The owner of Hank's Oyster Bar in Dupont Circle, Chef Jamie Leeds, has signed a letter of intent to open up a second location in the new Highland Park condominium/retail development.  Chef leeds is targeting a 3,044 square foot space in the new development across from the Metro (14th St and Irving St NW).  Erin Killian of Washington Business Journal broke this news.  Here is the full story:

Now that Chef Jamie Leeds found success serving oysters on the half shell to seafood lovers at her Dupont Circle restaurant, she’s staked out a second spot in Columbia Heights.

Leeds, who opened Hank’s Oyster Bar at 1624 Q St. NW two years ago, is planning a bigger restaurant with 20-foot ceilings in the Highland Park building at 14th and Irving streets NW.

Leeds has signed a letter of intent with D.C.-based Donatelli Development to take 3,044 square feet. She wouldn’t give further details.

Donatelli Development CEO Chris Donatelli says Leeds’ second restaurant could open by the end of the year.

Before venturing out on her own in 2005, Leeds was known for cooking comfort food at the Logan Circle Tavern 15 ria for three years.

With a Columbia Heights restaurant, Leeds is venturing into an edgier neighborhood than Dupont.

Donatelli has a reputation for building condominiums in up-and-coming areas. He was among the first to bring a new condominium building to 14th and U streets NW when he erected the $50 million Ellington with an Alero Mexican Restaurant and a Sala Thai Restaurant in 2004.

Donatelli also owns a 153-unit condominium building kitty corner from Highland Park called Kenyon Square. EatWell D.C., which also owns the Logan Tavern at 14th and P streets NW, opened a restaurant called The Heights there last week. Donatelli also signed the Adams Morgan-based wine shop D’Vines wine store in the complex.

Donatelli is seeking other food concepts for 20,000 square feet in Highland Park next to Leed’s restaurant.

Three local businessmen including Mike Wilkinson, who’s the principal of Windsor Consulting LLC, signed a letter of intent to open Pete’s Apizza.

Source:  Metropolitan Menu, Washington Business Journal

For more information on Hank's Oyster Bar, please visit their website:  http://www.hanksdc.com/

Comments

Written by New2CH on 2007-08-07 06:46:23 Great to have you guys back! Good work. Hank's in Columbia Heights sounds fantastic. Does this mean the Italian restaurant is no longer going into Highland Park?

Written by Duexepard on 2007-08-15 00:19:48 I understand that Highland Park will have 5 Guys, Potbelly's and a pizza place.

Highland Park Retail Written by on 2007-08-15 08:42:49 We did receive some updates from the developer of Highland Park last week. There are definitely some exciting retailers that are interested in Highland Park but we were asked not to report it for another week or two while things are finalized. We should be receiving an official press release then.

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