Colleen Conrad's Back at Pearl Dive

Last time Colleen Conrad cooked in the Pearl Dive Oyster Palace kitchen, she was a junior sous chef. Now she’s back leading the charge as executive chef. Spending the past year opening Takoma Park’s Republic with head chef Danny Wells was invaluable, she tells us. “The biggest lesson is that you don’t know anything when it comes to opening a restaurant. I wouldn’t be able to come in and change up the menu [at Pearl Dive] without having gone through the past year with Danny.” Colleen’s focus is on letting local, seasonal ingredients shine. “This crowd doesn’t want to read a menu with words they don't understand,” Colleen says. One example of simple done right is her whole wood grilled Bradford Bay Farms black bass.

Continue reading this story with a free account

Log in or register
Sign up for more articles like this
Subscribe to Bisnow's Washington, D.C. Newsletters
Related Stories

Salesforce Plans Innovation Hub Downtown: The D.C. Deal Sheet

Master Plan Is Underway For Southwest D.C., Chief Federal Planner Says

BXP Execs See Better Returns In Building Offices Than Buying Them

The Las Vegas-Style Sphere Just Outside D.C. Is A Go

The 'Zombie' Building Mirage: How Owners Who Can't Transact Are Stirring The Market

Coffee Shop Signs Lease At Downtown Trophy: The D.C. Deal Sheet

Oliver Carr Jr.'s Firm Sells Alexandria Project To His Son's Company

Bill Barr's Law Firm Expands Footprint In Move To Pennsylvania Avenue

Amazon Ditches Ashburn Data Center Plan, Shifts To Mixed-Use Vision

Bowser Wants To Lock In A $550M Spa Before She Leaves. D.C. Council Members Are Pushing Back

Downtown Conversion Lands Construction Loan: The D.C. Deal Sheet

Fairfax Pays $23M For Innovation Center Site, With Plans For Affordable Housing