The way Caroline Meadows, co-owner of The Dish, describes it, the opening of her new Chevy Chase restaurant seemed almost inevitable for her and business partner Trish Tungate.
"We'd had our eye on this spot for awhile, and the stars aligned - so here we are," she said, with a sweeping gesture that breezed across The Dish's newly designed space off Euclid Avenue on Ashland Avenue, which held its soft opening in the beginning of August.
"We're restaurant people; it's in our blood," Meadows continued, and between the two, they have more than 25 years of experience in the business, much of it having been gained in their new restaurant's immediate vicinity. Meadows worked at the well-known neighborhood Saratoga restaurant for a number of years, and Tungate's extensive background most recently includes the management of Rossi's bar for over three years - another restaurant that found its roots in the fertile soil of Chevy Chase's center.
Key among their staff of about ten is Jeremiah Bowman, their chef, who modestly proclaims himself "a guy who just loves to cook." His direction is toward the freshest available food, with a seasonally changing menu that utilizes local sources, with an emphasis on the herbs and spices that make The Dish's dishes stand out. The $12 to $28 range in entrÈe prices makes dining there an affordable option among Lexington's unique eating establishments, and their wine selection is a reflection of Tungate's expertise and the preferences of those who have already become regulars. Appetizers range in price from $7 to $12 and reflect the same variety and freshness as the entrees. Martinis, too, are a specialty, and many are named after the folks who imbibe there after the bar opens at 4 p.m. Dinner service begins at 5 p.m., and closing time depends on the level of activity as the night winds on. Particular events are also a part of future plans - planned evenings of special wine prices and distinctive food and drink choices are on their horizon.
The planning for The Dish began about four years ago, and at that point a "kitty" was begun over the lunches that made up their planning sessions. With their savings and the aid of some financing, it took only a few months to get the doors open, the lease having been signed at the end of April. Their plan included the use of one of the side rooms for business or group meetings, easily accommodating 35-40 people and offering the facilities to handle audio and visual equipment. Their goal of opening for lunch sometime in September will include that option. But it's the outdoor seating that immediately attracts the passersby. With room to accommodate 30 or so, the patio's cascading flowers, large umbrellas and flickering lights immediately reflect the atmosphere of the warm, modern and welcoming "joint" - a term Meadows and Tungate believe should make a comeback - that they have worked so hard to create. Opening up one of the walls has enlarged the feel of the space, and the women's vision of a Tuscan colored space, including the flowers from local gardens, has been accomplished with their own hands.
One thing both owners stressed was their commitment to service and to providing a knowledgeable staff of servers that could answer diner's questions regarding the evening's offerings. "We want eating here to be an enjoyable eating experience, and knowing what the food is about is necessary for that," Tungate commented. By all accounts The Dish is well on its way to becoming the versatile, warm and friendly "joint" that Lexingtonians so appreciate.