What Georgetown Needs: A Restaurant Wrangler

ZANNCHI, THE NEWEST ADDITION TO GEORGETOWN'S RESTAURANT SCENE

This is an open letter to all the very nice and well-meaning people who have written to, stopped me on the street or otherwise contacted me regarding the lifting of the Georgetown liquor license moratorium, supposedly paving the way to a new era of fine food and wine.(And, they hope, a reopening of Nathans, but, sorry, not going to happen).  I would like, just as so many others, to see this development lead to Georgetown relcaiming its place in the Washington restaurant scene. It's not illogical. It was the restaurant go-to neighborhood and no so long ago. 

What's needed is for someone to be designated as a restaurant "wrangler," an individual connected to one of the village's many hierarchies -- and there are many -- who has a singular mandate to get immerse in what's happening with this vital industry that is thriving in other parts of town; to know the city's chefs, the city's culinary entrepreneurs, the developers, the money, and woo them to Georgetown. To also make landlords face reality and cut deals with the ABC board, the DCRA and the city city in general, (but most of all landlords). This person should know the culture, be involved.  It can be done. Maybe Council Member Jack Evans can orchestrate the position. Or CAG. Or the Georgetown BID.

The potential problem with the lifting of the moratorium is that liquor licenses appear to be up for grabs to just anyone, regardless of their plan, regardless of whether they even have a plan. That's why a lot of valuable licenses have sat in limbo. This "restaurant wrangler" could manage all of that, with benevolence and creativity -- and effectiveness.

We've witnessed some promising arrivals in the last few years: Fiola Mare, Chez Billy Sud, Chaia, Leopold's, Frank Ruta, Unum, and most recently  Via Umbria and Zannchi, joining stalwarts such as 1789, La Chaumiere, Cafe Milano, Cafe Bonaparte and Bourbon Steak, not to mention our legion of well known bars such as Martin's, Clyde's and The Tombs. (If I'm overlooking someone, please tell me).

Seriously, with the right vision and leadership, Georgetown could return to its former glory and be competitive with Petworth, Shaw, Bloomingdale, Yards Park, Barracks Row, Columbia Heights, Logan Circle, Blagden Alley, Brightwood -- neighborhoods that are successfully wooing the innovative culinary operators. There's no good reason -- from a village management point of view --  why Kinship, Convivial, Rose's Luxury, The Dabney,  DBGB, Masseria, El Campo, Bread Furst, and a few others ... aren't in Georgetown. 

I love traveling to other parts of town to dine. I don't need a reason to visit Union Market. But, still, I love to come home from work and walk to dinner. I know I'm not alone. Let's make the most of this next chapter in Georgetown's history of serving fine food and drink.