We know D.C. Get our free newsletter to stay in the know.
Table chef de cuisine Patrick Robinson has parted ways with the Shaw restaurant after helping open it two and half years ago, and New York-based chef Akhtar Nawab will take his spot. Nawab’s resume includes time at Gramercy Tavern, Craftbar, now-closed Elettaria (which he co-owned), and Mexican restaurant La Esquina (where he was executive chef).
Robinson took the lead in Table’s kitchen after chef and owner Frederik de Pue left in December amid a legal dispute with his partners.
Erika Kauder, the restaurant’s Director of Market and Sales, says Robinson’s departure had nothing to do with the owners suing each other. (The lawsuits have been settled, the Post reported in May.) Kauder says Robinson recently had a baby and is moving out to the Virginia suburbs. “He did amazing things for us,” Kauder says. “It was an amicable parting.”
Y&H has contacted Robinson for more information about his departure and future plans, and will update this post when he responds.
Nawab, a close friend of owner Dalia Fateh, most recently consulted for Choza Taqueria and launched a health food company called Indie Fresh. Kauder emphasizes that Table’s concept will not change under Nawab. “We love the focus on seasonality, on sourcing locally, on clean, simple flavors,” she says. “He’s very aware of our concept and very aware of what we want from him.”
The only slight modification is that the restaurant plans to add a few family-style dishes. Table will also continue its monthly family meal series where the public is invited to eat with the staff.
Nawab will help launch a new summer menu on June 21.
Photo of Patrick Robinson by Darrow Montgomery