New Chevy Chase restaurant has coffee bar, Mediterranean dishes, craft cocktails
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Char opens in Chevy Chase with Mediterranean menu and in-house coffee bar.
- Family-owned venture features pastries, Neapolitan pizza, and craft cocktails.
- Indoor and patio seating totals 82, with full dining rolled out by August 2025.
A new place is opening in Chevy Chase with a little something for everyone.
Great coffee? Check, along with house-made pastries and sweets.
Neapolitan pizza with locally sourced ingredients? Check.
Mediterranean and Greek-influenced entrees? Check and check.
All in a Barbara Ricke-designed space with a cozy bar and umbrella-shaded patio in a walkable Lexington neighborhood.
If this sounds like your kind of place, you’ll want to check out Char on South Ashland Avenue.
The name is inspired by its charred pizza, roasted coffee and bourbon barrel wall, said Tony Mills, one of the backers of the new coffee shop and restaurant that is the brainchild of his son, Rollie, who will be the coffee bar director.
The Mills family is also a partner in two Wild Eggs restaurants in Lexington.
They plan to open with coffee and pastries, made by award-winning cake artist Julie Jensen of Cakes by Julie, on July 7, then add dinner on July 11 and work their way up to lunch by August.
Tony Mills described the menu as artisan modern craft dining for lunch, dinner and brunch on weekends. “It’s a modern elevated European-inspired cafe,” he said.
It isn’t a chain, but rather their own concept with a look created by Lexington interior designer Barbara Ricke featuring natural-colored basketweave light fixtures and relaxing neutral tones.
There will be authentic pastas with sauces such as wagyu bolognese, spicy meatball marinara, a true carbonara, as well as duck meatloaf, marinated hanger steak inspired by Gramercy Tavern, Greek chicken over lemon potatoes, fresh salads and seasonal vegetables.
Vegetarian options will include Greek zucchini patties, couscous with micro salad and housemade raspberry vinaigrette, vegetarian pizza and limited-time-only offerings such as Greek green beans, onions and tomatoes.
“We’re trying to bring all of our life experiences to make a local, family-owned restaurant in Chevy Chase,” Tony Mills said.
Prices will range from $18 to $35 for entrees, with pizzas $16 to $23.
“We want you to feel like this can be integrated into the community of Chevy Chase,” Rollie Mills said. “We want you to feel at home, come get your coffee in the morning, stop by for lunch ... and, of course, date night.”
An iced or hot latte will be $4.50, Mills said. The coffee comes from their own micro roastery, The Funky Rooster, which also has a food truck.
The new restaurant has 42 seats inside and another 40 outside under umbrellas on the fenced-in patio that will have a fire pit for cooler weather.
Char
Where: 316 S. Ashland Ave.
Hours: Coffee bar open daily 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Restaurant open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4 to 9 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4 to 10 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4 to 10 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4 to 9 p.m. Closed Tuesday.
This story was originally published July 7, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
