The Connecticut Avenue location will be the DC outpost of a high-end chain of steakhouses with branches in Atlanta, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York. STK steakhouses advertise themselves as "female-friendly".
"Not your daddy's steakhouse," states a poster on the future site of the restaurant.
STK CEO testifies
Jonathan Segal (second from right) testifies |
"We are a full-on restaurant," Segal said.
The capacity of the restaurant will be higher than that of the previous occupant due to the addition of four private dining rooms.
Much of the discussion at the meeting focused on noise from the restaurant. Segal said that there would be no speakers onto the planned sidewalk cafe, no windows opening onto the street, and a single revolving door. Under further questioning, Segal gave further details about the plans for controlling sound in the restaurant. He said the restaurant ensures that speakers are not near columns or on floors, and that they face away from windows.
"We are focused on these types of issues," he said.
Reason to protest?
Commissioner Stephanie Maltz (district 03) pointed out that ANC2B's policy guidelines required that it protest any new request for a liquor license in this area (called "Club Central") on the grounds of neighborhood peace, order, and quiet. However, STK's application was not, technically, new, since there was a liquor license holder previously in operation on the same spot. Therefore, the ANC was not obligated to protest.
Detail from STK web site |
Commissioner Leo Dwyer (district 07) said this was not relevant to STK's liquor license request.
The motion passed 7-0. One Commissioner was absent on a business trip, and another recused himself.
The liquor license application moves to DC's Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board. A hearing is scheduled for October 21.
Leo Dwyer is absolutely correct - the patron focus of STK restaurant is not relevant to the liquor license request. I am stunned that Kevin O'Connor who, sadly, has been given responsibility for ABC matters as the ANC ABRA committee chair, would allow his personal feelings about the entirely legal business model of the establishment to influence his opinion on the matter. He may think STK is "sexist" but I think he has demonstrated that he is an inappropriate person to be chairing the committee that reviews ABC licensing matters. Will someone please run against this guy in the next election?!
ReplyDeleteNot that I should be responding to an anonymous internet comment, but there are a couple points missed in the article that I should clear up. While I did suggest the establishment and its marketing were sexist, and I stand by that, I also specifically stated that I would not stand in the way of the application based on its merits on ABRA grounds. In fact, I voted to support the application.
ReplyDelete-Kevin O'Connor
Commissioner, ANC2B02