Fady Saba, the visionary behind Ezekiel Entertainment, today opens L’Annexe, a European-inspired urban cocktail bar, in Washington, DC’s Georgetown neighborhood.
“Georgetown is its own special interpretation of a European city, a historic neighborhood in a cosmopolitan capital,” says Fady Saba. “I moved to the United States to be in a city that has the sophistication, intellectualism, and style that seeks to be sated by classic, yet reinvented, food and drink. L’Annexe is that place.”
L’Annexe, occupying the former Unum restaurant location at 2917 M Street, NW, opens today bringing tastes, sips, and an ambiance as crisp and cozy as the arrival of autumn. Once through the burlap and leather entry curtain, the European cocktail bar atmosphere welcomes patrons with a zinc-topped bar, an inviting library, intelligent wine offerings, uniquely infused spirits and classic cocktails, accompanied by an eclectic small plates menu culled from international cuisines.
Fady Saba insists on imparting a holistically fresh approach with his Unbounded Farm to Table menu designed and directed by Chef Andrew Markert, who first gained notoriety across the Greater Washington Area for his inventive cooking at Beuchert’s Saloon on Capitol Hill. The dynamic small plates, such as the Shrimp Aguachile, Corn Hummus, and Mushroom Toast, teem with unexpected pops of flavor and texture. The Chocolate Caramel Tart is not to be missed for the final sweet bite.
“It has been the proverbial labor of love to work alongside Fady in interpreting his culinary vision and having the liberty to compose the complex combination of fresh ingredients you’ll find in L’Annexe’s farm to table small plates,” says Andrew Markert. “Ensuring these complement Mick’s inventive drinks menu has been an energizing challenge, as well.”
Behind the bar, Beverage Director Mick Perrigo, most recently at Left Door, proffers Classic Cocktails — with a Twist. While the wine list is simple –with selections from Italy, France and California — the cocktails burst like fireworks with just a few straightforward ingredients that richochet off one another. All given crafted titles, the test is to guess why they are so named.
Hours of operation for what will become a de riguer corner establishment are Tuesday-Thursday 4 pm-11:00 pm; Friday 4 pm-1:00 am; Saturday 12 pm-1:00 am; and Sunday 12pm-11:00 pm.
About Fady Saba, Ezekiel Entertainment
Fady Saba has 22 years’ experience across the restaurant industry in Paris, Beirut, and DC, in addition to consulting on concept creation and recruitment in the United Kingdom and Switzerland. His approach is inspired by his desire to offer the purest European experience, and bringing to Washington what is at the root of classic food and drink in a setting of design and ambiance that is complementary. Now a local businessperson, Fady is committed to reaching out to the community socially, as well as charitably, where his focus is on organizations and efforts to feed children in need.
For more on L’Annexe, please visit www.lannexe-bar.com and connect on Facebook and Instagram.
