Monday, May 4, 2026
Georgetown continues to get meatier and sweeter — and hotter.
In: Ox & Olive on Thursday
“Eat More Beef … Moody by design, Indulgent by Nature … A temple of Beef in Georgetown.” Behold the promises of a new restaurant off the beaten path of Grace Street. Steakhouses are again in these days.
Chef Ryan Ratino will open his eagerly anticipated steakhouse Ox & Olive on May 7. Expect meat and martinis.
The chef and his team tell us: “Tucked into a historic cobblestone alley in Georgetown, our 50-seat American steakhouse is an intimate expression of Hive Hospitality’s passion for exceptional dining. Here, we showcase what we believe to be the finest beef available—thoughtfully sourced from producers who share our commitment to quality, integrity, and flavor.
“Our space is designed to match the experience: dark, moody, and quietly seductive. It’s a setting that feels polished and precise, yet never pretentious—where every detail is considered but never overdone.
“We invite our guests to explore—whether that means discovering new cuts, diving into a world-class wine list, or simply settling into the rhythm of a great night out. At our core, we’re about creating a place that feels as good as it tastes.”
Also helming Jônt and Bresca, Ratino and his Hive Hospitality will open Ox & Olive at 3201 Cherry Hill Lane NW, formerly the home of Johnny Spero’s Reverie.
In: The Salty on Friday
Also eagerly anticipated is The Salty donut shop which officially opens on Friday, May 8. With a dozen locations, the Salty in Georgetown is its first Washington, D.C., location. (Across the street is Georgetown Cupcake.)
The corner spot at 3299 M St. NW — previously home to Peet’s Coffee and, before that, Aditi Indian Restaurant — will serve specialty donuts as well as croissant sandwiches, avocado toast and coffee.
The Salty founders write, “Our story begins in 2014, when Amanda Pizarro and (then boyfriend, now husband) Andy Rodriguez spent all their time (outside of attending school) dreaming about creating a community gathering place centered around donuts, coffee, and good vibes. …
“The duo put school on hold, maxed out their credit cards, and tapped into friends and family for additional support to purchase a 1950’s vintage Aljoa camper and lease a commissary kitchen to test their creations and serve them to the community.”
Out (Temporarily): Bibibop
Bibibop, the eatery of healthful Asian and gluten-free bowl, at 2805 M St. NW is closed renovations, they say. A nearby Bibibop is on Connecticut Avenue near Dupont Circle.
Coming: 55 Seventy
Our restaurant industry writer Linda Roth reports: “A Dallas-based private wine club,?55 Seventy, has targeted Georgetown for its next opening, at 1115 30th?St. NW, near M Street. It?plans?to seat 250, with?total?occupancy of 675.?The?unusual?name signifies the ideal conditions for storing wine: 55 degrees and 70-percent humidity. Membership is by application only, with membership and initiation fees for D.C.”
Coming: Blue Nile
Another diamond shop is opening up in Georgetown. (Lugano left an opening?) The shop, Blue Nile, will be taking take over the James Allen space at 3109 M St. NW. Topher Mathews tell us: “It turns out that Blue Nile is owned by the same holding company that also owns James Allen. So, this is more like a repositioning of a brand strategy than one shop moving in to replace another.”