Ris Opening Soon

There have been lot of restaurant openings this fall, though none as highly anticipated as chef Ris Lacoste's new restaurant, Ris, which is just about to open at the corner of 23rd and L Streets, NW. I went in for a tour yesterday, and here are some photos and things to look forward to when the restaurant opens sometime next week.

Lacoste calls Ris an "upscale neighborhood café" with Wi-Fi throughout the restaurant and quick to-go options for breakfast and lunch coming within a few months. Also coming later is weekend brunch, weekday breakfast and Sunday supper.

It's also going to be part gallery — Lacoste is teaming up with Adamson Gallery to arrange for a rotating selection of artwork to be on display in the restaurant. The space has dozens of nooks and crannies designed for that purpose.

When the weather warms up, there will be 60 seats outside, and inside 170 can sit in the bar, lounge, private dining spaces and dining room.

Lacoste will be teaching cooking classes from the kitchen — doors (above) open up the kitchen (below) to the front of the restaurant and participants can look right in to the kitchen to see demos.

Lacoste will be heading up the kitchen, chef de cuisine will be Ed Kwitowski (Bistro Bis) and pastry chef will be Chris Kujala (Potenza, Kinkead's).