PoP Pre-Preview of Mintwood Place Coming to 1813 Columbia Rd, NW in mid-October. Chef will be Cedric Maupillier Formerly of Central

Back in Oct. ’10 we learned that Mintwood Place would be coming to 1813 Columbia Rd, NW in Adams Morgan. At the time a liquor license application simply said:

“Restaurant with recorded music and entertainment limited to DJ with no dancing. Seating capacity is 113. Total Occupancy load is 124. Sidewalk Café with seating for 24.”

Last Friday I was lucky to run into Mintwood Place’s new chef and got a brief tour of the space as well as a bit more info about their vision.

So first things first, this is the space underneath Perry’s that used to be a frozen yogurt shop. It’s actually owned by the same guy, Saied Ayoubi, that owns Perry’s. Perhaps the most exciting news is the chef himself – his name is Cedric Maupillier who has previously worked at Central and Citronelle and most recently helped open Medium Rare in Cleveland Park. Central’s Web site still has a bio:

“Chef de Cuisine Cedric Maupillier
Started career at age 15 in a bakery in Toulon
Bachelors degree in hotel and restaurant management
First cooking experience in Monte Carlos at “Café de Paris”
Two years in England working for top restaurants in London and Oxford
Back to France to work in three star Michelin restaurant “La Cotes St. Jacques”
Moved to Courchevel to work in the Relais & Chateaux “du Pralon”

Moved to the US in 2002 and worked under Chef Fabio Trabocchi at Maestro in the Ritz Carlton, Tyson’s Corner
After two years took the position as Sous Chef in Michel Richard Citronelle
In January 2007, opened Central Michel Richard”

As an admitted non foodie even I can realize that this is huge news for Adams Morgan.

Maupillier told me that he is going to try to keep the menu as local as possible and it (as well as cocktails) will change seasonally. This actually keeps with the restaurant’s green build out – where much of the wood used was reclaimed from an Amish barn in Pennsylvania.

The kitchen’s center piece is going to feature a huge wood burning grill. While the menu may be smaller than some are used to seeing – it will still be adventurous. I’m nearly certain I heard him mention frog legs… Of course there will be more traditional items like roast chicken as well. But someone with Maupilier’s pedigree is clearly going to offer up some creative choices.

And here’s more good news – Mintwood Place will be open for breakfast and lunch too. They will make their own croissants and pastries on site. It’s anticipated to be the type of place where folks will come in for a cup of coffee and a croissant and leisurely read the paper in the morning. It is hoped that the restaurant will become a neighborhood gathering spot that will help spur a revival of Columbia Road.

Anticipated opening – mid-October. I can’t wait to see the final menu. Stay tuned.

Old elevator gears reclaimed from 1813 Columbia Rd, NW

Lots of copper outside