The sign announcing the pending arrival of Butterworth’s being installed on Tuesday morning.
Images of what’s going on inside are not available yet. Here’s a photo featuring a detail of the interior design by Studio Lo https://www.studiolo-design.com/ Renovation was completed by Tower 7 Construction.
Butterworth’s – A French Style Restaurant/Café/Bar to Open on PA Ave SE
by Larry Janezich
Posted Tuesday, September 3
Butterworth’s, modeled after the casual French restaurant/café where one hangs out and returns to regularly will open at 319 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE in October.
The group behind Butterworth’s took over the building formerly occupied by Coastline Oyster Company in February. Before that it was home to ZOCA Mexican Restaurant, Stanton + Greene, Pour House, and Politicki.
According to a knowledgeable source, the new venture will be a casual hangout, open all day starting at 8am with a coffee program and progressing through the lunch hour and ending with dinner. The new venture is being billed as a place where quirkiness and creativity are celebrated. The menu is still being worked out but will have broad appeal, leaning heavily on French cuisine but including grilled cheese and tomato soup.
The owners think Butterworth’s can set the standard for what a business is capable of compared with other hospitality providers on PA Avenue, and for a similar price point. Butterworth’s will initially open on the first floor and eventually expand to the second floor and basement. The hope and expectation is that Butterworth’s will become an institution with a lasting relationship to Capitol Hill and DC. The name comes from the last name of the company’s main investor.
The restaurant is trying not to give away too much in the press prior to opening. The current marketing plan is to not explain the concept in advance but rather to create an aura of intrigue to preserve what the owners think is special.
Butterworth’s is waiting for certificate of occupancy and hopes to open in October.
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 
Love it! A French-style restaurant/cafe with a “reet” good Yorkshire name!
No way it can compete with The Tune Inn.
I didn’t realize the Tune was French!
Oui!
I am cautiously optimistic! The Hill really needs a cafe that’s open late and this one looks like it’ll be adorable. It’s giving Le Grenier (RIP) vibes. But that space seems to be cursed. The last few restaurants were perfectly good but didn’t last long at all.