Himitsu is the newest addition to Petworth's turning out to be eating scene ... - Washington put up

chance may additionally have first brought Carlie Steiner and Kevin Tien into each other's orbit, however they took a a whole lot extra deliberate direction to opening their first restaurant collectively.

both met in 2012 when Tien was cooking at Oyamel and Steiner was temporarily working the bar there while helping put together for Barmini's opening. Their new collaboration, Himitsu, debuts Friday in Petworth, in the area that the majority these days housed pop-up Cappy's Crabs and, before that, Crane & Turtle.

[Poke is the newest raw fish dish to hit Washington]

Himitsu, named after the japanese word for "secret," is japanese-impressed, however no longer a jap restaurant per se, Tien talked about. Steiner observed they both like meals with freshness, acidity and herbs, explaining that they'll also be leaning heavily on Latin American and Southeast Asian taste profiles.

The menu will generally alternate and should focus primarily on smaller, primarily shareable plates. Tien mentioned the mix will encompass his play on jap fried fowl, or karaage. The batter will channel the japanese facet, however Tien is also seeking to his Southern roots through the use of buttermilk. The chook will be served with a Korean-impressed chili sauce. Channeling chinese restaurants, Tien plans to serve a salt and pepper fried tofu however with a classic jap dashi stock, along with a scallion ginger sauce.

There may be nigiri on the menu as smartly, a good way to change daily reckoning on what form of seafood Tien can get from his suppliers. About eighty p.c of it is going to come from Japan. just do not expect to be served soy sauce with the sushi. as a substitute, Tien will offer nikiri, a housemade soy mix that's regularly brushed on the fish right before or not it's served.

Diners on the bar of the diminutive 23-seat restaurant, completed up in minimalist white, gray and blue, may have a chance to partake in an omakase meal, interacting with team of workers within the open kitchen over the path of their paired food and beverage dinner. Steiner talked about she and Tien are additional encouraging the relationship between food and drinks and entrance and returned of the house by way of cross-training employees in distinct positions and giving cooks accountability for a cocktail and bartenders responsibility for one dish.

Steiner, who has been doing variations on a Theme nights at nearby Petworth Citizen and operates the cocktail consulting and catering company Stir Bartending Co., plans to serve a mixture of classic and apartment cocktails. For the previous, believe variations on the historical fashioned, long island and Negroni; for the latter, are expecting a decrease-proof creation with eastern whiskey, sherry and cold brew espresso, garnished with caramelized coconut flakes. a further of Steiner's drinks will characteristic Bolivian spirit Rujero Singani, lime, palm sugar, grapefruit and togarashi, a peppery jap spice mix.

The relaxation of the beverage software will encompass about 10 beers through the can, break up between typical (IPAs, Pilseners) and "wacky" forms, which could include "bizarre ferments" and sour beers, Steiner referred to. Wines should be nontraditional, emcompassing sherry, orange vintages and sake.

Himitsu will open for dinner only at the beginning, but "we're willing to do what we need to do to slot in this local," no matter if or not it's lunch or late nights, Steiner spoke of. To motivate neighborhood purchase-in, Himitsu is raising cash on the crowdfunding platform EquityEats via Nov. 17. via EquityEats, people who contribute to the crusade are paid returned in food and drinks credits. Tiers for Himitsu latitude from a $one hundred investment that gets you a $a hundred twenty five credit to a $2,500 funding that earns you a non-public birthday party for seven americans and $800 in credit score.

"We did not wish to simply do a traditional fundraiser," Steiner said. "We want to get new individuals in. We are looking to get repeat visitors."

introduced Tien: "They invest in us, and we put money into them."

Himitsu, 828 Upshur St. NW. Opening Friday for dinner Tuesday via Sunday.

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