The windows at M Cafe Bar on 14th Street NW are covered up with paper, PoPville reports. But the restaurant is merely changing concepts, general manager Mehdi Zorgani tells Y&H. Owner and retail developer Iraklis Krabassis plans to replace the Italian restaurant with his other Italian restaurant, Sette Osteria, which also has a location in Dupont.
"The other concept was working," claims Zorgani, but ultimately, they felt a more casual, neighborhood-y place would be a better fit for the corridor. M Cafe Bar opened at 14th and R streets NW in the summer of 2013, after relocating from a Chevy Chase location that closed in April 2011.
The second Sette Osteria will have much of the same menu as its counterpart, including "comfort dishes" with meats, seafood, homemade pastas, and pizza. The new place, however, will have a bigger bar menu with cicchetti, Italian snacks.
Krabassis is collaborating with an Italian designer and architect to completely redo the interior, as well. Gone will be the images of Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, and Marcello Mastroianni splashed on the walls. Instead, the decor will be dominated by steel, wood, and brick. A communal table will be added to the bar area. And there will be no more white tablecloths.
The new restaurant is slated to open in March or early April.
Photo by Jessica Sidman