Opera, 13th and U Streets NW

[oliveDC]

Checked out Opera the other night (I think I'll always call it Kuna) and though change is hard, I enjoyed myself. They don't have the wine sampling anymore but I heard chef Mark tell someone that they were welcome to ask for a sample of anything that's open.

The army green walls are a little pukey, but they added a tall communal table which could be fun. The new cocktail list looked great -- maybe they're hoping people will come to drink and snack.

There's a cheese plate and a charcuterie plate on the menu, along with a bunch of appetizers and some interesting entrees, quite a few of them vegetarian.

I had rockfish in tomato broth with a side of aioli and toasted bread, sort of a simplified bouillabaisse, that was fantastic. Prices were hovering just under $20.

It'll be interesting to see how the change works out for them...

[DCMark]

My question to Tom revealed his review for this week:

U St. Washington, D.C.: Have you dined at, or heard anything about Opera, the place that replaced Kuna? Thanks

Tom Sietsema: Your timing couldn't be better. My review of Opera hits the news stands this Sunday.

[morela]

My question to Tom revealed his review for this week:

U St. Washington, D.C.: Have you dined at, or heard anything about Opera, the place that replaced Kuna? Thanks

Tom Sietsema: Your timing couldn't be better. My review of Opera hits the news stands this Sunday.

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Rock on L. Pavarotti!

Edited January 27, 2005 by morela (log)

[TedE]

and Mr. Sietsema sez ...

[oliveDC]

"I was halfway into the entree, lingering over each bite, when I paused and gazed out the ground-floor window: A gentle snow was falling. The experience reminded me how events, good or bad, can shape a person's attitude about a restaurant. Who you're with, the mood you're in when you walk through the door, the background music -- restaurants are often about more than just what you're eating."

This line from the Post review perfectly sums up how I always felt about Kuna. It wasn't the food that kept me coming back, though it was always good -- it's the atmosphere of hospitality that the owners have created.

I'm glad to see they got two stars, even though I'm still trying to figure out the menu. We had a disappointing fried risotto dish the other night, and a too tough veal salad on another visit. But I'll keep going back because it's hard to not feel at home there.

[JennyUptown]

I went to Tom's review of Opera (formerly Kuna) to see if Opera is open on Sunday nights. I remembered that Kuna was not. Although the review says "Sunday 6-9 pm" I figured I should call and sure enough, the outgoing voice mail says that they are closed Sunday. The voice mail also makes reference to "Opera, formerly Kuna" and "Italian farmhouse cuisine."

I also saw an interesting user review dated March 17 saying that the old Kuna menu is back/coming back. Is anyone able to verify that (by a recent visit)?

[Robin Shuster]

I would say it is about 80 percent the same as Kuna-. They wanted to make a clean break away from the Kuna menu, but the customers kept asking for old faves, so it is not much different than it was-- with higher prices.

I went to Tom's review of Opera (formerly Kuna) to see if Opera is open on Sunday nights.  I remembered that Kuna was not.  Although the review says "Sunday 6-9 pm" I figured I should call and sure enough, the outgoing voice mail says that they are closed Sunday.  The voice mail also makes reference to "Opera, formerly Kuna" and "Italian farmhouse cuisine."

I also saw an interesting user review dated March 17 saying that the old Kuna menu is back/coming back.  Is anyone able to verify that (by a recent visit)?

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[DCMark]

and no free wine.