Monday, August 4, 2025
Out: Reverie’s Last Day Is Oct. 4.
A Michelin-starred restaurant by chef Johnny Spero that survived the pandemic and a 2022 fire will serve its last meal on Oct. 4.
Reverie restaurant at 3210 Cherry Hill Lane NW by chef Johnny Spero opened on Oct. 6, 2018, with 64 seats. After the fire, it reopened early this year with 36 seats.
Besides his shuttered Bar Spero, Spero has worked at such places as José Andrés’s Minibar and stellar European spots like Mugaritz in Spain and Noma in Denmark.
Spero wrote of Reverie’s end on Instagram: “This is meant to be celebratory—so please don’t take it any other way.
“Reverie has shaped me in more ways than I can count. It gave me space to grow through some of life’s biggest challenges all at once—becoming a father, opening a restaurant, and giving up alcohol. It helped me find my voice and define the kind of dining experience I wanted to create—the kind that tells a story, sometimes without needing many words.
“I pushed myself to be exactly who I am—not different for the sake of it, but because the food that excited me most was the food I believed in.
“And now, I’ve decided to end this chapter on my own terms.
“After nearly a decade down this alleyway, Reverie will serve its final menu on October 4.
“But we’re not done yet.
“We’re closing out strong with Vegetable Season through August—one of the most focused, vibrant, and creative menus we’ve ever done. Then in September, we’ll finish with a final tasting menu that celebrates everything Reverie has stood for: creativity, connection, and a relentless drive to just cook really fucking good food.
“Thank you to everyone who’s walked through these doors—from the Reverie 1.0 crew to the team beside me now.
“To Alexis—none of this would’ve happened without you. You’ve raised our three amazing kids with love, patience, and strength while I chased this dream. Fiona was born just ten days after we opened, and nothing shows how much can change in seven years more than watching all three of them grow up alongside this restaurant.
“I’m going out in a blaze of glory—and passing the torch to someone else to continue the story down this alleyway.”
In: Georgetown Preschool to Open Sept. 2
The Georgetown Preschool plans to open Sept. 2 and tells us, “The school will warmly welcome children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old, offering a nurturing, inclusive environment where every child can grow, explore, and thrive.”
The school, located at 1230 31st St. NW #100, continued: “Founded by a dedicated team of educators and community leaders, The Georgetown Preschool is committed to fostering the whole child through a creative curriculum that encourages play based learning, early literacy, and social-emotional development. With small class sizes, highly qualified teachers, and a thoughtfully designed learning space, the school provides individualized attention in a safe and joyful setting.”
“We’re thrilled to bring this vision to life in one of D.C.’s most vibrant neighborhoods,” said Farah Kuraishi, founder of The Georgetown Preschool. “Our mission is to create a space where children feel seen, supported, and inspired, while giving families a trusted partner in early education.”
Enrollment for September 2025 is now open. Interested families are encouraged to visit www.thegeorgetownpreschool.com.
In: Blossom Daily Replaces Bitty & Beau’s
Blossom Daily, an eatery and gift shop at 3207 M St. NW offering a selection of hot and cold drinks, grab-and-go foods and one-of-a-kind gifts, opened last month. It replaces Bitty & Beau’s, a similar business that employs people with disabilities.
Blossom Daily tells us it has “a unique mission: Providing employment, community, and connection for people with intellectual and development disabilities.”
Most of the employees at Blossom Daily have an intellectual or developmental disability. Their talents include customer service, food and beverage preparation including making gourmet “Mocktails,” cashier duties, and promoting the sale of merchandise like candles, t-shirts, mugs, and more.
“We hope our customers who come in to eat and shop will see the power of work for people with disabilities,” said Director of Operations Jackie Gemenden.
Among the distinctive items for sale in the store are cards, candles and soaps made by people in the Bloom self-employment program at ServiceSource and unique hand-woven scarves and bags made by people with disabilities in the Arlington Weaves program. Each individual artisan receives 100 percent of proceeds from the sale of their work.
Blossom Daily is part of ServiceSource, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Oakton, Virginia.
In: Bibibop Asian Grill Replaces Feta Cafe
Bibibop Asian Grill is coming to 2805 M St. NW, former home to Feta Cafe and Bakery, which opened in April 2022. Previous businesses have been Freshbee’s, Bibibop, ShopHouse and Furin’s Bakery, most famous of all.