New wine bar Little Blackbird opens in Cleveland Park
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Little Blackbird wine bar. Photo courtesy of Greg Powers
New wine bar Little Blackbird just opened in Cleveland Park.
Why it matters: Owner Ashok Bajaj opened one of D.C.'s first modern wine bars, Ardeo + Bardeo, in the same space back in the early aughts — and he's reviving the spirit of a neighborhood sip spot.
Catch up quick: The Rasika restaurateur has operated the two-in-one restaurant space for 25 years. Bajaj just closed Bindaas — its two sibling Indian street food places operate downtown — to make way for the wine bar.
What's happening: The revamp includes a new botanical-chic look with mood lighting for sipping sidecars and sherry cocktails.
- Chef Ryan Moore, who serves Israeli/Mediterranean at adjoining Sababa, oversees the kitchen.
On the menu: Diners can graze on cheese and charcuterie boards, and share a variety of small plates — many of which come from the hearth, such as roasted halloumi or tarte flambee.
- Instead of typical wine bar pizzettes, there's socca (chickpea flatbreads) and a handful of Med-leaning entrées.
In your glass: Wine, of course. Around 100 bottles and a dozen glass offerings span the globe with an emphasis on green production (biodynamic, natural, organic) and plenty of easy-sipping coastal Med options.