Columbia Heights News - Washington, DC - Royal Blue To Fill Final Space At Kenyon Square

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Royal Blue To Fill Final Space At Kenyon Square

Written by Columbia Heights News

Wednesday, 26 September 2007

Site of Royal Blue Mediterranean Bistro

Press Release From Donatelli Development

Mediterranean Bistro To Fill Last Retail Space At Kenyon Square

Coming Soon to Kenyon Square: the Mediterranean. Donatelli Development is proud to introduce Royal Blue Mediterranean Bistro to Columbia Heights.

Following a season of grand openings, Donatelli had only one retail space left to lease in Kenyon Square by the summer. As the city was finishing up the sidewalks and crews were taking down the construction fencing from in front of the building, interest in the space hit a peak.

After discussions with several very exciting prospects, the developer selected Royal Blue as the final retail tenant in Kenyon Square, for several good reasons: the vision of its founders, the way the restaurant fit into the retail picture in the building, and the contribution of the bistro to the emerging neighborhood restaurant culture.

Royal Blue Owners Two long-standing local restaurateurs, Khalid Raji and Jawad Laouaouda, have teamed up to create the all-new restaurant, which will feature – as its name implies – the foods and atmosphere of the Mediterranean region. Both hail from Morocco, but the cuisine offered at their restaurant will not be limited to their home country; items from northern Africa, southern Europe and the Middle East are to be found on the menu. The wine list will be international as well, with wines from southern Italy to northern California and everywhere in between.

Raji has managed several well-known Washington restaurants, including the Oval Room, 701 Pennsylvania, Ardeo and Bardeo. Laouaouda has made his name as beverage manager at Citronelle, recently sharing honors when the legendary Georgetown restaurant was awarded two James Beard Foundation awards: Outstanding Chef (for owner Michel Richard) and Outstanding Wine Service for the beverage team, led by Laouaouda’s colleague Mark Slater.

They plan a restaurant that has the bright, sunny and vibrant feel of the Mediterranean countryside, with an emphasis on blue hues. Setting the overall tone, the bar is going to feature a rare Brazilian stone called Blue Bahia. Construction is expected to begin as soon as permits are issued.

Retail Recap. Royal Blue joins a diverse group of retail and service businesses at Kenyon Square.

Currently open for business are The Heights; FedEx-Kinkos, and Starbucks. Under construction are d’Vines, a fine wine and craft beer store; Georgetown Valet; Radiance MedSpa and BB&T.

And coming soon: a whole slew of announcements about retail leases across the street at Highland Park. Stay tuned!

Comments

Royal Blue Opening...
Written by on 2008-03-24 15:37:44

Does anyone have a projected opening date for Royal Blue. I have not observed much progress at the site.

Written by I hear..... on 2008-03-24 19:34:40

Late spring. They had several setbacks with lics and had to switch archs. Put them way behind schedule