Penn Quarter’s Upscale 701 Restaurant Will Close Next Week | Eater DC

"After nearly three decades serving Penn Quarter’s expense-account set, 701 Restaurant is scheduled to serve its last meal on New Year’s Eve. I report that owner Ashok Bajaj spent nine months negotiating with the building’s new ownership but said key concerns weren’t addressed, and Tom Sietsema cited a rent spike as the reason the lease talks fell apart. The restaurant was known for contemporary American cuisine, pre-theatre menus, and live jazz; Bajaj said there is sadness and grieving in having to close something he created and enjoyed. For its three-course finale the menu will include dry-aged ribeye and Chesapeake oyster options, accompanied by a four-piece live jazz band and a midnight champagne toast ($95 per person, $45 more for wine pairings). Most of the staff are slated to be transferred into Knightsbridge Restaurant Group’s existing pool of eateries, including The Bombay Club, Bibiana, Rasika, Bindaas, and Sababa." - Tierney Plumb