’t have to feel limited to a bowl of rice noodles in broth.  The menu features much more than that, such as grilled beef on rice vermicelli, pork and rice baked in a clay pot, and bouillabaisse seafood. Specialty cocktails and a selection of Asian beers are also available. Manager Oil Srirat says she hasn’t told a lot of people about the soft opening because they’re still “trying to learn the system.” But despite having little publicity, she says last night’s turnout was over what she expected. The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. during this weekend’s soft launch. The officially opening is slated for Monday.

Gillian Clark signs lease to bring doughnuts to 3rd and K Streets

Chef Gillian Clark has signed a lease to open a new restaurant in the Loree Grand at Union Place. The restaurant, called “Kitchen on K Street,” will inhabit a similar concept to Clark’s former operation, Colorado Kitchen, which closed in 2008. She plans to reintroduce and expand on the Colorado Kitchen menu that featured chicken, meatloaf, and doughnuts. The new space, which sits in the District’s NoMa neighborhood, will include an outdoor patio that seats about 25 people; The dining room will seat about 100. Clark co-owns and operates the General Store in Silver Silver, a post office-turned eatery that features Southern American dishes. In addition to the Kitchen on K Street project, Clark and her business partner, Robin Smith, are working on plans to open the Georgia Avenue Meeting House this spring.

Coming soon: Babe’s Sports Bar and Point Chaud Cafe and Crepes

Silver Spring sports bar fans will soon have a new place to watch the game and shoot a little pool. Babe’s Sports Bar and Grill, located at 1115 East-West Highway, is expected to open the weekend of Dec. 15, says TBD’s Elahe Izadi. The space, which previously held Gallery Restaurant & Lounge, will feature pool tables, televisions, two outdoor patios, and an Internet lounge. The menu will offer traditional American cuisine, such as burgers, steaks, and salads. Owners Ron and Jenifer Bouchard are not new to the industry. They were co-owners of Babes Billiards in Tenleytown until 1998, when they agreed to sell to a partner. The billiards parlor, formerly located at 4600 Wisconsin Ave., closed in 2004.

Point Chaud Café & Crepes looks close to opening their downtown location at 1012 14th St. NW, says PoP. The French café  features a variety of reasonably priced sweet and savory crepes. The company opened a location in Logan Circle at 1736 14th St. NW last summer.

Good news: Quarterdeck remains open, Jeff Black is optimistic

No more tears for Quarterdeck fans. Owner Lou Gatti’s Arlington restaurant will not be closing after all, says TBD’s Rebecca A. Cooper. At the end of November, Gatti announced that he would be closing the seafood restaurant and crab shake because of failed attempts to reach a lease negotiation with the property owner. But the issue has now been resolved, and Gatti has signed for another 15-year lease.

Jeff Black is optimistic about the fate of his liquor license applications for Pearl Dive Oyster Palace and BlackJack, says TBD’s Sommer Mathis. His plans for the new restaurant, located at 1612 14th St. NW, includes staying open until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 a.m. during the weekdays. Residents in the community have opposed Black’s plans to operate during the late-night hours for reasons of neighborhood disruption. But Black says he’s confident that things will work out his way. A formal protest hearing is scheduled for Jan. 19.

In other food and restaurant news...

• Buffalo Wild Wings’ Crystal City location has been pushed back to Dec. 16. (ARLnow)

• Smith Commons is set to open its doors on Dec. 21. The 3-level neighborhood bistro, located at 1245 H St. NE, features a globally-inspired menu and a diverse selection of craft beers, wine, and cocktails. Chef Frederik De Pue will head the kitchen.

• A lot of changes are happening to Wheaton. As the city becomes more developed, what will happen to its food identity? (Y&H)

• Only in L.A. would there be a Shrimp Pimp truck…

• Have you seen any unlicensed salesmen pushing meat out of their car? (DCist)

• Looking for some late-night happy hours? Looking no further. (Metrocurean)

Plan Ahead -- This week’s food and drink events

• Dec. 10 -- Half-price beers and wines happy hour at Barcode
• Dec. 12 -- Red Derby Holiday Party
• Dec. 12 -- The official Pharmacy Holiday Party

From TBD’s Community Network

• We Love DC: First Look: Bayou Bakery
• Clarendon Culture: Brunch at Tallula
• Two DC: Review: Kaz Sushi Bistro
• Girl Meets Food: Pretty Marinated: Silly Rabbit, Drinx Are for Kids
• Girl Meets Food: Hello Cupcake Giveaway

Sweet Deals

• Starbucks: 50 percent off Cranberry Bliss bar gift pack (today only)
• Central: Free samples of new dishes at 9:30 p.m. (till Dec. 21)
• Zpizza: Buy one Rustica, get one free (till Jan. 31)

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