WASH September 2011 : Page 36
the RadaR | now! 36 | GooD niGHT Join the Club! With dining on one level, and dancing on another, the resto-lounge has made plain its obvious perks of one-stop nighttime entertainment. But let’s face it, you’ve been there, done that in DC a thousand times by now. Which is why we were excited to hear about two night clubs taking their fi rst bow downtown—and neither think of food as their opening act. – Kristen Hinman OPERA UlTRA lOUNGE Sound geeks will dig the Funktion-One system, new to DC when this 18-table dance club opens this fall. District native Michael Meacham created the smart lighting, while Miami-based designer Francois Frossard glammed up the venue, all to the tune of $2 million, making this a mega-design space. 1400 I St. NW, operadc. com RiOT ACT COMEDY THEATER “Every comedy theater has a brick wall,” says Marjorie Heiss, a co-owner of this new Penn Quarter space, “so we said: no bricks.” Th e muted look of the sprawling 13,000-square-foot club, geared for both locals and headliners, is instead industrial-chic. Two bar areas and a tricked-out broadcasting system for TV complete the scene. 801 E St. NW, riotactcomedy. com liGHT SHOW Four partners teamed up on the 6,000-square-foot Opera Ultra lounge (top), opening at McPherson Square. locals and headliners will play Riot Act Comedy Theater (near left), which also boasts a comedy school, an open-mic night and two bars for pre-show laughs. BURninG QUeSTion eaT SHeeT What fashion risk are you bringing to DC this fall? “Neuaura shoes made especially for vegans are 100 percent animal-free and you can generally only fi nd them online. We couldn’t resist. They’re super sexy and stylish, which you might not expect.” –kaTHeRine liMon, owneR, caRBon “We’re bringing Parisian chic via Isabel Marant’s 2011 collection. It has fringe, fringe and more fringe, from over-the-knee boots to suede dresses for the girl who has everything—and still wants more!” –MaRlene HU alDaBa, owneR, HU’S weaR anD HU’S SHoeS Menu Plans Come September, the dynastic few who started Washington’s restaurant revamp a decade or so ago are opening new spots to stake their claim on the third wave—and doing it in the bifurcated style that has taken hold in DC. Passion Food Hospitality, which opened DC WHAT A HAM! Jeff Tunks Coast on K Street in will bring a new porcine 1998—and later, four product to District Commons each week. other outposts—is set to throw open the doors to District Commons (districtcommonsdc.com) and Burger, Tap & Shake (burgertapshake.com) at Th e Avenue in the West End. Th e former will include a raw bar, chef Jeff Tunks’ American seasonal menu and a “ham of the week” charcuterie board. Th e latter off ers counter service for its namesake items. Jeff Black, who opened the fi rst of four Black Restaurant Group outposts more than 10 years ago, will add a fi fth concept on Sept. 20 with the 78-seat Pearl Dive Oyster Palace (pearldivedc.com) and its sibling 110-seat Blackjack (blackjackdc.com) upstairs. Th e two menus at 1612 14th St. will vary in formality, but both will have access to the second level bocce court. –Karen Sommer Shalett “Color blocking continues as a big trend, especially with contrasting or complementary brights. Real risk-takers will throw on another big statement like the shearling vest.” –allYSon wilDeR, ManaGeR, M29 | Sept/Oct 2011
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