Inside Elena James, Chevy Chase’s New All-Day Enterprise From Acquainted D.C. Names

Elena James lastly opens up in Chevy Chase on Friday, December 6 — 5 years after restaurateurs Colin McClimans and Danilo Simic got here up with the thought to do a quintessential neighborhood spot (8551 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, Maryland). Well-known for the extra high-end Nina Could by Logan Circle and Opal on the D.C. facet of Chevy Chase, the chief chef and longtime mixologist initially got down to create an all-day restaurant after they started their small D.C. empire in 2019.

“We needed to do one thing that had a excessive degree of hospitality in meals and in service and in beverage, however we felt, from being in high quality eating, that that didn’t essentially have to come back with white tablecloths and with the setting that comes with high quality eating,” McClimans informed Eater. Nina Could and Opal ended up changing into particular occasion-coded locations, however the two homeowners initially deliberate to have an all-day cafe in Nina Could and realized how one can adapt to to-go orders there throughout the pandemic.

Elena James totally realizes that concept, with breakfast and lunch choices that may be ordered for takeout come mid-December in addition to snacks and hefty entrees for a sophisticated dinner, plus child’s menu favorites like selfmade Dino-shaped hen nuggets.

“Danielle and I each have youngsters, so we talked loads about what these experiences are like and what you actually need from these eating places with a purpose to make it a much less disturbing course of for the mother and father,” McClimans defined. “And the way you meld that with those who don’t have youngsters, to attempt to make a extremely inclusive area, a extremely enjoyable restaurant.”

Deb Lindsey

He discovered that good steadiness with nostalgic dishes he remembers from his childhood in Chevy Chase (only some blocks from Opal). Dinner rolls with honey butter draw affect from those his father served with every meal. Mains embody a inexperienced salad topped with crunchy La Choy chow predominant noodles (like his grandmother used to make); pizzas coated in caramelized onions, truffles, and spiced lamb with tzatziki (reflecting easy pizza Fridays of this youth); and the all-time basic patty soften, labeled “the American,” that’s topped off with melty Gruyere and held collectively by thick slices of Texas toast.

Some dishes replicate early concepts at their different eateries, like an array of 5 completely different pasta dishes — from pesto-drenched ricotta gnocchi to braised quick rib bolognese lasagna — influenced by the handful of pastas initially discovered at Nina Could.

Deb Lindsey

Even the cocktails attempt to steadiness out classics, like a spicy margarita with habanero orange liqueur, Outdated Usual, smoked Negroni and the Espresso Delight, a coffee-infused drink with cinnamon, orange essence, and cinnamon. Simic says that latter rapidly turned a workers favourite and replaces the repetitive espresso martini seen throughout city.

The pandemic additionally made a long-lasting influence by altering staff’ commutes, with many D.C.-area employee staying distant after the shutdowns had been over. Different restaurant homeowners have been shifting into the D.C. suburbs, as downtown eating places battle to have the identical numbers as earlier than. That partly impressed McClimans and Simic’s westward enlargement throughout the Maryland border, in addition to plenty of enthusiasm from the Outdated Line State’s residents.

“We get plenty of visitors who’re like, ‘oh, we’re visiting from Bethesda, we’re visiting from Chevy Chase. For those who open one thing over there, could be nice,’” Simic recounted. Many diners traversed into the District to dine at Nina Could at the very least as soon as a month, however mentioned they might eat each week at a restaurant in their very own neighborhood if the pair opened one, he mentioned.

“We actually have a look at the place the necessity for a restaurant and the place it is sensible for that group… right here’s a neighborhood that doesn’t have considered one of these staple sort of neighborhood eating places,” McClimans added.

Rey Lopez/Eater

He and Simic had been holding on to the 5,000-square-foot area under the Ritz Carlton Residences at Chevy Chase Lake for 2 years, a remarkably very long time in comparison with the four-month turnover of debuting their different eating places. Studio 7 Design Group helped to painstakingly mix two completely different retail storefronts to create a day-to-night vibe throughout the restaurant. That led to the event of two completely different entrances, with one resulting in a fast service area with small tables and the opposite getting into right into a predominant eating room with an extended bar, floor-to-ceiling home windows, and an open kitchen.

The true objective of the restaurant is to create a welcoming area the place 20-somethings grabbing birthday drinks, households with younger kids, and solo diners simply need burgers, wings, and a beer on the bar can equally get pleasure from.

“What we’re attempting to do at Elena James is admittedly make a restaurant that’s sort of for everyone and each event,” McClimans mentioned.

Deb Lindsey