
4

"In Mt. Vernon Triangle I saw this global-leaning American restaurant brought under Tim Ma's leadership as executive chef, and he immediately began adding dishes that riff on multiple cuisines while keeping originals on the menu. He's introducing a deceptive take on white-sauced chicken wings—sous-vide wings served with a harissa and Duke's mayonnaise dip and chermoula—alongside Wellfleet oysters with gooseberry cocktail, watercress purée, and pickled fennel, and a monkfish swimming in a foamed brown-butter emulsion; signature items like the white lentil hummus and roasted chicken with garlic and cayenne honey will remain. Ma liked the space and existing strong kitchen staff, chose to work with co-owners Dean Mosones and Mark Minicucci, is collaborating with beverage director Hung Nguyen and chef de cuisine Gary Cooper, and plans to keep his hotel job while running Prather's so he can explore different parts of cuisines in a smaller neighborhood setting." - Gabe Hiatt