Rihanna’s Cult Caviar Combo Takes Heart Stage at D.C.’s Sizzling New Supper Membership

April 19, 2025

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Downtown’s eating scene will get a lift this weekend with the arrival of Gaia (1025 Vermont Avenue NW). The sizable supper membership swings open close to the White Home on Saturday, April 19, with a superb espresso martini, huge mains, and one caviar-and-nuggets novelty made well-known final 12 months by famous person singer Rihanna.

The opulent surf-and-turf unfold at Gaia.

Cameron Whitman/Gaia

Award-winning chef Sammy Davis, identified for his Southern soul meals at regional chain Milk & Honey, expands his world repertoire at Gaia with a Mediterranean-meets-Latin menu. For starters, deep-fried hummus options refried beans for an ethereal, mousse-like texture.

Different openers embody crimson snapper filet with black rice and tamarind-curry sauce, whereas salmon “lollipops” — a traditional Davis calling card — come slathered with tzatziki. Peruvian shrimp ceviche is elegantly offered atop ice inside a glassy orb. A facet of Himalayan sea salt tostadas work properly as eating utensils.

The centerpiece of the menu could also be rooster nuggets topped with caviar — a high-meets-low-brow combo Rihanna lately placed on the map when she DIY’d it and posted it on Instagram. The rooster nugget-caviar combo is the smash-hit at NYC locations like Coqodaq, a temple to fried rooster from Simon Kim, founding father of the Korean steakhouse Cote, the place it went viral after opening final winter. Right here at Gaia, the chicken-caviar pairing goes its personal manner, becoming a member of forces with creme fraiche and a show-stopping end of pure gold flakes ($60).

If a gold-flecked, caviar-topped nugget isn’t sufficient indulgence, there’s the 1.5-pound tomahawk rib-eye served with truffle butter, chimichurri, and Tiger Sauce. And an anchovy-topped Caesar salad pairs properly with an entire Mediterranean branzino swimming in a tangy tomato sauce.

Gaia — named for the traditional Greek goddess of the earth — is the most recent challenge from Wayne Johnson and Tony Perry, the D.C. nightlife vets behind two sceney Dupont golf equipment frequented by sports activities stars (Saint Yves, Abigail), plus all-day viral cafe Llamabar in Navy Yard. At Gaia, the duo groups up with East African-born entrepreneur and worldwide hospitality professional Mele Melton.

Three people sitting on an orange lounge — Gaia’s companions Tony Perry, Mele Melton, and Wayne Johnson.

Beverage director Hakim Hamid previously stirred drinks at D.C.’s important cocktail bar L’Annexe. “Sufficient is Sufficient” — his side-eye to packs of Georgetown company all ordering an espresso martini eventually name — swings a bit of candy, due to strawberry-macerated Casa del Sol tequila, almond, chipotle, espresso, vanilla, and chocolate bitters. Different cocktails beginning at $18 that scream spring embody the “Final Wordsmith” (blueberry-infused Uruapan rum, yellow Chartreuse, Maraschino liqueur, lemon) and “I’ll Take 4 of ‘Em” (Champagne, Aperol, orange blossom, raspberry, soda). To drive the carefree tone house, Gaia’s drink napkins say: “Get pleasure from your f**kin’ cocktail.”

The supper membership phase is already robust in cities like Houston and Miami, notes Perry, and it’s about time D.C. ups its recreation within the stylish house. Gaia, lined in an LED-lit ceiling resembling a constellation of stars, takes ideas from sizzling spots in Mykonos, Dubai, and Saint-Tropez. On any given night time, anticipate roving violinists, dancers, DJs, and extra.

The swanky look comes courtesy of D.C.-based Drummond Initiatives, which is shortly changing into one of the vital in-demand restaurant designers on the town. Drummond lately reimagined the unique Seven Causes on 14th Road NW right into a royal blue oasis for High Chef finalist Eric Adjepong’s extremely anticipated West African restaurant Elmina. And the brand new laser-lit Kata, a competing supper membership in Chinatown, can also be Drummond’s work.

Gaia, which toys with plenty of emerald inexperienced and golden-brown tones, is completely unrecognizable from its former life as two fast-casuals fused into one horny house. Plush banquettes curved across the perimeter and swan-backed seats provide room for 70 patrons. A prolonged patio out entrance will come to life this spring. Hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.