A vibrant new American dining establishment featuring “celestial” themes is set to debut at the base of the Penn Quarter’s Arlo hotel on Thursday, October 15. Known as Altair, the restaurant boasts a stunning glass-almost-greenhouse ceiling that allows diners to gaze at the night sky while indulging in a diverse menu that ranges from shimmering oysters to robust duck dishes, located at 333 G Street NW.
The 82-seat venue is operated by the NYC-based Renwick Hospitality, which is behind several Arlo-related dining spots, including the seasonal American eatery Lindens in Soho and the speakeasy Foxtail. The other Altair location in Midtown opened earlier in 2023, alongside Arlo’s Art rooftop bars in Washington D.C., Soho, and Midtown.
Altair takes over the expansive lobby area previously occupied by Arrels, a Spanish restaurant from D.C. chef Pepe Moncayo that closed its doors in the spring after just over a year of operation. Shortly after, Renwick swiftly developed plans for a new establishment to replace it. The D.C. version of Altair echoes its New York predecessor, focusing on a theme based upon four ancient elements: earth, air, fire, and water.
The menu for Altair has officially launched today, Wednesday, October 7, on its website.
Diners can expect an array of small plates that celebrate the flavors of fall, including dishes like honeynut squash ravioli with brown butter, pancetta, and agrodolce, persimmons served with arugula, asiago, and pumpkin seeds, and beets accompanied by crème fraiche, arugula, and spicy honey.
In the “land and sea” segment, patrons can order charred diver scallops paired with smoked celery root and crispy leeks, Mallard duck with an almond crust served alongside sunchokes and sauce l’orange, as well as a rack of lamb complemented by farro granola, hakuri, and coffee. The “Pig Out” dish is designed to serve three, presenting pork in various forms: pork chops, rinds, ragu, and belly accompanied by cannellini beans and cranberry. Similar to its NYC sibling, foie gras is also featured on the menu, an ingredient that has recently sparked discussions regarding its potential ban in D.C., akin to the ongoing debates faced in New York over its legality in restaurants.
Upon entering Altair, patrons will discover a lush cocktail lounge where drinks are creatively crafted based on the restaurant’s elemental theme. Signature cocktails include the Eucalyptus & Yuzu with gin, soju, green chartreuse, and shiso leaf (air); Wild Mushrooms featuring Jefferson’s small-batch bourbon, turbinado, angostura, and orange bitters (earth); and Habanero with mezcal, rooibos chai, roasted grapefruit, and fresh lime (fire).
The design of this 82-seat space underwent a significant transformation, conducted by the renowned design firm /3877, which has also curated the aesthetics for other local favorites, including Cranes, Mi Vida, and Ellie Bird. Centered around a live tree adorned with hanging lanterns, the restaurant’s atmosphere is set to be vibrant and welcoming, featuring lounge-style seating in earthy tones coupled with inviting wooden accents.
Renwick also maintains connections to D.C. through the Seed Library, a cocktail bar housed in the Nomad hotel inspired by Ryan Chetiyawardana’s London venue, in addition to the innovative drinking establishment Silver Lyan, situated within the Riggs hotel in Penn Quarter.
The hospitality group also operates several other dining venues within the Motto hotels located in Times Square (the Alderman) and Chelsea (Lulla).
