A Vegan Senator’s Go-to Sushi Spot Flops — And More April Closings

Sticky Rice was big on themed sushi sets, including this recent one for Valentine’s Day. | Sticky Rice

The latest restaurants and bars calling it quits around D.C.

This is a curated list of D.C. area’s newly announced restaurant and bar closures, with new updates published every month. See a closing we missed? Drop us a line.

DEL RAY—Dolce & Bean, Alexandria’s family-run cafe for gelato, pastries, decadent chocolates, and espresso drinks since 2017, closed on Monday, April 21. 2003 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia

H STREET—It’s the end of an era for H Street’s pioneering sushi-and-sake bar Sticky Rice, which closed on Saturday, April 19 after a 17-year run along the Northeast strip. Per a closing statement, the pandemic, decreased foot traffic, rising food costs, labor costs, and I-82 issues “have all made it impossible for us to continue. We fought hard—but it’s time to say goodbye.” Around since 2008, the punky, party-ready sushi dive turned stuffy dining on its head with a gong that rang with every order of a sake bomb, creative rolls with fillings like tempura-fried sweet potato, and buckets of tater tots. Late-night karaoke sessions were also big here. One of Sticky Rice’s biggest fans was U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), who works nearby on the Hill and raved over its plentiful selection of vegan options on the menu. Booker turned to X to express his sadness over the closure:

Sticky Rice also expanded to Baltimore and Richmond over the years, but those locations didn’t pan out. 1224 H Street NE

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS—Essential ice cream shop Moorenko’s closed its two area locations in downtown Silver Spring and on Capitol Hill. Owner Susan Moorenko recently told Eater she’s in the process of selling the business due to personal medical issues. “I was hit by a car a year ago and can no longer run the company as a result,” she says. The respected scoops chain, a DMV fixture since 2002, gets its dairy from grass-fed cows raised on family-owned farms in Pennsylvania. The new owners will still be selling Moorenko’s Ice Cream, she says, but “under a different name.” Its scoops can also be found at Broad Branch Market in Chevy Chase and Henry’s Sweet Retreat in Bethesda. 8030 Georgia Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland

GEORGETOWN—Bakeshop, the Arlington-born sweets spot known for macarons, pies, and chocolate pudding, closed its Georgetown digs after a four-year run. But the space won’t stay empty for long; Ramen by Uzu is expected to open inside soon this spring. 3210 Grace Street NW

BROOKLAND—American standby Brookland’s Finest closed on Sunday, April 13 after a 10-year run. The corner neighborhood staple’s much-loved Colonel burger was one of the best in the city, and home-made pies, seasonal salads, and deviled eggs were also popular here. In a closure statement circulated online, its owner Tony Tomelden cites several reasons for cause — including a decrease in foot traffic, high cost of goods, and payroll challenges Initiative 82 presents. The vet D.C. restaurateur continues to run H Street’s popular dive bar the Pug and downtown’s whiskey bar Union Trust. 3126 12th Street NE

ASHBURN—After an 11-year run, Loudoun County’s popular Old Ox Brewery ceased operations on Saturday, April 5. The sprawling brewery featured a patio and tap room to try its lineup of porters, ales, and hoppy IPAs made on-site, plus weekly pizza pop-ups and comedy shows. The owners are pursuing retirement and other plans. 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn, Virginia

CHINATOWN—Jackey Cafe, the 40-year-old destination for late-night lo mein, closed forever on Friday, April 4. “Facing rising rents and food costs, Jackey Cafe has made the difficult decision to shutter their doors,” per community blog @savechinatowndc. 611 H Street NW