The Mosaic District’s food scene is getting a shake-up.
First, Kreole Seafood and Cocktails permanently closed after July 14, less than a year after introducing its Creole-meets-Asian concept. Then, the Florida donut bakery, The Salty Donut, announced yesterday (Monday) that it will open its first Virginia location in the Merrifield neighborhood.
Kreole bids farewell
Opened at 2985 District Avenue, Unit 115, in October 2023, Kreole was the second experimental concept tested at that spot by Common Plate Hospitality, an Alexandria-based restaurant group that also runs the Mexican restaurant Urbano next door.
Initially, the company teamed up with Franco and Noe Landini for their third Junction Bistro & Bar, which opened in 2022 and served a variety of American food in a setting that nodded to the area’s drive-in theater past.
However, Junction didn’t have the traction that Common Plate Hospitality hoped, so partner and executive chef Chad Sparrow instead came up with Kreole, promising uniquely prepared, flavorful seafood. That too was evidently not meant to last.
Though they didn’t detail the factors that led to their decision, the Kreole team said in a message posted on its front door, website and social media that the closure came after “much consideration and reflection.”
“This decision was not made lightly,” the restaurant said. “Over this past year, it has been our privilege and joy to serve you delicious meals and warm hospitality. Your support has meant a great deal. We are deeply grateful for every meal you shared in our house and every smile you brought to our faces. This is a hard time for our entire Kreole Family, as this restaurant has been more than just a business — it has been our passion and a labor of love.”
A spokesperson told FFXnow said Kreole had no comment beyond what was in the message, which they felt addressed “all pertinent points.”
As Kreole invited supporters for a final meal, commenters on Instagram shared heartbreak and teary-eyed emojis, saying that they’d be sad to see the restaurant go and wishing the team the best.
“One of the saddest days of my life. I loved working here,” one commenter and self-identified staff member said.
The Salty Donut circles Mosaic District opening
In more upbeat news, The Salty Donut is taking over the former Loyal Companion store at 2905 District Avenue, Unit 180. Signs advertising the business have been up since this spring, but the location wasn’t officially announced until this week.
Expected to open in late 2024, the shop will serve artisanal donuts and coffee. In addition to a traditional glazed donut, The Salty offers more unusual flavors like maple and bacon or candied pistachio and white chocolate, along with seasonal or themed options, such as a red, white and blue star for the Fourth of July.
“We’re stoked to get the word out that The Salty will be opening in D.C.’s Mosaic District later this year, our very first location in this market,” The Salty CEO and founder Andy Rodriguez said in a press release. “The neighborhood’s unique blend of creativity and community spirit makes it an ideal home for our brand.”
Rodriguez and his now-wife Amanda Pizarro started The Salty in 2015 as a pop-up in a 1950s camper stationed in a parking lot in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood. Since then, they have expanded to 16 locations in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Texas with several more on the way.
More on the business from the press release:
Since its pop-up opening in 2015, where donuts were sold out of a vintage 1950s Aljoa camper in a local Miami parking lot, The Salty Donut has grown to be nationally recognized, being named one of the best donut shops in America by Thrillist, Food & Wine and Tasting Table. In 2018, co-founder Amanda Pizarro-Rodriguez was honored on Forbes 30 under 30 for Food & Drink, highlighting the creativity and entrepreneurship behind the brand. Now, Pizarro-Rodriguez, together with her husband, Andy Rodriguez, is the owner/operator of 16 Salty Donut shops with additional locations in the works.
The Salty Donut will open in the Mosaic District, a unique and vibrant district with a hand-selected mix of retailers & restaurants, intelligent urban design and our passion for community engagement. The store will offer the signature, decadent treats that have created the cult-like following around the southeast United States, as well as some market-specific flavors inspired by the neighborhood, using homemade and locally-sourced ingredients.
The Salty’s arrival will follow the addition of Falafel Inc. at the Mosaic District. The fast-casual vegetarian eatery, which can also be found at Tysons Corner Center, opened at 170 District Avenue in late May, replacing the Dutch pancake shop Poffy.
