Michael Mina to Shake up DC’s Italian Dining Scene

Celebrated chef Michael Mina is preparing to broaden his palate by adding something new to his repertoire-and DC diners will be the first to sample his brand-new concept. The venerable restaurateur is making his entrance into the Italian dining scene with Lunara, set to open next year, reports the Washington Business Journal .

The eatery will be a part of the City Ridge development. Lunara will be greeting guests on the ground floor of 14 Ridge Square, NW. A precise opening date is not currently available, however the Mina Group is aiming for an early 2025 debut. The restaurant has been in development for over 2 years, and was originally supposed to open in 2023, making a few more months a surmountable wait for DC foodies eager to taste Mina’s take on Italian cuisine.

Lunara will be a chef-driven dining experience, in an elegant but welcoming setting. Mina explains that he shaped his vision for the concept by listening to customers at his other restaurants. “”So many people were like: Do a great Italian restaurant. Do something that’s fun, that’s approachable, that we can go to all the time, that’s got really great hospitality, good service, but we can dress up or down.”