Bronze is a restaurant inspired by Afrofuturism that melds fantasy and gastronomy with the culture of the African Diaspora. It tells the 700-year-old story of Alonzo Bronze, who traveled freely around the globe, searching for new cultures to learn from and share with. Eventually, the people of Bronze with their mythic cranes settled on a lush and bountiful island in the modern-day Caribbean. Chef Toya Henry, Keem Hughley, Al Thompson, and Nadine Brown have created a three-level 5,300-square-foot restaurant for you to experience the imagined travels of Alonzo Bronze.
"Groundbreaking Northeast restaurant that reimagined the history of the African diaspora through a fictional character. Its entire four-story building is currently listed for lease." - Tierney Plumb
"Bronze, the groundbreaking Northeast restaurant that reimagined the history of the African diaspora through the lens of a fictional character named Alonzo Bronze, went offline last week. Its Resy page shows no available seatings, and guests with existing reservations were alerted that Bronze is closed “for the foreseeable future.” Owner Keem Hughley, a hospitality vet (including of nearby Maketto) and native Washingtonian, tells Eater that Bronze is still hosting events and “could close — or remain open.” The team is figuring out its long-term plans in the interim; its entire four-story building went up for lease in October. Stay tuned." - Tierney Plumb
"Inspired by the story of a fictional Afrofuturist character, Alonzo Bronze, this new addition to H Street boasts a sprawling 26-foot bar and three levels of dining space. Hailing from Brooklyn, Afro-Caribbean chef Toya Henry puts together a menu that brings to life the world of Alonzo Bronze, whose travels would have inspired dishes like braised oxtail with pappardelle and bush smoked snapper." - Emily Venezky, Mekita Rivas
"Forget streeteries for a second and hang out across Bronze’s intimate backyard patio. This Afrofuturist restaurant offers food from the African diaspora (a first-of-its-kind for D.C.), and the private patio will let you take it all in without city distractions." - Tierney Plumb, Abi Newhouse
"This inventive restaurant for H Street NE aims to reimagine the history of the African diaspora through the lens of a fictional character named Alonzo Bronze. Owner Keem Hughley, a hospitality vet and native Washingtonian, plants the project inside the former three-story home of Smith Commons. A 26-foot bar on the first floor offers a large cocktail menu with spirits from all over the world. Bronze’s opening dream team includes wine consultant Nadine Brown; Barmini alum and Hanumanh mixologist Al Thompson; and Brooklyn native and acclaimed Afro-Caribbean chef Toya Henry. Highlights include braised oxtail with pappardelle; coconut basmati and bamboo rice; kanpachi crudo; charred yuzu squid skewers; and a guava cheese doughnut. Hughley has ties to nearby Maketto, D.C. chef Erik Bruner-Yang’s hip hotspot for Taiwanese fried chicken, dim sum, and crystal shrimp dumplings." - Tierney Plumb, Eater Staff