Washington restaurateur Ashok Bajaj, owner of Bombay Club, 701, Rasika, Ardeo, etc. who I met on Tuesday night while I was dining at Ardeo recently "announced" according to Tom Sietsema this afternoon that he has tapped Nicholas Stefanelli to be his Executive Chef at his newest venture, Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca, a 120-seat Italian restaurant expected to open at 1100 New York Ave. NW in early September.
Nicholas Stefanelli became known to the foodie world after having worked in the kitchen of the now closes Maestro in Tysons Corner. Shortly thereafter, Stefanelli joined Mio downtown. Bajaj told Sietsema, according to the article that Chef Stefanelli "has a long and successful track record in D.C." Further, "D.C. really needs a good Italian restaurant."
I picked up the business card on Tuesday night that was sitting at the front table at Ardeo ... who knew? Actually, Heather Freeman knew. Her public relations firm represents his entire empire of restaurants. Bibiana will focus on simple flavors and rustic preparations -- spaghetti carbonara, offal, pizza -- although Stefanelli will also offer a tasting menu.
In other news ... Bajaj told Sietsema he's temporarily closing 701 for 10 days starting Aug. 2. According to Tom's article, the Penn Quarter restaurant will get its first major renovation since 2000 and a new chef in the process. Adam Longworth, the former chef de cuisine of the acclaimed Gotham Bar & Grill in New York, is replacing Bobby Varua.
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