By Nevin Martell From Modern Luxury DC
t’s an otherwise unremarkable and warm May evening, but Kapnos Kouzina is booming. Perched at the corner of Hampden Lane on Bethesda Row, the 160-seat Greek powerhouse from a pair of Top Chef alums—chef-restaurateur Mike Isabella and his business partner, executive chef George Pagonis—is alive with the hum of diners hungry for a spot imbued with culinary cool. Outgoing servers, dressed in olive-green shirts and brushed evergreen aprons, hustle and bustle with impressively high energy.
The striking 5,200-square-foot space was brought to life by Natalie Park Design Studio and Eimer Design. Shades of green dominate, accented with flashes of white and sandy-hued wood, and vivified by the day’s last burst of sunlight peeking through the wraparound windows. The freestanding island bar floats near the center of the room, like Crete off Greece’s mainland, while gray-veined white marble serves as a backdrop to the showcase kitchen with counter seating. The rest of the seating is divided between booths, traditional tables and high-tops; though the aim is to offer an alfresco patio experience by late summer.
