When you have a breakfast restaurant, many of the “norms” of restaurant culture and business practices don’t necessarily apply. For example, we don’t have a large, separate bar to hang out at and we don’t have brunch menu because we are serving brunch every day. Which begs the question: what does a breakfast/brunch restaurant offer instead? We offer dinner service three nights per week.For those of you that know me personally, you’ll know that I often say I have no business opening a restaurant. And while I’ve learned so much over the last four years, I often still say that is true. One of the biggest mistakes that I made in the beginning was starting a dinner service well before our business or its leader were ready. After about ten months of exhausting nights and even more exhausting days, I had to get really honest about sustainability and closed our dinner service and vowed not to reopen until I felt like I was ready again.Last year, I hired Raquel. She came with an incredible amount of experience and just the right amount of upward management to give me the confidence that I needed to tackle doing a dinner service again. She also makes INCREDIBLE cocktails, so we applied for, and recently received, a full liquor license so we can put her skills on display!After months of gentle pressure from her, I began the arduous process of looking for a Chef to take the helm at the kitchen. When I met Jamie for her first interview we chatted for nearly three hours. We were able to bond very quickly. We share the same values about food, how to think about how a guest approaches food, and how to care for and lead staff. Sharing a kitchen in an intensely intimate relationship and it has already been rewarding and we haven’t even opened yet. Jamie and I both put so much of ourselves on the plate. I can’t wait to see her interpretation of dinner in Del Ray.At night, our daily counter and biscuit service turns over to make way for a neighborhood bistro. A place with a simple, quality menu focused local and seasonal menu items in a comfortable and warm environment. Plus an edited beer and wine list and Raquel’s stunning and delicious cocktail menu. Dinner at Stomp should feel like a dinner party for your most intimate friends. The Stomping Ground core values still apply, even more than ever.  We anticipate an end of August opening and so very much look forward to inviting you in!