by contributor Suzanne Struglinski
Photo credit: Courtesy of Linda Roth PR
Theater-goers and diners will want to stay for an encore at the newly redesigned Roof Terrace Restaurant at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
The curtain rose on the new space Oct. 16th with an extreme make-over as well as a new bistro and fine-dining menu. Jeffery Wingate, regional director at the Kennedy Center, unveiled the new space to media and select Kennedy Center members.
Jeffrey Wingate and Chef Gurner
“I don’t know another performing arts center that has this kind of menu,” Wingate said. He said in addition to the great view and location, there are options for any palate and price point.
One of the biggest changes is the addition of a bistro area and lounge to the main dining room. What was once a private dining room has been transformed to a lounge and partitions separate the bistro area from the main dining room. The bar menu has smaller plate options such as deviled eggs, hummus, or a plate of olives, piquillo peppers and manchego cheese or entrees such as shrimp and grits, PEI mussels with frites, lobster mac and cheese or a hamburger with fontina cheese, truffle mayo and peppered bacon.
Wingate said that they listened to diner feedback saying that Washington traffic and work schedules don’t always allow for a reservation so the bistro provides an easier option.
But not to worry, Wingate told us, if you arrive and something from the main dining room’s menu looks like what you want you can still order it in the bistro area.
And that’s a positive thing to note, based on the updated menu for the fall theater season. A fall panzanella salad comes with house made duck confit, rosemary pesto, and forest mushrooms. The scallop crudo with harissa vinaigrette and cilantro has a nice kick of heat thanks to the harissa. A braised lamb shank, duck breast, pork cheeks and butternut squash risotto also are entree options.
The Roof Terrace’s Sunday brunch will still be presented in the kitchen and the brunch’s dessert room will still be part of the menu. Westgate said having guests come into the kitchen and choose their brunch items while they are being prepared offers an experience unlike other places in Washington.
Roof Terrace Restaurant is open before Concert Hall and Opera House evening performances from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the Buffet Brunch from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on most Sundays.
