The experts behind the Going Out Guide post daily on news and trends in D.C.'s arts and entertainment scene, including upcoming events and restaurant and bar openings.
What's New on the Circa
"We really want to make ourselves part of the community."
Those are the high aspirations Matthew Carlin has for Circa at Dupont, the new restaurant moving into the WrapWorks space as early as next March. Carlin is the chief financial officer and chief operations officer for the MHG Group, which manages the Greenberry's coffee shops in the Virginia suburbs. With Circa, the group is trying something a little different.
Not unlike Tryst and Open City, the restaurant will be part coffee shop, part restaurant and part bar. Menu decisions are still being worked out, but Carlin tells us to expect "small- to medium-sized plates" with "international flair." The mastermind behind the restaurant's offerings is Munehiro Mori, a chef whose resume includes stints at Asia Nora and Wolfgang Puck's Chinois restaurant in Vegas. The owners hope to offer a wine list with 50 to 75 bottles and a full bar.
According to Carlin, his group is committed to keeping prices down. "We're going to be careful about how we price everything," he says. Entrees "will be under $20." Definitely not bad for a restaurant in that neighborhood.
Carlin admits that the space will be "a little snuggly," so Dupont workers who opt not to sit down on a crowded lunch break will be able to take their food to go.
In the mornings, the restaurant will act as a full-service coffee shop. So, by my calculations, that means within a two-block radius, Dupont-dwellers can choose between Firehook, Afterwords, Cosi, Starbucks and Circa for their morning cuppa joe. Seems like a lot of competition for the specialty coffee business, but we'll see. For all of you 'Bucks haters out there, this might be some welcome new brew.
--Julia
By
Julia Beizer
|
October 30, 2006; 6:56 PM ET
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Restaurants
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Posted by: Rishi | October 31, 2006 5:15 PM | Report abuse
Any other details on Circa at Dupont. It sounds like exactly what the neighborhood needs, can't wait for it to open!
Posted by: Dupont | November 2, 2006 4:32 PM | Report abuse
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You know what would be cool? perhaps a guide to Halloween events, since, after all, it is Halloween and people are a-wondering! and you guys are supposed to be the going out gurus....