🚰 Potomac is sewage free, supposedly

Potomac Safe For Recreation

D.C. lifted the advisory warning residents to avoid the Potomac yesterday, six weeks after a sewage pipe collapse spilled over 240 million gallons of sewage into the river. E. coli and other pathogens spiked after the spill but local authorities say the water quality is back to normal and allows for safe recreation … though I might personally sit this spring out. [City Cast DC 🎧]

Park Service Revives Slave Holder Statue

A statue of Caesar Rodney, a founding father and slave owner, will be taken out of storage and temporarily given a place in Freedom Plaza ahead of America’s 250th anniversary. The statue — originally in Delaware — was taken down amid racial justice protests in 2020. [New York Times 🔒]

MoCo Schools Return To Diesel Buses

Montgomery County Public Schools are requesting 140 diesel buses. They say their electric fleet — purchased just five years ago — has been marred with issues including charging challenges and are unable to transport students with special needs. [Washington Post 🔒]

Commanders Drop $1M To Resolve Snyder-Era Lawsuit

The Washington Commanders will pay $1M to settle a lawsuit from the D.C. Attorney General claiming they violated D.C. consumer protection law under Dan Snyder’s ownership. The suit says the team misled residents about its investigation into abusive workplace culture to protect the brand. [Office of the Attorney General]

Is that *sniff* Parmesan? Two new homestyle Italian spots are opening on opposite sides of D.C. this month along with a Korean-American cafe and a meaty revamp of José Andrés’ Waldorf Astoria restaurant.

Capitano (The Wharf)

This unfussy, coastal Italian spot just soft launched inside the Canopy Hotel at The Wharf. House-made pastas, Neapolitan pizzas, fresh grilled fish, and sunny spritzes are all served in a bright open dining room meant to resemble a quaint Italian piazza. And the floor to ceiling windows and views of the water do feel a bit like Venice. I’m begging you, don’t skip the tiramisu for dessert.

Bazaar Meat by José Andrés (Downtown)

José Andrés’ acclaimed steakhouse Bazaar Meat is replacing his other restaurant, The Bazaar, in the Waldorf Astoria. The menu is centered around premium cuts and theatrical dining. Think bone-in New York strip, Japanese Wagyu, and even a whole suckling pig for those looking to dine communally. Signature Bazaar dishes — like the cotton candy foie gras and caviar cone — will remain on the menu alongside a jamón bar, raw bar, and cocktail program.

Downtowner Delicatssen (Downtown)

Downtown office workers everywhere cried when Poppabox closed last year. But now from the ashes comes this all-day Korean-American cafe with bibimbap, cup noodles, katsu, and cream donuts. They are soft-launching until March 10 before opening officially.

Canton Disco (Navy Yard)

This new Cantonese spot that opened late last month serves Chinese-style breakfast sandwiches and congee in the morning and transforms into a disco parlor with full plates at night. Get the roast duck or the honey char siu along with $12 specialty cocktails under the spinning disco ball.

Ulivo (Park View)

Opened by a former banker, nothing costs more than $30 at this casual Italian spot in Park View — including the steak. Nick Perkins, formerly of Petite Cerise, leads the kitchen and the concise menu is full of comforting classics like Caesar salad, rigatoni, and bread pudding. The drink menu is mostly different takes on negronis and spritzes, because what else do you need?

The Bombay Canteen (Alexandria)

A love letter to the streets of Bombay, steel plates clink and chai simmers endlessly at this new Indian street food spot in Alexandria. The menu features bhel puri, vada pav, and layered chaats, alongside classics like butter chicken and biryani. The interior screams 90s with Bollywood posters lining the walls and fried dishes served in newspaper.