Elena James To Open With Dinner Service In Chevy Chase

CHEVY CHASE, MD — Elena James All Day — a restaurant offering coffee, breakfast and lunch counter service, as well as full-service dinner in Chevy Chase — is set to open Dec. 6. The eatery is located in the Ritz Carlton Residences at 8551 Connecticut Ave.

The MoCo Show reported the opening date and said the new venue was created by Colin McClimans and Danilo Simic, who created Nina May restaurant in Washington, D.C.

Elena James features seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients.

When it opens Friday, the eatery will serve dinner, with lunch and breakfast hours to come later, the restaurant's website said.

Dinner hours are Tuesday to Thursday, 5 to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; and Sunday 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Elena James All Day, the owner's first concept in Maryland, has two distinct sections, quick counter service (breakfast and lunch) and a second area for dinner service, featuring a long bar and open kitchen, suitable for special occasions and casual dinners, a company news release said.

For dinner, Chef McClimans’ and his team have crafted a menu inspired by popular dishes in America, adding their unique touch — from pizza and pasta to duck wings and mozzarella sticks, as well as classic roasted chicken. Diners will also find a banana split, a favorite dessert among ice-cream lovers.

The beverage menu features mojitos, margaritas, smoked negronis, and mezcal pineapple cocktails.

The Café will be counter service, offering coffee and specialty espresso drinks, as well as house made pastries, soups, salads and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch.

The 5,000-square-foot space will initially open for dinner only, followed by the Café in mid-December.

The dinner menu includes cacio e pepe, flank steak, braised short rib Bolognese lasagna, pork schnitzel, pan-roasted trout and forest mushroom with truffle.

The restaurant founders told MoCo360, “The inspiration for Elena James originated from the owners, Colin McClimans and Danilo Simic, when they first discussed their restaurant vision five years ago. Their aim was to create a fun spirited restaurant that focused on casual neighborhood dining, high quality food and great service, that was not only open for dinner, but also offered breakfast and lunch service.”