Brookland's Finest, on 12th Street Northeast in the heart of quickly-growing Brookland, is aiming for an early May opening.
Work continues on the interior of the former dry cleaner's, but it's becoming easier to see the shape of the restaurant and coffee shop that the space will become.
A coffee bar greets visitors as they enter the space. Frank Hankins, the former owner of Sova Espresso & Wine on H Street NE, is running the coffee service, where he tells Elevation DC patrons will be able to choose from five different pourovers from Madcap Coffee, Coava, or Intelligentsia, as well as espressos, mochas, Americanos and the like. And--the shop will also offer iced coffee on tap, to drink in the restaurant or to take home in a 64-ounce growler for $20 ($15 for refills).
The menu is also coming along. Head chef Shannan Troncoso, who has cooked at Matchbox on Capitol Hill and Ted's Bulletin, is creating a comfort-food menu with shrimp and grits, sous vide pork chops, and more.
Brookland's Finest also offers 10 local beers (within 150 miles of D.C.) on tap, will have a fully stocked bar, and offers granitas for the kids.
The project is a collaboration between Hankins, John “Solly” Solomon, owner of Solly's U St. Tavern, and Tony Tomelden, owner of The Pug on H St.
Rachel is the managing editor of Elevation D.C. She also covers tech, business and science for publications nationwide. She lives in Brookland.