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Judiciary Square Confederate Statue Resurrected

A Confederate statue that was toppled by demonstrators during the George Floyd protests has been returned. The statue depicts Gen. Albert Pike and complies with President Trump’s “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History” order. [WTOP]

Another Food Hall Bites the Dust

Solaire Social food hall in Silver Spring closed abruptly over the weekend. It’s the latest in a line of food hall closures this year including The Heights in Chevy Chase and The Block in Annandale. Is this the end of the hipster food hall era? [Washington Business Journal 🔒]

Everything To Know About the VA Election Next Week

Election day in Virginia is one week from today and every seat is on the ballot, including the high-profile race for Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s replacement. Virginia Public Radio’s Michael Pope tells us why all eyes are on Virginia this November and what changes it could spell for the region. [City Cast DC 🎧]

• Plus, Virginia is the data center capital of the world and issues around data centers are a big part of the election. [Inside Climate News]

DC's Best New Restaurants and Bars: October

This month has some of the most fun openings D.C. has seen in a while. A karaoke bar, a hot dog stand, an Irish pub, and an oyster bar with a side of cowbell. That’s all your basic food groups covered!

Cowbell Seafood and Oyster (Union Market)

The definition of great things come in small packages. This bar-seating-only stall in Union Market is shucking some of D.C.’s best oysters and serving seafood and fried chicken with homemade sauces you’ll be thinking about for weeks (the Virginia gold bbq in my case). Be sure to ask about their current selection of oysters. Chef Reid will tell you exactly where they come from and how they are raised.

Singing Tiger (Union Market)

IMO, a city can never have too many karaoke bars, and Singing Tiger, which opened last week on the bottom floor of Hotel Nell, is a welcome addition. There are showy Asian-inspired cocktails and three cozy karaoke rooms, with a menu that’s a step up from your typical karaoke bar, featuring dishes like Korean fried chicken wings, dan dan noodles, gyudon, and, my favorite, a braised pork belly bun.

Realm Rooftop Bar (Mt. Vernon)

Opening on Oct. 30, Realm Rooftop Bar’s skyline view and outdoor fireplaces set it apart from your typical rooftop bar. The menu is Seychelles and Creole-inspired with dishes like tamarind-glazed lamb, smoked lemongrass chicken and cassava roti short rib tacos gracing the menu.

Proper Bar (Mt. Vernon)

The founders of Proper 21 just launched Proper Bar, an American bistro with craft cocktails and live piano. The menu is more upscale than Proper 21 with seasonally inspired dishes and cocktails, including cozy pastas, seasonal vegetables, and, of course, their perfectly simple Proper Bar burger. The space is also bougier, with green velvet couches, a marble bar, and golden mid-century accents.

Shysters Hot Dog Stand (NoMa)

This new hot dog stand at 1st and M NE — “the only honest ripoff in D.C.” — is the realized dream of a furloughed IRS lawyer. The menu options include “correct hot dog” which comes with sauerkraut and mustard for $10 or “hot dog with the wrong toppings” for $11. You can also top it off with chips or a Moon Pie. Hours are “sometimes on weekdays” and “at my convenience.”

The Harp Cask and Kiln (Brookland)

This modern Irish pub found a home on the Northeast corner that long housed Brookland’s Finest. Expect green booths, properly poured Guinness (for splitting the G of course), and pub fare like shepherd’s pie, Irish biscuits, and fish & chips.

Mi Pana Riff Raff Room (Adams Morgan)

Adams Morgan stalwart Johnny Pistolas is making room for a new Latin gastropub called Mi Pana and adjacent speakeasy cocktail bar Riff Raff Room. Mi Pana’s menu will be a fusion of Venezuelan, Cuban, and Puerto Rican dishes, while Riff Raff Room — led by award-winning mixologist Jon Schott — serves creative boozy and non-alcoholic options.

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