Canton Disco heats up the Navy Yard neighborhood this winter. | Saltbridge Strategies Get ready for Canton Disco, a hot new Navy Yard restaurant from a partner of a top pizza place in the same Southeast neighborhood and two other heavy-hitters in the local hospitality industry.  Canton Dis co, scheduled to open in February, will function as a cafe during the day and transition into a full-service restaurant and bar at night. It takes over the space most recently occupied by Pho Junkies, and, before that, Justin’s Cafe (1025 1st Street SE).  The self-described “Cantonese-inspired” newcomer represents a partnership between Side Door Pizza’s co-founder Brian Schram, chef Timothy Yu, and sommelier Brent Kroll. Canton Disco’s menu is shaping up to be a good one, considering Yu’s family ran Hollywood East Cafe — one of the region’s best Chinese restaurants that closed in Wheaton, Maryland last summer after nearly 30 years. Dishes doused with lots of garlic and fiery flavors will include salt and pepper wings, fried whole branzino flecked with Fresno peppers, and chile wontons.  Kroll, best known for leading pioneering wine bar Maxwell Park in Shaw, will oversee a drinks program spotlighting spirits, tea, cocktails, and of course, a curated wine list. It’s a first-time team-up for the trio of longtime industry friends, who were looking for the right project to join forces on. Taking tips from classic Chinese restaurants, Canton Disco will also loop in funky decor elements reminiscent of 1970s Hong Kong nightlife. (Think: dimly lit, party-starting vibes that bring D.C.’s popular Bar Chinois to mind.)  Canton represents a big neighborhood expansion for Schram, who opened his pint-sized, Detroit-styled pizza place nearby during the pandemic. Meanwhile, another promising switcheroo is in progress in Navy Yard, with Tysons’ pasta standout Scolapasta taking over recently closed ramen bar Basebowl across from Nationals Park. ...read more read less