New Kitchens On The Block 12 - NKOTB 12

The twelfth edition of long-running food festival offers a onetime-only opportunity to savor signature dishes and drinks from 9 of DC’s most hyped new restaurants by the city’s buzziest, award-winningest chefs – before they open. For two hours, guests have the unique chance to meet the talent behind these forthcoming hot spots, get the behind-the-scenes lowdown on their latest ventures, and take a few selfies with them.

NKOTB 12’s participants are:

• James Beard Award winner Fabio Trabocchi (Fiola, Fiola Mare, Del Mar) debuts his to-be-named all-day café concept
• Alfie’s by Alex McCoy (Lucky Buns, Monstera) and Justin Ahn (Incheon)
• Maurizio’s by the Cava team and Aris Tsekouras (Melina, Bouboulina Steak)
• Ebbitt House by the Clyde's Restaurant Group and Stephen Lyons (The Inn at Little Washington, Matchbox Food Group)
• District Larder Co. by Matt Sperber (Any Day Now, The Salt Line, Husk)
• Phia by Brad Feickert (Soko Butcher, Koma)
• Vesper by Rachel Bindel (Tail Up Goat, Lutèce, Gravitas)
• Little Birdie by Eric Brannon (Matt & Tony's)
• Itiyah by Sebastien Salomon (The White House, Embassy of Haiti)

Guests will enjoy beer by Right Proper Brewing Company and cocktails powered by spirits provided by Prestige Ledroit. S. Pellegrino is the official water of the event.

Washington City Paper dubbed New Kitchens On The Block “the Godzilla of pop-ups,” DCist raved “If there’s one food event that outshines them all, it’s arguably Mess Hall’s New Kitchens on the Block,” and The Washington Post gushed, “The restaurants serving up bites are so cutting-edge, they haven’t even opened yet.” Previous editions gave diners a first taste of Oyster Oyster, Maydan, Jônt, Marcus DC, Chai Pani, Call Your Mother, Your Only Friend, The Salt Line, Unconventional Diner, Lucky Buns, Daru, Bar Cana, Providencia, Piccolina, Cielo Rojo, Colada Shop, RASA, Hill East Burger, and many others.

Date and time: Saturday, April 25, 2025, for two separate two-hour sessions; 12-2 p.m. and 3-5 p.m.

Location: Mess Hall, 703 Edgewood St. NE, Washington, DC 20017; messhalldc.com

*Ages 21+, Please drink responsibly. While the organizers of this event represent the list of talent as accurately as possible, some things are beyond our control; restaurants, chefs, menus, beverages and sponsors are therefore subject to change. Photographers will be on site; by attending this event, you agree that you may be photographed and that your likeness may be used for promotional purposes.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher A Mess Hall / (cr)eating Joint Production