NoMa’s French brasserie Le Clou served its last beef bourguignon dish a few weeks ago. | Le Clou A running list of area establishments permanently closing this month This is a curated list of D.C. area’s most notable and permanent restaurant and bar closures, with new updates published every month. See a closing we missed? Drop us a line. November ECKINGTON—Qualia Coffee, one of the most respected small-batch roasters in D.C., will close its Eckington storefront next month. Its nearly 8-year lease is ending, and “despite the ongoing support of our landlords through the difficulties of the past five years, operating a brick-and-mortar business in D.C. is an increasingly costly proposition,” per a closing announcement. Its last day of service is scheduled for the Sunday before Thanksgiving (November 24). After the closure, Qualia will continue to roast in D.C. and distribute its Ethiopian and Latin beans through NEAR.delivery and by mail order. 10 Harry Thomas Way NE October 25 View this post on Instagram A post shared by Slash Run (@slashrundc) PETWORTH—Slash Run, D.C.’s rock-n-roll attraction for beers, heavy metal bands, arcade games, and one of the city’s best burgers, called it quits after a decade-long run. “I have decided not to renew my lease as it has been a trying last two years, I hung on so tightly to Slash because I love this place,” writes owner Christine Lilyea. The beloved dive framed with a pink-and-black patio slashed burger prices in half on Mondays. The popular lineup built with six-ounce Creekstone Farms beef patties included a popular “Barstool Rodeo” barbecue option made with finely ground coffee. Slash Run’s punky sibling the Runaway closed in Brookland this summer after two years. 201 Upshur Street NW October 24 GAINESVILLE, VIRGINIA—Out of the Blue Crabs and Seafood shut down after a 7-year run. The 300-seat restaurant in Prince William County came from Danny and Ryan Pell and Justin Perroots. The Pells are related to the family behind revered Fairfax crab house Captain Pells crab house, notes Northern Virginia Mag, but the two businesses are unaffiliated. 5005 Wellington Road, Gainesville, Virginia October 8 WOODLEY PARK—That’s a wrap for fashion and entertainment icon Tyra Banks’ first official Smize & Dream scoop shop. Smize & Dream entered the D.C. market in July as a short-term pop-up near the Smithsonian Zoo, but there were potential plans to stay put longer if the location worked well. The ice cream store, which hides a sprinkle-covered “Smize Surprise” truffle treat at the bottom of every cup and cone, got a surprise visit from TikTok star Keith Lee soon after opening. Eater reached out to the team about plans to potentially reopen elsewhere in D.C. 2653 Connecticut Avenue NW Late September/early October Le Clou Le Clou’s 75-seat dining room is dotted with swirled marble tables and sleek leather booths. NOMA—Less than two years after opening off the lobby of The Morrow Washington DC, Curio Collection by Hilton, chef Nicholas Stefanelli’s first French restaurant quietly fizzled out about four weeks ago. Stefanelli, who’s behind Italian spots like nearby Michelin-starred Masseria and Officina on the Wharf, leaned into his classically-trained French foundation at Le Clou. The modern brasserie served abundant seafood towers, frisee salads, Hudson Valley foie gras, escargot, frog legs, steak frites, French onion soup, delicate trout, and plenty of Champagne. The gilded dining room plans to reboot service under a new to-be-named chef by the end of the year, per a hotel employee; details on the replacement project and its cuisine focus remain under wraps for now while the contract is being finalized. Greek-themed showpiece Philotimo, Stefanelli’s other ambitious, pandemic-born restaurant across town, also closed this year after a short run in Midtown Center. 222 M Street NE ARLINGTON—Peruvian restaurant El Fuego called it quits after six years in Lyon Park, reports ArlNow. Founder Manny Alfaro started El Fuego as a food truck in 2011 and went the brick-and-mortar route in 2018, showcasing Peruvian cuisine and its Chinese and Japanese influences under one roof. Alfaro won an episode of Food Network’s cooking competition show Guy’s Grocery Games in 2020 and went on to sell the business the following year. The changeover got a glowing review from Washington Post food writer Tim Carman. 2300 N. Pershing Drive, Arlington, Virginia