Lifestyle
Sook Opens in DC, Replacing Compass Rose with Fresh Fare
In a significant transformation for Washington, D.C.’s dining scene, chef and restaurateur Rose Previte has replaced her well-known restaurant, Compass Rose, with a new and more casual establishment named Sook. The all-day café, market, and wine bar opened its doors this month, marking a fresh chapter in the local culinary landscape after Compass Rose closed in May 2023 following 11 successful years.
Culinary Offerings at Sook
Sook has already begun serving daytime pastries and coffee, but the eagerly anticipated evening menu is set to launch tonight. The new menu features a variety of playful comfort foods, including a classic grilled cheese and a unique take on nachos, which are made with potato chips and topped with prosciutto, olives, cornichons, and parmesan. One of the highlights is khachapuri, the Georgian cheesy flatbread that became a sensation at Compass Rose.
Previte’s vision for Sook reflects a shift to a more relaxed dining atmosphere. She partnered with long-time friend Sashi Jayatileke, who recently left her position at USAID after 14 years. The two share a desire to create a welcoming environment for the community. “She’s like, ‘You know what? I’m realizing my cohort of friends, who had this horrible thing happen to them unexpectedly, needs a place to gather,’” Previte explained.
A Community Hub
Sook aims to be a neighborhood gathering place where patrons can enjoy a coffee or pastry while working on their laptops or catching up with friends in a vibrant, greenery-filled space. The daytime menu features a variety of drinks, including traditional espresso options alongside unique creations like a fig-leaf latte and a ginger-tamarind espresso tonic. The pastry selection includes items prepared in-house, a bacon-egg-and-cheese sandwich on milk bread, and a Lebanese breakfast featuring za’atar flatbread, feta, cucumbers, and tomatoes.
As the clock strikes 15:00, Sook transitions to its evening offerings. The menu incorporates Middle Eastern influences, such as Syrian seven-spice chicken wings served with Lebanese-style salsa verde, a chopped salad with labne ranch, and French fries drizzled with garlicky toum and zhough. Additionally, traditional American fare is available, including a smash burger, an Italian hoagie, and a classic BLT.
The drink menu boasts an expanded selection of natural wines, alongside some “esoteric” options like Slovenian amber wine and sparkling varieties from Greece. Previte also promises a selection of spritzes and a signature espresso martini, stating, “I can’t have this whole big new espresso machine, and not give you an espresso martini.”
Beyond its café offerings, Sook functions as a market, selling spice blends from Maydan, including a ribeye rub and dukkah. Customers can also find a range of specialty products, from unfiltered Lebanese olive oil to smoky tahini sourced from Iraqi Kurdistan. For wine enthusiasts, Sook serves as a bottle shop, with all wines available for purchase at retail prices.
The opening of Sook represents a thoughtful evolution in Washington, D.C.’s dining scene, combining community engagement with innovative culinary offerings. As Previte notes, the shift to a more casual dining environment aligns with her desire to provide a space that serves both food and connection.
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