Last month, we broke the news that chef Frederik de Pue of forthcoming Shaw restaurant Table bought the building the formerly housed Café Atlántico, Minibar, and America Eats Tavern.
Today, he reveals that the restaurant will be called Azur and draw on “European classics with contemporary flavors.” In particular, the menu will focus on sustainable seafood. Look for classics like bouillabaisse and moules-frites, along with shellfish dishes with modern twists and some not-often-seen specialties. For non-seafood eaters, there will be some meat and vegetarian options.
The six seats that once made up Minibar will be dedicated to a full raw bar on the third level with fresh oysters and shellfish. A separate, smaller bar menu will be available in the bar/lounge. Speaking of the which, Founding Farmers mixologist Jon Arroyo will design the seasonally-changing “delicately flavored” cocktail menu, which will include accents of lavender, citrus, and florals. The drink menu will also focus on white wines, along with some burgundies, sparkling, and sweet red varieties, and a rotating selection of craft and organic beers. Azur will serve tea exclusively from neighboring Teaism.
As for the three-story 6,000 square foot space, it will have a contemporary look with “hues of the ocean” designed by Virginia based designer Natascha Folens of NF Interiors.
Azur is scheduled to open on New Year’s Eve this year. The Penn Quarter restaurant will offer only dinner at first, then expand to lunch and brunch in the spring.
Photo by Jessica Sidman