$100 gift coin - yes, this is no ordinary gift card - it's a beautifully boxed, gorgeous gift COIN - good for food and beverage at Cedar Restaurant in Washington, D.C.

Craig Merrills, a partner in several celebrated Mid-Atlantic region restaurants had a revelation to craft a new downtown restaurant experience that recreates the fresh-air feeling he gets when he is outside enjoying nature’s wild beauty. He and his partners, Dick Heidenberger and Mikias Ababayehu, also wanted to build a restaurant around a chef’s personality and talents. 

Chef Andy Kitko draws from his East coast and West coast training to open Cedar, where classical French technique unites with an ingredient-driven approach, resulting in a contemporary American cuisine with natural clean flavors and vibrant presentations that highlight the expressions of the seasons. 

Merrills says, “With Kitko, it all comes together - it’s the perfect marriage.” 

Andy Kitko’s eminent career has taken him to many top Michelin rated restaurants on both coasts, such as two of San Francisco’s culinary destinations, Aqua and Gary Danko, and New York City’s Café Boulud. 

When asked what one can expect at Cedar, Kitko explains, “My vision for Cedar is ‘field and stream’ in a polished urban style.” Kitko envisions a contemporary take on country fare: roasts, game, sausages, salmon, trout, forest forage-berries, mushrooms, herbs, greens, and smoke.

He will use the freshest of seasonal ingredients prepared thoughtfully and with great care, to remind us of the bounty of the great outdoors.