There is good news ... and there is bad news. On Thursday, April 17, 2009 Farrah Olivia Executive Chef and owner Morou Ouattara appeared as a guest host on Northern Virginia Magazine's Food Chat, "Grill Warren." Shockingly, Morou (pictured on left) announced that Farrah Olivia Restaurant, named after their daughter will be closing April 29, 2009 due to their landlord, Balducci's who was recently purchased and going out of business. Morou is looking for another location and plans to re-open within the next year. Farrah Olivia's current $40 prix fix menu that is available Tuesday-Sunday will be offered until the closing and there is a special discount for those who live in the Farrah Olivia neighborhood.
Balducci’s, LLC has sold its stores in Bethesda, Alexandria, McLean and three other cities, along with its licensing operation, to New York investment firm Angelo, Gordon & Co. Possibly due to increased competition from other high-end food retailers, Balducci's are closing four "underperforming" stores located in Ridgefield, CT, Washington, DC and both New York City stores. The D.C. store is scheduled to close the week of June 29. The Alexandria location near Farrah Olivia will remain open.
Now for the good news. Morou announced that he, his wife, and his brother Amadou, formerly of I'Ricchi are opening a new 
Italian restaurant/bar/lounge in Crystal City in the space formerly occupied by Roberto Donna's, BEBO located at 2250 Crystal Drive. The new venture will be named after Morou's youngest daughter, Kora and is slated to open early this summer, in June or soon thereafter. Kora will be a more casual concept than Farrah Olivia with a large bar and lounge with great food and very affordable Italian wine. (Most bottles will be in the 25-40 price range). There will also be a brunch menu and a "happy hour" with a discounted bar menu. The same discounts in Alexandria will be offered in the new Crystal City restaurant. The new restaurant Kora is being designed by designer Griz Dwight of Grizform Designs. He also designed the decor of Farrah Olivia, Proof, PS7's, Sonoma, and a lot of other local restaurants. (Photo on right of Farrah Olivia).
Amadou, who is a spitting image of his brother, Morou, is currently the Executive Chef at an Italian restaurant in Middleburg, VA, Salvia which opened late January 2006. He honed his skills for a decade at I Ricchi, Coco Loco, and Notte Luna. His first restaurant was Biscotti Ristorante in Derwood , Maryland which was in business for seven years before deciding to make a change and open Salvia in Middleburg. There is no word so far if Amadou will remain Chef at Salvia once Kora in Crystal City opens.
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